Gonzalez knows if Braves fizzle, he’ll be one to catch heat
Fredi Gonzalez knows criticism goes with his job, whether it's justified or not. (Hyosub Shin/AJC
(UPDATED: 11 p.m.)
One refreshing thing about Fredi Gonzalez, unlike so many in his position, is that he’s not going to try to project himself as someone who has all the answers.
He’ll listen to criticism. He’ll seek feedback from his Yoda-like predecessor, Bobby Cox. He’ll talk to former managers who are now long into retirement, and even managers on other teams. If ultimately Gonzalez fails as manager of the Braves, it won’t be because of ego, arrogance or obstinance.
“I talk to other managers all the time, people I respect,” Gonzalez said Friday. “Why not? I talk to them about dealing with different situations, dealing with crisis. But the bottom line, what most of them say, is you just have to be yourself. You have to be honest with players. You’re going to make decisions that are going to be second-guessed. That goes with the territory. But at the end of the day, you can’t tell yourself, ‘Oh, I should’ve done this or that,’ even though there are always situations when you’re going to feel like that.”
We can’t be certain what Gonzalez was feeling late Thursday night, except to assume it wasn’t good. As the calendar turns to September, the Braves are sliding again. We know what happened last time they were here. Several decades from now, when Turner Field is gone, people likely will pass by the former stadium site and hear horrifying screams, as if it’s some haunted former battlefield or asylum.
Here are details of the latest bad ending: With the Braves leading 5-4, closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a game-tying homer to Erik Kratz in the ninth and Cristhian Martinez gave up a three-run bomb to John Mayberry in the 10th. The 8-5 loss to Philadelphia, which opened a homestand, buried the Braves another foot in the National League East (they’re now 6½ games behind Washington). The bigger concern is that they’ve now dropped nine of their last 13.
Chipper Jones knocked over Phillies catcher Erik Kratz but was thrown out at the plate in the fourth inning. (AP photo)
Gonzalez took a lot of heat for the team’s 10-20 slide last season. The criticism wasn’t because of one back-fired decision in particular, but merely because he was the guy in charge when the team caved in like a sinkhole. He tried to stop it. He called meetings. He benched guys. He changed the lineup, the batting order, the color of his socks. If he overused the bullpen, it’s only because the Braves’ starting rotation had imploded. It’s not like he had a lot of options.
But the Braves went down on his watch, so it was on him.
If they go down again, it will be on Gonzalez again. The only difference this time would be that he would be left with less certainty about his future. Ownership would be criticized because, well, has anybody ever actually met a Liberty Media executive? General manager Frank Wren will be criticized because he was content to come back this season with largely the same team this season.
But owners don’t get fired and Wren is afforded more of a platform to convince decision makers that he handed Gonzalez a playoff roster despite budget constraints (albeit, constraints created in part by Wren’s decisions to give big deals to Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami and Dan Uggla). So really, this home stretch is on Gonzalez.
“I took heat last year, but that’s OK,” Gonzalez said. “You have the bulls-eye on you when you’re the manager or you have the head coach’s title.”
The Braves aren’t a bad team. They’re just not great, or currently stable. It’s only natural when there’s a losing streak and fans hear thunder that they’re going to look up and wonder, “Oh no. Not again.”
Gonzalez said before the season that he had gone over last year’s demise a zillion times in his head. When asked what he would do differently in a similar situation, he said he wasn’t sure but he’d try anything. He didn’t offer any more insight Friday.
“You have to be patient,” he said. “You can move guys down in the lineup, give them a day off. But in the end they’re your guys. Every move you make, if it works people say, ‘Great job, Fredi.’ If it doesn’t work, it’s, ‘Fredi created a panic situation.’ At the end of the day, you can’t have regrets.
“We chose this profession. I was watching Jon Gruden interviewed on HBO, and I think his dad was quoted in his book saying, ‘Jon, if you don’t change your ways, this job is going to kill you.’ They asked Gruden about that and his eyes started watering. That’s the stuff that we take home every day.”
What Gonzalez has been taking home of late can’t be good — and his team is not giving any indication that’s going to change.
By Jeff Schultz
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177 comments Add your comment
David from Athens, AL
August 31st, 2012
7:11 pm
Interesting … Time will tell ….Go Braves!
Max Sizemore
August 31st, 2012
7:17 pm
Tampa’s Joe Maddon is the best manager in baseball. Fredi should call him.
Brian
August 31st, 2012
7:17 pm
He’s done a great job with a limited payroll and starting pitchers that haven’t produced. Frank has too. If people don’t like what they have, they should show up more. 40,000 a night buys a lot of talent. See the Phillies the past few years for your example.
