Live from Braves-Phillies: Guess who’s ‘tremendous-looking’?
Turner Field as of 5:30 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2010. (Evocatively gloomy photo by M. Bradley)
Ryan Howard arrived in Philadelphia in September 2004. The next season he was the National League rookie of the year. Today he stands as the pillar of the club that even rivals concede is the model of excellence. As Brian McCann said Sunday: “The Phillies aren’t just the team in the National League East — the Phillies are the team in the National League.”
Charlie Manuel wasn’t managing the Phillies in 2004, but he arrived in 2005 and has been there since. And Manuel, who has become my favorite manager to hear speak, was asked today by an Atlanta correspondent (i.e., me) if a big-hitting rookie can make a difference not just on a season but on the future of a franchise.
“A player like that brings excitement and energy,” Manuel said. “He brings a whole lot to a team and to a clubhouse.”
The obvious point of reference: Jason Heyward. He’s not yet Ryan Howard — there’s a difference of 222 big-league homers — but he’s the most exciting rookie to emerge since the Philly big man.
Manuel on Heyward: “He’s a highly talented kid. He’s a tremendous athlete. He can do about everything you want a guy to do.”
And he can: Heyward is, to use the scout’s jargon, a five-tool player. Howard, on the other hand, is the classic big-hitting first baseman: He can’t run much, but he hits ‘em so far he gets to trot. Heyward might never have a 40-homer season. (Howard has had four in succession.) Then again, Heyward isn’t apt to strike out 180 times a year, either.
They’re different kinds of players, but the Braves would be delighted if Heyward had a Howard-like effect. Since 1995 the Braves’ batting order has been anchored by Chipper Jones, and he’ll turn 38 this Saturday. The best-case scenario: Heyward and his minor-league buddy Freddie Freeman become to this organization as Howard and Chase Utley are for Philadelphia — middle-of-the-order fixtures.
Asked if, way back when, Howard energized the Phillies with both his production and his presence, Manuel said: “Without a doubt. And he still carries that.”
The Phillies and Braves embarked Tuesday on the first of their three-game set at Turner Field , and the home side having the point to prove. The Phils have won the NL East three seasons running; the Braves haven’t made the playoffs since 2005. The Phils have graced each of the past two World Series, winning it in 2008; the Braves haven’t reached the Fall Classic since 1999, haven’t won a World Series game since 1996.
The Phils still have a deeper well of big-league talent, but the Braves are perkier than they’ve been in year. And that, we must say, isn’t because of Troy Glaus. It’s due to No. 22.
This is baseball, where one player isn’t supposed to make a difference. But Ryan Howard showed us the right man can indeed make a difference. Through two weeks, Jason Heyward has made a difference here. He entered Tuesday’s game with 15 RBIs, one more than the fearsome Howard. (Who did, it must be noted, drive in his 15th run of 2010 with a fourth-inning hit off the mitt of the forlorn Glaus.)
Yes, it’s premature to liken any 20-year-old to Ryan Howard. But it’s almost inevitable, and it’s great fun. It has been more than a decade since the Joneses, Chipper and Andruw, made their debuts. We in Atlanta were way overdue for the next big thing.
And with that, we’ll open the floor for questions, comments and weather forecasts. The Braves believe they’ll be able to get this game in, but I should note that the ground crew put the tarp back on the infield after the home team took batting practice. (No live BP on the field for the visitors, in sum.) It’s not raining now, but the tarp’s advent generally means sprinkles are on the way.
Whatever happens, I’ll be here all night to discuss it. Though I sincerely hope I won’t be here all night, if you take my meaning.
UPDATE: At 5:39 p.m., it started raining. Hard.
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE UPDATE: At 6:12 p.m., the rain has ceased and the sun is shining and the tarp has been lifted. Yay!
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628 comments Add your comment
Michael
April 20th, 2010
9:07 pm
This team is 1 piece + Yunel hitting like he usually hits from being a playoff team…Need a REAL 1B.
