Fredi Gonzalez says Braves’ autopsy over — he’s moving on
It took a while for Fredi Gonzalez to let go of last season's collapse. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Four months after the last game, the last loss, the 20th loss in 30 games, it still doesn’t make sense. Players get hurt. Players slump. But does one get one’s mind around the worst collapse in franchise history and one of the worst ever in sports?
“You go over it in your mind a million times. You ask yourself, ‘Is there something I could have done better?’” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “After a while, it drives you crazy. This is really the first time I’ve talked about this, although I’m sure I’ll be asked 200 times at spring training. But we tried things. We had meetings. We had meetings for everything. We had meetings to decide about meetings. After a while it’s like, ‘How many times can I perform an autopsy?’”
Four months after the last game, the last loss, the spiral that crushed a team and its fan base, Gonzalez is going to struggle to convince anybody that he’s really over it. But he knows the calendar gives him no choice. The Braves open their annual prespring pitching camp Monday at Turner Field. They head to Florida in a few weeks. Before the first full-squad workout, players can expect to hear a positive message from Gonzalez — not about how they let a playoff berth slip away, but rather how they dealt with the aftermath.
For at least one month after the season, Gonzalez tried to avoid all media references to the Braves’ late-season drain-circling. But he was curious what was being said by his players, so he asked one of the team’s public-relations people to sort through articles. He was looking for player quotes that conveyed some sort of fractured clubhouse. There weren’t any.
“One thing I’m proud of is that nobody on this team did any finger-pointing,” he said. “There were no quotes about it being this guy’s fault, that guy’s fault. We all took ownership of what happened. That tells you a lot about these guys. You don’t see that in sports all the time. Look at what happened to the Jets. Oh my goodness — they lost two or three games, they didn’t make the playoffs and then they went after each other.”
When Bobby Cox passed the baton (or ball) to his former coach, Gonzalez seemed like the obvious choice. (AP photo)
OK. So the Braves can lose and still hold hands and sing Kumbaya. That’s not a bad thing.
But Gonzalez also knows the reality of 2011: What happened is unacceptable.
Good teams – and most would consider the Braves just that – can’t lose consecutive series to East Division clown acts like the Nationals, Mets and Marlins in a playoff race. Good teams don’t blow 8½-game wild-card leads in 23 days.
Players were injured. Players slumped. But Gonzalez, being the manager, was assigned blame. It was his first season after taking over for Bobby Cox. He was handed a playoff team, a potential World Series team. The Braves failed, so he failed.
“Our goal is to win a championship, and we didn’t do that,” he said.
It’s that simple.
What would he do differently than a year ago? He’s not sure. But something. Because if the Braves go into a similar funk in 2012, he said he will try anything. “Maybe I tell them to come to the park late or we skip batting practice,” he said. “I can’t really say right now.”
The Cox-to-Gonzalez transition was expected to be a smooth one. Gonzalez had coached here. He knew many of the players. There was a new vibe in spring training. Players were doing more running, working more on fundamentals. But it seemed the Braves never fully hit their stride, whether it was Dan Uggla flopping out of the gate, or Jason Heyward’s sophomore slump, or Martin Prado getting shelved by a staph infection. Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson were dented by injuries, and by the final month of the season the rest of the pitching staff – starters and bullpen – was toast. Something always was off.
After the season, Gonzalez went kind of numb. He didn’t watch a playoff game until Game 6 of the World Series, and he turned that off after five innings.
“It was one of the worst games I’ve ever seen, so I went to sleep. I TiVo’d the rest.”
The next morning, he learned that St. Louis rallied to win in 11 innings over Texas and the Cardinals. The Cardinals, who reached the postseason largely because of the Braves’ fizzle, went on to win the Series.
Gonzalez went to Sea Island for a few days with his wife. He spoke to friends, in and out of baseball. He had several conversations with his long-time buddy, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, as well as Bill Parcells and others.
Van Gundy and Parcells didn’t provide any wonderful insight, unless you count this: “They all said if you’re at this long enough, things like this will happen to you.”
Gonzalez knows this: It can’t happen again, but he’s fine with that pressure. He says he’s looking forward to the first day of spring, the first game of the 2012 season, because that’s the easiest way to move on.
“After something like last year happens, the first thing you want to do is get back on the saddle,” he said.
He said he’s happy that management “didn’t blow up the team,” adding, “We have a good ballclub, but I’m not going to blow smoke either. We have some guys who need to do better than they did last year.”
A gentle jab. That can’t hurt. Something has to change for the ending to change, even if you can’t quite figure out what went wrong last time.