David from Athens, AL
August 31st, 2012
7:18 pm
Jeff,
Just heard Boscan was added to roster for tonight’s game. Who was sent down for one day?
Birdhair
August 31st, 2012
7:20 pm
Wren is the one who should be fired. Miss the playoffs this season that’ll be 1 playoff appearance in 5 seasons for Wren
Dawgdad (The Original)
August 31st, 2012
7:22 pm
When you keep Kris Medlen in the bullpen long after it is apparent, you need starting pitching and when you have a second baseman signed for his explosive bat hitting .207 and playing everyday, you invite criticism. Last year, he failed to pull DLowe out of the starting rotation long after there was any hope of Lowe actually pitching effectively. This year he continues to prop up Tommy Hanson, long after objective analyst has said, he is not going to be effective. Last year Scott Proctor was trotted out in close games long after it was apparent he was totally ineffective.
Hard to feel sorry for Fredi, he makes his own criticism, with his decisions.
Bye Bye Fredi
August 31st, 2012
7:23 pm
Can’t happen soon enough. He is a blunderhead, and we need a real manager; not someones buddy.
Nova Scotia Steve
August 31st, 2012
7:24 pm
Is anyone just a tad bit pleased the Braves are playing important baseball in September for the fourth consecutive year?
It’s certainly appreciated from the keypad of this blogger.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
7:37 pm
Max Sizemore … Maddon is terrific, no question.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
7:38 pm
David from Athens– Don’t know anything about Boscan being added today. Only move I heard when I was down in clubhouse was release of Jack Wilson. Rosters expand tomorrow.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
7:41 pm
Nova Scotia Steve — Important baseball in September is good, but as far as whether people should be “pleased,” that depends on how high your bar is.
David from Athens, AL
August 31st, 2012
7:42 pm
Thanks, Jeff!
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
7:42 pm
Back to Boscan — It’s listed as a transaction today on the Braves official page. But team says they haven’t made a move yet. That’s all we can report.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 31st, 2012
7:54 pm
Not saying it’ll happen again but last Sept I think Ryan hit one that disrupted an Adam West Q&A at DragonCon
Nova Scotia Steve
August 31st, 2012
7:55 pm
Missed opportunity in the 1st – how many times have we said that in television past 13 games?
DaveinNEPA
August 31st, 2012
7:57 pm
This team has a recent history of coming up small in Sept……….09, with a chance for the WC they lost 6 in a row to end the season………10, they needed to win on the last day to back into the WC……………11, well we know how that ended!!!
Does anyone here really think anything will be different this September? They have been sputtering along as of late. Tonight is aperfect example………..we get the first 2 guys on base and then don’t score (again!), then Minor throws a cookie to Howard and we’re down a run. What I see is deja-vu all over again.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:02 pm
Braves could be swept this weekend. Phils are playing better. Their pitching is much better. The Braves are starting to whistle past the graveyard as they start showing signs of September 2011.
So now watching McCann. Seems his shoulder is bad and he is wearing glasses again. If Oral Roberts or some other healer doesn’t come around and put his hand on Mac and heal him, then I let him walk. Not paying a blind man who has a bad shoulder and runs like he has a piano on his back no matter what he USED to be!
Billy
August 31st, 2012
8:04 pm
Joe Maddon is one of the best..period.
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
8:07 pm
At this point, & I hate to say it – I don’t think that picking up McCann’s option next year is a definite. I love watching him play – & have for the last few years. But what’s his option? Something like $13MM? Dude’s body is breaking down – 2nd straight year he has been worthless in September. At some point the logical business aspect of baseball comes into play.
DaveinNEPA
August 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
Gotta say I agree with the McCann comment. If I were FW, I wouldn’t pick up that option for next year, not for that kind of money. The guy hasn’t produced very well since coming off the DL last season. This is far too long for it to be “just a slump”. To me, it looks more like diminishing skills. (Uggla is in that category too).
Russ, the Temporary Mascot aka UGA IX
August 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
Jeff, I know this is a baseball blog but I want to reach out to you and say I will never forget that you were there for me during the tough times like the a$$ painting – even offering to take me to John’s Creek when I was replaced by the late Big Bad Bruce. What I am trying to say is “thank you” and you will never want for anything when you are in Athens. I have a sound heart and kidneys and slobber only minimally. I expect to be on the job for a long while. Thanks, Brother.
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:09 pm
Jeff, what would happen if the Braves and the second wild card team finished the season with the same record? How would it be determined which stadium they play the silly 1 game playoff in? Coin toss?
Sonny Clusters
August 31st, 2012
8:11 pm
Enter your comments here
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:13 pm
Excellent comment Clusters!
