Gonzalez keeps Pendleton but not as hitting coach (UPDATED)
Terry Pendleton has been moved from hitting coach to first base and infield coach.
(This is a rewrite of an earlier blog. Last updated at 5:45 p.m.)
New Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez apparently agreed with Braves fans who felt the team needed a new hitting coach. He just didn’t agree with them that Terry Pendleton should be removed altogether.
This morning’s blog on whether Pendleton and pitching coach Roger McDowell should be kept by Bobby Cox’s replacement stirred a lot of emotions. After over 3,000 votes, McDowell was an overwhelming popular choice to be kept as pitching coach (91 percent were in favor), but Pendleton didn’t experience the same popularity. Over 40 percent of respondents wanted him fired, 36 percent wanted him removed as pitching coach but kept on the team in another role and 24 percent voted to keep him in the same capacity.
The middle group won. Gonzalez did not name a new hitting coach Wednesday at his hastily called introductory press conference — which originally was scheduled for Thursday — but he did announce these changes:
♦ Pendleton will be removed as hitting coach but will be retained as first base and infield coach. General manager Frank Wren said: “It was time for a new voice [on hitting]. Terry’s really excited about having more influence in the game.”
♦ McDowell (pitching coach), Eddie Perez (bullpen coach) and Brian Snitker (third base coach) will be retained.
♦ First base coach Glenn Hubbard and bench coach Chino Cadahia will not be kept. Carlos Tosca, who was with Gonzalez in Florida, becomes the new bench coach.
Loading ... Loading ...All in all, the Pendleton move probably was a nice compromise, although I still believe he took way too much heat for the Braves’ hitting problems. Immediately after word leaked that the Braves were going to hire Gonzalez, speculation about Pendleton and McDowell started. Pendleton was a lightning rod every time a player went into a slump or the team struggled offensively. But he never received any credit for the success stories (Martin Prado, Brian McCann, Omar Infante, Jason Heyward, etc.).
Also, most seemed to forget this roster wasn’t exactly stacked with offensive talent.
McDowell has been terrific. Any criticism of him seems to stem from the blind loyalists to former pitching coach Leo Mazzone. The Braves have finished third in the majors in team earned run average in each of the last two seasons. Why replace him?
Gonzalez could’ve kept the entire staff but that never seemed likely. Managers in baseball, like head coaches in football, generally like to bring in some of their own people. A head football coach almost always brings in his own offensive line coach and his own coordinators. That possibly was mitigated somewhat because Gonzalez used to coach with the Braves but changes nonetheless seemed inevitable.
The only other question was whether Pendleton, who may have managing aspirations, wanted out when he didn’t get the top job. But he has long expressed a desire to remain living in Atlanta and obviously wanted to stayed in the organization. It’s also worth noting that he and Gonzalez are friends (as are Gonzalez and McDowell).
There’s your update. I’ll leave the two polls open if y0u still want to vote but at this stage I wouldn’t expect a change in percentages.
So what are your thoughts on the coaching changes?
♦
EARLIER TODAY:
♦ Fredi Gonzalez is Braves’ perfect choice to replace Cox
♦ Challenge of Cox’s replacement will be recreating chemistry
♦
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341 comments Add your comment
Heisenberg
October 13th, 2010
2:22 pm
I stand by my Frenchy prognosis of the past 3 years……career journey man defensive specialist with occasional power if you by accident throw a fastball where he swings his bat.
JASon
October 13th, 2010
2:25 pm
Jeff, with all that this city has been through in the past 19 years, we all, understandably, worry that we are going to end up with an administration like the previous one. However, we shouldn’t worry: Fredi is going to do what he does. He is not Bobby, even though he worked for bobby before. Its protocol for a new manager to bring his entourage with him.
Look, its fantastic news that we got rid of bobby and got fredi. Lets not nitpick and try to find problems with it, where there are none.
Larvell Blanks
October 13th, 2010
2:25 pm
Breaking News – TP out as hitting coach, stays as 1B and infield coach.
nelson
October 13th, 2010
2:25 pm
BYE BYE PENDLETON , FINALLY !! OUT PENDLETON OUT !!
