So how come the current Braves can’t hit but ex-Braves can?
I’ve never been one who believed Terry Pendleton was the problem. As the saying goes, he can’t step in and hit for his guys. (It might be better if he could.) But then you look at these batting averages, and even a Pendleton admirer must cringe.
- Chipper Jones, .271.
- Brian McCann, .271.
- Jason Heyward, .246.
- Yunel Escobar, .188.
- Troy Glaus, .186.
- Matt Diaz, .175.
- Melky Cabrera, 153.
- Nate McLouth, .146.
Take away Martin Prado — who is, it must be stipulated, second in the National League in hitting at .406 — and the totality of the Braves’ regular lineup isn’t hitting Prince Fielder’s weight. Which is incredible.
The Braves rank last in the league in hitting at .228. (And remember, that’s with Prado doing a Ted Williams.) They were no-hit by Ubaldo Jimenez. They were shut out by Roy Halladay. They were one out from being blanked on a night Kyle Kendrick started for the Phillies. They were shut out over five innings by Mike Pelfrey on Sunday.
They didn’t score an earned run in three games against a Philadelphia starting pitcher. They scored three runs in 23 innings against the Mets. They’re in last place in the NL East, behind even the Washington Nationals. Yow.
And now we check another set of numbers, these belonging to players who were Braves in 2009 but who aren’t today:
- Jeff Francoeur, Mets: .286 average, three homers, 10 RBIs.
- Kelly Johnson, Diamonbacks:.322, seven homers, 12 RBIs.
- Casey Kotchman, Mariners: .279 average, three homers, 14 RBIs.
- Adam LaRoche, Diamonbacks: .278, one homer, seven RBIs.
Again, I’m not one who usually blames the hitting coach when big-leaguers don’t hit. But it does seem the guys who aren’t Braves are hitting in a way the Braves aren’t. You tell me: What does that say?
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688 comments Add your comment
Tony
April 28th, 2010
8:22 pm
Brass? What brass? The brass are in Colorado. They dont know anything about baseball nor do they know BC or TP. Are you serious? McQuirk and Wren are pons for the owners. If they wanted Pujols for example, these guys would laugh at em for suggesting such a price tag. Dont blame these guys blame the owners.
Tony
April 28th, 2010
8:31 pm
…if you remember and really are a Braves fan, you’ll remember that Time AOL did the same thing before Liberty Media bought the Braves. They have stakes in Ticketmaster, Time Warner (hmmm), SprintNextel, and Sirius XM radio. Go figure. If no one can see what their interests are, one is being terribly blind!
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
9:07 pm
7 in a row and no end in sight, lol.
First Bobby Cox decides to take out “his frustration” when Yunel Escobar made his base running blunder against the Mets, (despite a plethora of of base running mishaps, senseless fielding errors, and wasted at-bats by others). Then he wants to chastise Jason Heyward for “taking too many pitches”.
Meanwhile, Chipper Jones drops infield pop ups and allows easy foul balls to fall in front of front of him (not too mention got picked off second in a game against the Rockies)………..and Bobby says nothing. Chipper basically is a shell of his former self at the plate (particularly from the left side of the plate), yet Bobby is steadfast when it comes to penciling him in the #3 hole of the lineup.
Yet most of the Atlanta press just eats up whatever Bobby tells them.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
9:23 pm
One of the arguments against waiting until late May to call up Jason Heyward was that his presence in the lineup would have an impact in the victory column.
Well, if we keep playing the way we’re playing right now come late May, it would cost the Braves $10 mil in 2013 (what Heyward could very well get through arbitration…..instead of $500-$600 thousand through having his salary renewed as a pre-arbitration eligible player if the Braves had waited to call him up)…………for a losing record through the first 2 months of 2010.
I am not blaming Jason Heyward for the fact that we have a losing record. I’m saying that it was a PIPE DREAM to assume that Heyward’s mere presence in the lineup would overcome the lack of power from our #3 and #4 hitters……not to mention no production from the lead off sport in the order).
