Are Braves affected by transition from Cox to Gonzalez?
Could the Braves' erratic start have anything to do with an adjustment period from Bobby Cox to Fredi Gonzalez as manager? (Jason Getz/AJC)
After 51 games, or nearly one-third of the way through the season, the Braves have been something less than predictable.
They have winning records against Philadelphia and San Francisco. But they are a combined 4-8 against Washington, Arizona and Los Angeles. They have pitched and defended impressively (No. 2 in the majors in ERA at 2.97, No. 3 in fielding percentage at .988). But they have struggled at the plate, hitting .242 (24th overall) with 377 strikeouts (fifth most), when offense wasn’t expected to be a problem.
Words like flow and rhythm don’t come to mind.
Let’s assume the Braves are still as good as most believed coming into this season. It’s possible that this is nothing more than common early season hiccups, and at some point there will be a market correction.
But could it be that the transition in managers, from Bobby Cox to Fredi Gonzalez, actually is causing a little bit of an adjustment period?
I realize this isn’t football. It’s not like Gonzalez is burning the old playbook and switching from the wishbone to the run-and-shoot. He’s certainly not unfamiliar with most of the players, or they with him. Gonzalez coached here. He coached for Cox. But considering Cox had managed the previous 21 seasons in Atlanta, it’s not a stretch to think there’s some kind of impact when a player looks down at the end of the bench and sees Gonzalez instead of the old Buddha sitting there.
General manager Frank Wren agrees, but only to an extent. He acknowledges everybody is going through an adjustment, but he doesn’t believe it has affected the Braves’ offense or overall play.
Dan Uggla hasn't helped the cause by hitting .180, including .128 with runners in scoring position.
“I think the transition is more with us thinking in terms of, ‘What’s the next move [by Gonzalez]?’” Wren said. “We watched Bobby manage for so long, we knew what the next move was going to be.
“Obviously, our team hasn’t really found a rhythm yet, but I really like the way Fredi has managed the team. A lot of people are uncomfortable with change. Bobby was masterful at running a game, but that doesn’t mean things Fredi is doing are wrong. There are just different ways of doing things.”
When asked about his comment that some people are “uncomfortable with change” and whether that has affected the players, Wren said, “I don’t think so. I really don’t think it’s impacted the players as much as it has people like us. Fredi’s a really good communicator so I don’t think anybody is real surprised by anything he’s done.
“Hitters hit. The fact is, if hitters were functioning and playing at the levels we expected, the manager wouldn’t have a lot to do. Fredi has had to create some situations for hitters because we haven’t scored runs like we expected. The manager is more involved when the team is struggling than when it’s rolling.”
The Braves are 17th in the majors in runs scored. They’ve scored three or fewer runs in 25 of 51 games, two or less in 17. Their on-base percentage of .308 ranks 25th in the majors. They’re also last in stolen bases (eight). That’s a little surprising given the expectation that Gonzalez would have players run more, but as Wren said, “You can have a more wide open offense when you have a two- or three-run lead. We’re fighting for a run to get a lead. You don’t want to lose base runners.”
Then again, if Dan Uggla wasn’t hitting .180 — and .128 with runners in scoring position — all of this analysis might not be necessary.
Wren conceded that Uggla is feeling pressure. “It’s an extraordinary change in your life when you sign a big contract, sign with the hometown team or the team where you wanted to go play,” he said. “There are additional pressures on the guy. But it’ll run its course and he’ll be fine.”
So, probably, will the Braves. But to this point, they’ve been a team out of sync.
By Jeff Schultz
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155 comments Add your comment
William
May 26th, 2011
3:33 pm
FIRST
JWOOD
May 26th, 2011
3:37 pm
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Kevin
May 26th, 2011
3:38 pm
First!
DawginLex
May 26th, 2011
3:42 pm
Uggla is our newest version of that cubs catcher that used to wear us out then we signed him and PHHTTTT! nothing.
Not Freddi’s fault. This team has no speed. Power comes from limited places. Pitching is great.
not much different than any of the 14 division winners. difference is the Phillies are better than they have ever been.
speed is what we need
May 26th, 2011
3:47 pm
This is no different than it was under Cox. Sit back and wait for the home run. Don’t manufacture runs.
speed is what we need
May 26th, 2011
3:48 pm
Hah, DawginLex…I think we’re on the same page!
Michael Gearon, Jr.
May 26th, 2011
3:53 pm
Nope, the transition hasn’t gotten in the way of their not winning a title ever again.
Ed Peskowitz
May 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
Hey Michael,
Can I borrow $20? Rutherford won’t pay me back and I’m a little short on cash.
Skeezix
May 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
Not easy coming in behind a Master like Bobby Cox. Bobby never missed anything and was like a Chess Master the way he managed a game. That’s why I call him the Master. But any time there is a change in leadership people will go though an adjustment period. I don’t think Fredi has anything to do with the lack of offense. The main thing is letting the players know he has their backs, demanding excellence and creating an environment of mutual respect –these are things Bobby always did.
Now let’s go beat the Reds.
All I'm Saying Is....
May 26th, 2011
4:07 pm
Not sure I would call this one of your better pieces of work, Jeff. Reads as if you are trying to find a way to blame Fredi for the Braves performance. Totally off base in my view, my friend.
But if you are stuck on this why don’t you do like everyone was doing last year and blame Terry Pendleton? Oh, wait, he’s not the hitting coach anymore. Hey, there is your answer: Blame the new hitting coach! Why hasn’t that been done thus far in 2011?
And, by the way, until Schaeffer was promoted, the Braves were right where they have been since they let Furcal walk years ago in terms of lacking base running speed and without a true lead-off batter. Without both, Braves are completely unable to manufacture runs i.e. play small ball which is what teams do when their bats are not popping. Besides Uggla not even coming close to hitting his weight, that’s the real challenge for this team.
All that typed, we can still win a wild card spot which, in my opinion, is all this team as constructed has ever been capable of doing. We still lack talent and power in the outfield especially centerfield compared to other teams and Heyward being hurt has really hurt. Plus Freeman is still getting going though I like the recent signs.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
What??
May 26th, 2011
4:07 pm
DawginLex – Phillies are better than they have ever been? Really? There core players are getting old and are much more injury prone. Rollins is not nearly the player he was a few years ago. There starting pitching is better than it has ever been, but I don’t think that you can say that for the team as a whole.
As far as the Braves, how many years have we seen the Braves tread water for the first part of the season and then go on a tear after the all-star game? My prediction is that this club plays basically 500 ball most of the year relying heavily on pitching with very consistent offense. We will have a stretch of 20 – 25 games where the offense is actually productive and will win 15 – 20 of those games and that will basically be what puts us in the playoffs. As frustrated as I am watching Uggla right now while his problems seem painfully obvious (can’t cover the outside corner, swinging too much and too hard), he has too large a body of work to write him off as a hitter.
What??
May 26th, 2011
4:09 pm
should be “…very inconsistent offense”
Loosing managar = loosing record
May 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
I warned everone that hiring this looser was a misteak. He had a loosing record in Fla and the Braves hired him. The guy is worst then Bobby Cox.
will
May 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
Some of this is almost comical, I mean have the braves not been a mediocre offensive team year after year uunder cox. This is the same old light hitting offense we have seen for years and a new manager has nothing to do w that.