Sonny Clusters
August 31st, 2012
8:14 pm
We was too quick to push the enter button and we ended up posting Enter your comments here. That’s not what we was really trying to say. We was going to ask about Bobby Cox being “Yoda-like” and ask what that is. Was Yoda a nose picker, too?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:15 pm
Lakewood — I’d be stunned if they don’t pick up McCann’s option. What happens beyond next year is the question — unless they trade him.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:16 pm
Russ, The Temporary Mascot — Haha. I’m there for you. I’ll stop by your cage before the game tomorrow and bring a piece of salami.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
Steve — On home field in wild card: There’s a series of NFL-like tiebreakers. The first one is head-to-head.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:20 pm
Braves have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later.
Here’s official release:
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers announced today that the two clubs have completed a trade, as the Braves have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Baker, 31, has batted .254 (43-for-169) with four home runs and 24 RBI in 69 games this season between the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers. Last season, he hit .269 (54-for-201) with 16 extra-base hits in 81 games for the Cubs.
A veteran utility player, Baker owns a career average of .298 (189-for-634) against left-hand pitchers and has experience at second base (153 games), third base (89 games), first base (89 games), right field (65 games) and left field (11 games). Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2002 June free agent draft out of Clemson University, Baker has played 529 games over parts of nine major league seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:24 pm
So whats with the Baker aquisition?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:24 pm
Correction: Braves’ deal is for player to be named later or “cash considerations.” So I guess it depends on … the economy?
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
Washington 6, STL 0. STL = no hits. Would have been nice if the Braves were hot while Washington recently lost 5 in a row. Don’t think we will see that again but I hope I am wrong!
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
8:28 pm
Jeff, I would be stunned also. My point is that at some point you have to look at it & see if it really makes sense despite the players popularity (not to mention the fact that we are already up against a strict budget every year now) to keep him at a career low performance level. I will always be a huge McCann fan.
My hope is that both he & Uggla get hot at the right time & lead us to glory. That’s my wishful thinking at least…
DaveInNEPA
August 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
@JS
Do you think this deal for Baker means the Braves are getting more reluctant to keep trotting Uggla out there?
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:30 pm
With September 1st looming at Midnight, Braves may be looking at the possibility of letting Hinske sit this one out in lieu of a right handed bat like Baker.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:31 pm
McCann= Pinball Wizard!
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
Wow. McCann = No extra base hits the entire month.
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
Uggla struckout??!! WEIRD!
Birdhair
August 31st, 2012
8:35 pm
Just don’t understand why bloggers wont bring the heat on Wren
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
:::shaking head:::::
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
Wow Chipper!
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:37 pm
Chipper Jones slams into Phillies catcher Erik Kratz at home but is thrown out as Kratz somehow holds on. Chipper gets ovation but Braves still trail 1-0.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:38 pm
I don’t totally blame Fredi or Wren. I don’t totally blame any single Braves player.
The Braves are just a perfect storm of ineptitude.
ATLcracker
August 31st, 2012
8:38 pm
Any chance Uggla is the player to be named later in the Baker trade?
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:39 pm
Wonder if Chipper will be able to get out of bed tomorrow?
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
8:40 pm
Jeff, what time this evening will the print master demand your attention from us adoring bloggers?
whyusAtlFans
August 31st, 2012
8:40 pm
Wasnt it two outs? Wasnt that a bloop hit? Arent u running at the crack of the bat and have a nice lead at second? didnt the throw play into u being able to beat it? LOL. Braves are sad when it counts man! How couldnt Chipper score there. If he’s that slow he cant be healthy and is a liability, 40 or not dude.
NorCal Brave
August 31st, 2012
8:42 pm
Can Baker suit up and replace Uggla tomorrow? And when, if ever, will Fredi go full time with the catcher who can still hit?
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
8:42 pm
What a joke this team is. Twice now they have had 1st and 2nd with no outs and come up with nothing. LOSERS.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
8:43 pm
Now please explain to me again why the Braves acquired a utility infielder? Isnt Simmons coming back soon? Is Pasternicky persona non grata in Atlanta?
Steve
August 31st, 2012
8:43 pm
Because SOS Braves could do a lot better!
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
8:44 pm
Chipper. Please retire.
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
Steve. I am not paid to play ball. These losers are and suck at it.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:46 pm
Wish I could see a full field shot of the last out in the Braves 4th.
Chipper on second and I assume with a decent second base lead. Two outs so he’s running on contact. Janish hits a blooper where it may drop and it may not. (that takes time) The bloop actually drops and Chipper is thrown out at the plate!
