Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now
The potential transition from Bobby Cox to Fredi Gonzalez just got easier.
When Bobby Cox manages his final game in four months, give or take, depending partly on how long Troy Glaus channels Harmon Killebrew, the Braves officially will begin a search for his replacement.
Logic says general manager Frank Wren already has a list with a few names. But if he lost it in a drawer, it’s no big deal. The search just got a whole lot easier. The Florida Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez Wednesday morning. This would be a good time for Wren to phone Gonzalez and see if he would be willing to accept a job as special consultant in charge of, I dunno, looking for a new house.
I’ve written about Gonzalez in the past, most recently when he earned the respect of his peers and the players in the Marlins’ clubhouse by benching the immature Hanley Ramirez (click here) for laziness. He is a former Braves coach who has managed winning teams in Florida despite a minuscule payroll, little fan support and, perhaps worst of all, a knucklehead for an owner (Jeffrey Loria).
Loria considered hiring Bobby Valentine after last season. When it was reported, he denied doing any such thing. I’m guessing Loria also produced BP’s oil spill estimates.
Loria fired Gonzalez after the Marlins started the season 34-36. In a sense, the firing was expected. Gonzalez was set up for a fall in spring training, when Loria declared that he considered Florida a playoff team.
Not that the Marlins could compete for the playoffs. But that they WERE a playoff team.
“I expect us to make the playoffs,” Loria said. “We’ve got all the ammunition we need.”
What a yutz.
For the record, the Marlins’ $57 million payroll on opening day ranked 26th out of 30 teams. In the National League East, they trail Philadelphia ($141.9 million, fourth), New York ($134.4 million, fifth), the Braves ($84.4 million, 15th) and even Washington ($61.4 million, 23rd).
When a team has a lower payroll than the Washington Nationals, the owner should respond by building bronze statues for a manager that goes 34-36, not by firing him.
Gonzalez never publicly complained. “You feel like, as a manager or coach, whatever players you get, you feel like you can win with,” he said about the payroll.
Gonzalez shouldn’t feel too bad. Loria also has fired Joe Girardi in 2006, even though Girardi was named National League Manager of the Year. Three years later, Girardi won a World Series with the New York Yankees.
We perceive Braves owner Liberty Media as a bottom-line corporation that doesn’t really care about the baseball product. But if owners were historical rulers, then Loria is Napoleon and Liberty Media is Alexander The Great by comparison.
No problem. This could be a blessing for the Braves.
If the Braves have a strong season — and postseason — I believe hitting coach Terry Pendleton will be strongly considered by Wren as Cox’s replacement. But anything other than a strong October and I think Wren will look outside the organization.
That shouldn’t even be an issue now. The Braves should see if Gonzalez is open to a position with the organization immediately, whether as consultant or pro scout. The final managerial decision can be made later. Get him in the fold now.
Something tells me Gonzalez is not going to be unemployed for long.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
Last five posts on instant replay (no charge)
♦ Michael Turner finally admitting the obvious: He was fat
♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?)
♦ Will Hawks draft player (Crawford) who dunked on LeBron?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
199 comments Add your comment
bruce
June 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
cool thoughts
Jason
June 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
First?
Ala Doc
June 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
Poorly worded headline. Should read “Braves should waste no time hiring him”.
Jason
June 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
damnit – anyways, i love fredi – he is good with young players and with the youth movement we are seeing, could be a good fit…
East Cobb Ron
June 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
Jeff, he doesn’t need to look for a new house. He already lives in East Cobb. Maybe he can be incharge of helping Bobby smoke those cigars that Ozzie gave him last night.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
Chipper as HC- Please, Please do not make TP manager. How much influence JS do you think Hank Aaron has in the matter?
bruce
June 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
who is something and what do they know when they tell you things?
Ala Doc
June 23rd, 2010
1:03 pm
Nice correction
Jeff
June 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
Hire him fast!!!!
All I'm Saying...
June 23rd, 2010
1:06 pm
Wow, this is great and proves that Loria is an idiot of huge proportions. You’re darn right we should hire Fredi and I say, shoot, install him as our bench manager. As a known entity, he’d fit right in with Bobby, Roger, TP, etc. and would likely really help us to get some of our top flight talent (e.g. Escobar) to continue to mature.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Sleeze
June 23rd, 2010
1:06 pm
No doubt Freddy’s the man for the job. But there would be one good thing about Pendleton becoming manager… he couldn’t be the batting coach anymore..
rudy
June 23rd, 2010
1:08 pm
terry pendleton deserves the job more…seriously
Reid Adair
June 23rd, 2010
1:08 pm
I agree 100 percent. Get Fredi Gonzalez locked in with some role now, and announce him as the manager as soon as appropriate after the end of the season.
Anyone who follows baseball knows that the Marlins’ ownership and off-the-field managements is worse than the Braves’. They did Gonzalez a favor by firing him.
Cracker Jacket
June 23rd, 2010
1:09 pm
Hope Braves are smart enough to hire him!!! Please no TP!
Ramblin Wrecker
June 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
Sleeze,
Are you serious? First in NL in runs, OBP, walks, doubles, first in NL East. What exactly does TP need to do differently?
brandon
June 23rd, 2010
1:11 pm
I’d like to see Fredi as our future manager. I’m suspect about TP being the manager, but one person the Braves have on their staff right now does impress me a lot if we can’t get Fredi…Eddie Perez perhaps? Former catchers make pretty dang good managers. Why doesn’t Eddie’s name float around much as a possibility???
bakerman
June 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
Surely the phone call has already been made. Hire him in any capacity, then do anything to kick TP to the curb so Hank can’t influence a TP hire as manager.
kent
June 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
Why does having little fan support make it more difficiult to manage?