Loosing managar = loosing record
May 26th, 2011
4:11 pm
@ will
At least when Bobby Cox left he had a wining record. They chump they got now had a loosing record when he was hired.
Nuff said!
Fred Finklestein
May 26th, 2011
4:14 pm
DUI/racing charges against Lowe dropped? Just like that? The police case just crumbled that quick? Huh? #@%?!! WTF?
Was the cop incompetent?….or is this just another example of a justice system that treats you differently when you can buy a high priced lawyer and/or you’re a starting pitcher for the home team?
Marteen is a Ball Player
May 26th, 2011
4:15 pm
I respectfully disagree Lex. I am a huge Braves fan and usually catch at least 130 games a year between the ballpark, radio, and television. Generally when I post I get the hater remarks, but this could not be futher from the truth. I am obviously disappointed with Ugglas and Heyward’s injuries are alarming, but we have a lot of heart and grit on this team. With that being said, I take huge issue with Fredi. If I thought about it, i could come up with a lot of issues that I have with Fredi. Not issues such as should he or shouldn’t he have made a call, but issue with decisions he makes that I don’t see any of the other 29 managers in baseball making. A few that come to mind:
1. Suicide squeeze with Hinske on 3rd and Hanson at the plate with 2 strikes and one out. You have Prado in the waiting deck, slow speed at 3rd, and two strikes on the pitcher in what I believe was a one-run game. Take your chances on a fluke hit by Hanson or just accept that you have a 30% chance of Prado putting the ball in play. Turned out to be a strikeout and then tag-out double play.
2. Can’t recall the pitchers name now, but we had a four-run lead and Fredi left him in the game after giving up a couple of walks and a wild pitch. Led to a five runs and Fredit waiting until a two-out single/double before pulling him. We came back and rallied, but never should have been in that scenario. Again, it is a bit fuzzy.
3. Against St. Louis, we had McClouth on 1st and he elects to pinch-hit with Mather. He elects to bunt. First, you don’t need Mather to bunt…burn a pitcher who does it for a living. Mather struck-out fouling. Even then, we have some of our only speed on 1st in a one-run game. Fredi refuses to send him. Double play.
4. And finally, the game where the umpire ruined the best game of one of our relievers lives. Our reliever (gawd, my memory is failing), comes in early after Beachy goes out, gets a 2-run double and pitches lights out. We end up apparently striking out the batter so much so that McCann is walking off the field. No dice and the batter gives up the tying run. McCann is infuriated. The call was terrible. In fact, the umpire was a spot starter and his calls were bad all night. Fredi does nothing. Bobby would have insured McCann did not get thrown out (McCann fortunately didn’t) by coming out and arguing. Wouldn’t have changed that call, but it may have been Ball 4 to Fredi Freeman in a failed rally later on a pitch that was worse than the one called for the Phillies earlier in the game. He never argues calls. Umpires will walk all over him when there is a threatening opposign manager and his players will never respect him.
I’m done venting. Thanks!
Bryan G.
May 26th, 2011
4:18 pm
I think he needs to call for more sac bunts. We only sac bunt like 17 times a game
JC Boscan III
May 26th, 2011
4:25 pm
Wow – it’s a good thing that correct spelling is not required to be a baseball fan! If Uggla and Heyward were hitting as expected, the Braves would be in first place, probably with a nice lead. It would be nice to see better “small ball” since the offense is so inconsistent….. Someone should tell Uggla and Alex Gonzales that a curve ball that bounces a foot outside is likely to be called a “ball” by the ump if only they could resist flailing at it….!:) GO BRAVES…!!!
DawginLex
May 26th, 2011
4:28 pm
i understand the thoughts about the Phils for this year but generally over the past 3 years, the phils are and were better than any time during the 14 year run we had
GTT
May 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
Now would be the time to offer McCann to the Giants for Tim Lincecum.
I kid.
jhughes
May 26th, 2011
4:32 pm
you have a good team when your 5 games over 500 and your out of sync hitting ever comes around we may give the phillies a fight
Michael Gearon, Jr.
May 26th, 2011
4:33 pm
Hey, Ed, SHOVE IT!!! And hands off my whiskey, you red-nosed oaf!
AZBravoFan
May 26th, 2011
4:34 pm
wow, everybody take a deep breath. Last I checked the Bravos are only 3 1/2 out of first! Only so much Fredi can do when the guys aren’t hitting. If you’re looking for something positive to latch onto, check out Carl Crawford’s start this year and look what he’s been doing this week. The numbers will correct themselves.
Zing
May 26th, 2011
4:39 pm
Underperforming–massively underperforming–offense. That’s it. There’s nothing else to it. Non one expected Uggla to bat sub-.200 and Heyward to be barely any better (and hurt). It’s really amazing that the Braves have pitched and fielded as well as they have; we expected them to have strong pitching and decent defense, but the Braves have overperformed in both categories, especially on defense. Which is good, because otherwise, we’re looking at a sub-.500 team.
I don’t think this has anything to do with a Cox to Gonzalez transition at all–actually, I kind of think the improved defense might have a little to do with Gonzalez, if only because he runs fielding drills before every game, which I think is smart.
Marteen is a Ball Player
May 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
I am happy that the Braves are so close and I agree that the hitting will come around. Unfortunately, this doesn’t translate into Fredi becoming a better game-time manager. A team of All-Stars may win 110 games with no manager whatsoever. Being close or even being in first does not excuse poor play calling or not sticking up for your players. Fredi has cost us a few games already. If we make the playoffs, those calls may not be so easy to overcome as is the case with a 160 game season. Fredi may cost us the Division, but we may get the Wild Card. I’m just saying.
Brock
May 26th, 2011
4:43 pm
Marteen- I too am frustrated a little with our new manager but I have to disagree on some of your points.
#1- a suicide squeeze will work with your grandmother running at third. It’s the execution not the speed. the runner is halfway or more down the line. If the bunt is made, it works.
#2-didn’t see that game so can’t comment
#3- I agree Mather shouldn’t have been bunting, however, bringing in one of our pitchers to do it at that time would have been bad. They were bunting for sh#t and couldn’t get a smell. Even Timmy was pathetic and he is suppose to be one of the best.
4# I was so pi$$ed at Fredi I could have thrown the dog out the window. Bobby always took up for his players and to see Fredi just sit there…well, let’s just say my neighbors think I’m a nut job after some of the words that came out of my mouth.
Overall I think Fredi has been ok, B- if you will. However, he has done his best to mix the lineup up to try and produce runs. He can only do so much in that dept.
Hitters gotta step up.
I’m willing to give him til the end of the year. Same with Uggla. He’s killing me but I’m still rooting for the guy.
Thank god for pitching and defense huh?
Andrew
May 26th, 2011
4:43 pm
From ESPN’s Matthew Berry:
12. Only one player in baseball has a lower BABIP (batting average on balls in play) than Dan Uggla’s .194.
13. Dan Uggla ’s career BABIP is .306.
It’s a fluky start, there’s nothing else to say. I know that we all live in a “win today or you obviously stink” era, but maybe, just maybe, at a time that we haven’t played great baseball but are still only 3.5 games out, a little patience is in order??