Many on these blogs were assuming that Chipper and Glaus were going to combine for 60 homers and 200 RBIs, lol. I’d settle for 6 homers and 20 RBIs right now, lol.
Unless Frank Wren can pull a rabbit out of the hat and find a sucker of a team give us some premium hitters……….then you can pretty much say that our season is over. Sure, our starting pitching will keep us from being a 100 loss team. However, our offense is simply PATHETIC…….as well as our defense.
McCann cant throw out runners nor block the plate….
Glaus is horrific at 1st……….
Chipper’s declined as much in the field as he has at the plate…….
Diaz and McLouth have noodle arms in the outfield………
We have no team speed. We cant hit and run. We strike out way too much.
Tony
April 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
That’s right Johnny. I do believe that he tends to play favorites. Matt Diaz must mow the lawn for Cox or something because despite whatever he does, he plays. Nate McClouth the same. Might as well throw in Glaus! They had better get on the stick or they are going to show up at Turner Field to the tune of empty blue seats.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
9:42 pm
By the way, I thought that this team was going to go “all out” to help Bobby go out a winner in his final season?
I guess that they meant “all out to suck A$$” (both at the plate and in the field).
It’s evident why players all over baseball love playing for Bobby Cox. They know that no matter how much they suck…….if they become one of Bobby’s boys, they have guarantee job security and no worries about being held accountable. Also, they dont have to worry about long, boring practices on such mundane matters as the fundamentals of the game. Bobby Cox invented the term “Club Med”.
Simply put, the lack of coaching (not just from Terry Pendleton) is very evident when one sees this team play every day. At least the Braves of the late 80’s had players with personality. This lifeless looking bunch is pathetic to watch.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
9:53 pm
This bunch makes Ryan Laungerhans and Greg Norton look like bashers at the plate.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
9:55 pm
Ballgame (could have been called earlier, lol).
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:01 pm
If a LONG losing streak would compel Bobby Cox to resign early, I’d be more than ok with hoping that we lost 15 games in a row. Sometimes, one has to “sink the ship in order to save it”.
No life whatsoever from this team. Bobby Cox just doesnt have it as a manager anymore. Poor coaching, plays favorites, no passion. Recipe for disaster.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:05 pm
This has become beyond embarrassing. After tonight’s game, we’ll be tied with the Dodgers for the worst record in the National League at 8-13. After tomorrow’s game, we could have sole possession of the worst record in the National League (the Dodgers host the Pirates tomorrow).
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:06 pm
..This has become beyond a joke. After tonight’s game, we’ll be tied with the Dodgers for the worst record in the National League at 8-13. After tomorrow’s game, we could have sole possession of the worst record in the National League (the Dodgers host the Pirates tomorrow).
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:06 pm
After tonight’s game, we’ll be tied with the Dodgers for the worst record in the National League at 8-13. After tomorrow’s game, we could have sole possession of the worst record in the National League (the Dodgers host the Pirates tomorrow).
Tony
April 28th, 2010
10:10 pm
J. Crunch, I tell you, no one dares to blame the owners in this thing. Maybe fans are just as afraid of the owners as the GM is. Oh yeah, Liberty signs the paychecks…better not say anything to those guys. To start, an owner must be a Braves fan, ex-Brave, or Atlanta citizen. It is a direct conflict of interest to the fans and players because these people can care less. How many games do you think these (Liberty Media) attend in a season. That’s giving them too much credit. Moreover, Turner would be seen frequently in the stands with wife, even. S***, I am watching the Hawks. I turned away from that excuse for a baseball game at 8…LOL
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
10:11 pm
Crawford air three.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
Tony……….sure, I would love to see ownership kick up payroll. However as long as Bobby Cox is the manager, what would good increasing payroll do? Bobby Cox would continue his mismanaging ways, no matter if he had an All-Star team or a Triple A team on the field.
