Braves collapse, and the shine just came off Fredi Gonzalez
Fredi Gonzalez watched as the Braves blew an 8½-game wild-card lead in 23 days. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Fredi Gonzalez was quietly handed the Braves’ managerial job before Bobby Cox ever stepped out the door in a wink-wink, nudge-nudge deal, and nobody really had a problem with it.
He had the resume and the personality. Everybody liked and respected him. He knew the players, the organization and the city. The Braves weren’t making over the manager’s office as much as they were changing a light bulb.
Something went wrong.
This is not a “Fire Fredi Gonzalez” column. But we’ve just witnessed one of the worst collapses in sports history, and the Braves can’t just assume that a few roster tweaks are going to fix the problem. When a team goes 10-20 down the stretch — including 0-9 against their two biggest competitors (Philadelphia and St. Louis) — and loses three consecutive series to the division’s flotsam (Mets, Marlins, Nationals), this isn’t about just injuries or a few guys going into a slump.
The vibe was missing this season. That’s on Gonzalez. The team fell apart when it needed to come together, blowing an 8½-game lead in 23 days. That’s on Gonzalez. The Braves seemed tight and meek and borderline frightened, as if waiting, hoping, white-knuckle-praying for a playoff spot to just fall into their lap. They didn’t just take it, and didn’t play like they felt they deserved it.
That’s certainly on Gonzalez. The shine just came off the perfect replacement.
I understand this isn’t football. Managers make in-game decisions, but they aren’t calling plays. They change the lineup and the batting order. Gonzalez did that. He pulled Chipper Jones out of the No. 3 spot. He benched Jason Heyward.
Ultimately, the question is whether a manager is making a team better, making it believe. The Braves clearly weren’t, therefore Gonzalez clearly didn’t.
Even with injuries, this was twice the team that reached the postseason last year and lost three one-run games to the eventual World Series champions in San Francisco.
Gonzalez doesn’t need to go. But he needs to change. Or maybe someone. Gonzalez said Thursday that all of his coaches are coming back. But for all the screams from the cheap seats about former hitting coach Terry Pendleton, his replacement, Larry Parrish, didn’t bring anything to the table.
Maybe Gonzalez just needs to change himself. Maybe he came in and, consciously or subconsciously, didn’t want to disrupt things too much in the first season after Bobby Cox retired. It was such a feel-good season last year, that would be understandable. But if that was the strategy, it backfired.
When asked about the collapse following Wednesday’s final loss, Chipper Jones said, “It’s cruel, because probably nobody in Atlanta sports is probably under as much scrutiny as he is filling in for Bobby Cox. To have it slip away in late September, it’s cruel. It’s really cruel. It’s not indicative of the way this team played, the way he managed, and what we deserved in this situation.”
Not sure about the “deserved” part of that quote. The Braves just played 162 games. That’s enough time.
They blew it. They blew it like no team in Atlanta sports history. That blew it like few teams in all of sports history. The only people who aren’t saying today that they blew it live in Boston — because they have their own problems.
What just happened is mind-numbing. But even before the collapse, the Braves seemed to have chemistry issues. They never quite came together like most anticipated. This was a team that figured to challenge Philadelphia in the National League East and possibly for a World Series.
There aren’t a lot of tangible things we can pin on Gonzalez. He certainly stuck with Derek Lowe too long, and the decision to start him Tuesday over rookie Julio Teheran blew up in the manager’s face. He made the bold decision to go with Jose Constanza over the struggling Heyward in right field for several starts, which seemed to ignite the lineup. But then he switched back to Heyward, who is the better player, but still seemed to be a mess.
But it never should have come down to that decision, or to a few starts by Lowe. When a team goes 10-20 to close the season and gets swept at home in the last three games, the issues are bigger than that.
Implosions like this are on the manager. He didn’t make the team better. The Braves underachieved. And Gonzalez just lost the benefit of the doubt.
By Jeff Schultz
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845 comments Add your comment
vigi1
September 29th, 2011
2:12 pm
You have got to question his moves in Sept. Lowe, Haywood ie. I also feel like Bobby would have been ejected after that call at 3rd. It may have ignited a little fire.
Just another Braves team without any killer instinct.