Come on guys
May 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
What’s with Chipper taking so many called 3rd strikes? Quit guessing with 2 strikes and react. And I am with Marteen about Freddi, sometimes you wonder “what was he thinking”?
Ben
May 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Uggla and Freeman are black holes in this lineup right now. No getting around it.
Also, we are the worst base running team in MLB.
Thank God for our pitching staff.
Marteen is a Ball Player
May 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
Hey Brock…I like the feedback but on the suicide squeeze, it is the tying run, the pitcher has two strikes. It is an all or nothing play (ergo, the suicide squeeze). I agree with you on the speed…hadn’t thought about that, but in the end, we have Prado waiting to bat. If Tommy gets thrown a ball or misses the bunt, it is a double play. So much could go wrong on that call at that time. Just seemed irresponsible with one out, Prado waiting to bat, and the tying run at third
Disappointed in Fredi
May 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
Marteen and Brock,
I agree that Fredi does not have the fire that Bobby has when it comes to arguing and protecting the players. So many games I’ve seen changes for Fredi to come out and argue, but instead he sits in the dugout with this “OMG” expression on his face. If he does come out to argue, he doesn’t make a strong enough argument to get thrown out. He has to show some fire before he can expect his players to.
Second, all of the wasted bunts are getting boring. What happened to all the extra focus on fundamentals during Spring Training? They can’t even get bunts down now. Here’s a though, if we can’t bunt, might as well give the runner a chance to steal, especially with Schafer in the lineup now.
I still think it’s too early to panic, but I want to see some fire from Fredi. I even remember one game, in AZ I think, where our SP was out by the 3rd inning. Fredi’s post game remark was “we had no business winning that game anyway”. What kind of manager says that??
Largo
May 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
I didn’t realize how much I liked Cox (until Fredi showed up) for the way he tried to protect his players. Actually the whole atmosphere has changed with Fredi in charge. If he wasn’t such a weenie.
chief pitchanono
May 26th, 2011
4:59 pm
Nah, I don’t think this is really about Freddi or Bobby, pretty sure Bobby would love to have this problem right now. He believes in his players and has the patience of jobe, so getting Uggla & Heyward through this rough patch would be no prob. Freddi and the rest of us have to do the same – just wait it out.
Good to hear some comments from Wren, and I have to agree with him. Baseball is a long season Uggla & Heyward will get it turned around and the Braves are gonna win allot of games. From everything I’ve seen so far these two guys are our only question marks. The rest of the team is solid. Thats why we have a decent record at this point despite very little contributions from those two. I think in the end the phills are gonna regret not burying us when we were down. When they do get rolling this team is gonna be real tough. Go Braves!!
What??
May 26th, 2011
5:00 pm
Ben – Freeman actually hit really well during the road trip – one of the few bright spots. The hit-and-run that he executed was incredible on a ball in the dirt.
Jommy
May 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
No, they need to get rid of Lowe. The drunk pays money to get off and if I were manager, he’d be suspended for the rest of the year. The guy is a worthless drunk and a mediocre pitcher who is severely overpaid.
mountain_jim
May 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
I agree that Freddi needs to argue and protect his players more. Personally I would have raised hell over not getting that 3rd run on the fan interference in Pitt.
My question is what the hey is the hitting coach doing about Uggla? Not a dang thing it appears, and even the crew calling the game sees and points out what is wrong with his plate coverage and stance location.
Eric
May 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
It’s not Fredi’s fault our lineup is terrible. Prado’s doing what was expected and is solid. McCann’s been solid, but this lineup has no speed or plate discipline. We don’t hit behind runners to move them along. Instead we hit the ball in the air. We don’t take an extra base or steal bases. Our “best” hitter is 39 and really should be hitting 7th and not be in the heart of the order. If we got a speedster to lead off and had Prado bat 2nd with Chipper, Heyward (when healthy), Uggla, McCann, and Freeman we’d be much better off.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
5:15 pm
There is not a whole lot of difference between Bobby and Fredi, for the most part. Fredi likes to bunt more than Bobby did, and Fredi makes as many mistakes as Bobby used to make(just some different kinds of mistakes).
But there is one major difference between them, as cited by Marteen @4:15pm in paragraph 4.
Fredi does not appear to have his player’s backs.
The incident Marteen refers to that happened, was against the Phillies, with Victorino batting(I am pretty sure, but I could be mistaken). Bobby would have been on that umpire like white on rice after that very bad call, McCann never would of had to say anything to that rookie ump.
The incident in Pittsburg with the fan interference would have resulted in Cox being ejected(I would bet the farm on it).
But Fredi G. never got off of his behind in the McCann incident, and only went out and shook his head like a bobble-head doll in Pittsburg.
Bobby never won an argument with an umpire(as far as I know), but he sure as heck let them know he was there, and that they had made a bad call.
The umps will walk all over the Braves, as long as the manager doesn’t open his mouth.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
5:22 pm
mountain jim 5:09 ……….I think Uggla might need a head doctor as bad as a hitting coach, right now. No joke.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
True JS- but the majority of strikeouts are from Freeman, Heyward & Freakin Uggla. Some of these guys actually have more Ks than hits….don’t think it’s Freddi G’s fault..more or less the players and the new hitting coach.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
5:26 pm
Freeman’s a rookie and he is getting better at the plate. His defense has stopped a lot of runs being scored against the Braves.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2011
5:29 pm
All I’m saying is … Not blaming Fredi at all. If I wanted to blame Fredi, I would have. You should know that about me by now.
Dennis Reynolds
May 26th, 2011
5:30 pm
Hey Wren,
I pretty sure I could hit .180. Will you give me $60 million too?
Bob
May 26th, 2011
5:33 pm
In my opinion, Fredi will be just fine. It’ll take a few years to completely change the Cox culture in the minors and the Braves. You’ll begin to see this taking place next season…more speed, successful bunts, and patience at the plate. Of course, our pitching will only get better. Right Jeff?
Stinger2
May 26th, 2011
5:34 pm
Jommy: What facts do you have to show that Lowe is a “worthless drunk”?
Dennis Reynolds
May 26th, 2011
5:36 pm
Uh Oh….an off night in Atlanta. Hopefully our players stay in tonight while they get hammered.
Ace of Hearts
May 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
Last the record at this point was 29-22 and now it is 28-23 not much difference.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
Jommy, glad that you are not the manager.
shadowfax419
May 26th, 2011
5:43 pm
@ marteen 4:15 You are absolutely right. Just the other night, the fan interference cost us a run and Chipper an rbi. Fredi came out of the dugout (shock of shocks) and just stood there waiting for the replay decision by the umps. After the call (which was unbelievable in itself) Fredi just appeared to say “OK guess you guys got it right.” He then walked back to the dugout and sat down. In my heart of hearts, I believe Bobby Cox would have been thrown out for giving the umps what for and the team would be fired up, knowing their manager has their backs. I hope Fredi grows a set and realized that his teams respect has to be earned.
TruthSeeker
May 26th, 2011
6:04 pm
“i understand the thoughts about the Phils for this year but generally over the past 3 years, the phils are and were better than any time during the 14 year run we had”
Hahaha, no. How many times have the Phillies won 100 games? The Braves did that six times.