Was Chipper coasting around third? He’s old but he ain’t terribly slow. How does he NOT score on that play? The ball isn’t hit sharply enough to keep him at third even with a great throw (which it was)
Just wondering.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
8:49 pm
whyusAtlFans
Wow! I didnt’ copy your post, I just posted the same opinion! Thought maybe I missed something. Obviously it wsn’t just me feeling that way.
So if Chipper played for Charlie Manual, would he have just been benched like he benched Rollins?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
Lakewood — I get that argument but take a step back. We’re talking about one bad year (albeit last year’s didn’t finish well) for a player who’s been remarkably consistent. You can’t not pick up the option.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
On a Friday night in Georgia during the high school football season one can hear some of the worst broadcasting this side of Clint Eastwood’s convention speech.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
DaveinNEPA — Baker’s just a backup plan.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Fair Weather Fan — Print column pretty close to done, just needs update. Posted already.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Prado. Gonzo. 2-1.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
8:54 pm
According to Charlie’s manual, a Baker’s dozen is 13.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
8:55 pm
link to column soon?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Freeman jacks it 400 feet — 2nd 2-run homer of inning off Halldady. Suddenly it’s 4-1
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
8:59 pm
Halladay’s done.
DaveinNEPA
August 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
Freeman goes yard…..4-1 Braves.
Phillies broadcasters have been saying all night that there is something not right with Halladay.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
Ugly line for Halladay: 4.2 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 homers, 4 walks, 3 Ks.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
Wouldn’t it be so nice if a local interest purchased the Braves, ala Arthur Blank? Liberty Media obviously could not care less about the team, as long as it carries itself financially.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
Minor has thrown only 67 pitches
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
Bases juice. No outs. Wrong guy up (if you’re the Braves).
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
Mike Minor must have the most teasable surname in baseball.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
9:09 pm
This is looking like Minor of May
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:09 pm
Can’t imagine Minor has much time left . . . and he doesn’t … Here come FG.
DaveinNEPA
August 31st, 2012
9:10 pm
Just when we need a shutdown inning………..we don’t get it!!!!
This team is soooo predictable.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
9:10 pm
Now thats how you have a shut-down inning after you have taken the lead! lol
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:11 pm
Jeff, will you be blogging from a college football game tomorrow?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:14 pm
Fair Weather Fan — I’ll be in Athens.
Where the Thinking Bloggers Are
August 31st, 2012
9:16 pm
so there goes the double play thru the 5 hole.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:16 pm
Great!! Any idea what time you’ll start?
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
9:16 pm
I wish we could go to a 2 man rotation with Medlen & Hudson. The rest are as trustworthy as a airline pilot with whiskey on his breath…
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:19 pm
Lakewood, I’d rather be on a plane with a pilot a bit tipsy than in a Pinto driven by a blue haired lady.
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:22 pm
All I can tell from the AJC’s blather about its new, improved website is the ads are faster but the content is slower.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:24 pm
Hey! Who’s wearing Dan Uggla’s jersey?
BobDawg
August 31st, 2012
9:32 pm
I like BRIAN’S comments 3rd from the top. Well said. Maybe if the media quits reminding us all about last Sept. We can move on??
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:33 pm
Venters in.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:43 pm
Now into the game … BaSTARdo! (Sorry. I just like saying that.)
Fair Weather Fan
August 31st, 2012
9:49 pm
is he the one of the questionable heritage?
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:57 pm
I ain’t asking him. You do it.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
9:59 pm
Braves just announced that doctor has cleared Andrelton Simmons for all baseball activities, he will be re-examined Sunday and could begin rehabilitation assignment on Tuesday.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
10:01 pm
Who says McCann can’t throw out anybody?
David from Athens, AL
August 31st, 2012
10:03 pm
Nice throw ….
David from Athens, AL
August 31st, 2012
10:06 pm
September is going to be a battle:
Hinske vs Overbay
Pastor vs Baker
Janish vs No body, since Wilson is released
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
10:20 pm
Braves pi$$ed away numerous chances to score and now it will probably cost them the game
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
10:21 pm
Kimbrel blew save but Braves have right 3 guys coming up in 9th: Heyward-Jones-Freeman.
G
August 31st, 2012
10:21 pm
So the Braves sit here in September in the same shape as last year. They have 2 starting pitchers getting it done. This is not a playoff team
NorCal Brave
August 31st, 2012
10:22 pm
@SOS Brave: so what else is new?
G
August 31st, 2012
10:25 pm
How Chipper has had some great at bats tonight… 3 k’s
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
10:26 pm
Chipper tonight: 2 walks, 3 strikeouts. Wondering how much that home plate collision took out of him.