Terry
October 13th, 2010
2:26 pm
Nice comments, Hit A Single! Franceour & Andruw Jones were too hard-headed to listen to TP & they’re both gone while TP remains. A hitting coach is like a teacher & it’s up to the players to listen, make adjustments & execute. He can’t bat for them!
Najeh Davenpoop
October 13th, 2010
2:29 pm
“I stand by my Frenchy prognosis of the past 3 years……career journey man defensive specialist with occasional power if you by accident throw a fastball where he swings his bat.”
Totally agree. And to be honest, I can’t help but think that part of the fan discontent with TP as a hitting coach has to do with an irrationally high opinion of Francoeur’s ability and potential as a player.
Greg Norton
October 13th, 2010
2:29 pm
The press conference is on live on 680 the FAN. Perndleton has been moved to first base coach, Chino and Glen Hubbard are out. His bench coach from Florida is joining the staff and they are now officially looking for a hitting coach.
Leon "Pooch-Kick" Trotsky
October 13th, 2010
2:29 pm
Comrade Schultz:
Q: Where would you find a one legged waiter?
A: IHOP
Si
October 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
“Does Gonzalez’ hiring mean Pendleton is out of job?”
We can only hope.
nelson
October 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
Pendleton is not batting coach , freddi gonzales is doing what it attributable to have done cox , in truth very well by gonzales.
Heisenberg
October 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
Hey I just suggested him as a fielding coach. If this is true, what becomes of Glenn Hubbard?
Larry
October 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
Bye TP,Bye TP. Time for you to go.
T.P.
October 13th, 2010
2:31 pm
Come on guys. I might not be a very good hitting coach but i sure would make a good 3rd base cooach. Fire Snitker and let me show my true talent as a 3rd base coach.
Caleb King
October 13th, 2010
2:32 pm
WE ROB THIS STATE!
balismith
October 13th, 2010
2:37 pm
wish tp had been named manager of the braves…tp has done alot as a player and coach over the time he has been with the braves as aplayer and coach…really was naot that impressed by freddi when he was with the braves or marlins
I love Chino
October 13th, 2010
2:39 pm
Does it really matter if he gets rid of Pendleton, so long as Chino is still on the bench to give everyone a big hug after a big hit?
Rowsdower
October 13th, 2010
2:41 pm
Hitting is a lot like playing poker. You can’t use the same style all of the time and be successful. You have to vary your game in order to be successful. If everyone knows you’re gonna take the first pitch, they’re gonna pump in a strike without fear of you swinging. Just like if you only bet/raise when you have a monster hand, people are going to get out of the way and you’re not gonna capitalize. Sometimes you have to swing a bad pitch to give the pitcher the false sense that you will do so when it matters. Of course, we swung at a ton of bad pitches when it mattered during the Giants series…
TP doesn’t seem to grasp this concept as a coach as well as he did when he was a player. Either that or something is being lost in the translation. Either way, it’s not condusive to good coaching.
Choppinmama
October 13th, 2010
2:43 pm
For Fredi’s peace of mind, and so Fredi won’t feel the presence of TP looming over his shoulder with every move – maybe with a non-managerial chip on his shoulder – it’s time for Terry to move on.
I thought he had only taken the hitting coach position as a “favor” to the Braves, and that he wasn’t interesed in moving into a/the head manager’s position. Just wanted to go home to less stress and travel when it was time to go.
Jeff, is that how you remember his hire? Did he seem anxious to take over the job? Was it really promised to him in the past by people who could make it happen?
The TP backstory, please.
James
October 13th, 2010
2:43 pm
I think Fredi Gonzalez should hire his own guys he’s the new coach so he should get who he feels comfortable having in those positions.
Stephen
October 13th, 2010
2:52 pm
Terry Pendleton should have been replaced several years ago. I enjoyed him as a Braves’ player but as a batting/hitting coach….NO WAY!!!! Hopefully the new coach will bring in new blood for the coaching staff.
The Lemmer
October 13th, 2010
3:02 pm
Chipper please retire & take batting coach job, we need your money to sign some guys that can actually play everyday, thanks for 20 years but its time, put Prado 3rd & get rid of Alex G. crappy attitude, & sign all new outfielders except Heyward & Hinske
Captain Herb
October 13th, 2010
3:03 pm
If TP wants to manage one day, shouldn’t he be paying his dues as manager of one of the Braves’ farm teams.