TONE
June 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
3 reasons it will never happen
1) it makes sense
2) it makes baseball sense
3) Jeff suggested it (kiss of death)
but if i am wrong and he gets hired what do you want to bet his cake says welcome to atlanta Tony Gonzalez
Anton Chigurh
June 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
Snap him up. Thanks fish!
Portly
June 23rd, 2010
1:18 pm
True Dat!
Ramblin Wrecker
June 23rd, 2010
1:18 pm
I think TP should be the next manager. That’s not a knock on Fredi. I wouldn’t be upset if they hire Fredi. But I think TP is the guy. If anybody has heard interviews with him, you’d notice that this year’s Braves team has more of a TP personality. TP played under Whitey Herzog in St. Louis during the days of Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, Ozzie Smith, etc. and he very much believes in that style of baseball (stealing, hit-n-run, move runners over, put pressure on defense). TP is also old school when it comes to being tough. He once walked off the field when Marvin Freeman refused to protect his teammates by hitting Tim Belcher. That’s what I want in a manager. I don’t know that Fredi believes in that style of play or toughness. But I want TP. Then you hire Chipper Jones as the hitting coach.
mountain_jim
June 23rd, 2010
1:18 pm
another No to TP
Ramblin Wrecker
June 23rd, 2010
1:20 pm
And TP turned down the job that Fredi just got fired from because he wants this job. And given the culture change in offensive discipline on this team, I don’t think you can dismiss TP as effective.
TP won’t be here next year if he’s not the manager.
Chip Caray's Eyebrows
June 23rd, 2010
1:21 pm
100% agree Schultzie. Call him today, give him all the time he needs and let him no there is a postion as a scout/assistant to the gm waiting for him. This guy got screwed so bad down there. He had a horrible owner, low payroll, and they still competed. Imagine what he could do with twice the money.
JLC
June 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
This is a no-brainer. Keep Pendleton on the staff, but you have to get Fredi in here before someone else does.
Tweets that mention http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/23/fredi-gonzalez-fired-braves-shouldnt-waste-time-hiring-him/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog%3Futm_source%3Dpingback -- Topsy.com
June 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: [...]
DawginLex
June 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
Said this before the season started. Agree 100%
TONE
June 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
TP he’s TOUGH!!!!!!!
like John Wayne
rough and tough and ETC.
Big Al
June 23rd, 2010
1:27 pm
No TP
Sleeze
June 23rd, 2010
1:28 pm
Rambling Wrecker, he could become the next batting coach for GA Tech. I’d be okay with that.. 2 months of improvement does not make up for years of poor pitch selection, lack of bunting skills, unwillingness to go the other way, etc.
Delbert D.
June 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
Sund, wake up…do it now!
PMC
June 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
Keep in mind that spending they did to retain Hanley and a couple great pitchers… was league mandated for the most part. Loria’s out of his freaking goard.
I’d be happy to have Freddi Gonzalez represent the Braves.
Captain Morgan
June 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
I’m afraid TP would be too much in the Cox mold. They should look for something different!
Anton Chigurh
June 23rd, 2010
1:30 pm
That’s funny Delbert. Uh, wait … that was a joke, right?
Dr. Warren
June 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
Getting sentimental and hiring TP would be a big mistake. Cryonism sinks businesses. I gotta agree with Jeff on this one.
BC
June 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
I am amazed they would even consider Pendleton if Gonzalez is available. Fredi should be the first and only choice.
Dr. Warren
June 23rd, 2010
1:32 pm
Cronyism
Delbert D.
June 23rd, 2010
1:34 pm
I liked Pendleton as a player, but he seems to be inert as a coach. I can’t recall seeing him move while the camera is on him.
Delbert D.
June 23rd, 2010
1:39 pm
Aw, the heck with it. Fire Sund, promote Bobby Cox to GM/Manager for the rest of the season, and let him hire Gonzalez. The let Bobby keep the GM job next year. That’s what he was when the Braves got him from Toronto.
Ramblin Wrecker
June 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Sleeze,
Good thing you aren’t making this decision.
I think for anybody who’s been paying attention that TP’s message has been consistent and those people who didn’t listen (Francoeur, Andruw Jones) have been weeded out.
The decisions to bunt, hit-n-run, steal etc. lie with Bobby Cox. For whatever reason, he’s doing more of that. TP is on record as being in favor of that style of play. And I think we’ve seen the results of that change in style. If you choose to ignore that, feel free. But what you can’t say is that TP is not a worthy candidate for manager.
George
June 23rd, 2010
1:42 pm
Hiring Fredi now would be viewed by many in and out of the organization as a lock on the manager’s job for 2011. This may cause some friction within a playoff contending team and organization. With that said I believe him to be the best candidate with TP moving on and possibly Chipper taking over the batting coach role if he has an interest. How to do all of this and make a commitment to Fredi without causing problems will be very difficult. If this is the route that is going to be taken be upfront and do it with everyone knowing now; including Terry.
Hollywould
June 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
Can Gonzalez coach hockey too?
Frank Wren
June 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
Man, you keep it up, Delbert. I’m rolling on the floor over here. Uh, wait … you are joking, right?
Michael
June 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
all in favor BUT he is being paid under Florida contract thru 2011 so hiring him now would most likely mean also paying him at managers salary level….which I am OK with.
Jack
June 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
Another poorly written article by Schultz. It must easy to get a job at the AJC. Totally agree Ramblin Wrecker
T'VILLE DAWG
June 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
I’ve been saying for quite a while that he should be looked at very hard, what with him constantly playing new players and them playing that well, but once again this makes to much sense. Good luck coach in the new position you’ll get any day now from any team but the Braves.