Emmmitt
September 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
I am a Phillies fan who clearly remembers the 1964 collapse of leading the NL by 6 games with 12 left and losing to St Louis. In this case the manager tried to secure the series using only 2 pitchers for the remaining games. I believe the Braves did the same thing with just a different flavor. You are expecting too much to bring out guys to pitch will very little margin of error especially when you have a weak offense to generate any runs. This team needs to retire Chipper(front office job) & Lowe and find a hitting coach who has some deep experience. Terry P has issues but the current hitting coach did nothing to help this team.
Lefty
September 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
leave it to ajc writers scared to death not to ask the tough questions after the game.u guys would never last in ny or boston.u c the interview with papalbon after the loss?ajc,and especial that goonDOB take a hint and quit trying to earn brownie points with fredi
HERB
September 29th, 2011
2:14 pm
As a long time Braves fan,l I think blaming the Braves failure to get to the playoffs, on Fred, unfounded and a little stupid. How long did it take Bobby to get the team going? Give the man a chance. I think with all things considered, they did pretty good and Fred should be commended, being the first manager after over two decades, and bringing them so close to the playoffs. Schultz, you must be new to the Atlanta area, and not familiar with the teams of the late 60.s and 70’s, when everything was going badly for much of the time. You are very quick to criticize and as long as we are on he subject, I think that sometimes your remarks really suck. Why don’t you leave town and take that silly looking beard with you. Maybe you would be happier somewhere. Remember, Delta has frequent flight to carry yo ass wherever you wish to go. Have a nice flight! BYE BYE
The psychiatrist
September 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
The problem pure and simple – the team had an anemic offense. Among the 3 worst in BA with RISP will use up any good bullpen by end of season, just like last year. Need a hitting coach, plate discipline, and it’d be nice to have a leader demanding 100%. . Wren, you said you want to build a team around speed, now go get the ingredients.
tennisbrave
September 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
Be sure and send a copy of your article to Frank Wren and the Braves’ ownership. I couldn’t agree with you more. The Marlins didn’t fire Fredi because they didn’t like his personality.
Braves Choke
September 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
Man I thought we had it wrapped up when Wrenn made that deal for Jack Wilson – that was a great move!
redhots
September 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
Fredi fiddled while Rome burned… A brief argument on the obviously bad call at 3rd base. Bourn was safe from every angle. McCann complained the entire game about the strike zone. Fredi said nothing. He’s a lousy manager and a non-existent motivator. At the very least, Bobby always had the players’ back. Fredi doesn’t.
M10
September 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
The Braves will never win if they dont stop with get good pitching and hitting will come bull****.Philly through that right out of the window.They built there team with alot of productive bats.This is not the damn 90’s anymore Braves,go out and get some d*** bats or you dont have to worry about me spending another d*** dime on this team.
Philly FAN 215
September 29th, 2011
2:18 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA. #POW# #POW# #POW# RIGHT IN THE KISSER ATL.
Bayarea_Brave
September 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
bring BOBBY back!!!!!
Lefty
September 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
FOR ALL U MORONS WHO THOUGHT U WATCHED THE GAME BUT WERE DRUNK OR STONED……
BOURNE WAS OUT AT 3RD,WHEN HE CAME OFF THE BAG
BRAVES HAD 0 RUNS AFTER 3RD INNING THATS 10 INNINGS IDIOTS
FREDI DOES NOT SWING A BAT,EVERY PLAYER WAS TRYING TO HIT A HR FROM 9TH INNING ON,EVERYONE BUT AJC HAS SAID THAT,GO WATCH ESPN,MLB NETWORK
U DONT DESERVE TO GO TO PLAYOFFS WHEN U LOSE LAST 5 GAMES
THEY GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED,AND I AM A BIG TIME BRAVES FAN,I KNEW THEY LOSE TODAY IF THEY WON,CARDINALS JUST SWEPT THE BRAVES,GO CARDINALS YOU DESERVE IT ,CONGRATULATIONS.
ONE OTHER THING THE PHILLIES ,AND BALT.ALL SAID YOU HAVE TO EARN IT UNLIKE THE YANKEES WHO PLAYED AAA AND GAVE IT TO TAMPA BAY,AND NO I DONT LIKE THE YANKEES
Klaus
September 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
Fredi never had a shine on him. He was the lazy man’s choice. A younger Bobby so we could go back to ground hog day, again and again.