By Jeff Schultz
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224 comments Add your comment
Quake her oats
January 30th, 2012
11:21 am
Nothing matters, the Braves are gonna suck forever
iopbrave
January 30th, 2012
11:31 am
well we might as well wait a month or so into the season and see where the biggest hole in the dike is then maybe make a little deal- we could save our big 3 relievers if we could score some runs somehow – let’s don’t wear them out early again – maybe use some other guys
SR
January 30th, 2012
11:37 am
The team is comprised of exactly the same pathetic situational hitters who wouldn’t know a two out hit from a two man bobsled. Wren adds no one of consequence while the whole of baseball improves. Who exactly does he believe is going to suddenly morph into a clutch hitter amongst this group!!!??? They are who they are and he is most certainly who he is- inept loser.
LawDawg
January 30th, 2012
11:51 am
“Good teams – and most would consider the Braves just that – can’t lose consecutive series to East Division clown acts like the Nationals, Mets and Marlins in a playoff race.”
To be fair, whether we are good or bad, we seem to lose more than 50% of the time every single year to the Nats and Marlins, but only if they stink. As good as those teams look to be this year, we will probably go 38-0.
Don
January 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
It continues to be a situation where everyone seems to be forgetting that 4 out of our 5 Starting Pitchers are coming off injures. AND UNLIKE POSITION PLAYERS, PITCHERS MANY TIMES DO NOT RETURN TO BEING GREAT AFTER A SERIOUS INJURY. Granted, the Braves in addition have a wealth of additional youg pitching talent. BUT THIS MAY NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF THEY ALLOW THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE WHERE OF ALL THE LARGE NUMBER OF STARTERS THEY HAVE HAD IN THE LAST 6 OR 7 YEARS SINCE LEO LEFT AS PITCHING COACH — ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE ENDED UP BEING INJURED.
Therut
January 30th, 2012
1:34 pm
Any manager that would start D Lowe in such an important game at the end of the season has to be a “nut” case. F.G. could not win a World Series if they gave him a “all star” roster. And no, I didn’t think Heyward would be the next Hank Aaron, but I have over 50 newspaper articles that said he was going to be. What happened?
DawgDad
January 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
Don: I don’t really think there is anything unusual going on with the Braves except a wave of injuries struck. Everybody’s pitchers are fragile; once in a baseball millenium you get Maddox, Glavine, and Smoltz (and even he got seriously hurt); the norm is HOPING everyone stays healthy because there isn’t enough depth.
If Hudson, Hanson, and JJ are all healthy and pitching well and not traded the Braves will likely avoid the cellar, and if a few other major “ifs” break the right way they could compete for a wild card. There are so many “ifs”, roster shortcomings, and salary constraints right now it’s hard to envision this team playing well consistently for six months. Aside from those starters, they would need career years (or near) from Uggla, Prado, Bourn, McCann, solid seasons from Freeman and Heyward, a rookie-of-the-year candidate shortstop, and a season from Chipper he just doesn’t figure to have left in him at this point. Then they need a fourth outfielder and the other guys on the bench to play well, an area where age is creeping up as a factor. If all those things happen they will be in the hunt into September, and then we’ll see how they handle the accumulated game wear and mentally overcoming last year.
Bama Mike
January 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
I just noticed that Buddy Calisle is now back. With Carlyle and the signing of Jack Wilson there is no stopping us now. Fourth place is all ours Baby!
TB
January 30th, 2012
3:30 pm
You said it, GRINCH, Ross is the backup catcher. His great offensive numbers that he has in every 5th start, went lower & lower while McCann was out & I believe that’s why Freddi rushed Brian back to the line up.
MiaBchBravesFan
January 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
Some programs can get typecast after they do things repeatedly. While we did win in ‘95, that seems like a lifetime ago. This “program” has a penchant for not finishing the job WAY more often than not. Seems to me that it’s in the team’s DNA now. Last season was the nadir for this development; if the Braves had been a sub-.500 team, you at least say that either they are developing, or they need pieces.
This is a pressure-packed season for them because anything less than a Wild Card birth will not satisfy a deteriorating fan base. The Falcons are not finishing the job, the Hawks are trying to enter the next tier of NBA competitiveness, and the Thrashers will only become relevant if they pull a Charlotte or Tampa Bay Stanley Cup run. The city of Atlanta does not tolerate losing and has MANY things in which citizens can distract themselves with.
If this team muddles along again, it’s time to question the direction of this organization, its ownership, and its commitment to bringing a viable winner to Atlanta – not a choking lot of players and managers who do not know how to finish a job.
Chipper for President
January 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
This will be the year Chipper goes on a 40 HR 120 RBI tear……………..The man is on a mission. Watch him lead the Braves like no other season.
Felix
January 30th, 2012
5:08 pm
Don’t criticize? Have fun? Give the season and the Braves a chance first?
Are you nuts?
Brave Hokie
January 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
I have an opinion ~ Gonzalez like the Braves in general since the Jim Leyritz HR are f’in soft pudgy LOSERS. & I don’t expect it to change in my lifetime {44 YO).
This team could be 5 games up in the East at some point, and no rational Braves fan will trust them ~ ’cause they are underachieving losers and eventually come around to show it.