Mr. Phil
June 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
Schultz,
You make a compelling argument. But the question is (and has been) whether Liberty Media or Frank Wren are particularly interested in winning. I have seen no evidence that any such interest exists.
DrewDawg
June 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
I agree with this whole heartedly! Come on Freddie
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
I agree with Rambling Wrecker. I gained a lot of respect for TP the day he walked off the field because of the lack of retaliation. Also, baseball is headed back to the Cardinals 80’s style of baseball. You will see teams draft for speed and pitching and TP is experienced. I wouldn’t have a problem with Fredi either. Didn’t Joe Geradi get the ax for doing the same job in Florida. Either guy would be OK with me. Dang I’m torn.
clay
June 23rd, 2010
1:49 pm
Fredi Fredi Fredi!!!!! They need to hurry up and scoop him up before baltimore does. Just hire him to a BS position and then when the time is right, you announce him as the new HC.
unknown hinson
June 23rd, 2010
1:50 pm
I’ll take Fredi anyday.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 23rd, 2010
1:51 pm
Sund?
DawginLex
June 23rd, 2010
1:55 pm
TP’s never been a manager. If he gets mad, tough, he needs to get over it. Go manage the Orioles or something and spend a couple of years trying to fix that garbage. He will be wishing he was back in Atlanta as hitting coach.
Frank Wren
June 23rd, 2010
1:56 pm
Delbert is subtle, Walker. Dry. But, oh so hilarious. I think.
peckinpah
June 23rd, 2010
1:58 pm
DO NOT HIRE THIS GUY. THe Braves are just now coming out of a 3 year stretch of mediocrity and we do not need some scrub manager sending us back there. Look, I was in Fl last week on vacation and caught a few Marlins games: this guy was a joke. In one game he filled out his lineup card wrong, cost his team an out by sending the wrong player to bat, then was ejected for it. Hanley was right, he does not know what he’s doing.
Dumbo
June 23rd, 2010
1:58 pm
ABTP…Anybody But Terry Pendleton!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said!
meh
June 23rd, 2010
1:58 pm
hire Fredi. or TP. they’d probably both do fine.
brandon
June 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
TP is not good. you have nate batting under .200. troy glaus is a guy that won the world series mvp. he has just worked hard to come back. he is a terrible hitting coach. how many of these guys call their fathers when they are struggling. chipper has his dad, mccann has his dad, etc. please sign ned yost or freddi!!! if not them, anyone else!!
Steve
June 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
Would be a perfect fit! Jeff forward your article to Frank Wren!
the TRUTH
June 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
Shut the hell up Schultz we have baseball games to win. We don’t need a distraction.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 23rd, 2010
2:02 pm
Sleeze you can’t blame TP for players like Andruw and JF, who have long swings, not being able to go to right. A lot of it is they finally have unselfish players who are patient, smart and gritty. I really like the makeup of the team. If they had more speed then they would be very good. I think TP would be a great coach for this type team. I’m not sure if Fredi is more of a speed guy or a 3 run home run guy. I don’t think we can go wrong either way. As long as it isn’t Valentine, Bowa or one of thos jag offs.
Dr. Phil
June 23rd, 2010
2:03 pm
Well said DawginLex. Get Freddie! TP can take it or leave it! He as no track record as a head coach!
LuisG
June 23rd, 2010
2:03 pm
I suggest to keep a log on who’s in favor of a possible Gonzalez signing to see if they support him if he gets to manage this team next year and if he eventually struggles.
collegeballfan
June 23rd, 2010
2:04 pm
I completely agree. And they should have hired Yost when he was out of work. It would be hard to go wrong picking between Gonzalez, Yost and Pendleton.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 23rd, 2010
2:04 pm
Ned Yost is a jag off too
jwilli120
June 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
yes..now maybe the marlins will stop having the braves number.
gotta feel bad for freddi, he did a phenominal job with what
he was dealt with!!!!!! welcome home freddi?
BUBBA GUMP
June 23rd, 2010
2:09 pm
FIRE ………………..Schultz
Braves Fan
June 23rd, 2010
2:09 pm
I hope the Braves administration does not drop the ball on this one. The best possible new manager is being handed to them on a silver platter and is available now. Waiting will only cause problems.
If they don’t grab him now some other team will, and the Braves will settle for less and wonder why the fans and team ain’t happy.
This one move will prove whether they really want to win.
Kentavo
June 23rd, 2010
2:10 pm
Jeff, I’m just wondering why you think Fredi should be the Braves next manager? Seriously.
bowman
June 23rd, 2010
2:11 pm
Had the same thought, Jeff, when I heard Gonzalez got fired. I named him as my favorite to succeed Cox a long time ago, but Gonzalez’s contract ran through the 2011 season. Thank the Marlins took care of that problem. It’s as if the fates aligned like we want.
Rather than hire Gonzalez now as the head of whatever, I think he should be hired as the hitting coach. That takes care of two problems for next season. Gonzalez gets promoted and he won’t have to fire the worthless Pendleton.
bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe
BravesFanLostInOhio
June 23rd, 2010
2:13 pm
Good post. Freddi knows the organization, is a good manager, and he already knows the division well, too. AND, he is gonna want to beat the tar outta the Marlins every year.
BravesFanLostInOhio
June 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Kentavo, it’s funny you ask. He wrote an article about it on ajc.com today. You should read it.
peckinpah
June 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
I just don’t see what he has done to deserve to mange the Braves, other than he was a bench coach at one point. So what? Get someone who doesn’t make boneheaded mistakes that costs his teams outs. Get someone with a proven record. Get someone who has proven they can win! Gonzalez is none of these things. MAYBE the braves should offer him another bench coaching job, but manager? Why him? Why settle for less?