Terry
October 13th, 2010
3:03 pm
I’m still here dummies!!!!HAHAHAH I’m your new 1st base coach! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aristotle
October 13th, 2010
3:05 pm
The only thing TP could hit is the buffet table!
edward
October 13th, 2010
3:12 pm
The guys mentioned as good hitters were good hitters BEFORE Pendleton got near them. That’s why they were good hitters. I just don’t see the smart thinking at the plate that the Braves are known for. A new hitting coach would be nice. How about the guy in AA mississippi? He seems to have done a good job with some players brought up from there to the majors.
As to McDowell..KEEP HIM. He has done an excellent job. Yes, I was upset when Leo left but he took the bullpen and turned it around. The staff looks pretty sharp with a few exceptions. They have some mental breakdowns but Hanson is still a kid and Lowe got a huge check.
I'm Gumby, Dammit!!
October 13th, 2010
3:12 pm
Nothing against T.P., but he was a much better hitter than hitting instructor. The extended funks that the Braves go into as a team lead me to believe there has to be a better candidate out there.
Dawg Man
October 13th, 2010
3:12 pm
McDowell does pretty well, but Terry has already wasted Francoeur. Don’t let him stick around to blow it with Heyward.
gray goat
October 13th, 2010
3:17 pm
Hire B. McCann’s father as hitting coach. McCann is the only real hitter on the team and his dad is his hitting coach and has been for life.
It's hard to be an eagle when you are surrounded by a bunch of turkeys
October 13th, 2010
3:19 pm
I keep hearing how the Texas hitting coach helped Andrue Jones and Francouer.
REALLY???
They BOTH still are at best less than mediocre hitters. Francouer is barely hanging on to the last of his major league career and Jones is a bench player. Exactly how did this coach improve either of them?
The bottom line is the Braves’ lack of talent not the coaching. If it was that simple you could take anyone off the street, coach them up and put them in a major league line-up.
Linda
October 13th, 2010
3:20 pm
I believe Pendleton should go elsewhere. Year after year, the braves players take the first pitch. This has to come from their batting coach. You also see where they come up from the minors and are hitting until Terry Pendleton gets hold of them. Most of the time when they are traded to different teams their averages go up. To me this is a reflection on the batting coach. I think they need a new batting coach.
Mike
October 13th, 2010
3:21 pm
What happened to Glenn Hubbard .. ?
Les W. Moore
October 13th, 2010
3:21 pm
What do I know and who would care, anyway?
Ready for Fredi
October 13th, 2010
3:22 pm
“If TP wants to manage one day, shouldn’t he be paying his dues as manager of one of the Braves’ farm teams.”
Like Snitker has done – glad that he is staying. TP has personality / PR issues that he’s never going to overcome. TP has been his own worst enemy.
jojo
October 13th, 2010
3:23 pm
CARLOS TOSCIA WILL BE THE NEXT BENCH COACH
Terry
October 13th, 2010
3:30 pm
Mike
Don’t think Hubbard did the best job, helping the runner at 1st get a good jump on the pitch.
John Rocker
October 13th, 2010
3:31 pm
Can I come back?
PMC
October 13th, 2010
3:31 pm
must all Braves Hitting Instructors wear Oakley’s with Fire lenses????
DNice
October 13th, 2010
3:32 pm
Thanks people because Francouer still cant hit even with Chipper helping him and everyone else. Hell Chipper didnt exactly light up the scoreboard his last 2 years unless now you go back to assigning the blame to TP. With that being said then who takes the blame for KK?????? Coaching can be so overrated when talent will make most of the difference except in fundamentals. Yes I played the game in college so I know a lot and can judge. Coaches for the most part are for moral and get you feeling better because your skills are your skills. Remember when Andruw hit 1000 homeruns those 2 years but then reverted back. That was not a hitting coach issue its just how things crumble with players.
Rest it already
October 13th, 2010
3:32 pm
First off, I am really getting tired of hearing how great Leo was. Leo was not, but Maddux, Glavine and Smotz were. What did Leo do when he got a rookie not good like Maddux, Glavine or Smoltz? Well he traded them off. He bombed big time when he left here and the sports world knows it. Leo was lucky and thats it. He is not great, not evey really good. Thats why hes not coaching someplace else. Hes done.
