So how come the current Braves can’t hit but ex-Braves can?

I don’t really buy into blaming the hitting coach either…but you have to start to wonder as our offense just seems to be getting worse….

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Maybe Heyward can double as hitting coach..yeah he strikes out a lot, but he’s patient, disciplined, balanced at the plate, and always looks like he has a plan up there. I’ll take that 1-9 and the rest will work itself out.

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I think it does fall on TP. If one or two guys were struggling you could make a case that it is just a passing thing, but an entire team stinking up the joint? Combine that with the fact that as soon as exbraves end up with a new team , they turn into the second coming of Tony Gwynn….

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even though not a 2009 Brave, he was one that TP could not help.

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Agreed Mark. It is a little odd blaming the coaches of professional athletes but then again… if they are going to be this awful year in and year out…. why pay a hitting coach to ride the pine and say lay off the high ones?

Do they really need to pay a guy to load the balls into the machine and lob suggestions if when they get into the batters box they can’t seem to figure out how to produce?

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If you get a chance to speak with Terry Mcguirk ask him how well that budget deal is going again. He keeps saying they have plenty of money but 3 or 4 years on now I have yet to see improvement in the worst outfield in baseball with the exception of right field… and he’s 20.

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don’t forget andruw jones. .292/6/9 with three steals.

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If a lineup is this anemic, don’t you have to look at Pendleton? I think so, especially in light of what the ex-Braves are doing elsewhere. It’s very frustrating to watch my team flail and fail the way it is right now.

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When a player gets better going to a new team you got to blame the hitting coach. Thats his job and if he’s not getting the job done, well he need to go. We all know the Braves don’t have the balls to Fire anyone, right?

TP was a good player……Hitting Coach… He!! no !

Thanks Mark for making the point. I hate yes men.

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I still love the Braves, but, WOW, they need to get a grip…and maybe some new assistant coaches…

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The braves have just hit a run of top notch pitchers. they are seeing good pitchers and having good swings. they stats are misleading. they are hitting the ball good but just not falling in or right at someone. ok now i sound like mr. cox and TP which is just junk. fundamentally they stink, hitting they stink, fielding they stink. let me see if i can figure this one out. what is the manager and coaching staff doing? trade these guys off and give them a chance to be successful. Wait till next year hopefully mr. cox is a man of his word and retire and maybe someone else will hire TP.

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i have lost faith in T.P

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Finally someone calls out Pendleton…..Thanks Mark !!!

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I think they can’t be blamed sometimes. But there is all kinds of evidence here against TP. Will Cox make a change? Of course not, he has only fired 1 coach in his whole and long career.

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Everyone knows Glaus isnt’ hitting, and Hinskie has in his limited opportunities, so why is Glaus playing every day in the 4 hole while Hinskie (and his better defense) sits?

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I guess we can all look to “The Maestro” Frank Wren for this wonderful assortment of players we have on the current roster. I didn’t get the signing of Glaus when it happened and still don’t to this day. We had a bona fide 1st basement in Laroche who hit .300 +, played great defense, and was a great clubhouse addition for…GLAUS???? There is no other way to put it, Wren screwed the pooch on this one…Laroche could have been had for a reasonable price/term. I realize that the Braves are grooming Freeman for the future, but Laroche would have accepted a one year with a team option. Melky…don’t get me started.

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Since we are going no where fast maybe they need to blow the thing up and play all the top ML prospects NOW. Chipper needs to sit for a while to get healthy or at least ready for his next strained blique muscle. How many has he had over the last 4 years? Why? Do we employ the METS trainers? Maybe they should switch Glaus and Chipper? Glaus needs to shorten his swing. As should McLouth. Whatever happened to driving the ball to the opposite field to find your stroke? Kelly Johnson with 7 homers? Maybr he likes playing indoors. Am I rambling? Notice JVasquez’s starts with NYY? Great trade for both teams. We should have given Lowe away for anything. Eaten part of his salary. Javy was so much better. Later. Cheers.

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Chipper has become such a crappy fielder, I hate to say it but him getting hurt might be a good thing.

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This intimation is patently unfair. And the sad part is I am sure the knowledgeable columnist knows it.

Jeff Francoeur started out his career in Atlanta like gangbusters. To a man, it was surmised that the pressure of being a hometown product weared on him. Francoeur is doing better in NY, because that pressure isn’t there. And ask astute Met fans, and they will tell you that despite the statistics, he still has some of his bad habits.

Kelly Johnson is streaky. He too was putting a lot of pressure on himself. I believe Johnson, like a lot of players, benefited from a change in scenery. I hope for the best for Kelly, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes down to earth. He is streaky.

The inclusion of Adam LaRoche is most indicative of the columnist’s willful ignorance. LaRoche’s numbers exploded when he got to Atlanta last year from Pittsburgh. This year is just a continuation. How does LaRoche’s numbers support closer scrutinization of TP?

Kotchman hit .282 last year with the Braves. He is hitting .278 now.

Some might call this lazy writing by the columnist. The Braves on the whole aren’t hitting. Some ex-Braves are hitting. It probably took about half hour for the columnist to put this article together. I wish he had included some intelligent thought.