Any of the Braves teams from 1991-2002 would have smoked the Phillies.
Strother Martin on Josh Smith
May 26th, 2011
6:05 pm
Our mgr is on anti-depressants….,FOR REAL. Nothing wrong with that mind you, but do u want a cracked egg managing ur ballclub……I’m just sayin. IMO Freddis stint here will end badly.
Sonny Clusters
May 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
Clusters was never slow starters so we don’t fully understand how a guy can be such a slow starter that he’s hitting .180 at the tail end of May. We just got back from a trip and was hoping when we got back Uggla would be tearing the cover off the ball. We took a little nap on the plane and they had to wake us up when we landed. We was walking down a moving sidewalk to get our luggage and there on the wall in the airport the sign said, Zimbabwe! That’s right, Zimbabwe! We was ready to panic when we saw that sign and thought we was in the wrong place. We was wondering if it wouldn’t be smart to change that sign to read, Atlanta? As far as changing from Bobby to Fredi there doesn’t seem to be all that much difference except Fredi seems to have better hygiene in the dugout.
Rutherford Seydel
May 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
Ed,
I’m still not paying you back you old fart! Nice zing Mike!
Man, I’m getting plastered tonight. It’s good being rich!
Wink
May 26th, 2011
6:21 pm
No the Braves players are not being affected by the change to Gonzalez. The Braves just don’t hit. The pitch, they defend, but they just don’t hit. They still can’t manufacture runs, they still have no speed, the on base percentage is really low and now they are not patient at the plate.
The Braves are not hitting, transition has nothing to do with it, see ball…hit ball just not happening here. The hits they do get have no impact on the game. They are not lousy, so they will win some they should lose and lose some they should win. We need professional hitters & speed, which we never seem to get (See Uggla).
To put this in prospective, they did not hit for Bobby Cox either, because if they did how do you explain only ONE World Championship, with 14 straight Division Titles on your resume.
Welcome to ATL Fredi!!
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
6:24 pm
Yeah, I had forgot about that, Fredi will never be able to pick a booger, like Bobby can.
chewyandrw
May 26th, 2011
6:24 pm
Baseball managers have the least impact on their teams performance of any of the major sports. I am not saying they are not important but a chance has a smaller impact than in football or basketball. Like Schultz said, there isnt really a change in offensive/defensive/pitching. Its on the players more in baseball and right now, the Braves are not performing. Too old in some areas and too young in others (except on the mound, and it shows.)
The Nature Boy
May 26th, 2011
6:31 pm
@ shadowfax419
nice post…but Freddie aint Bobby never will be…but u are correct sir..Freddie should gotten thrown out, Bobby would have..I’m stuck in the past…but IMO Uggla is killing us…and what about Kimbrell, he’s cost us 6 games…just sayin
Stan
May 26th, 2011
6:40 pm
Must be nice to be a pro athlete with millions to get out of a dui.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
6:43 pm
How does anyone know that Lowe was DUI?
The court said there was not enough evidence.
Sonny Clusters
May 26th, 2011
6:53 pm
WSB just found a fallen tree! We have a bunch of them in our yard but they never put them on TV. We was wondering if they could help Dan Uggla find a base hit?
Hillbilly D
May 26th, 2011
6:54 pm
Have things changed all that much since I took my Driver’s Test, those decades ago? Back then, under Georgia’s Implied Consent law, if you refused a breath or blood test, that made you guilty.
Whether Lowe was actually drinking or not, I have no clue but he did refuse the test, according to the AJC.
NO MORE BOBBY
May 26th, 2011
7:01 pm
The Braves have an excuse every year. How about we are not as good as the Phillies? I said it. We are not even as good as the Marlins (who became a better team when you know who was fired). I think if we had brought in all new coaches with Fredi then you could use the transition excuse. But it really is the same crap that has been here for years but with a wannabe #6 running the show.
Plus it didn’t help that we signed a midget to be our much needed power bat.
HeartofBraves
May 26th, 2011
7:03 pm
Enter your comments here
HeartofBraves
May 26th, 2011
7:06 pm
This switch up is killing the flow of the braves. Let’s just hope the braves will get some kind contribution from Gonzalez. Check out my buddies site you can now follow your favorite Braves players in one place look its easy and fun http://bit.ly/iVKVrx
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
7:07 pm
I would have done exactly same thing as Lowe did, if I had of been in his position.
Michael Gearon, Jr.
May 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
Yeah, har har, Seydel, go take a long walk off a short pier! Don’t think I forgot what happened last time you got plastered (bought a hockey team, wtf, guys?).
Looks like someone’s had one too many martinis before … noon.
61 year Braves Fan
May 26th, 2011
7:31 pm
Braves hitters have terrible plate discipline. They constantly swing at balls in the dirt and outside as well as pitches above the letters. Too bad there are no old films of Ted Williams batting. He never
swung out of the strike zone.More walks and far less strikeouts as a result.
JF McNamara
May 26th, 2011
7:46 pm
I blame all the folks who gave Pendleton such a hard time in this town as a hitting coach. He made lemons with lemonade. The new guy is making lemons out of Sweet Georgia Peaches…
Tomas
May 26th, 2011
7:59 pm
When Uggla starts hitting like he is supposed to, and Heyward gets healthy there will be no problem with the offense
DUD Uggla
May 26th, 2011
8:12 pm
No lead-off hitter, Freddie “I can only pull the ball” Freeman needs to keep his head still instead of acting like he is dipping Kristie Alley on the dance floor, get Heyward out of the Number 2 spot, Tell Chipper to shut up. And tell “Gonzo” to get his head into the ballgame and quit swinging at balls above his head……I could go on but hell I’m hitting below the 200 line.
The Fan
May 26th, 2011
8:20 pm
Fredi Gonzalez makes several terrible decisions, including but not limited to lineup order, bullpen choices, and other calls during the game. It took him forever to FINALLY bat Heyward 2nd(as opposed to Mclouth) to get him more plate appearances, his choices of when to use people like Linebrink (who sucks) and Kimbrel are laughable, and he calls all the wrong hit-and-run plays.
http://www.firefredigonzalez.com (yes, it’s a real website)
Thanks for your time!
Bob the Blogger
May 26th, 2011
8:30 pm
I don’t see how the changing of the guard per se can be a reason for the slow start. Which players in the starting lineup could be affected? Heyward only played one year for Cox. Freeman played one month. Uggla never played for Cox and had played for Fredi G. Alex G. only played part of one year for Cox. McClouth only played a couple of years under Cox. Martin played several years, but wouldn’t he be at least as comfortable playing for a manager who speaks spanish? That leaves Chipper and McCann, and they’re both playing OK, not great, but OK. The pitching and defense are good, so how can we associate the slow start with the manager change?
Plate Appearance
May 26th, 2011
8:39 pm
WREN’S SPIN CYCLE
Dear old Frank is trying the very best he can to do some damage control — and to cover his own backside for his own questionable decisions.
But it’s laughable! Wren has minimal credibility and minimal good judgment!
Gonzalez has already made more than his share of questionable decisions as a manager so far this season, so much so that even Chipper made a veiled comment criticizing one of his potential decisions (on when to use Conrad as a pinch hitter).*
*(I’d take Bobby back in a heartbeat to manage the Braves over Gonzalez!)