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:08 pm
This is such a typical Braves team again this year…pitching and no offense…we need to do something to make a little more exciting. Moylan looked good enough to get through the inning. Chip said it again need to get the offense going..yheah good luck with that one!
extremus
April 20th, 2010
9:09 pm
Well, so far the Braves offense consists mostly of Prado and Heyward; no one else on the team is even close. Did you see the RBI numbers of the top four Phillies hitters (all over 10)? Only Heyward is in double digits for the Braves so far, and most of that has happened when Glaus and Escobar haven’t ended an inning somehow ahead of him this year. Prado just has a handful of RBIs despite his great average; of course having the equivalent of three pitchers’ spots in front of him in the order doesn’t help things. Either something lights a serious fire under this team and they start hitting consistently throughout the lineup, or it’s going to be a long and frustrating season.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:10 pm
MB, your best line of the night out with mclouth
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:11 pm
Too bad for Tommy an unbelievable amount of pitches thrown in those innings … wow .. credit the Phils and some crazy plays and shoddy D at 1B… otherwise they really worked him hard didn’t they? We have a good bullpen so lets see what we can do in the late innings. Have to chip on that lead here NOW!
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:11 pm
Mark, what do you think wren was calling the guy who said glaus would be great for the braves?
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:11 pm
Why don’t we go out and get Dye? He is available and out there as well…
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:12 pm
brother, don is talking about fishing now..
PJ
April 20th, 2010
9:12 pm
Only 149 more games of watching Cox bungle another lineup card. THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!!!!!
Mike
April 20th, 2010
9:12 pm
This Braves team BLOWS
Chipper is too old. Time for him to go.
Chipper needs to take Glaus with him.
Get a POWER bat for LF and 1st, let Infante play second and Prado third.
falcons pick spoon
April 20th, 2010
9:13 pm
First of all, as of right now the Hawks are hands down better than the Braves. If that were the Braves playing an mlb team like the Celtics two years ago they would have been swept. Secondly, Bobby Cox is only screwing himself by making stubborn descisions as keeping Glaus batting 5th behind B Mac. No matter if Bobby tries to weasel his way for a few more seasons as I believe, I think Wren is getting fed up with some of Bobby’s foolishness.
rickman
April 20th, 2010
9:13 pm
Maybe Soltz can play some first… I’m sure he can hit better than Tony Glue gun…
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:14 pm
shocker a 1,2,3 inning…..
Devil's Advocate
April 20th, 2010
9:14 pm
Mark, I noticed you are talking to Jesus about Troy Glaus – wrong team. He is putting everyone into our own hell.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:14 pm
same old story. no runs in the 7th.
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:14 pm
ROB …Why would this team need Dye? That one confuses me dude! Please explain?
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
Mark, by wren’s language on that phone call did you think he was talking to Jesus?
rickman
April 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
Wow.. I’m only catching parts of this game… Have the braves even been to the plate yet… Everytime I cut on the game the Philies are batting….
TruthSeeker
April 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
As soon as I saw that Kyle Kendrick’s ERA was 17.47 I said to myself “He’s going to pitch a shutout tonight.” The Braves never seem to punish a weak pitcher. Then again, this lineup hasn’t been punishing anybody.
NCBravesFan
April 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
Braves offense in this game: The Glaussed Boys …
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:16 pm
you must already be working on the print version about the weak, anemic, inept braves offense and indifferent defense.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:17 pm
get it? heh, heh
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:17 pm
It amazes me that our 3rd best hitter doesn’t even play when he is better with the glove and the bat…put Hinske in!
We_Run_This_Country
April 20th, 2010
9:17 pm
MB is checking out the hot chicks at the game tonight.
rickman
April 20th, 2010
9:19 pm
Yea I agree. Hinske.. Hinske.. Hinske……
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:19 pm
where is jordan schafer when we need him?
tpendleton
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
starting to think i am the reason we dont hit..