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
10:29 pm
Well Kratz, hope your soul was worth it…good luck from here on out.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
10:30 pm
Free baseball . . . which, to be honest, I could’ve done without.
Braves 6-2 in extra innings games, Phillies are 6-10.
G
August 31st, 2012
10:30 pm
The facts are that McCann has become a liability in the order.
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
10:39 pm
That unfortunately just took Kimbrel out of any Cy Young conversation for the moment. Dude is the best Braves closer I have ever seen (besides Smoltzy) but he just needs to take a deep breathe & come through in huge games like this one. Hopefully he shakes it off & doesn’t crumble like last year.
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
10:41 pm
Bam. John Mayberry 2-run jack in 10th gives Phillies their first lead since 1-0…. 7-5.
G
August 31st, 2012
10:41 pm
The collapse begins
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
10:43 pm
Choking losers. This team flat out sux
Circling the drain!
August 31st, 2012
10:43 pm
You better get plenty of ice Fredi G. cause the heat is coming……
NorCal Brave
August 31st, 2012
10:43 pm
Well it’s an all-out battle just get a wild card now, and my money is NOT on the Braves!
Lakewood
August 31st, 2012
10:44 pm
Back breaking…
September
August 31st, 2012
10:44 pm
Hello Braves! Remember me?
Oh! I see you started without me!
September
August 31st, 2012
10:44 pm
Hello Braves! Remember me?
Oh! I see you started without me!
G
August 31st, 2012
10:45 pm
Tis team is not built to finish. This is Frank Wrens fault. He chose to go into this season with the same team that could not finish last year.
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
10:45 pm
Same old sh$t Braves. Year aFter year
jo
August 31st, 2012
10:47 pm
braves will lose game again they were winning. Now what? Like last year, even that which was working is now falling apart. Kimbrel loses save and then we have the3 run blast to lose again. Tip.the hat?
WTFredi???
August 31st, 2012
10:48 pm
This team just does not have it. Do we really want to suffer a one-game playoff with these guys? Do we really want another Atlanta team that thinks they are good because of a playoff appearance, when in reality they are not even close to being contenders and should overhaul a majority of the roster?
I don’t. Been there, done that with this city’s teams. I want championship contenders.
September
August 31st, 2012
10:49 pm
Chipper gets thrown out at the plate loafing from second base. One run.
Janish stays at third instead of scoring on what should have been a wild pitch. Two runs.
Kimbrel throws a slider strike one to a guy looking for a fastball. Makes him look sick.
Kimbrel throws a slider strike two to a guy looking for a fastball. Makes him look sick.
Kimbrel throws a fastball 0-2 to a guy looking fastball all the way when he looked sick on the slider and BOOM! Ballgame!
Braves aren’t good enough or smart enough to play lax baseball and expect to win.
Their slack play cost them the game tonight.
Robert08
August 31st, 2012
10:51 pm
Braves decide to get early start on September swoon I see … I wonder if Hinske will get an at-bat in the bottom of the 10th inning?
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
10:53 pm
Maybe when we choke again this yr it will be enough to get Fredi fired.
Bryan
August 31st, 2012
10:54 pm
Is the trading deadline over for Managers?
How many times can we snacth defeat from the jaws of victory by keeping a pitcher in the game who is getting “hammered”. BUT let’s keep him in the game so he can get a victory. “Opps, there goes another loss.
Sad
Billy
August 31st, 2012
10:55 pm
Wren needs to go also….
G
August 31st, 2012
10:56 pm
White flag thrown out… Hinske up
G
August 31st, 2012
10:57 pm
Hinske has become a modern day Greg Norton
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
10:58 pm
How unusual. Hinske strikes out
Billy
August 31st, 2012
10:58 pm
lol!
Tim
August 31st, 2012
11:00 pm
i cant even be mad anymore! its starting to be really funny!
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
11:01 pm
Losers will find a way to lose and that’s what we are!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 31st, 2012
11:02 pm
Column has been updated, as Braves have now lost nine of last 13, going in wrong direction.
SOS Braves
August 31st, 2012
11:06 pm
College football is here. Screw u sorry braves. Don’t need to watch you losers anymore
WTFredi???
August 31st, 2012
11:08 pm
Please Falcons, don’t go 9-7 and lose in the wild card round this season. If you are going to fail, please fail miserably, unlike our friends the Braves. Don’t beat weak teams again this year and think you are any good. Just lose. Lose badly. Get a high draft pick. Please?
Robert08
August 31st, 2012
11:08 pm
Nothing will happen to Gonzalez… he and Hinske’s sorry backside will be in Atlanta drawing a paycheck in 2013. Mark my words, Phillies make the playoffs, while Braves sit at home.