Again, I would LOVE to see how Bobby Valentine would react to this bunch of lifeless BUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is who I want to see the Braves hire next year.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:16 pm
Mark Bradley……….what do you think of Bobby Valentine managing the Braves (or at least a manager with his type of fiery attitude)?
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
10:16 pm
Bobby Valentine has never won anything.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
And to think that I paid $192 ( 6 free months of DVR service included) for the “privilege” of watching this sad, pathetic excuse of a team on a daily basis on Direct TV’s MLB Extra Innings package, lol.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:23 pm
Mark Bradley………….Bobby Valentine had to manage against FAR SUPERIOR Braves teams during his tenure with the Mets. Saying that he never won anything does not take into account that factor.
He did take the 2000 Mets to the World Series against the Yankees.
I want a manager who will actually MANAGE (not mismanage) this team and coach them (you know, like the fundamentals of the game)………not coddle them and make excuses for them.
If Bobby Valentine had managed the Braves instead of Bobby Cox during all those years………I’d have no problem with saying that we would have more than 1 Championship to show for all that talent.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:30 pm
If we dont score in the next 2 innings, this will be the 5th time we’ve been shut out in 21 games. Pretty freaking sad.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:35 pm
BIGTIME 3 there by Milwaukee. Mike Woodson must be on the phone with Bobby Cox, getting tips on how snatch defeat from the thrills of victory.
Tony
April 28th, 2010
10:35 pm
JC, I dont think that matters a whole heck of a lot. What fails to be understood is that these owners only want to try and get by. You know what I mean? Think about it. Year after year, after balancing their media checkbooks, they hand over a few million to the Braves’s pons and say, ” here, win with this…Wren and the rest go out and get Glaus, Hinske, and the rest…are you serious? Wren should tell them to shove it!
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:37 pm
Josh Smith shooting threes with 20 seconds on the shot clock shows lack of coaching (again, Mike Woodson must have read “Coaching for Dummies” by Bobby Cox).
Tony
April 28th, 2010
10:41 pm
Yeah. Woodson is in the same shape. They have some goonie bird consortium of d****wads trying to own an NBA team. Then they get to bickering like a bunch of girls about a dumb behind trade , etc. These owners are only concerned about their pockets.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:43 pm
Tony………..Instead of actually teaching and coaching the Braves in Spring Training, Bobby Cox spent all of Spring Training talking with reporters about his final season managing the Braves AND talking about how great Jason Heyward is going to be.
If Bobby and his coaching staff actually took some time to have his players work on defensive drills, how to run the bases, hit and run, bunt runners over, move runners over, etc……then perhaps we wouldnt be tied for the worst record in the National League.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 28th, 2010
10:50 pm
We have another 2 rough years after this one. Chipper and Derek Lowe are dude a combined $28 mil in both 2011 and 2012. That’s 31% of a $90 mil payroll to 2 players who basically will SUCK A$$ in 2011 and 2012.
There is NO WAY that Chipper is going to walk away from $13 mil in each 2011 and 2012. At some point, the Braves will end up releasing him 2011 and he’ll go to his ranch and collect the rest of his money. What he said last year about “retiring” if he struggles in 2010 was just that……..BS. He’ll wait until he’s released before he contemplates retirement.
Tony
April 28th, 2010
10:56 pm
J.C., I will give you some of that. But here is one for Mark Bradley and the rest of the AJC group. Why is no attention ever placed on the owners? To be fair to all of Atlanta coaches, I must say that the ownership gets a free ride. First, let’s get some top caliber players in more than one position and if then the team sucks, ok, then blame the coaches. But one player here, one player there (being cheap) will not cut it. Tomorrow, more critics will talk about Woodson and Cox, etc. when we know that there is not one true center on the Hawks team, nor one big time power hitter on the Braves, to say the least. I challenge Mark and colleagues to direct some of this “affection” toward the ownership. Unless, AJC falls under the media umbrella of Liberty Media…hmmmmm.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
12:14 am
Tony……….the one move where Liberty Media could have made a difference would have been for them to allow Frank Wren to sign Matt Holliday. Having Holliday hit 4th instead of Glaus (and playing left field over Matt Diaz) would have helped our lineup TREMENDOUS.