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I still think Lowe is going reasonable value as the TD approaches.

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MB…..you ever notice that when Chumper or McCann start having problems at plate, the last person they go to is Pendleton…they saw 1st hand what wonders he did for Francoeur. YeeHaaaaaaa!!!!!!

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TP and Paul Hewitt need to be fired..

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hey mark, ready to watch Myrtle Beach get swept by St. Louis?

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I miss Don Baylor…

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Mark, you do a blog questioning TP as the hitting coach, and than you start playing devils advocate for him. What’s your stance? You think the Braves need to keep him or let him go?

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RE: bignel @ 9:58am

bignel = The Failure of the Clayton County School System

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Thanks for keeping it real, Mark. It’s time the Braves do something about this obvious problem.

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Okay Mark, page hits aside, do you really think this problem can be laid at TP’s feet?

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It’s not all on TP. They’re professional ball players, they should be able to crack .200 no matter who the hitting coach is. That being said, maybe replacing TP will light a fire under their backsides and get them going.

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RE: bignel @ 9:58am

bignel = The Failure of the Clayton County School System

Mr. Obvious…I’m in Dekalb…he sounds like a product of the Dekalb School System to me.

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The problem with blaming Pendleton is that most of those guys you list (Chipper, McCann, Diaz and even Escobar and the failed braves Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur) all have had very good seasons under TP’s guidance, too. So if you want to blame him for the .227 average now, you have to also praise him for the teams that hit well under his watch. Personally, I think he has little to do with either.

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It really is fitting for Bobby’s last year, he always liked the heavy pitching and no hitting teams and this is exactly where we are again. The fact that people are surprised by this is in itself surprising.

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The real reason:Terry (inept/clueless) McGuirk… THE REAL ARCHITECT OF THIS DISASTER! Liberty Media’s BOY! He slips and slides so much he makes a snake look square! He is on his own and now you see his doings! Not Wren… McJerk!

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Do hitting coaches matter at all? It seems a lot of people don’t think they do.

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At this level, hiting coaches are at best – a guy that only recommends “tweeks”. This IS NOT like an OC or DC in football. Communication skills and respect are very iimportant. TP has both. Hitting is contagiuos. The Braves will catch the fever soon. Patience! Remember, this is a game of stats. Pitching is solid. Go Braves!

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Just say it Mark, we all know.

TP is TRASH
Chipper is OLD
Glaus is BOTH

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When I read that about Kelly I about spit coffee all over my computer. I always thought he was a good player. I think getting the hell away from Braves coaches might make that guy an All-Star. Wouldn’t you love to have KJ playing left right now. He should have never been moved to second. Wasn’t Prado hitting like .300 when the move to put Kelly at 2nd was made? IDK? I’m fairly sure Prado was around at that time. It was probably a time when Bobby had some rediculous issue with the way he played. My point on that is there was obviously talent within the Braves organization to fill that role without making Kelly the guy. I think trying to learn infield slowed his offensive development down big time. 2011 can’t come fast enough. Get this old coaching regime out. They are proven losers with a 1 for 14 playoff record that would have gotten Cox’s arse fired long ago in another town. Even Tennessee got rid of Fulmer. The next move for Wren will be to do a little better than the Lane Kiffin hire. Rough year to be a Tennessee sports fan.

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The real problem with the team is the mental approach. I honestly believe the playera are laid back due to the coaching mentality. I think the approach of the hitters/players comes from the top down. They need to play/hit with more urgency and intensity….why do you think J-Hey is so much better with two out in the bottom of the ninth..he’s more focused and intense??….It’s a mental game….in order to succeed you have to mentally be focused on doing your job…the Bobby Cox mentality of being a players coach works great with some players….but not with this team. I think it perfectly explains the reason players do well in other cities…because they have to perform and stay sharp because it is expected…you think they would tolerate a .180 htting Troy Glaus in New York???

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What I don’t get is the front office loyalty to certain poor performing payers. We had to endure 3 years of a slumping Francoeur but Kelly Johnson is out after a poor first half? It’d be really nice to have KJ in left field right now. And why are we being put through Escobar no giving a damn, there a PLENTY of teams that still think highly enough of him they will give up the farm, we should exploit that while we still can. The one thing that should not be tolerated is poor effort and not caring. Chipper has earned working his way through this season but this offseason he needs to be told either you retire or you will be moved to another team. Why can Wren say that to Glavne and Smoltz but not Chipper? Someone like the Red Sox gets the business they don’t run their team like a family softball team, they parted ways with Manny and Nomar two of their most popular players EVER and we are stuck watching Escobar and Chipper not even give a damn.

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If TP isn’t the pronblem, he is the only common denominator for the Braves’ offensive woes the past feew years and the demise of good hitters like Andruw, KJ, Francouer and now Melky, Glaus and Diaz

Time to promote TP to the Front Office or send him packing.

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My Lord! This Braves organization is hung up on such a loyalty thing that Bobby Cox and Pendleton are merely old cigar store Indians wearing uniforms and taking up space in the dugout waiting for retirement. The only reason Pendleton was crowned batting coach was due to his participation as a player years ago when the Braves were somebody. Heyward at his tender age has more credibility and credentials than Pendleton.