As far as Roger, well he is good. Very good. He has held this pitching staff together with rookies and vets and fixed Lowe too. Its not Rogers place to fix Lowes staminia but he sure got his pitching fixed now didnt he.
Pendleton is not a hitting coach. He does not have the ability to pick apart the hitter and fix the swing. If he were that good then we would not have so many hitters doing the rut thing all thoughout the season. One dry spell is normal but several thoughout the season means doom for the team that has these players. Pendleton is not good and needs to be replaced this year. Pendleton would be a good manager though, just someplace else. Not Atlanta.
I like Gonzalez for the pick. Yes hes a Bobby clone but how many champtionships did Cox send us to. Cox was not a playoff manager but Gonzalez proves he might be. I think things will be good in Atlanta as long as they get us players not utility material. We still need those hitters. Cant wait to see what the off season holds.
Innocent Bystander
October 13th, 2010
3:33 pm
Glad they decided to keep McDowell. He’s done wonders with the pitching staff, particularly his work with D Lowe the past month. Also glad they’re moving TP out of the hitting coach role.
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 13th, 2010
3:34 pm
Those are some big chinos to fill.
bascogcjs
October 13th, 2010
3:37 pm
Glad Hubbard is gone. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.
Beside that, he used to smoke as a player. He still might smoke: I don’t know.
R. Pitino
October 13th, 2010
3:37 pm
Why do MLB teams have a hitting “instructor” to begin with? Seems rather unnecesary. Do NBA teams have a “here’s how to shoot a free throw” coach? Do NFL teams have a “here’s how to make a tackle” coach? Do NHL teams have a “here’s how to make a slap shot” coach? Of course not. So why does each MLB team have a “here’s how to swing a bat” coach? If you are are playing at the MLB level, doesn’t that imply that you already have the skills to swing a pretty good bat??? Does MLB give out awards for “Best Hitting Instructor” in the league? No, because they are all the same and have no value to their respective teams in my opinion. “Wow, that NY Yankess hitting coach sure is great” (no idea who he is).
The Producer
October 13th, 2010
3:38 pm
Give Gerald Perry a shot as hitting coach. He’s a former Brave and he’s got a pretty good record as an instructor……..
bascogcjs
October 13th, 2010
3:38 pm
And Leo was nothing more than a loud mouth politican, good riddance.
Ask anyone around baseball and they will tell you the same.
Nate McLouth
October 13th, 2010
3:39 pm
Terry Pendleton is horrible. He ruins every player he comes in contact with. Look how bad I have become – it is all because of TP!!!!! FIRE TP NOW, bring back Glenn Hubbard!
gordonguy
October 13th, 2010
3:40 pm
Hey Dawggie…before you manage perhaps you should do some research. One of the reasons scouts had problems with Heywood was that he walked so much in high school. The man has a Ted Williams-eye, and I’m pretty sure he’s knows just a tad bit more about baseball than you do. I’m sure that about this time next year you’ll be criticizing Gonzalez and whoever he hires as hitting coach, no matter what they do. If the Braves win 120 games and sweep the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series I’m sure you’ll find some problem. Some people just like to complain, even when they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Mitchell
October 13th, 2010
3:40 pm
This is pathetic.
He should be fired. His performance as hitting coach is indefensible.
And now he’s the first base coach? Why?
What is the point of that?
This is just a slap in the face to Braves fans. People should be held accountable for poor performance.
First base coach? Nobody fires first base coaches. Nobody sure as hell hires a first base coach to be a manager.
He’s here forever.
It’s amazing. Smoltz and Glavine were unceremoniously shown the door and all these losers just get to hang around for life.
A new era of Braves baseball
October 13th, 2010
3:41 pm
http://pricezack.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/instant-replay-in-baseball-what-is-it-going-to-take/ very interesting read, great article for baseball fans
extremus
October 13th, 2010
3:41 pm
I am very glad that at least the Braves will be trying a different approach with a new hitting coach in place next season. I sincerely hope that whoever they get has the right package of skills and teaching ability to improve this team offensively.