Tony
April 29th, 2010
12:41 am
J.C., I agree. I wish that the news media in Atlanta, unlike the great sports cities of America, would not be so biased. It is the good ol boy system in full effect. Bobby Cox has done a great job with the Braves over the years considering. But LM should receive the same criticism as do the coaches if not more since they do own the Braves. Also, the diversity on this team is lacking. Aside from hmmm, Heyward and a couple of Latin players (whom they pay peanuts to) there is a lack of minority representation as well. Not that that would change a whole lot, but I wonder about this organization. This again was not the case when Ted was at the helm.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
1:07 am
Here is what I’d do to try and fix the Braves:
1. Insert Nate McLouth back into the lead-off spot. Because of his contract, the Braves have no choice but to hope that he can revert back to his old self. Even if he still sucked a month from now, things wouldnt be worse then they are now from the lead off position. However the upside is that he rebounds and starts to hit again. If that were to happen, then he’d be able to use his speed to steal a base help jump start our offense. If he cant turn it around, then call up Jordan Schafer in June (assuming his wrist has fully healed) and bench McLouth.
2. Insert Jason Heyward into the #2 hole. We need speed at the top of the order. Why not take advantage of Heyward’s patience at the plate by having him hit #2 (instead of bashing him for taking too many pitches), which would give McLouth a chance to steal a base if he can manage to get on base. Heyward would get better pitches to hit hitting in front of………………..
3. Insert Martin Prado as our #3 hitter. Prado has been raking at the plate. However, he only has 4 RBIs because no one is getting on in front of him. At least with Heyward in front of him, he’d have someone who has a decent chance of getting on base. Also, Prado is patient enough to give Heyward a chance to steal a base.
4. Keep McCann in the #4 slot. He’s our best power option, period.
5. Insert Escobar into the #5 hole. Sure Yunel is struggling. However, I’m willing to give Escobar the benefit of the doubt and attribute his struggles to being in an early season slump. When he rights himself, he will be able to insert some much needed power into the #5 hole.
6. Drop Chipper down to the #6 hole. While I feel that Chipper’s best (or even decent days) are way behind him……..it isnt realistic to push for the Braves to bench him (because of his contract and iconic status). So I propose having him bat #6 in the order and SHOW that he can still hit. Make him EARN his way back into the #3 hole.
7. Insert Omar Infante into the #7 hole and have him play 2nd base…..moving Prado over to 1st………..meaning that Glaus’ days with the Braves ARE OVER. Freddie Freeman needs more time in Triple A. So barring a trade, why not just shuffle the lineup? Glaus’ bat speed is simply not there anymore. Infante makes good contact and can handle the bat.
8. Keep Diaz and Cabrera platooning in left and batting in the #8 hole. This would limit the damage they’re causing. Hopefully one of them would find it in themselves to catch fire at the plate.
Chase Utley was the #2 hitter for the Phillies during his first few years in the Majors. However he was moved to the #3 spot when his patience at the plate translated into a high batting average AND power. Why not use that approach with Heyward? Take advantage of Heyward’s patience at the plate and allow him to grow into a more aggressive hitter.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
1:13 am
Sure, some of you may have problems with my proposed changes in my 1:07am post.
However, ask yourselves this: How much worse would my proposed changes really be? We’ve been shut out 5 times in 21 games, been no hit, and have the worst hitting stats in the National League doing it Bobby’s way.
However the upside is potentially immense. Maybe REALLY shaking up the lineup will kick start the offense.
Tony
April 29th, 2010
1:43 am
The lineup you proposed looks good, but I dont know if this is a lineup issue as much as it is someone taking them to the woodshed! Absolutely pathetic. I am embarassed to be a fan!