And Uggla’s been clueless in terms of a solid hitting approach at the plate.
So much for Wren’s comments. He’s very much like the boy who cried wolf, as far as believing what he says!
Frank’s using the SPIN CYCLE on his washer again!
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 26th, 2011
8:42 pm
I believe that can’t call your own number under Gonzo: Sunday in San Fran Chipper tells DOB he doesn’t think he can go and does. AGON taps Gonzo on the shoulder says he’s not right, plays two more innings before being pulled and the constant running out of JHey after he admitted being hurt in ST.
Just an observation.
Stan
May 26th, 2011
8:55 pm
The issue is heyward uggly and mccann are not producing with du being the worst and jh a close second. look at the sox offense now. look at the phils this week. watch us struggle against those same reds with 2 days rest this week. something happens to batters when they come to play here.
Dr. Phil
May 26th, 2011
8:56 pm
Sometimes Bobby motivated the team to play harder when he got thrown out. That is certainly a part of baseball, and maybe Fredi should get more aggressive. I doubt that arguing improves umps’ performance, however. Everything considered, the Braves are not in a bad place right now. I don’t know what to make of Uggla. He could prove to be another Wren disaster.
PALM BEACH BARON
May 26th, 2011
9:17 pm
BOBBY COX costs us at least 2 World Series rings – he burned out pitchers by leaving them out there too long – usually way too long. He never could keep a closer – he burnt them out and created headcases out of all of them. Time after time he sent Glavine & Sycho out there for the 6th, 7th or 8th when they should have been pulled and they gave up runs and the game . Stop worshiping that idiot Bobby Cox – if he played for anyone else he would have been fired by 1997. We should have gotten Joe Torre when we had the chance.
Could just be me
May 26th, 2011
9:25 pm
Yes the Braves have struggled offensively when many have said they added some punch during the offseason. Sure they haven’t put up as many runs as the explosion some were expecting. With as many problems as the Braves are having whether offensively or with players trying to avoid the DL, the Braves 51 games into the season just happen to be 3 games off the best record in the majors. Let’s try this again, almost a third of the season has went by as Schultz put it and the Braves are three games off the best record in the majors. Yeah that transition from Cox to Gonzo has to be really hurting the team, I can’t believe their only 3 games behind that supposed super pitching staff in Philly, especially with such a lack of offense, Gonzalez has to go now, this transition thing isn’t working out, then reality set in.
dobearsbare
May 26th, 2011
9:27 pm
To be truthful the Braves are in pretty good position which is a credit to Gonzalez, who was hamstrung from the start with a six-man lineup (rookie at first base, enigmatic center fielder). Give him a major-league hitter to play center field, and things would be different. Give him Uggla of the last five years, and things would be different. Give him the opening-day lineup for more than a handful of games, and things would be different. Some of those things are a function of miserly ownership. Some, pure poor baseball luck. If you want to nit-pick every decision he makes, you don’t understand the nature of the game. Baseball managers cannot be fairly judged on the results of one or five or 10 decisions. I’m sure in Philadelphia, some fan on a message board is picking Charlie Manuel apart, and it’s unjustified. A preponderance of the evidence is necessary, and if you use that standard in Gonzalez’ case, he looks pretty good on the whole.
Could just be me
May 26th, 2011
9:30 pm
Yes the Braves have struggled offensively when many have said they added some punch during the offseason. Sure they haven’t put up as many runs as the explosion some were expecting. With as many problems as the Braves are having whether offensively or with players trying to avoid the DL, the Braves 51 games into the season just happen to be 3 games off the best record in the majors. Let’s try this again, almost a third of the season has went by as Schultz put it and the Braves are three games off the best record in the majors. Yeah that transition from Cox to Gonzo has to be really hurting the team, I can’t believe their only 3 games behind that supposed super pitching staff in Philly, especially with such a lack of offense, Gonzalez has to go now, this transition thing isn’t working out, then reality set in, well, considering ATL sports writers, maybe not.
Seriously
May 26th, 2011
9:32 pm
Yeah…we can all “take a breath” but the reality is these guys are doing some amazingly bad things at the plate.
1. Consistently swinging at the 1st pitch and not being patient, waiting for “your” pitch.
2. Consistently swinging at balls that bounce 5 feet in front of the plate. (This happens to every hitter but we are have a team full of players that just look like they have decided to swing before the pitch is released.)
3. Consistently looking completely lost when a pitcher has a decent slider or curveball. I understand we are a Fastball hitting team but I have never seen a team so dumbfounded by average pitchers.
The key word here is Consistently. This is what worries me. Even Chipper looks completely lost out there at times and he is hardly ever confused,
Ron Hyatt
May 26th, 2011
9:34 pm
Nope. I see the same lack of discipline and no sense of urgency that I’ve seen since 91.
Larry
May 26th, 2011
9:35 pm
We missed the boat when Joe Girardi walked away from the Marlins. The Yankees jumped all over this opportunity to hire him while the Braves were still spiraling down the drain with Bobby Cox.
What did this leave us? Bobby’s offspring, Fredi Cox, whom, like his predecessor, absolutely hasn’t a clue how to operate a situational and circumstantial offense that one must do deep in the playoffs when facing the better teams with the better pitchers.
Fredi Cox, picked his coaches, picked his 25 man roster, fills out the lineup card and makes the in-game decisions…the buck stops with him!
Brave Fan
May 26th, 2011
9:43 pm
Great pitching and pretty good defense has gotten us to this point. We will not take the division from the Phillies because they can pitch, hit and run. We have too many hitters that have no plate discipline and try to pull the ball all the time. On top of that its not like these dead pull guys are the kind thats going to hit 35 bombs!
I hate it because I love the Braves but w.e’ll be lucky to pass and hold off the Marlins
bobby
May 26th, 2011
9:47 pm
It’s not the manager but the lack of hitting that is killing the Braves. You won’t win many times scoring two runs a game.
Brave Fan
May 26th, 2011
9:50 pm
Not much hitting but ZERO speed. Speed does not go into slumps.
Bill
May 26th, 2011
10:02 pm
The chemistry is not right on this team. The makeup of players, group situation, interaction, respect for each other is just not there. No chemistry no win…time to make some changes. Go Braves.
shmoe
May 26th, 2011
10:11 pm
bill,
i see plenty of chemistry in the dugout. what do you wanna see, kissing hugging and groping?
Andrew
May 26th, 2011
10:16 pm
DUD UGGLA Do you even know anything aabout this team. Freeman has been hitting the ball the opposite field since day one. He started out rough and is actually hitting 250 and will climb. He is a rookie. He will have rough weeks and will ajust. You need to get your head out of your butt and actually say something with merit. Uggla is struggling and so is Heyward. Brian has dropped over 55 points in the last month. It is not just Freeman.
Pluto
May 26th, 2011
10:22 pm
Jomy, that’s *alleged* drunk. And not even that anymore; charges were dropped. So maybe not so much with the name-calling.
Kentavo
May 26th, 2011
10:24 pm
I was not a Cox fan the last few years – think he wore out his welcome – so my wife was surprised when she heard me saying to the TV “Bobby would have gotten tossed on that one” a few times. She says, “I thought you didn’t like Bobby?” And I say, “I don’t, but he would have already had 5 ejections by now and Fredi doesn’t have any.”
