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
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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
341 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly Deluxe
October 13th, 2010
11:23 pm
After all the years he put in, you’d think they could have found a spot somewhere, for Glenn Hubbard. There’s a lot of talk by sports teams about loyalty but it’s a one-way street.
Chip Shot
October 13th, 2010
11:30 pm
DALE MURPHY IS AVAILABLE
Bruce Benedict's Wife
October 13th, 2010
11:53 pm
Before you hire Jim Pressley, make sure his mother doesn’t have a restraining order in place. This guy landed on my Alltime Worst Braves Team, more for whipping up on his mom than for his attrotius “D”.
aarh
October 14th, 2010
12:22 am
I don’t beleive the Braves normally have been known for having a good offense, but I do remember a time a while back when they did have a good offense. I remember one season when the pitching wasn’t as good as it had been, & the hitting was good. I’m thinking that might have been the year. I just know there were teams that talked to him about being their manager. Just bc the offense wasn’t that good doesn’t always mean it’s the hitting coaches fault. Sometimes it could mean the hitters aren’t that good. Remember, the newer Braves are a team that doesn’t want to go out & pay to get the players they need. They haven’t been that team since Ted Turner gave up ownership. don’t expect anybody to work miracles.
Rob
October 14th, 2010
12:29 am
I do hope there is a job somewhere in the organization for Hubbard.
qlb
October 14th, 2010
12:34 am
Everybody knows Heyward is hurt so that has nothing to do with TP as a hitting coach. Look at all the players that have done well under him Prado, Infante, McCann, Heywrad before the injury. TP cannot go up and hit the ball for them just like if Chipper is made the hitting coach can’t grab ab abt for them. The braves need a new infield coach because they defense was horrible TP could hit with the best but he had great defense while he was in the league as well. TP is one of the great Braves and sometimes change is good but the Braves need another OF bat with this is how I see their lineup next year Prado, Heyward, Jones, McCann, OF Bat, Freeman, Gonzo, OF, Pitcher. That should be a pretty good offensive lineup and if chipper cant play infante can take his place.
J-Hey
October 14th, 2010
12:59 am
“Terry’s really excited about having more influence in the game.”
the way I read that is that he’s going to be thrilled at having the opportunity to stop guys at first or have them round first and head to second. Ah, it’s the small things that brings joy to life!
Will
October 14th, 2010
3:37 am
This is a fantastic hire, and the fact he ran pendleton as hitting coach the first day makes me love love him even more
Will
October 14th, 2010
3:39 am
qlb,
sorry buddy you are are a jackass. you dont watch much baseball if you think tp is a good coach
RTW
October 14th, 2010
4:37 am
Tried to read all the comments re: TP but didn’t. Glad he wasn’t named Mgr. Liked him, but still remember when he walked off the field in the middle of an inning to show support of Deion Sanders who he thought was being treated badly. Deion was a great player (led the league in triples one year) and a hard worker, but he worked the Braves, and Falcons to his advantage. Totally a classless move when TP did that, actually crap, and an affront to the Bobby and the organization. The most unprofessional act that I’ve seen in sports. It was to the Braves credit that they took him back in the organization after his playing days were done. Don’t recall a valid explanation by him that explained this beyond his support for Deion. Anyone else remember this?
Notso Fast
October 14th, 2010
5:40 am
I LIKE THE MOVES EXCEPT I THINK TP SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED ONLY BECAUSE HIS REMAINING COULD HINDER THE NEW HITTING COACH RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAYERS.
Arkie
October 14th, 2010
7:12 am
Most great hitters say that you maybe get one good pitch to hit in each at bat. Braves hitters seem to all take a first pitch – down the middle strike – foul off a few – then strike out on in the dirt pitches. Get an aggressive hitting coach – that can help correct this. FS – don’t wear out your pitchers as Bobby did. Remember – do not trade your youg players for old have beens. A lot of teams have young starters that we gave a way for ?? With the low Braves budget, develop more players. We have no speed – get it.