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
5:36 pm
I have to admit that it’s looking more and more like I was wrong about Kelly Johnson. I dont care if he’s playing in a hitter friendly park in Arizona………you still have to make contact (something that he had a hard time doing consistently in Atlanta). He’s simply raking at the plate right now.
With the way Kelly and Francoeur have seemingly rebounded in Arizona and New York……….it’s getting harder and harder to not look at Terry Pendleton as being the blame for our hitters not developing any consistency. I didnt think that a hitting coach could have such a negative impact on a player (or group of players) as Pendleton seemingly has on the Braves hitters.
If Bobby and his coaching staff stays the whole season…..then we’re done. Our team has not exhibited absolutely ANY FREAKING SIGNS OF LIFE. Nine in a row and counting.
The FREAKING ASTROS must be salivating at the thought of coming into Atlanta this weekend.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
5:43 pm
If Braves management had any sac, they’d convince Bobby Cox that he needs to step down RIGHT NOW. He just doesnt have it anymore. The Rockies fire Clint Hurdle (who had taken them to the World Series a few years back) last year and went on a run when Jim Tracy was hired and ended up making the playoffs.
It’s pathetic watching this bunch play. Bobby Cox has created a culture where the only players he tries to hold accountable is his star short stop (who isnt one of his boys) and the rookie who has the most homers and RBIs on the team. WOW. This team is just collecting it’s paycheck and going through the motions.
I EXPECT…….no I DEMAND better from the Braves. Bobby Cox and the whole coaching staff needs to go. Bring in Bobby Valentine and allow him to whip these guys into shape. I’d be willing to be that he wouldnt sit back and pick his freaking nose and come up with excuses to the media while base running blunders, little league fielding errors and punch and judy swings at the plate plagues this team.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
Quote attributed to Bobby Cox after today’s game: “We did some things great but we didn’t get one win, so….”
How out of touch can one be with reality? 0-7 road trip, yet wants to look at the so called “bright” side, lol? Pathetic.
I can only imagine what Bobby Cox would have to say if the Astros came in and swept us this weekend to extend our losing streak to 12…………
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 30th, 2010
7:55 am
Adam Wainwright sings the praises of Bobby Cox? Hell, if I was 5-0 against a manager, I’d sing his praises too, lol.
I’m sure that every city has an award waiting for Bobby Cox. No matter how many games the Braves lose in a row, he isnt resigning. After all, he probably feels that he’s entitled to all the accolades after 29 years.
Well, he should have thought about that before he lost the ability to effectively manage this team. I didint pay to subscribe to the MLB Extra Innings package JUST TO WATCH BOBBY COX GET STAN FREAKING MUSCIAL’S AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH FROM TONY LARUSSA.
I feel that it is highly unlikely for REAL BRAVES FANS to have to endure a guaranteed losing, worthless season……….just so Bobby Cox can get his “swan song”. In other words, he’s getting a “welfare” season. Welfare for an old, past his prime, lost his ball club, out of touch with reality manager who plays favorites.
Braves management really knows how to put a winner on the field and sell tickets dont they, lol.
ed
May 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
If the shoe fit wear it. Everyone Terry Pendelton helps gets worse. Please don’t let him help Jason Heyward and ruin his future too. I think he can’t limit his suggestions. He offers so much advise it confuses the hitter and cause him to think to much in the batters box. When you are in the box all you can think about is the ball and hitting.
dpelfrey
May 10th, 2010
4:08 pm
I’m the follow-up police today, keeping things in perspective…
Since April 26
Jeff Francoeur, Mets: .158 average, 1 homers, 7 RBIs.
Kelly Johnson, Diamonbacks:.255, 3 homers, 6 RBIs.
Casey Kotchman, Mariners: .079 average, 0 homers, 0 RBIs.
Adam LaRoche, Diamonbacks: .227, 2 homers, 10 RBIs (includes one 5-RBI game)
It’s amazing how perspectives can change within a few weeks.