BillEGoat
August 31st, 2012
11:17 pm
Wow, this is starting to feel VERY familiar, too much like last year. For every game that goes the wrong way for some reason, like tonight’s loss with the rare blown save, these players are going to get tighter and tighter, no matter what they say. A team cannot collapse like last year’s Braves and then, when the same thing starts to happen again, not feel the pressure mounting. If Bobby Cox is around, maybe he should come down and have a locker room talk with the players. I don’t think Fredi is up to handling this kind of September situation without some help.
CamiloAtlanta
August 31st, 2012
11:37 pm
4-9 in the last 13? Fredi’s on track! This year best we can hope for is the one-game playoff. Let’s relish being in home-field advantage for that. And Fredi won’t be replaced if we blow it again. He’s a lifetime member of the Braves old boys’ club.
Dum-Bass
August 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
Think I would have definitely left out the words “not obstinate” as FG is one of the most stubborn, hardheaded managers in baseball, ever! Why change something when it’s working? For instance, the last 3 Braves wins have had Reed Johnson in leftfield and Prado either at 2B or 3B. He keeps going back to the same old “loser” lineup and he’s “blind as a bat” if he can’t see that. It’s late in the season, almost too late, so if something is working and creating wins, stick with it!
Here we go again
September 1st, 2012
12:08 am
We lose 8-5 to a team that older then Us had hurts and yes we have Martinez who gives Mayberry a nice bone hit see his thrill he enjoyed watchin it go out he did it on Purpose lose ,,fredddie You n frank wren are fired at end if you choke this 75-58 now….goin down and yet we be seen on fox at 4pm saturday where freddi will tip his cap….Hey frank Wren that we goin all the way is slowly goin gone…And will you be next!
Mike Bell 790
September 1st, 2012
12:20 am
FIRST!!!
JASon
September 1st, 2012
12:33 am
Mental toughness is key. That is why it is so extremely hard to cheer for any atlanta team.
TN Jeff
September 1st, 2012
12:55 am
Mental Midgets – that’s what these Braves teams they keep trotting out for us. It use to be that they built a big lead securing the division and then didn’t feel the pressure until the playoffs began and thus they would choke and die then. Now they have moved everything up so that the choking begins pre-postseason. This team will fold while assuring us that all is well.
Braves Organization=Loving Family
September 1st, 2012
12:56 am
Fredi could collapse this team 10 years in a row and the only way he’d leave it would be if they didn’t renew his contract
*Looking at where they were last year at this point in the season vs this year, last year’s team had a better record. That’s comforting to know. It’s also nice to know that early in Sept 2011, the Phillies swept the Braves which set the tone for the rest of the month.
Semper Fi Braves Fan
September 1st, 2012
1:04 am
Loosers always find a way to loose.
Kris
September 1st, 2012
1:07 am
Look – you gotta tip your cap to them, they played a heck of a game and the Braves came up short. Nothing you can do but tip your cap, yessiree just gotta tip the ol’ ballcap
Michael
September 1st, 2012
4:09 am
Anything else but that diaster of a meltdown last year that caused St. Louis to Advance
Michael
September 1st, 2012
4:09 am
Anything else but that diaster of a meltdown last year that caused St. Louis to Advance
Michael
September 1st, 2012
4:09 am
Anything else but that diaster of a meltdown last year that caused St. Louis to Advance
Braves Supporter
September 1st, 2012
5:04 am
Wish we could have traded for another reliever. Surely, I can’t be the only guy who think Martinez sucks.
CHOKE ARTISTS
September 1st, 2012
6:01 am
Weren’t many of you against trhe idea of trading for a few stud pitchers or stud hitters? Don’t start whining now! This is what you signed up for!
Lil' Barry Bailout
September 1st, 2012
6:23 am
Before the season, Braves management thought they had so many #1 and #2 starters, they were having trouble deciding who to leave out of the rotation.
Before the season, Braves management thought their lineup of .230 hitters, who couldn’t knock a guy in all last year were suddenly going to all start hitting .270.
Braves management: Dumb.
Matt f
September 1st, 2012
7:30 am
Must be time for the September Swooooooooooon. Bye-bye Fredi, tip o’the cap to ya.
Playoffs!!!
September 1st, 2012
8:47 am
If the Braves blow it again, Fredi has to go. That’s a no-brainer.
BulldogBen
September 1st, 2012
8:47 am
I don’t think I can take this again. If this goes down again, this city will be shell shocked and the Braves may lose fans in droves.