The balls on this club. Epic collapse everyone is brought back less than 24 hrs after you embarrass yourself as a team and franchise.
What its ok to have an epic collapse b/c the Red Sox did it too? Really. I think they have won a few more titles than you and are in the playoff mix more often as well.
Man o man – when the new owner takes over (and he/she will) all this mediocre bozos are going to get broomed but good.
Forget about waiting until next year, just count the days until Liberty sells and these cushy zero expectation jobs are taken away from McGuirk, JS, Wren and Fredi.
SEC Watch
September 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
Said it four years ago when he left the Yankees. Said it two years ago when he left the dysfunctional Dodgers. Said it again last year when Bobby Cox hung it up and I’m saying it again now: Get Joe Torre back to his home and original professional team; the Braves – until an appropriate “Brave man” can be found to replace Joe.
Torre would be able to continue the winning attitude we gained over the past 20 years, but are in danger of losing.
Klaus
September 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
typos – ugh sorry about that.
farmer
September 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
I put the majority of this collapse right on Fredi.. he is not manager material. he is a pathetic excuse for a manager to put it nicely and going with Lowe over Teherean and not playing Constanza is mind-boggling. I hate the sight of Fredi right now and should be fired ASAP. this is going to hurt for a long time and I am sure he “tipped his cap” to Philly for not laying down and playing in that series unlike our team who played like they didn’t give a damn this whole month and every one of those guys makes me want to puke right now. I am ashamed to call myself a Braves fan. this chole is worse than “91 or ‘96 because at least those guys actually played to win and didn’t lay down. I HATE FREDI GONZALEZ! FIRE HIS SORRY ASS! great column Jeff.
Lefty
September 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
redhots
September 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
Sober up and watch the replay u moron!!!!Bourn came off the bag with tag still applied,thats why he was called out……..IDIOT
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
I don’t know whether it is my feeling or many. But chipper motivated Phillies more rather Braves. Phillies told him face us now, not in the NLCS. Still, Go 2012 Braves.
captguitarman
September 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
Good column, well said. It goes much deeper than daily manager tweaks and nuances and far deeper than big decisions that managers have to make. They played well until September. Hard to say what happened, but the hunger factor seemed missing. They were not hungry enough. They did not seem to feel the pressure. The parts of the article rang very true about them just tentatively standing around, white knuckled, hoping and praying their big lead could last long enough and that maybe they could beat the Mets or the Nationals in this game — instead of going out there with a “bad” attitude and confidence and kicking some butt. And as duly noted, that is on Fredi, who I agree, deserves another shot, with changes. Certainly, a team that hits or fails to hit as sporadically and as unpredictably as the Braves, and suddenly committing errors on standard plays, needs some very serious focus if it sees itself as a championship contender. It’s almost like the ol’ ball coach talking about Georgia’s Puppies under Richt – they get all these good recruits and then what happens to them? Fredi should be able to assume that the one in 300 or 400 players who actually make it into the majors have at least some superior ability to hit, throw, run, and pitch — that they know the fundamentals. Some Brave missed a bunt last night and took it as a strike, I forget who. It was pathetic. Me and all my fellow players in Little League could at least bunt the ball when necessary. But, you couldn’t prove any fundamentals existed by regularly watching the Bravos in September. They were probably lucky to even get to last night’s game. And that is on Fredi. Someone mentioned that they all need therapy not coaching. That could be true. Heyward is a walking talking head case, and what the hell happend to McGann? I guess it is all just as well, since crawling into the playoffs would have been unseemly, and then what would have been the chances of not getting embarrasssingly swept in a short series? Very small. Wait ’til next year, as the saying goes.
OhhhhYEAH
September 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
Wonder if Luke realizes that Medlen is a starter, not a bullpen arm.
BigPapaT
September 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
Jeff – You’re way too soft on Fredi G.
Fredi mismanaged this team in every way. He wore out one of the best bullpens in baseball and rendered them ineffective down the stretch, because we wouldn’t allow his starters (especially the young ones) to pitch out of jams in the 5th and 6th and often pulled them after around 80 pitches with the lead. He definitely stuck with Lowe too long, who had no business making his last start. He shuffled the lineup so much that guys couldn’t get in any kind of rhythm. He chose to rest starters in key games down the stretch. Basically he managed like it was spring training and the playoffs were a lock. He may be a good baseball man and even a good coach, but FREDI G. IS A HORRIBLE MANAGER. It’s all on him.