Could you imagine an Atl Braves team playing like the Cardinals did down the stretch last season…. EVER??? really ask yourself this?
Uncle Tom
January 30th, 2012
7:10 pm
The Braves are just like the Dawgs. Both seem to be right on the edge of big things, and both seem to choke the worst in the big games. And whenever I predicted that both would fold down the stretches, people said, “Don’t be such a pessimist!” They both could profit by admitting that problems exist. But both continued (and continue) to reassure fans that everything is under control. Well, the Braves have won one championship since 1960 and the Dawgs have won one championship since 1960. This isn’t good enough for either!
Sid Bream
January 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
The Mets and Phillies might not be a concern for the Braves this year, but the Nats and Marlins most certainly are. Given that those two teams did so much to upgrade their rosters, another October of sitting home watching baseball on television is a likely destination for Braves fans.
hesalive
January 30th, 2012
7:27 pm
We have a shot this year. Guys just need to play up to potential. Can you imagine how good we’ll be if Bourne and Prado can set the table and Freeman, Uggla, BMac, Chipper and Heyward all get going at the same time?
Doofus
January 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
Braves stats this season:
BA .295
ERA 2.5
Runs/Game 6.0
Wins 110
Excuse me, I have to go take my meds now.
Larry30
January 30th, 2012
8:52 pm
As the PR dept. was sorting thru the articles for Fredi they must have skipped over the ones where chipper blamed the rookie pitchers. Just wondering; is chipper going to be wearing sunglasses for the night games this year just in case of a pop up or high chopper hit his way.
extremus
January 30th, 2012
11:46 pm
Just saw the new ad for the 33% off concessions for season ticket holders. “Because we’re rich and can afford season tickets in the first place…This is Why We Chop, baby!”
Kinda like having an ownership that very likely attends far more Rockies games. A lot of things just not quite right in the ATL these days.
cowdogit
January 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Chipper Jones needs to be playing in the American league in a DH role, The only problem no team will take him unless the braves pays his salary. I can understand Liberty being peeved that the braves are spending twentyfive million on a part time player that can’t run and a player pitching for another team.
seo
January 31st, 2012
12:57 pm
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Don
February 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
WHY do some of you WORRY???
(1) All of the FOUR of our 5 Starting Pitchers who are coming off injuries – are all going to return to being great — Even though this SELDOM happens with Pitchers coming off serious injury.
(2) None of our other great young Pichers are going to be injured – Even though, in the 6 or 7 years since Leo left as Pitching Coach – Of all the large number of Starting Pitchers we have had – most of them have ended up being injured.
(3) Of course, Chipper is going to hit in the third spot in the batting order and once again hit like a third place hitter —Even though he hasn’t hit that way in some time; And he is going to be be great defensively at 3rd Base – except for not being able to cover the position to his right and not being able to cover the position to his left.
(4) We know the rookie shortstop is going to be an adequate hitter – even though there is no basis to think this.
(5) The second baseman is going to have good Batting Average and a good On Base Average – even though neither of them were at an acceptable level in 2011.
(6) Heyward is going to have a productive year – even though this offensive was not good enough in 2011 for a fourth or fifth outfielder – and there is no basis to think that he will adjust ot major league pitching.
So, most of you are right — There is NOTHING to WORRY ABOUT.
WOOPS, ITS TIME FOR MY MEDS AGAIN.
nashvillewill
February 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Fredi sounds the same – he apparently learned nothing about managing from last year’s debacle (or from watching the World Series where real managerial skill paid off). With Lowe, Gonzales, Conrad, and McLouth gone the team will almost have to be improved. Heyward and Uggla must contibute, however, and contribute early. If not, they must be shown the seat or shipped to Gwinnett. What happened to FG’s early decision to spread closing duties around? Did he get enamoured by Kimbrel’s statistics? Arguably, his sticking with Venters and Kimbrel daily and his insistent use of Lowe cost the WC and gave the Cards their chance. I do not see him changing his inability to put players in position to thrive, and therefore, do not give the Braves much chance, even if improved. I look for them to be no better than .500 and third in the division. I’ll be interested to see where MLB “experts” put them.
nashvillewill
February 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Fredi sounds the same – he apparently learned nothing about managing from last year’s debacle (or from watching the World Series where real managerial skill paid off). With Lowe, Gonzales, Conrad, and McLouth gone the team will almost have to be improved. Heyward and Uggla must contibute, however, and contribute early. If not, they must be shown the seat or shipped to Gwinnett. What happened to FG’s early decision to spread closing duties around? Did he get enamoured by Kimbrel’s statistics? Arguably, his sticking with Venters and Kimbrel daily and his insistent use of Lowe cost the WC and gave the Cards their chance. I do not see him changing his inability to put players in position to thrive, and therefore, do not give the Braves much chance, even if improved. I look for them to be no better than .500 and third in the division. I’ll be interested to see where MLB “experts” put them.