Bill
May 26th, 2011
10:26 pm
There’s one DA on every blog…Chemistry is not kissing etc. u must know.
reckingball
May 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
That one guy says Cox burnt the arms up on relievers, then he says he left the starters out too long in the next sentence.
He says Cox burnt up pitchers arms, then he ends his comment by saying the Braves should have hired Torre, who ruined more pitchers arms than Cox ever thought about.
perk
May 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
marteen: dead on your #4 – I put that game soley on Fredi. He should have gotten thrown out to show his players he had their back and give the pitcher some time to regain his composure
skillfulpiffle7
May 26th, 2011
10:38 pm
I paid $32.67 for a XBOX 360 and my mom got a 17 inch Toshiba laptop for $94.83 being delivered to our house tomorrow by FedEX. I will never again pay expensive retail prices at stores. I even sold a 46 inch HDTV to my boss for $650 and it only cost me $52.78 to get. Here is the website we using to get all this stuff, http://BidsWork.com
BravesLover
May 26th, 2011
11:03 pm
Jeff you are really reaching. IMHO the hitters are door mats. Pitchers get well against our anemic lineup. No opposing pitcher wants to miss a turn when playing the Braves. Our Bash Boys are are unabashed. Like a fish out of water they are floundering. I’m reminded of the ole saying that crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results (are you listening/reading Mr. Uggla?) I’m thinking of starting a poll called “Guess the date a Brave will reach 10 homeruns”. I’m thinking of after the all star break. It’s entirely possible that no Brave will hit more than 10 homeruns. Tip of the hat to the pitchers. I think Fredi is the right man in the right place at the right time. How long will our new lack of hitting coach last? How ’bout a big shake up next year and get a new pitching coach who doesn’t threaten opposing fans and a new hitting coach to take the place of the lack of hitting coach. Take Skippy Carey with them so that I can watch and listen to our announcers instead of the opposing team’s announcers just so I don’t have to “beautiful” 17 times a game. There are a myriad of adjectives that would describe a play other than “beautiful”. Maybe if Mr. Chatterbox would just let someone pull the plug on his mike after the tease…..
NC Brave
May 26th, 2011
11:04 pm
i don’t believe so. team was wildly all over the place last year too. lose 9 then win 9. run out of things to write about????
Chas
May 26th, 2011
11:05 pm
Fans have made some comments that I agree with. I think Fredi is a players manager but I’d like to see some fire in him and would like to see him get angry with the umps. I have really hated his tactics in managing at times. There were some managerial decisions I disagreed with during the Cox years but there have been many more with Fredi. I think he will be fine but I miss Cox.
NC Brave
May 26th, 2011
11:06 pm
and btw……Uggla will get it going folks. i like where we are.
iTiSi
May 26th, 2011
11:16 pm
If one of the AJC sportswriters does not write an article blasting the cover-up and whitewash of the Derek Lowe case, then they don’t have a pair. I could see this coming a mile away. Who couldn’t? None of them will probably do it because they are afraid of being “shutout” of any access and functions of the Braves. The AJC writers are all “wimps and wussies” when it comes to things like this. Could at least one of you “grow a pair at least temporarily” and do the right thing?
mdubthewiz
May 26th, 2011
11:36 pm
They were inconsistent under Bobby last year. Their pitching is a little better and their hitting is worse. They need to trade for a bat. Uggla’s not hitting. I miss Infante.
NO MORE BOBBY
May 27th, 2011
12:07 am
I love how people say it’s not the managers fault but I’m pretty sure he had some say so in signing Uggla, new hitting coach and keeping Bobby’s leftovers. A manager anywhere else would not walk into this situation without getting to bring on their staff. Fredi is a puppet and Wren holds the strings.
goodnessgracious
May 27th, 2011
12:14 am
the manager is not out there swinging the BAT! They are lucky to be over .500. Need them to get healthy and spend a little for better bats.
Robards
May 27th, 2011
12:47 am
Given the number of injuries, this isn’t really surprising. Braves usually start something like this anyway–including some (though not all) of the better teams of the last 20 years. Uggla needs to get going, but most of the others just need to get healthy. Barring something unforeseen, I’d be shocked if this team doesn’t make the playoffs one way or another–especially given Posey’s unfortunate injury.
para braves
May 27th, 2011
12:47 am
Yep we are almost finished a transition. Becoming the Baltimore Orioles of the NL.. Mission almost completed Wren
braves bobblehead 3
May 27th, 2011
12:49 am
Uggla is batting UGLY and this is one of the problems. Heyward injuries are another but I believe in the Diesel and Gonzalaz so go Braves!!
Robards
May 27th, 2011
12:54 am
Despite the injuries, Braves have by far the best run differential of NL clubs not in first place. That means more than you think.
Tyler McWebb
May 27th, 2011
1:08 am
LOL, yeah it has nothing to do with the injuries, Schultz.
Why don’t we just ignore the facts and try to stir up controversy.
C’mon, you’re better than this.
DE Braves Fan
May 27th, 2011
2:13 am
So I think the transition thing in general could be right but not necessarily with Freddi. His mentality of taking IF at least once every homestand has CLEARLY helped the defense(more specifically Uggla). I would not be surprised if the transition struggle is going from TP to LP. This team was near the league lead in OBP last year(I think they may have even lead it) and when they were playing well they made SP work. No reason to worry though, still only 3.5 out and Philly does look vulnerable.
As someone else pointed out, Uggla’s BABIP is significantly lower than his career. His HR/FB are also way down and based off of last year’s ballpark factors, FLA was actually more pitcher friendly for HRs than Turner Field. I also like people complaining about Uggla’s K rate. It is actually lower than normal(currently at 22.2% his career rate is 26%). The problem is he is striking out in bad situations. His walks however are also down.
Do I want Uggla to start performing? Yes but I understand his struggles.
As far as Fredi. He does cause minor headaches such as that suicide squeeze but mostly he is not gaining trust from his players from what I have seen. The guy hardly fights for them. As far as him have a losing(not loosing; learn how to spell) record big deal. The last two year he also operating with a 2008 Braves-esque pitching staff. Meaning it was a make shift staff due to tons of injuries. The Marlins have solid hitting like Atlanta(They had Teixeira) but tough to win when your pitchers can maintain leads.
Fred
May 27th, 2011
2:36 am
This team just flat out stinks. The Braves over paid Uggla hired the wrong manager, and Chipper is over the hill. We need a center fielder, and a good led off batter. The Phillies are a better old team, than a young Braves team, and they will win the division again this year. The Braves won’t win the wild card. I refuse to pay my hard earn money to go to a game to watch this team play. For all you die hard Braves fans wake up, this is going to be another long and boring season for this team. The only bright spot for this team is the two young pitchers that we have in Jurrjen, and Beachy.
tom
May 27th, 2011
2:46 am
Cox should have retired or been fired about five years ago. Division titles get stale after awhile. Of course he could not even do that in the last few years.
DE Braves Fan
May 27th, 2011
3:05 am
@Fred you failed to mention Hanson.