KalliDogg
September 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
“Can’t go out there and hit for ‘em. This one’s on the players.”
In other words, who manages a baseball team is irrelevant. One’s as good as the next.
Are you kidding me? This is one of the most overused and worn-out come backs in sports. “Hey, the coach isn’t on the field. He/she can’t run, block, tackle, shoot, rebound, hit, catch, throw, kick or [fill in the blank].” Well, no, they can’t.
So, gee. Why do some coaches and/or managers leave a trail of excellence behind them. Why do some coaches/managers seem to get more out of their players then even the players thought they had in them?
There aren’t many, if any, player coaches around so they’re all on the sidelines. Should we just get rid of them? Let the team captain fill out the line-up card. Since that’s all a manager really does, other than change pitchers now and then.
Mike
September 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
Why is it such a big deal to fire a baseball manager? Team owners used to fire managers all the time. Now it seems we live in a culture where no one who is wealthy or in a position of authority can ever be held accountable for anything. In fact, it seems that the worse they mess things up, the more they get rewarded. I therefore would not be surprised if Fredi got a pay raise and a long-term extension to his contract out of this collapse.
BigPapaT
September 29th, 2011
2:28 pm
sorry for the typo… *HE wouldn’t allow his starters to pitch out of jams
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
My sadness in Braves fall has been erased(somewhat) by success of my other two favorite teams(Rays and Cards). Looking forward to WS fight between them.
Armed Liberal
September 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
I blame the whole poor season’s showing on the Uggla deal.
Prado was wonderful at second – so so in the OF.
Uggla’s slow start forced others the over compensate which in turn killed our BP in the latter part of the season…
Uggla’s a good player but his arrival was the trigger for the poor perfomance…
And yes, I know little about BB.
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
Fredi changed successful lineup lot of times to accommodate so called vets.
LeTT
September 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
Reasons why atlanta lost…..
1.Prado missed his mommy to much till she came over,ate bad food in fla,got staph infection,never was the same.
2.Lowe was drinking,never went to AA,look at stats,before racing,stats were good,go to AA in offseason pls.
3.Heyward lied about injury,still hurt
4.Nate mclouth lied about injury playing with hernia the whole time
5.Frank Wren for not getting pence and bourn,had a chance for both,got bourn,batting .305 when arrived,finished.278
6.Fredi team was hot ,kept changing lineup,heyward should have been in 2 spot,was hitting.318 there
7Chipper and Bmac going to dad,and brother for advice worked for awhile then said f it,what else u call it?
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
Poor Bourn, He was excited that he came to a playoff bound team.
LeTT
September 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
everyone on team thinks they can hit a hr ,
Braves20
September 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
No question – Fredi gets another shot – one. Needs to shake up his coaching staff; Wren has to get an igniter (as opposed to this year’s all or usually nothing guy) to play shortstop; if necessary eat Lowe’s salary and pick up an outfielder with thump from the right side. Also need to figure out which is the real Prado – 2010 or 2011?
A couple notes on last night’s game – it was well managed. Fredi overcame an awful play by Wilson, Kimbrel’s meltdown – his insertion of Medlin was brilliant. One of three plays goes the other way and we win – afore mentioned Wilson, Pence’s perfect throw to the plate and the play in center by a scrub on Chipper’s drive. Finally kudos to Charlie Manual for keeping his studs in the game – Joe Girardi should be ashamed of how he handled his bullpen although I applaud the outcome.
LeTT
September 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
IF PHILLY RESTED ALL THERE REGULARS LIKE NY DID FOR THESE 3 GAMES BRAVES WIN,I BLAME THE PHILLIES
steve
September 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
The last month was a disaster, the whole staff is at fault because of this major collapse.
You look at our lineup and say this shoud be a decent hitting team, Parrish was of no help and needs to be replaced.
Our 3rd base coach has more guys thrown out at the plate then anyone else before him, had no problem with last nights one because it took a perfect throw, most of the time it does not.
Our manager only makes the lineup out and fails to make quick moves or counter ones during the game , this year was a huge failure because of him., it is his job to have the team ready.