Kentavo
June 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
I know, but what beyond the fact that he used to be a Braves base coach and he benched Hanley makes him qualified to take over a new era for the Braves?
I want reasons; seriously, I’m not arguing, I just want to know the reasoning, other than “I like him.”
BUBBA GUMP
June 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm
COX deserves to finish the season………………….Fire Jeff Schultz
Pascual Perez
June 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
Fredi still lives here. He doesn’t need to house hunt.
gcs
June 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
If the Braves were in last place I would say this is a good idea, but they are not. They are in first place. Do you really want to mess with a good thing? Weren’t you listening to Chipper’s “R-word” interview the other day?
If the Braves really want to secure Gonzalez right now, make him an offer but swear him to secrecy. I think he would keep mum out of respect for his mentor.
.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Also, baseball is headed back to the Cardinals 80’s style of baseball.
I do hope that’s true.
Dr. Phil
June 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Pascual, hows driving on 285 these days?
Brave Dawg
June 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
TP, Yost, and some more who will probably become available at seasons end might like to be considered but any of them, and all of them, are a distant second choice to Fredi. He can be hired as a consultant now and be named manager immediately upon Bobby’s much deserved retirement. To be the best you have to hire the best. Do it now Mr. Wren.
Pascual
June 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
What exit do I take to the stadium Por Favor?
athdog
June 23rd, 2010
2:35 pm
In short, agreed.
Gwinnett Fred
June 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
I agree with those suggesting it would be disruptive to hire Gonzalez now.
HOWEVER – that does not mean they can’t go ahead and tell him the job is his for this salary – they come to an agreement – and then he magically appears at a press conference after the season as the new manager.
That way, a better facade can be created that the Braves did their full search for a manager to keep the minorities happy (which would happen even though Gonazlez is a minority too).
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
I was kind of hoping that I could get Bobby’s job when he goes.
I have already sent in my resume.
I’m kind of getting sick of Joe dissing me all the time.
Rich
June 23rd, 2010
2:44 pm
I’ll help him unpack when he gets here. Hire him now in whatever capacity necessary to at least have him within our grasp for consideration.
willy
June 23rd, 2010
2:45 pm
Yeah, if Pendleton has his eye on the job, you can’t go pulling the rug out from under him while they are on a playoff run.
Funny, Schultz never even acknowledged that conundrum.
Anon21
June 23rd, 2010
2:45 pm
For the life of me, I can’t understand why people are so enthused about Fredi Gonzalez. First of all, managers just don’t make much a difference in the outcome of a team’s season. Yeah, their calls about when to switch pitchers, or who to send out to pinch hit, or how to fill out the lineup card have a small influence on the outcome of games, but probably 99% of the outcome of each game is completely independent of managers’ decisions, and comes down to the quality of the two teams on the field. Whether it’s Gonzalez or Pendleton or a guy in a tomahawk costume in the dugout, the players are going to play how they play.
Second, for what little influence managers DO have on game outcomes, so far as I can tell Gonzalez would be mostly a negative. Sac bunts, frequent intentional walks, the running game–Fredi buys into all that garbage, and all of it will hurt the Braves’ chances to win games. I put up with it from Bobby because Bobby’s a living legend and the face of the organization. But when we have the chance to select a new manager, why pick a guy who makes use of discredited stratagems?
bob
June 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
Don’t worry. If he is the Braves choice he will be there later. Would he rather drive a Maserati or an Oriole.
Ed Norton
June 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
He’ll love it here, where the fuzzy soft media never questions a Braves manager or his moves. Or is it just Bobby you have a man-crush on?
PaulieOldschool
June 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Jeff, I will bet you all $13 in my wallet that the Braves will not hire Gonzalez now or after the season. You are correct he will not be unemployed long. Wren isn’t an imperative GM, he fidgets too long and then the moment is gone. For now we could hire Gonzalez as Special Ass’t to the Braves’ Thrashers’ Fan Club. Just sayin’.
GTSteve
June 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Freddi’s got my vote
Gt4ever
June 23rd, 2010
2:51 pm
Sweet, for once I agree with Schultz…. Could the world be coming to an end!
MarlinsFan2010
June 23rd, 2010
2:56 pm
This Marlins fan wanted to let you know that your analysis was spot on, Jeff. I hope that the Braves (and their fans) can capitalize on what’s looking to be a tragic loss for us.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
2:57 pm
Anon21@2;45pm……’First of all, managers just don’t make much of a difference in the outcome of a team’s season’, really Anon, I mean really?
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
2:59 pm
You were kidding, right?
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
Why not look at a college caoch? Auggie Ball at Texas has been great for years. Tech coach is good at winning too. Morris from Miami via Tech is a good manager. The dawgs coach Perion(? spelling) is a good manager too.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
Probably because it’s Professional Baseball, they are playing at Turner Field.
Joel
June 23rd, 2010
3:04 pm
NED YOST
GTSteve
June 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
@Anon…if the manager doesnt make that much of a difference, then why do you care who they hire
wayn-o
June 23rd, 2010
3:08 pm
YES, YES, YES, 1000 times yes. get Freddi now!
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Yeah, maybe they shouldn’t even hire a manager, just let the players play where they want to.
darryl
June 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
Please, not TP or Chipper for hitting coach or manager……
JEWELL
June 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
I DON’T KNOW WHAT A YUTZ IS….BUT LORIA MUST BE ONE TO FIRE FREDDI. THIS OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE BRAVES TO HIRE FREDDI RIGHT NOW!