Steve
October 14th, 2010
8:37 am
They just saving that Hitting Coach slot for Larry Wayne!!!!!
UKUGA
October 14th, 2010
8:42 am
Jeff,
If you really think that Pendleton deserves credit for the performance of Brian McCann and Jason Heyward, then you are really stretching for evidence to support his work.
Everyone knows that McCann’s primary coach is his father, and Chipper Jones (a real hitting instructor) was publicly critical of the work TP was doing with Heyward during the season.
Give Pendleton credit for anything good he did, but please, don’t make things up.
AlternateReality
October 14th, 2010
8:59 am
Enter your comments here
Just Saying...
October 14th, 2010
9:14 am
Great summary, DOB
Space Monkey
October 14th, 2010
10:10 am
What does a Major League first base coach actually do? There must be more to it than most fans think.
ChillyMutt
October 14th, 2010
10:59 am
I will really miss Hubby. He was a great fielding 2nd baseman and I think did as much as you could hope for in converting Kelly Johnson to the position.
ChillyMutt
October 14th, 2010
11:01 am
Love Love Love how Fredi handled that loafing Marlins SS.
Always A Brave.
October 14th, 2010
11:16 am
I just hope that Fredi will be his own coach instead of trying to coach like Bobby. What We need is a better field coach instead of a Players Coach. Good excample When Bobby went to remove Lowe Tuesday night He let
Him talk Him in to staying in the game convincing Bobby He could get the next guy out. Well We see what happen and very well cost us the game. It been stuff like that all year long. I love Bobby but he should have been tougher on the players.
jeffro
October 14th, 2010
11:23 am
Just one question…..why was Hubby let go?
wballs
October 14th, 2010
11:34 am
Alot of folks clamoring about Pendleton and our offense. He can only do so much with the tools in place. One bloke earlier in the blog griped about us laying the bat down on the first pitch. Did you see where the Braves ranked this season with OBP? (first) The problem is more complicated than not swinging away on the first pitch. The problem this season was the fact that we had no power talent in our lineup NOR did we execute very well in clutch situations. Not sure I see how a hitting coach can effectively change something that does not exist in the first place.
Larry
October 14th, 2010
11:41 am
Why would you get rid of Hubbards. Makes no sense. At least let him coach in the minors. Bring Hubbard back.
Pacuvio
October 14th, 2010
12:03 pm
Jeff, you mentioned that TP and McDowell were friends of Gonzales. Can one assume that Hubbard and Gonzalez are not friends and that is why he got the axe? Any story line to this move?
Donna Attan
October 14th, 2010
12:06 pm
HUBBARD NEEDS TO STAY
Need Baylor
October 14th, 2010
12:18 pm
Wren & Fredi need to be on the phone with Don Baylor to get him back. The only reason that he left was to manage a team. He is the best hitting coach in baseball.
Short of Baylor, Chipper would be an option, if he’d retire and let the Braves free up some of the huge wod of money that he’s getting next year to get a CF or 3B.
WhyfireGlenn
October 14th, 2010
12:45 pm
I am so tired of people saying the hitting coach can’t hit for the players. Well, duh, no kidding. But, guess what, if he has no impact on hitting and it is all up to the players to get themselves out of a slump, then why in the name of all that’s holy do we even have a hitting coach? I guess Hubbard didn’t hold the pads right, so he had to go. And Chino, didn’t place the players right, so he had to go, but we had to find a reason to keep TP. For heaven’s sake how do you justify firing Glenn and Chino and keeping the sunflower- pitting, rail-leaning champion of all time.
supa
October 14th, 2010
12:49 pm
why were hubbard and cadahia let go? any major philosophical differences?
Bobby's Staff Again
October 14th, 2010
1:09 pm
I don’t remember Pendleton being a dominant base stealer so if he is at first then I suppose we won’t have an increase in steals.