The way the bullpen was used was also a disaster , look at their stats the last month, also bringing in any relief pitcher named Scott cost us many games.
I think Frank Wren needs to have a meeting with Freddy and tell him that he needs to make staff changes or else.
JHarber
September 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Is there one on this board that actually has played baseball above little league that canot see Fredi is not a manager or motovator, But still starts at Frank. Drove the price up on Pence, who won in that deal?
Jay Dubu
September 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
The Braves appeared to have no game plan when going to the plate. You can’t have runners on 2 and 3rd with 1 or no outs, and fail to move them over as often as the Braves did this season…unless you seek the results that the Braves attained.
The pitching was bound to wear down, because almost every game, they had to pitch like it was a playoff game, while the hitters played like it was a backyard scrimmage.
Mentally and physically, the pitchers were just worn out. The bullpen even more, because down the stretch, the starters were not allowed to go past 5 innings.
PHAT
September 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
IF,IF IF QUIT MAKING EXCUSES,ACCEPT THAT THE ATLANTA BRAVES ARE LOSERS,AND WILL ALWAYS BE LOSERS.
THE BRIGHT SIDE IS THEY WOULD HAVE LOST TODAY,AND IF THEY WON,GOT SWEPT AGAIN IN 1ST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS.SAVED YOU 6 MORE DAYS OF THIS BS.NO GO ROOT FOR YOUR WORTHLESS FALCONS WHO ARE 1-2,AND WONT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
@LeTT
Blame Chipper for igniting Phillies.
Dontavius Supremo
September 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
September swoon song, Fredi. and you know, the Manager takes all the praise when the team wins, so…..well, get ready for it bub.
Jolly
September 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
Enter your comments here
just sayin'
September 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
did anyone else read the trash column from terrence moore?…bet he’s reveling in the braves losing the wild card…
Kam
September 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
I wouldn’t fault Freddie G. I’d blame Wren for not providing enough depth. There were way too many injuries and the AAA/AA team was basically up here trying to maintain the 8 game lead? Bourn was a great addition but offense was still lacking and bringing back Diaz? There’s a spark plug. The Phillies brought in Hunter Pence. That’s what the Braves needed…Pence. So maybe this could be a learning lession for the GM to really go after it. This is coming from a long time fan from Toronto, Canada by the way!
Jolly
September 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
The blame is everywhere
pitchers relievers had 14 blown saves,dont tell me this crap that kimbrel was tired,bs!!!look at detroit closer last night 49/49 this year,kimbrel blew it,he choked
John
September 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Jeff, why would you so accurately point out how horrific Fredi was and then say that the solution is not to fire him but for Fredi to *change*. Instead of replacing a horrific manager with a competent one, you’d prefer the horrific manager change?
Jeff, please consider whether it’s even possible for someone who doesn’t understand statistics, bullpen management, in-game tactics, or motivating a team of grown men to suddenly start *getting it* at roughly age 50 and most of his baseball career behind him. You, like the rest of Atlanta’s sportswriters are afflicted with such a deeply-rooted mancrush on Fredi that you can’t see the solution to this problem. You’re like the girl who continues to date the abusive boyfriend because he drives a fast car, hoping to change him into what she wishes he were.
Jolly
September 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
Kam
except for blanton,hamels,lidge,phillies ther aaa pitchers at least 8 innings ,YOU GUYS SUCK.YOU CANT HIT AAA,YOU DONT DESERVE TO GET IN
Jolly
September 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
fRANK wREN WAS QUOTED AS SAYING WE HAD A CHANCE TO GET PENCE,HOWEVER WE FELT WE WAS OKAY WITH WHAT WE HAVE?HOW NICE FOR PENCE TO GET THE GAME WINNING HIT?FRANK HOW U LIKE THAT??
Rob
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
I really feel like this is one of those things in sports that can’t be explained. Everyone is to blame. Derek Lowe should have been pulled fro the rotation, but this is from hindsight, You go with experience in big games like the other night. Hitting with RISP has been awful all season, and it just never seemed to get better. Kimbrel blew it, and he knows that, our pitching staff has a very promising future with him as the closer. Pressure does need to be put onto the franchise to succeed. I think its time for chipper to retire, become the hitting coach, let Martin move back to the infield were he is most comfortable, and sign either a slugging left fielder or give Constanza a shot.