What?
June 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
Sund?
Sleeze
June 23rd, 2010
3:24 pm
Maybe Rambling Wrecker knows what a Yutz is. He seems to know everything else..
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
Its a brand of potato chips.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
Yutz, that is.
DawginLex
June 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
POAD,
Tech’s coach?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HE CAN’T EVEN GET TO OMAHA.
lin
June 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
its fun reading what people post. gee guys few weeks of this and that and hire this one drop that one lol. i will give you one go outside the braves for a mgr. other wise the same old problems will stick around. drop them all. thats right drop them all. put freddie in a farm team see how he does. i go with lad mgr b4 any braves if one wants new fresh ideas then braves coachs have to go with bobby.
FJR
June 23rd, 2010
3:36 pm
Can someone tell me what it is they like about Fredi other than the fact he benched Hanley? The fact that he has a losing record as a manager? The fact that he’s never won anything? The fact that he makes a lot of really questionable strategic moves? The fact that he works his bullpen like Bobby? He’s not all that good. And the simple truth is that the Marlins have vastly underachieved, despite payroll, this year.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
Does anyone know what Fredi Gonzalez’s record is in 1-run games?
was wrong about Glaus
June 23rd, 2010
3:41 pm
no
Anon21
June 23rd, 2010
3:42 pm
@Chip Caray: Sure, I’m serious. Managers don’t make players better or worse; they just decide what order to send guys out in, and make some tactical decisions here and there. The quality of the players a team has is the overwhelming determinant of a team’s success; managers’ decisions have small impacts at the margins.
If managers had roster control, it would be a different story, but at least here in Atlanta, that responsibility rests solely with the GM. Thus, nothing a field manager can do matters very much, unless he starts his bench players over his regular starters every day or something crazy like that. But of course, no manager would do that, because they’d be fired.
@GTSteve: I don’t care too much, but I think that in a situation like this, even if the impact is small you should first look to do no harm. Sac bunts do harm, nine times out of ten; sending so-so runners does harm more often than not; IBBs do harm almost always. Why bring in a manager who will do all that harm, like Freddi, when there are probably plenty of candidates out there who will manage the team more sensibly? At the very least, you can save fans who know about things like win expectancy a little heartburn each night.
Drez
June 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
Nothing against Fredi, but what makes him the hottest commodity in baseball? I don’t get it. He was mediocre for 3 seasons. Although, the Marlins have a low payroll, they have a lot of talent. They definitely have better than .500 talent.
I’ve yet to hear anyone give a sound reason why Pendleton would be a bad choice as manager. He gets all the blame as hitting coach when the team is not hitting, but none of the credit when they do. Makes one wonder what’s the real reason the majority of Braves fans don’t want to see him get a chance.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:46 pm
Okay, managers don’t make any difference in a baseball game.
I wonder why they pay some of them a million a year?
Mitchell
June 23rd, 2010
3:49 pm
Brilliant move by the Marlins. That will really help them get back to the top.
That being said, I still can’t wrap my mind around how a team with that talent can be so mediocre. I mean, imagine how many more games we’d win if we could hit all those homeruns. All those guys can go deep at will or so it would seem. Not a terrible pitching staff either.
Very stupid. Can’t wait to sweep them next week.
Robert
June 23rd, 2010
3:52 pm
Gonzalez is widely considered one of the best managers – (to have managing any team but yours)
The fact that he got fired by the Marlins shows you just how not awesome the Braves organization is at idnetifying managerial ability
That said – I agree with hiring Gonzalez TODAY – if it means firing Cox
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
3:54 pm
Manager don’t have any roster control. They just have to play whoever the GM wants to send them without any input from the manager.
Why do baseball teams even bother to have managers?
They should just get rid of them, and let the GM do everything.
While they are at it, get rid of the umpires and let the players make the calls.
Maybe it would all work out better.
I almost forgot, get rid of the broadcasters and have a silent screen and let the people at home make their own comments.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 23rd, 2010
3:59 pm
I almost forgot, get rid of the broadcasters and have a silent screen and let the people at home make their own comments.
That’s a great idea. But I wouldn’t have a silent screen. I’d have the sounds of the game.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
4:00 pm
Yeah, thats a good idea.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
4:01 pm
DawginLex why didn’t you say something about UGA coach or Texas’ coach. Hall and Morris get WINS and then the teams has to man upwhen the pressures is on. The coach can only do so much. He can’t hit, field, or pitch. Cox is playing College type ball right now. Cox is forcing the action and make the D to make plays on the throws.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
4:01 pm
There is a person on this blog that is making me look like a genius.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
And that aint easy to do.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
4:05 pm
Chip we know! You are just about as Half in the Bottle as your grandpappy.
Anon21
June 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
You’re right, Chip Caray; a modern baseball organization could definitely get by without a field manager, or at least without the current incarnation of that position. (You still probably need someone to fill out lineup cards and do other administrative tasks.) And you’re lying to yourself if you think GMs don’t set the general organizational policy, including on matters like how much to use different pitchers, which is one of the most important things which a field manager is supposedly responsible for.
None of that has any bearing on whether you need a neutral arbiter on the field to enforce the rules, or whether it is useful to have people who announce and interpret game events for viewers at home. I’ve made specific arguments for why managers are not very important; you’re just equating managers with umpires with giving any reasons to suggest that that analogy is correct.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
4:08 pm
Chip I heard he was a Bushmills man is that true? Cathloic or Protestent? Be careful very careful!