LaBrenda Chenile Watson
September 1st, 2012
9:06 am
Why do the Braves let Chipper Jone talk? He blames everybody but his old self for last night’s loss. If he was on a girls softball team somebody would surely sit him down and explain to him that this is a team game and he is supposed to lead not whine and complain. Hey Chipper Jone it is S-E-P-T-E-M-B-E-R and you lead the C-H-O-K-E.
LaBrenda Chenile Watson
September 1st, 2012
9:12 am
You asked what Fredi was taking home after these games and I suspect it’s something from Captain D’s. He must be planning his meal in the dugout because from what I can see he’s not in the game. I watched Chipper Jone try to score and run over that poor man at the plate and all I can say is “Yer Out!” If Chipper Jone was not happy with the pitchers and the other batters why didn’t he get some hits with men on base and score that run instead of running into an out?
PMC
September 1st, 2012
9:13 am
Not to disagree with you too much Jeff but we haven’t really been a town to put pressure on the baseball management to do better after coming up short in the playoffs or failing to get there.
Just saying.
The failures when it matters are the biggest reason why no team in this town has the consistent fan support that they yearn for, but the teams don’t ever seem desperate to win anything either. They just keep sending guys out there hoping that another year with the same everything will yield different results. When they don’t, they just sigh and do the same things over and over again.
PMC
September 1st, 2012
9:18 am
This team isn’t going to collapse this year anyway. They are loads more consistent than last year, the pitchers in the pen are healthy, Freddie, Chipper, Heyward and Prado are healthy and productive, the defense is loads better especially at short stop. They have employed an outfield this year. It’s just a much better baseball team than it was last season. They are less mercurial (while still managing to be on again off again on a nightly basis)
This team isn’t coming up short, and baseball managers just don’t have THAT much effect on games, even in the national league. Whether a guy produces or not is generally up to the player.
LaBrenda Chenile Watson
September 1st, 2012
9:26 am
PMC is right. Where else could Uggla play every night and only the fans complain? If the NY press could have a shot here they’d be talking pornn stars and popeye and not in flattering terms. And while eveybody is kissing Chipper Jone on the lips they should remember he gets fever blisters and never comes up big when he’s needed. In SW Atlanta we play some serious softball and we would not allow somebody to criticize her teammates like Chipper Jone does while going 0-3 with strikeouts and leaving men on base and not scoring from second and just generally having a low IQ and bad breath. That’s what I think and I welcome your input.
RBI
September 1st, 2012
9:34 am
I will have a greater appreciation and respect for this team one Fredi Gonzalez is GONE!
Dawg Whisperer
September 1st, 2012
9:50 am
Exact-a-mundo, Jeff. Once may be an aberration, twice sugggests a pattern. Good managers find a way to win in crunch time. See LaRusso.
Ted M
September 1st, 2012
10:00 am
All Fredi has to say or admit about last year is “i shouldn’t have pitched Lowe down the stretch”
He did have options for that.
Nurse Ratched [aka Randal Patrick McMurphy]
September 1st, 2012
10:43 am
The guy is an absolute JOKE regarding his *cough* profession *cough*. The proof-positive will be WHEN (not IF) this Baseball Stooge gets canned, watch how fast he DOESN’T get another opportunity to manage in the Big Leagues, let alone secure a coaching position. If this guy was anymore of a Lame Duck, his feathers would be yanked and he’d immediately be basted with Bing Cherry Sauce. The Apologists & Sympathizers won’t ever admit it, but there ya go – it is what it is, Folks. What you see is what you get… |-)
The Collapse Redux – 2012 continues unfettered…
Billy
September 1st, 2012
10:54 am
AJC new web-page sucks big time..
Light-Hitters
September 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Don’t the Brave’s have enough light-hitting players?I guess we can add Baker to the mix of Uggla,McCann,Janish,Pastornicky and Hinske.It might be time to have McCann talk to his father again or in a few months let him walk as Ross has been better than McCann has and maybe Betancourt will be recovered and ready to play next year!Good move to get Jack-Off THE TEAM……NEXT ARE UGGLA,McCann and Hinske!
Ted M right on!
September 1st, 2012
11:06 am
Ted M. was right on the money about Gonzalez last year.What is he gonna say after this year?……..I shouldn’t have pitched Hanson and played Uggla and McCann less………….a day late and a $ short in my view!…………….Maybe Dusty Baker will be avaiable next year(according to Mlb Network)…..he won’t kiss anybody’s ass!