Sid
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
Listless, tired old manager. The team, fans and stadium reflect it as well.
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
Driver…You gotta believe that Dye could have been a better 1b than Glaus. Better power and RBI production…heck he had 80 plus RBI last year and he could come cheep. I don’t think Freeman is the answer this year. I mean look at our corners Old, unproductive and lowest power numbers in the league. Infante or Hinske would be better options first but Jermane Dye would be a lot more productive with a little more power
Devil's Advocate
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
Hawk’s WIN! (No Glaus)
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
LOL .. April baseball SUCKS …thats what ya’ll should be saying instead its – Braves suck i hate em trade the town and the team im moving to Cranton RI? or something of that matter … lol
Early baseball is the best .. its fun to watch and yes frustrating at times but early and unpolished at best. Relax folks who are about to have a fit tonight. Let the Braves do their job and I promise they will right the ship before its all over.
This is our team and its funny to read … one game to the other and so many people get pissed off by a few games …. 162 brothers!! Relax!
Youngerthan Thatnow
April 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
IMO, Medlen could start for most teams in either league and probably should be starting for the Braves… but he seems to have settled well into the reliever role. Still, I’d rather see him start than Kawakami right now. Kawakami seems to pitch better when the stakes are higher… like in his start last year against Halladay and the Blue Jays… a fine pitching display.
rickman
April 20th, 2010
9:21 pm
Maybe we shoud go to a 3 man line-up…
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:21 pm
dont blame bobby. he’s had nothing much to work with for 4 years.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
wow, another philies rally
rob graner
April 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
Mark must be asleep just like the rest of the fans there!
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
You know ROB I dont mind thinking of that but it would still be a person OUT OF PLACE and this is what we have …. not sure Dye would be much better here to tell the truth my friend.
kerryb
April 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
Is it me or does anyone else think that this team is no better than it was last year. Can’t buy a big hit in the clutch. Just like last year Braves budget cuts bring us an over the hill washed up player who hits into double plays with the the go ahead runs are at second and third. How many times has he done that already this year. I’m about done with them before the first month is over. The only reason to watch them right now is to see what Heyward is going to do.
Roto Rooter
April 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
Bobby Cox is killing my rotisserie team.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:23 pm
flash- several braves will be at publix tomorrow. no doubt looking for twinkies.
Mike
April 20th, 2010
9:23 pm
Can someone tell me why Medlen is part of the bullpen? Other than the fact that he probably makes the league minimum.
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:23 pm
IM a Braves fan and thought early on we gave up on him too early .. but I just dont think he would be the answer that you are trying to say to me at 1B…. good idea but wasnt Glaus?
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:23 pm
i do believe mark started the 7th inning stretch 3 innings ago.
kerryb
April 20th, 2010
9:24 pm
Down 3-0 for this team is like being down 15-0.
Mike
April 20th, 2010
9:25 pm
Medlen starting for most other team? You’re kidding, right?
driver8
April 20th, 2010
9:27 pm
KerryB it they are still doing some of the frustrating things .. lets not judge the team too early … Nobody wins the pennant in April … as long as you are playing good … yes we have some things to get better on but we also have some nice things too that other clubs would love to have. It averages out. We got a long Battle ahead of us … lets settle in and let the guys who do the job DO their job … agree?
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:28 pm
tinker-to-evers-to-chance they aint.
siskel_god
April 20th, 2010
9:28 pm
Before the season is over Troy Glaus will find a way to hit into a quadruple play. Worst baseball player ever.
todd grantham
April 20th, 2010
9:29 pm
braves are getting heated up for a no hitter tomorrow night.
Mike45
April 20th, 2010
9:29 pm
Bobby cox is a freaking idiot for letting sorry a$$ Glaus give up there chances of winning this game this team sucks and it starts all the way up this organization.