WV Chris
June 23rd, 2010
4:08 pm
If Freddi is so damn good, why did he leave? TP has been here and put in his time. Plus TP has a connection to the early 90’s teams.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
Terri P was OK as a player for the Braves. He was better at getting the Braves players to understand how to handle the pressure of the Playoffs.
Johnny3Steps
June 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
Jeff…………………Cox has his team in first with the best record in the National League…….Remember??
Tomy Fournier
June 23rd, 2010
4:20 pm
YES…YES…YES…FREDDY FOR “BAT” BOY…THE BEST!!!!
Tomy Fournier
June 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
DREZ…I”M WITH YOU!!!
Tomy Fournier
June 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Enter your comments here
JD
June 23rd, 2010
4:24 pm
Thats crazy to hire him now, Jeff. The guy has barely won in Florida. It would undermine what Bobby Cox is doing now. Plus how about interviewing some candidates after the season is over, TP would also be a good candidate for head coach. Dont be so impulsive!! Coach in-waiting is not a good thing.
ATL Fan
June 23rd, 2010
4:31 pm
From what I understand about Freddi, he is similar to Bobby Cox by being able to manage the different personalities in the clubhouse. Managing a team is a whole lot more than filling out a lineup card.
mrj
June 23rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Terry Pendleton isn’t the “batting coach”. He’s the HITTING coach. Anyone can go up to bat. TP is teaching them to HIT while they’re up there!
Branch Rickey
June 23rd, 2010
4:35 pm
leading candidates s/b Eddie Perez, Chris Chambliss & Fredi Gonzalez
Terry Pendleton is not qualified or deserving of the job.
Branch Rickey
June 23rd, 2010
4:37 pm
“Terri P was OK as a player for the Braves”
Terry won an MVP, a batting title and was a key to Braves’ success in 1991-1993. What you just said was pure ignorance on your part, if not just plain STUPID !
Vixzilla
June 23rd, 2010
4:46 pm
Jeff….your like some quasi-sports Jedi or something. This would be smart.
ATL Fan
June 23rd, 2010
4:47 pm
Make Freddi the BenchING Coach.
scottbravesfan
June 23rd, 2010
4:50 pm
Is it still cool to rip on Terry Pendleton as the hitting coach? The Braves are first in on base and first in runs scored. What more do you want the guy to do?
Spike Lee
June 23rd, 2010
4:55 pm
Atlanta is a “Chocolate City”, and the Braves should hire Terry Pendleton as next manager. Its only appropriate that an African-American should lead Atlanta’s premier sports franchise.
I just saw “Robin Hood”. Not one African-American in the entire film. You’d think Clint Eastwood had directed it. Surely a movie with the word
“hood” in the title would have some African-American actors. They could have included a “Black” Knight in the script somewhere.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
5:09 pm
Anon21@406pm……Thanks man(or person), you are making me look pretty good.
Chip Caray
June 23rd, 2010
5:10 pm
GO BRAVES!!!!!!
balismith
June 23rd, 2010
5:17 pm
hiring freddi is fine but i like the idea of tp as the new manager when bobby retires
Bobby Cox is a buffoon
June 23rd, 2010
5:18 pm
Who else but Bobby Cox would leave his starting pitcher out there to get rocked for 9 runs before taking him out ! Bobby, your supposed to put your team in a position to win, not call it in by the 4th inning !
Good riddance !
Where was Hinske last night ?
Rev. Jesse Jackson
June 23rd, 2010
5:24 pm
Spike Lee’s comment @ 4:55PM makes perfectly good sense.
TP for manager !
Keep hope alive, Braves’ fans !
MSD
June 23rd, 2010
5:26 pm
Jeff, nice to know that you are the new GM…
jerry
June 23rd, 2010
5:31 pm
What’s the rush? It doesn’t take a genius to manage a baseball team. Only about a million people could do it.
Poorbrave
June 23rd, 2010
5:46 pm
Do like some football team (FSU,Texas) hire Fredi as the Manager in waiting. Give him a job upstairs till seasons over. Just get it done!!!!
TP is not the man for Braves mgr.If he wanted to be a mgr (anywhere) why did he withdraw his name in Fla, Washington etc after interviews. Plus he never has managed in Minors etc.TP time will come later. Hire Fredi ASP!
Thanks Jeff and lets hope Wren agrees! Bobby has already said Fredi was a great manager. Go Braves.
justafan
June 23rd, 2010
5:53 pm
If TP gets the job everyone will know why? Frank Wren needs to pick his own man and not from present Coaching Staff.
Tami
June 23rd, 2010
5:54 pm
We should get him before the Orioles or the other teams who’ve recently fired their managers snap him up. Time’s a-wastin’!!!
Ash
June 23rd, 2010
6:12 pm
Can we get an update on The Thrashers trade with Chicago for Morin and Reasoner and the #24?
Torchetti as coach?
Braves Fan
June 23rd, 2010
6:32 pm
Fredi Gonzalez should be the next braves coach after this season he will be a great replacement for Bobby Cox.
gadawgs
June 23rd, 2010
6:42 pm
Yes, hire him now in some capacity or as “a manager in waiting”. The guy can coach.
Dirty Jacket
June 23rd, 2010
6:46 pm
The second I saw that Fredi was fired I immediately thought “thank you Florida for handing us our next head coach”. FG is awesome and if Terry Pendleton is the head coach, we are in for a very miserable stretch of sub-500 baseball.
Jeff Schultz
June 23rd, 2010
6:58 pm
Ash, been out of the loop the last couple of hours and didn’t even know about the deal. Here’s Vivlamore’s blog: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-thrashers-blog/2010/06/23/dudley-pulls-off-blockbuster/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_thrashers_blog
Alphare
June 23rd, 2010
7:13 pm
Jeff, great minds think alike. Fredi is heluva of a coach.