HolyMoly
October 14th, 2010
1:11 pm
You’re saying that it’s not Pendleton’s fault that some players are not hitting, but he should be given credit for those who are. Makes no sense, and it’s not a valid evaluation. Remember the time that Andrew Jones couldn’t hit worth a damn and was cut? He went to Arizona (was it?) and offered to play for free if he could have the hitting coach there (forgot the name). That coach helped him to start hitting again. Now that is a hitting coach, not TP.
rme
October 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
I wonder if the hitting coach analyzes swings like the commentators do? They seem to know it all. Why have a hitting coach. Just ask them! Jason Heyward needs a lot of work. I hope he takes an aggressive winter improving his hitting ability. When he first came up he was good but remember the pitchers had not seen him. Now they know his weaknesses and thrive on them. All these guys need to work in the off season to make themselves better. They can’t expect to come to Spring Training and do it there. come back to camp with some new talents. The Braves did well this year. They had weak points which need to be addressed but the core of the team looks good. Remember, we lost chipper and Prado at the same time. Two strong bats the opposing pitchers did not have to pitch around. I look forward to next season. I hate it when everyone bashes the team when they have limited resources to use, limited funds and fault them when a good performer doesn’t perform. You know they will put another exciting team on the field next season and Gonzales will put his trademark on the club. Looking forward to it. Pitching is a no brainer. Go deep with the rookies and give them a chance. Let’s get some hitting and speed in the outfield.
Will Braves trade Jurrjens to strengthen outfield? | Jeff Schultz
October 14th, 2010
3:38 pm
[...] ♦ Gonzalez keeps Pendleton but not as hitting coach (UPDATED) [...]
Gapicks
October 14th, 2010
3:47 pm
Gonzalez? Well back to 500 ball again!
it's real butter
October 14th, 2010
3:59 pm
About time.
TP nice guy, – but the announcers had more answers than him.
1st base coach is a do nothing job.
Leah
October 14th, 2010
4:04 pm
I am not surprised they’re not keeping Pendleton. Players that aren’t hitting well here seem to thrive when they get put under a new coach. I lie Pendleton, so it’s good he’ll be in another capacity, but he just didn’t have what it takes to be a hitting coach, I guess. I am surprised they’re not keeping Hubbard. I thought he did a fine job, not just at first but in other capacities.
rufino linares future interim manager of the Atlanta Braves
October 14th, 2010
5:50 pm
Get the Gwinnet hitting coach.
Mr Team
October 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
Get rid of Glaus, Cabrera, Ankiel, McLouth, Conrad, Kawakami. If the best that Wren could do was trade 3 prospects for KO Lee we are in trouble. We trade away our best kids for over the hill stiffs. TP ruined Frenchy’s swing.
Faith
October 14th, 2010
8:16 pm
Keep Terry. I love him and think he is wonderful. He could help in a different managerial position My friend says he should have been the first black president..Do not get rid of him!
lukeapoke
October 14th, 2010
8:26 pm
We are Fans right? Just checking – so many seem to think they know more than the manager, coaches, etc.
When Bobby went to remove Lowe Tuesday night, he was left in the game because Bobby knew that Lowe was the best chance of getting Burrell out.
Did you forget that the call at second could have gone the Braves way on Uribe’s grounder to Gonzalez?
All the NLCS games was Baseball at its best and I like it this way.
You said it cost us the game. I’m a fan – I’m not happy that the Braves lost. But the US belongs to the PLAYERS not the fans.
Loved the throw Diaz made to get Burrell at the plate. McCann is the man!
Love the Braves when they win – Love the Braves when they lose.
Chief Knockahoma X
October 14th, 2010
10:50 pm
Our hitters were not agressive at all. Too many strike outs looking. TP is passive and didn’t get it done when it mattered most.
jonny boyy
October 15th, 2010
11:58 pm
i dont think gonzalez was a good choice, we should have tried to get joe torre, he nose how to build a team and manage unlike gozalein florida what did he do why he was there? nothing.