As well tell me exactly how Atlanta overpaid for Uggla? First of all Uggla is being paid $9M this year. Utley is being paid $15M over the next 4 years, Uggla will be making $13M. In fact Utley from this year to 2015(both contracts are up then) Utley is making $2M more per year. Cano is paid $10M this year 13 next and 15 after that. The only 2B who is possibly better than Uggs who is making less than him is Pedroia. None of them though put up the power numbers Uggla has consitently. Uggla is the only 2B in history to have 4 years of 30+ HRs and he has done it 4 straight years. Am I satisfied with his current production? No, but his contract is completely justified(even though EVERY player really is overpaid).
No real proof that Atlanta hired the wrong manager too.
Is Chipper over the hill? Maybe but you are crazy to expect his prime numbers. He is still on pace to drive in 89 runs(by playing 140 games) and he is currently 2nd on the team in RBIs.
McLouth has been adequate at CF too (minus his recent funk which happens to everyone).
As far as a leadoff hitter, yes Atlanta could use a TRUE leadoff hitter and yes Prado does profile better as a #2 hitter but he fills in solid as a leadoff guy given all of his XBHs. The thing about leadoff guys is they can turn singles/walks into doubles by stealing a base. Prado can do that by just getting his normal hits.
Whopper Dawg
May 27th, 2011
4:07 am
Sure, it effects the team. The head guy, for the players, moves on after years, you will have to work through some things.
But he can’t bat, and that is the problem.
Honest Ingine
May 27th, 2011
6:58 am
to Marteen is a Ball Player….. I noticed ever incident you mentioned… you right…..Fredi needs to get out of the dugout…. especially, when mccann went half way back to the dugout…if nothing else to support his catcher….Come on Fredi, watch the game…
JackDennis
May 27th, 2011
8:37 am
Too soon to question Fredi. Course the usual cast of malcontents will bellyache as if they know baseball.
El Bravo
May 27th, 2011
8:46 am
The problem with the Braves is unrealistic expectations. Thus far, the only player grossly under-performing is Uggla. Martin and McCann are hitting below their OBP but their power numbers are there. Chipper has continued his regression as he gets older so he is hitting well within range for his age. Gonzalez has always been a .265 hitter with pop and that’s what he is doing this year. Heyward has been injured all year and his numbers reflect that. McClouth is doing exactly what we should expect from him considering the last two years. Freeman is a 21 year old rookie doing exactly what should be expected from him. I honestly don’t know what people were expecting out of this lineup. Make no mistake, we will hit better than this once Uggla wakes up and Heyward gets healthy. McCann and Prado will trend up slightly as well but if you are expecting a lot more from Chipper, Gonzalez, McClouth or Freeman then you are just flat out fooling yourselves…
DAP
May 27th, 2011
8:48 am
the team was inconsistent with cox as the manager too. i dont think it has that much to do with fredi.
Whisky Breath
May 27th, 2011
9:16 am
Where is all the damn offense Frank Wren and the Braves promised ? The old Braves used to tone down the preseason BS. Bobby would not do the BS. He was always confident, but didn’t resort to the BS hype. Shame on you Frank Wren, we haven’t forgotten.
Skillet
May 27th, 2011
9:39 am
I understand that Wren has to say & think that Uggla will come around, but you know he’s got his fingers crossed when he says that because Uggla is so messed up right now that I’m not sure if he’ll be anything close to the player that the Braves thought they had signed, at least for this season.
Lets hope that Jordan Schafer can do well enough to take over for “.238 Nate”….It seems that when McLouth is not injured, which is rare, he can’t seem to reach the elusive .250 batting average. The Nate McLouth experiment as the starting center fielder needs to end. He’s at best a utility player.
BartBuzz
May 27th, 2011
9:39 am
The only part of your analysis that makes sense is the comment about Uggla. His lack of offense has cost the Braves at least 5 wins. Factor that in and they lead the Division. Gonzalez can “manage” bad play by using his bench. So I blame him. But we all know Cox wouldn’t bench Uggla either. Let’s hope we’re not facing another Mclouth-like season slump.
dixiedawg
May 27th, 2011
9:51 am
Braves need to get a deal done to get Jose Reyes or someone similar. They need speed at the top of the lineup & Prado hitting where he truly fits (2nd). Maybe then they can get on the board early & play with a lead or manufacture more runs during a game. They have not had a true lead-off hitter since Furcal.
Scores/Schedule/Standings & Stories 5/27/2011 - Goodsportsart Blog
May 27th, 2011
9:58 am
[...] Are Braves affected by transition from Cox to Gonzalez? [...]
tomchop99
May 27th, 2011
10:07 am
This is similar to the article on Bleacher Report covering the same topic…
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/712814-bobby-cox-hangover-how-the-braves-are-still-adjusting-to-fredi-gonzalez
Jay Peterman
May 27th, 2011
10:10 am
When you have a guaranteed, multi-million dollar, multi-year contract, why should you work hard??? Why take extra BP? Why take extra infield practice? Why work out at all??? Money is what makes athletes inconsistent.
ichmond Brave... Still
May 27th, 2011
10:16 am
I am forever an optimist, & that this team will start hitting/winning more consistently this season. If we do we can’t even be considered for the wild card, let alone the division. People forget we’re in 3rd in the division, not 2nd.
If we get teameadoff man in offseason it may not be until next season that this season starts really comiog around, and this season’s early struggles & inconsistencies will be ling forgotten.
Marteen is a Ball Player
May 27th, 2011
10:25 am
Good morning all. While I certainly take issue with Fredi (see earlier comments), I’m surprised by the vitrol expressed about McClouth, and more specifically, Fran Wren. I do not believe Schaefer will ever be the answer. His speed is great, but McClouth has had a greater impact on our games than everyone in the line-up outside of McCann, Chipper, and Prado. I don’t include Hinske in that group as he is not an every day player…speaking of which, why is this guy not in more often? Love Hinske, love him. If Nate had given this level of production last year, we likely would have won the division, but what’s done is done. I like McClouth so far. Weak arm, but he does his job…especially when batting from the eight-hole.
As for Wren, I am a supporter. No one could have predicted Uggla’s season so far. In fact, everything negative about Uggla coming in was his defense. He has been beyond competent in this facet of the game. Yes, Kawakami was a monumental bellyflop and I will not defend him for this hire, but he gets more right than he does wrong. How could anyone take issue with the pitching staff we have. Wren has $85 million to deal with and a great deal of that money is tied up in Chipper, Hudson, and Lowe (deals made prior to Wren being in charge). Unfortunately, Wren may forever be branded as a failure if Uggla does not turn it around this year or next year when coupled with Kawakami.
Troy Glaus last year was simply a fantastic move. Granted, he had no legs the second-half of the season, but we never see the playoffs without Glaus and the guy cost us what? $1 million, $2 million? He didn’t trade JJ last year or in the off-season…anyone complaining about that? Kept Hinske instead of Diaz (liked Diaz, but obviously great move). Gonzalez has been a very good move compared to Escobar. Is there a better defensive shortstop in the game? Gonzalez doesn’t bat for average, but he has had some clutch hits and he seems to get a great deal of doubles (haven’t checked the numbers). When we lose a pitcher, we simply replace. Even with some issues with the bullpen, we are fortunate to have Gearin and EOF has been lights out. We know Venters is the best in the business. Whether he should be closing or not is a different argument going back to Fredi, not Wren. Kimbrel…not sure I like him closing, but I certainly don’t want him on any opposing team.