Players for 2013
September 1st, 2012
11:15 am
Brave’s 2013:
Freddie Freeman:1st
Martin Prado:2nd
Andrelton Simmons:SS
Juan Francisco:3rd
C. Bethancourt:catcher
Reed Johnson:Left
Jason Heyward:Center
Constanza:Right
Pitchers:Hudson,Medlen,Minor,Maholm and (Delgado,Teheran,or Gilmartin)
Relief Pitchers:Kimbrel,O’Flaherty,Venters,Durbin,Avilan,Gearrin
Fredi a Goner
September 1st, 2012
11:18 am
Move on over Fredi and let Dusty take over………….yeah you know what I’m talking about so get on with it baby!
Wren the Bird Brain
September 1st, 2012
11:22 am
Liberty should fire Wren and Gonzalez after this season.But I guess you get what you pay for and Liberty is paying for 2nd rate management so the Brave’s collapse is all but expected!
Coaching staff
September 1st, 2012
11:23 am
The Brave’s would be better off with Chipper Jones as their next manager!
Stinger2
September 1st, 2012
11:42 am
Braves team > Braves anti-fans who complain all the time. Some of these people sound like they want the team to lose so they can find something different each day to whine about.
count_schemula
September 1st, 2012
11:48 am
“Braves team > Braves anti-fans who complain all the time. Some of these people sound like they want the team to lose so they can find something different each day to whine about.”
1995 was a lot of pain ago. Cubs, Astros, Giants, Raul Mondesi, Garrett Anderson, the collapse.
Mister Frisky
September 1st, 2012
2:47 pm
Hey Schultze maybe you should re post your article about how you agreed with the stand pat idea for this year.Just like Hogans Heroes “You Know Nothing”.
all equal
September 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
YOU CAN BET THAT BOURNE DOES NOT HAVE 139 STRIKEOUTS WITH THE NATS NEXT YEAR
THANKS FOR NOTHING,U NEED TO SIT THE REST OF THE YEAR
Mister Frisky
September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
Chipper would be the WORST choice to succeed Fredo.A non clutch choking loser who is living off a JUICED up season 13 years ago.That redneck needs to go to his ranch a kill some defenseless animal like the big P that he is.
Mister Frisky
September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm
Who Cares is right,Soft team,soft coverage,especially DOB with those lame ass music selections everyday.Im sure Fredi can ride B&$ch on the back of OB’s moped wearing his ass less leather chaps.
Del
September 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
going, GOING, GONE!!!!!!!!!!!
Blow this team and its mgmt up and start over with fresh and younger faces. This “team” is going nowhere in a big hurry. Time to rebuild starting with a new GM, new mgr, new coaches, and new players. I would keep precious few of todays Braves team: namely Prado, Jayson, Freeman,our injured SS, our young pitchers. The rest I would trade for young farm talent from other clubs. IT’S TIME TO REBUILD. Enough of this sameoo, sameoo year after year. I”ve been a Braves fan for many years now, but for the first time I turned the game off after the early innings. It was just too painfull to watch. Thank goodness for football,
GO & BE GONE FREDI!
September 1st, 2012
9:31 pm
Fredi you are absolutely worthless…..leave…we don’t want you or need you in Atlanta!
fuzzmeister
September 2nd, 2012
9:26 am
Real nice to see all the Braves fans out in support of our team this morning. Hard to believe there’s this much hate for the Braves.
Chief Yikkity
September 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
No hate here. I saw this coming earlier this year….and said so many times on DOB’s blog (hence my banning.) The Kool-Aid drinkers ganged up on me and had me ousted.
We may win 80 games.
Arthur
September 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
I believe Bobby Cox would have this team within 1 or two games of Washington. Possibly ahead. FG should be ready to take the heat, even though he doesn’t pitch , hit or catch. The Braves player are over paid and over feed with excuses from the announcers and the annalists. We need more hungry young players.
joey barber, Cameron N.C.
September 2nd, 2012
6:29 pm
Freddie is not the flippin problem here. ‘There seems to be a lack of heart and or genetalia in the recent years Braves’s teams. Heres a hint guys, there is still a month left in the season. Its not time to hang up the spikes and break out the hunting gear.The one thing about the teams of the late 90’s and early 00’s, THEY DIDNT QUIT WITH A MONTH LEFT. DAMN Someone on the medical staff needs to check em all for a heartbeat
Gonzalez Needs to BE FIRED!!!
September 2nd, 2012
6:35 pm
Fat Butted Fredi needs to be fired. He is the worst excuse for a human being in a major league manager’s uniform in the MLB. He needs to be fired, run out of the state and never let return.
Hate for the BRAVES??????
September 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
It would suit me just fine – based on the team, its manager and its’ front office management – if some other city came along and made an offer to buy them and they went the way of the THRASHERS! I am tired of a losing attitude with this franchise…..gut the whole team and start over with somebody who really wants to play and win.