Hunter Pence
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
Thank God your GM didn’t pull the trigger on getting me. Hey, enjoy the games this weekend! Thanks for stopping by, lol.
Mike
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
I agree … He shouldn’t go, but Parrish should. Watched philly every game they played us. They have an approach to hitting. All of them stand up on the plate and dare you to come inside. they only have one spot you can get them out (strike out wise) and we rarely took advantage of that spot (low and in). They all rarely strike out with the exception of the two guys they want swinging for the fence (Howard and Ibanez). They have an approach.
We on the otherhand wait for slumps and try to make adjustments. Otherwise, we try to hit homers. It’s terrible to watch becasue every pitcher knows that when we have someone in scoring position, the next batter up is trying to crush the ball instead of hit the ball.
We need to be taught an approach to hitting.
Blinded by the Light
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
Dead-on Jeff!!! I didn’t have time to read the 500+ posts, but saw enough of the can’t-be-the-managers-fault posts to know you really stepped in it. Be careful, their stupidity is unlimited and they will call you out for being a cry-baby or a whiner because they accept failure readily. If they had their own catch phrase, it would “Losing, it’s whats for breakfast, lunch and dinner”. The blind and dumb, who apparently didn’t watch the games, boil it down to …the hitters didn’t hit …or the pitchers didn’t pitch, managers don’t hit ..or why get all over my precious team with your negativity….I’ll stick with them no matter what,,even if there are glaring problems.
Examples:
1) Derek Lowe (not much else needs to be said) ..but, 3rd worst pitcher in the majors in the month of September and you decide you will pitch him the 2nd to last game of the season when everything is on the line. I will even go as far as to say,,ok, you start him in the game, but the first signs of trouble ,,he is out of there ,, no we’ll let him pitch to the begiining of the 5th and give ourselves no chance. Braves anemic offense is what lost that game, but how bad did their already fragile confidence get shattered when the players knew bLowe was pitching that game and everything they all feared came true. (Fredi)
2) Heyward. Fredi benches him after the game where he went 0-3, right after 5 consecutive games where he was starting to get in a groove in late Sept ,, so shuts him down and relegates him to bench role, where he is guaranteed to suck. JHey has to play full games to be effective. For Christ Sakes, he was playing better than anyone during those games, which wasn’t hard to do, and you shut him down?? I know the masses will say he sucked all year ..and he did ..but this was a potential turnaround moment for an offense that needed it. (Fredi)
Sep 18 vs NYM 3 for 4 .750 avg. 1 BB 1 run
Sep 19 @ FLA 1 for 3 .333 avg. 1BB 2 runs
Sep 20 @ FLA 1 for 3 .333 avg. 1BB 1 run, 1 SB, 2B
Sep 21 @ FLA 1 for 4 .250 avg. 2B
Sep 23 @ WSH 2 for 4 .500 avg.
Sep 24 @ WSH 0 for 3 .000
BENCHED
3) Puts Prado backk into the #2 hole ,,after it was vastly proven he did not belong in there behind Bourn.. and it worked out as expected. This all connects back to Heyward should have been playing everyday when he was on the roll and then you could have had JHey bat 2nd. (Fredi)
4) Has Linestink pitch to Pence vs. Martinez ,,, go ahead and concede the game. There is the risk of a bases loaded walk, but a far greater one that Pence will beat you + you set up a force at any base. (Fredi)
5) Has Bourn trying to steal 3rd against Ruiz ,,what are you friggin’ stupid ,, with no outs. Things weren’t desperate at that point of the game ,,we had the Phillies reeling ,, and you took every bit of air out of it and cost a run. Value subtract from Manager. This one could be debated because I understand the desperation to get the offense going and he almost stole it. He was out btw, when foot came off bag. Hell, it looked like the tag and foot at bag were exactly at the same time ,,so here you have Homer Simpson talking about what a bad call it is over and over, when it was really bang bang ,,and they didn’t bother to show the lift off the bag on replay on Fox. ESPN did. (Fredi)
These are just a few examples of things that went on ALL SEASON!!
Great Job telling it like it is Jeff.
Osacal
September 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
ALL ajc writers ,u never last in boston or ny,keep sucking up to fredi