Thoughts?
Reid Adair
May 27th, 2011
10:47 am
And people complained about Terry Pendleton as the hitting coach.
What’s the old saying? “Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.”
Jamanji69
May 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
should have kept Kelly Johnson~~
Coach Cheesedip
May 27th, 2011
1:00 pm
Ugga has never been a good hitter! He can hit homers but will never hit for average! You can’t win with over-paid old players and young guys that are bargain basement players!
Larvell Blanks
May 27th, 2011
3:01 pm
Yes, Uggla is not hitting because he’s used to seeing Cox in the dugout, instead of Gonzalez. It’s very hard making the transition from one manager to another.
Sweet Old Buck
May 27th, 2011
3:22 pm
If they are, they better get over it quick. The Phillies are giving evidence of running away and hiding, and, oh by the way, has anyone noticed that the Marlins have a decent run of their own going?
heartofdarkness
May 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
If the core of the batting order (2 or 3 key hitters who have been with the team for a couple years or more) was healthy and hitting, I’d start looking around for other causes to the inconsistent start. It isn’t and the odds say an improvement is coming, perhaps sooner than we think.
dcp
May 27th, 2011
4:00 pm
Sweet old buck is right. The Phillies have played through injuries all year – Utley, Lidge, Contraras, Victorino, and they are still in first. Every year it’s “well we won the season series vs. the Phils” – that matters not one bit if you don’t pound the other bad teams. The Phillies have done that for 5 years running and continue to do that this year while the Braves traditionally struggle. Give it time and see where we are 100 games in…
Daniel
May 27th, 2011
4:05 pm
simple answer: Dan Uggla’s lack of hitting. If/When he gets on track, this team takes off.
Larvell Blanks
May 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
“The Phillies are giving evidence of running away and hiding …”
Yeah, they’re 6-4 in their last 10, while the Braves are only 6-4, and the Marlins are a measly 6-4. So, yes, if by “running away and hiding” you mean “keeping the same margin,” you’re correct.
Daniel
May 27th, 2011
4:08 pm
sweet old buck and dcp: Braves, Marlins and Phillies are all 6-4 in their last 10 games. Could you guys at least make a statement that is remotely based on fact.
Larvell Blanks
May 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
Sorry, Daniel, that’s like SO two minutes ago.
Daniel
May 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Technically, Larvell that was EXCATLY two minutes ago. But, who is counting?
Larvell Blanks
May 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
And as to the Phillies supposedly “playing through injuries” all year, let’s not forget that the Braves are missing two very important pieces of their pitching staff from last season — Medlen and Moylan — and are STILL pitching better than the Phillies’ vaunted staff. Plus Heyward hasn’t been healthy, and now McLouth is hurt, and Uggla would be more productive if he was on the DL, so it’s actually been a net loss for us that he HASN’T been injured. So if I had to guess which team is more likely to improve on its performance over the rest of the season, I wouldn’t bet the farm on the Phillies. It’s statistically unlikely that Uggla will continue to flail around without a clue, and when Heyward isn’t dinged up he’s shown that he can hit.
reckingball
May 27th, 2011
5:15 pm
last!
tmc
May 27th, 2011
5:40 pm
the biggest thing about Fredi vs. Bobby Cox and how the fans are responding is (and i am a victim of this too) that when Fredi makes decisions and it is unconventional… people get upset.
Everyone knew what Bobby was going to do before he did it. It was what made him great in his players minds and some fans ripped their hair out because of it. Bobby was as predictable and the sun coming up tomorrow.
Fredi is not. And that is a little frustrating at times and comfortable at times. Anyone who knows baseball knows that “by the book” works most times, but not all the time. There isn’t a manager alive that pleased everyone all the time. I have tried to tell myself that at least Fredi will tell you his thoughts on why he did something… (BC did not) and hey that’s all you can ask for and hopefully good results.
bruce
May 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
looking forward to looking back at this story line and laughing because it is no longer relevant… Uggs hitting homers right and lefrt and the bats clicking
Dwight Ricker
May 28th, 2011
9:41 am
Nonsense. Hitting is down throughout the major leagues. Your argument is off the mark.
Phil
May 28th, 2011
10:16 am
I love the BRAVES and will stand by them……however that been said, I am concerned that Fredi Gonzalez is confusing things with where he is placing hitters in the line-up and how he is using his Bullpen. I have a cousin in Miami who said that the consensus there is that Fredi has issues. I don’t know what that means but he certainly is not liked by Marlin followers. The other thing we must face is that just maybe our lineup is just not as good as we would like to believe except for a about three guys…..what do ya think?
Double Zero Eight
May 28th, 2011
10:57 am
The answer to the question is no. The Braves are
affected by :
1) lack of hitting
2) lack of speed
3) transition from Pendleton to Parrish
POON
May 28th, 2011
12:17 pm
If it weren’t for Freddi and Uggloser we would have nothing to discuss….I’m glad we have them.
John .
May 28th, 2011
12:41 pm
After seeing the results of the first 51 games Terry doesn’t seem to be the problem. Perhaps if the fans were made aware of the money being paid per at-bat for each player the results would improve. Dan Uggla is a disaster so far this season……perhaps riding the bus at Gwinnett for a couple of weeks would have some effect, or has his career taken a downward turn. After 51 games it’s time for some answers to these questions.
Mitchell
May 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
BOOOOOOO!!!!
Sorry, just getting warmed up for tonight. Gotta get those vocal chords warmed up.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
YOU SUCK BRAVES!!!
Gee, I wonder if I’ll catch a foul ball tonight. It’s anybody’s guess..
Mitchell
May 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
Frank Wren, please fire Larry Parrish.
Thanks. Bye.
Chop It Up All-Star
May 28th, 2011
5:24 pm
I hate to say it, but this team is just not fun to watch. I still tune in, but I find myself recording the games so that I can fast forward through the rough parts, which for the greater part of this season has been often. The only two players that have lived up to expectations thus far this year has been Jair Jurjens and David Ross, everyone else has been a tremendous disappointment.
chris
May 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
Jeff, great column and head on. I have felt for a while now that the Braves drew a lot of their energy off Bobby’s energy in the dugout and his cheering them on the field. Fredi is not that type manager even though it doesn’t make him a bad manager. I think they have been dealing with the change in style even though behind the scenes Fredi may have just as much fire as Bobby. I know this – itd be great to see him show a bit more emotion at times. Plays in the past where Bobby would have been ejected in the past Fredi keeps his cool in the dugout. Again not saying that makes Fredi a worse manager but it is a transition. I like many fans am scratching my head about this offense. Its frustrating to see them play at times with this talent and not scoring runs. God only knows if we had say Cincy’s lineup Votto, Bruce, Rolen and Phillips with our pitching. The Phillies are doing it wihtout Utley and getting it done ..we should be too. Hopefully things will improve..Got to get Uggla going soon! maybe he will relax soon and stop pressing
HFIN
June 2nd, 2011
1:18 am
FIRE COX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HunkFIN
June 2nd, 2011
1:20 am
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NewYork is RED HOT!!
June 2nd, 2011
1:22 am
SouthBeach in 5!!!