Florida is not a place any manager can win consistently. Of course, a team like Florida is hard to beat once they are in playoff. The reason is, people don’t pay much attention to them and thus don’t know them much, just like Francoure came out of nowhere a few years ago and pitchers did not know how to pitch to him.
Ned Yost and Fredi can both make good managers. Terry P is not bad a choice either.
Mitchell
June 23rd, 2010
7:47 pm
I would rather have Bobby come back for another year than see Terry Pendleton take over as the Braves manager.
I don’t see what part of having a winning season and a playoff appearance would make him any more worthy of being the next manager than anybody else. As far as I’m concerned the Braves are where they are based on the talent Frank Wren has assembled, not based on any significant or tangible contribution of either the current manager or hitting coach.
Sorry.
Mr Charlie
June 23rd, 2010
7:59 pm
Mitchell,
So you see the notice the braves have 1st place talent?
Was it when they made the blockbuster trade of last years ace for Melky?
Or was it when we made the huge signing of a washed up injured 3rd baseman to come in and play 1st?
Or was it when they signed a relic of a closer to come out and save 45 games?
Admit is, BC has saved his best for last.
Big L
June 23rd, 2010
8:10 pm
I love TP and all. He was part of my childhood. But holy flippin hell get Freddy G in now.
jesse james
June 23rd, 2010
8:14 pm
I agree that Fredi would be a good choice, but I want to know where everybody gets their info. that TP would be that bad a manager. He catches hell as hitting coach. Alot of that is because McCann and runs to daddy and Franceour was too hard head to listen so people don’t like TP. Well I see two players talking to him constantly in the dugout and that is Prado and Infante. Where would the Braves be without those two. TP got the most out of his talent as a player and he works his ass off as hitting coach and gets no credit.
MitchC
June 23rd, 2010
8:18 pm
Jeff, I’m not sure about this. Why would an orginization like the Braves, who will either make the playoffs, or be close to a playoff spot, hire a manager who has been fired by another team, when we have another guy (Pendelton) who has coached under Bobby, and is almost next in line as his natural successor? I’ve seen other cases where managers have retired, and teams have hired one of those manager’s current coaches as the next manager. It happened with the Mets several times, etc.
Maybe my thinking is all wet, but, I’m not sure Gonzalez is the answer.
jesse james
June 23rd, 2010
8:58 pm
Whoever they hire I hope they keep the coaching staff in tact. They all belong with the Braves and have been very loyal to the Braves and vice versa.
Delbert D.
June 23rd, 2010
9:10 pm
Wren!
Ross
June 23rd, 2010
9:52 pm
100 percent agreed. I like Pendleton but he’s too moody to manage and too much of a player – in the actual sense.
Jeff Schultz
June 23rd, 2010
10:57 pm
East Cobb — Wasn’t aware he kept his house here. That’s interesting.
Is Roddy White a Top 5 Wide Receiver? | Atlanta Falcons: Bird Cage
June 23rd, 2010
11:37 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz on who should replace Bobby Cox [...]
Tron5000
June 24th, 2010
12:57 am
I have extreme difficulty believing the Braves would look to an “outsider” to be their next manager. Bobby simply isn’t going to walk away not knowing the plan that is in place. And I strongly believe that he has been grooming TP for this job. He’s been in the dugout with him for every game, he won an MVP (and I think batting title) under Bobby as a manager, he knows all the guys and has relationships with them. I think he’s the logical choice, and I think it’s been in motion for a long time.
But if TP were not the choice, I’d think Fredi or Eddie Perez would be the next 2 likely candidates. And I have to say I’d be excited about any of those 3 choices.
The Realist
June 24th, 2010
4:41 am
“But anything other than a strong October and I think Wren will look outside the organization.”
Then that seals it! We clearly will look outside the organization, as should we be playing in October (highly doubtful), we will still be managed this season by the worst postseason manager in big league history, Bobby Cox! 14 of 15 opportunities a Bobby Cox managed team has watched as the opponent’s team and their superior manager have celebrated a victory in the last game of the postseason. That’s an .066 winning %!
Yet, according to Jeff “Martha Burke” Schultz, I must be just another “misguided” fan.
Don
June 24th, 2010
8:58 am
“Braves should hire him now” — You are exactly right Mr. Shultz but NOT for the reason you give.
The Braves should right now – boy out Bobby Cox’s contract and send him home – And hire Gonzalez to at least finish out the rest of the season (whethr or not they would decide to hire him as their permanent manager.
The Braves are good enough (especially with their Pitching talent) to win the Division this season – but probably are not good enough to win if they have to overcoem Bobby Cox’s continuous blunders. Odds are that Cox will blow it.
TommyJack
June 24th, 2010
9:33 am
Jeff, maybe I’m worng, but it seems as if you’re not a big fan of Ned Yost. Why is that?
Delbert D.
June 24th, 2010
9:35 am
The only thing I can say is that I’ve been thinking about the decisions facing Sund that he became Wren when Gonzalez unexpectedly became available. Sund is back with the Hawks now, so confusion no longer reigns. I’m my normal, well-functioning self.
Fredi Gonzalez Talk is Premature | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
June 24th, 2010
11:02 am
[...] On Wednesday The Florida Marlins fired former Braves third base coach Fredi Gonzalez as their manager. While the move came as a shock to Braves manager Bobby Cox it set off some what of a fire storm in the media and the internet suggesting that he was now the leading candidate to replace Cox who is retiring at seasons end. AJC columnist Jeff Schultz even suggested that the Braves should find him a job right now. [...]
Dudley gives Thrashers a needed jolt with trades | Jeff Schultz
June 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
[...] ♦ Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now [...]
John
June 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
you think the braves should look no further than gonzalez for the next manager?? without even looking anywhere else. i think you should look at the trash can to see just how far your writing has come. sad when a beat writer makes a much better, more sensible approach to this situation, than the columnist. the ajc just ain’t what it used to be. Go Braves
Nacho Daddy
June 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
Fredi, Eddie, Terry …. the E’s have it.
IDK Y
June 24th, 2010
2:45 pm
uhmmmmm, if Fredi Gonzalez is so good, why is his former team trailing the entire league outside the Nats and how is he so good with young players??? Hanley Ramirez is one of the best young players in the game and neither respect each other. He hasn’t made the play-offs as a manager in a time of the wild cardand his teams have never lead the league in anything other than errors. He seriously can’t be considered the best fit…
Diehard
June 24th, 2010
3:16 pm
I’m for Freddie. I’m for ANYONE who can save us from Pendleton as a manager.
C from Marietta
June 24th, 2010
3:37 pm
I work some folks down in Flordia. All Marlins fans. All the complaints they have are all the same complaints you guys have about Bobby Cox.
Here is what I have heard:
1) He does’nt hit and run
2) takes his starters out too quickly or leaves them in too long
3) does’nt steal
4) abuses certain bullpen arms, by wearing them out.
Philly
June 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
nonsense.. look no further than Terry Pendleton, someone who’s been there throuGhout the winninG years
LIVE DRAFT BLOG: Hawks (No. 24) have a few hours to wait | Jeff Schultz
June 24th, 2010
9:52 pm
[...] ♦ Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now [...]
Phil
June 24th, 2010
10:00 pm
By all means hire him now! And go ahead and replace Cox with him now before the post season. With that clown Cox, (aka the Losingest Manager in post season history), we don’t have a prayer in the post season.
Get Fredi and replace Cox now!
Free Agent On The Managerial Market « Sports Page Atlanta
June 24th, 2010
10:26 pm
[...] Gonzalez, who compiled a 276-279 record in three-plus seasons with the cash-strapped Marlins, spent five seasons on the Atlanta Braves coaching staff from 2002-2006. Prior to his dismissal, Gonzalez’ name was already being whispered as a possible replacement for Braves manager Bobby Cox when Cox steps down after this season. Now that he’s on the market, those whispers have escalated to a dull roar. [...]
Bobby
June 24th, 2010
11:49 pm
Two idiots up top mentioned Rick Sund… like he has anything to do with the Braves.. to whoever said that, please leave Atlanta right now. You should be ashamed.
Bobby
June 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
“That said – I agree with hiring Gonzalez TODAY – if it means firing Cox”
Funniest comment I’ve heard in a while. What a joke. Yeah guys let’s boot a Hall of Fame coach mid season. Makes sense. The players would be real happy.
It's a rare Hawks draft highlight: Jordan Crawford falls to them | Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
10:30 am
[...] ♦ Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now [...]
Drew finally speaks to Joe Johnson, and he wants him back | Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
11:26 am
[...] ♦ Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now [...]
jfreak13713
June 25th, 2010
6:13 pm
FIRE COX NOW!!! Fredi is READY!! LOL .. Kidding I really hope the Braves can sign Fredi. We’ve got some young players and having a guy like that will go a long way to their maturity as players.
Oh, CHIPPER SHOULD NOT BE HITTING 3RD!
Remarkable
June 26th, 2010
12:55 am
JEFF, What about Joe Torre? I hear they are not keeping him in LA. Wouldn’t that be a better hire than Gonzalez? Please address this.
bill
June 26th, 2010
6:31 am
Chris Chambliss
60-39-5 30-24
June 26th, 2010
7:03 am
That what I had in mind too. What about Joe Torre
thunderbull56
June 26th, 2010
5:58 pm
Mr. Gonzalez would be the wise choice,the right choice,but will he be THE choice? Nah,we hire someone everyone is more familiar with.One unnamed coach stayed after having an opportunity to move to the west coast,Mr. Gonzalez seized an opportunity, for which he will be penalized.Book it!
hangman
July 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…….NO TP. WHERE’S MAZZONE, THE ROCKER. LET HIM LEAD.
hangman
July 3rd, 2010
4:54 pm
HIRING TP WOULD BE LIKE HIRING THE CAPTAIN OF THE TITANIC TO PILOT YOUR SHIP.
hangman
July 3rd, 2010
4:59 pm
ISN’T THERE ANY SANITY IN THE WORLD ANYMORE? HOW COULD ANYONE CONSIDER TP? WHY IS HE EVEN THE BATTING COACH? WHY DOES THIS CRAP GIVE ME A HEADACHE? GET RID OF TP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hangman
July 3rd, 2010
5:07 pm
WHY IS THERE ANY ATTCHMENT TO TP. DID I MISS SOMETHING? DID HE DO SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY HELP THE TEAM? FACT: HE WAS JUST AN OVER-THE-HILL BALLPLAYER THAT BC FELT SORRY FOR AND GAVE HIM A JOB. WOULD ALL THE DO-GOODERS PLEASE FOLLOW ANOTHER TEAM!!!!!!!
Ron
July 4th, 2010
2:24 am
“Odds are that Cox will blow it.”
THIS
Braves could lose Fredi Gonzalez to Cubs if they don’t hurry | Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2010
2:16 pm
[...] Two months ago, when Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria outdid even his own usual moronic tendencies by firing manager Fredi Gonzalez, I wrote a blog suggesting the Braves needed to bring him into the fold immediately. [...]