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No coaches ever get on the field and play, but there are some specialty coaches whose teams are always fundamentally sound in their special area. Pendleton either can’t analyze or he can’t teach. Bobby does TP and the fans no favors by keeping him as the hitting coach.

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MB…I hope you’re right about Wren choosing next manager from outside organization…’cause I was in Post- Grad school in Baltimore in late 90’s….between Angelos, Wren & Miller in 1999 that was one screwy organization.

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“Do hitting coaches matter at all? It seems a lot of people don’t think they do.”

Not sure if hitting or pitching coaches really matter. I think the manager is the one who counts the most. He’s the one that the players will either try hard for, or not…So far this season, the Braves players except for pitching, seem like they don’t care.

When Leo Mazzone left the Braves and went to Baltimore, I think that was really a glaring answer as to how unimportant hitting & pitching coaches really are.

MB, just kidding about the Smoltz thing LOL.

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The problem isn’t Wren, Cox, or Pendleton folks. It is YOU, the people of Atlanta and North and Central Georgia who don’t support the team by coming to the games and supporting the team financially which then turns into player salaries.

Every home game played on a week night is played to less than half capacity and closer to one third. Home games in Philly, St Louis, Chicago, NYY, Boston, LAA, etc are played to near full or to full capacity every game, not just on weekends or holidays.

When you have corporate ownership and not an individual owner who treats the team as a play toy and spends in the red this is what you get… a patch work lineup and yearly turnover of players based not on performance but on finances. The patchwork approach of penny pinching has led to some terrible decisions with prospects too where guys were traded for short term gain when the club wouldn’t spend the money long term.

Ted Turner was willing to throw the money out even when the fans didn’t have his back because he had TV revenue nationally and he was a hometown guy. LM will not do that because they don’t and the fans aren’t holding up their end, so YOU, the apathetic fans of Atlanta, get what you pay for, which is mediocrity.

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Bradley..Why aren’t you as direct in your criticism of Wren? He is the one who brings in the scratch and dents to our line up. Thats right this is a one paper town. There’s no need to.

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I’ll answer my own question. Becuase Cox lays off the players and allows them to be overly aggesive. “go ahead and swing at the first pitch”. Well the result is a majority of the time you are behind in the count and then the pitcher has the upper hand. Look at how Torre managed hitting, the playres were told to work counts, foul off balls and wait for your pitch. How many titles did they win with this philosophy? Instead we have Troy Glaus going up with a pitcher who has thrown over a hundred pitches and just walked the previous batter for runners on 2nd and 3rd. What does he do… weakly swings at first pitch and hits into a inning ending double play. I am completely over the prospect of Glaus doing anything for us if he is that dumb!!!

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Braves really need to win tonight. The next 3 pitchers St Louis has lined up are great.

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As I have stated before………………………………Fire the entire staff NOW before the season is out of hand.

I know this is BOOBY COX’s swan song, but, enough is enough.

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The problem with the Braves offense lies no so much with Terry Pendleton but with the approach this organization as a whole takes toward hitting. All organizations have hitting philosophies. The Red Sox, Yankees, Twins, Phillies and a host of other good teams teach their players from single A ball all the way up to the majors to work the count, be patient, swing at your pitch not the pitcher’s pitch, etc. The Braves have NEVER had a smart organizational approach to hitting, even in the 1990’s with their run of 14 straight division titles but only 1 World Series. I have a great deal of respect for Bobby Cox, however, he has never been a manager that appears atleast to care about manufacturing runs. He would rather sit back and wait on the long ball and hope that his pitching is good enough to hod on for a win. Problem with that is, there are not too many Tom Glavine type performances night in and night out like he pitched in Game 7 of the 1995 World Series. Why do you suppose the Braves have lost so many one run games over the last 2 to 3 years? They are incapable of manufacturing runs because they have a manager who is to stubborn to alter his philosophy and an organization that from top to bottom has its collective head in the sand when it comes to a fundamental approach at the plate.

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For all of his inconsistency at the plate, frustration with himself and the constant abuse from the fans, at least Troy Glaus can still be thankful he isn’t Jeff Schultz.

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Mark, do you think Leo Mazzone was the luckiest pitching coach on earth for a string of several years?

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Thanks for being late to the game Mark. But it’s more than just that. We don’t have any consistent power. We don’t have guys stealing bases. There’s not really any clutch hitting. Besides, it doesn’t matter how good of a hitter Pendleton was – it’s how well you can work with hitters to be successful. Make Prado the hitting coach.

The fundamental problem is we’re still trying to play for the 3 run homer instead of playing small ball or even a mix. And that’s why I don’t have any Braves on my fantasy roster.

Also, a big F&*(^*&^) you to Kelly Johnson for causing me to lose in fantasy baseball last week.

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If you ask me, I blame the general manager and bobby cox, Glaus, Melky and Nate are in the lineup people. They cannot do squash. I don’t know why Glaus and Melky are with the team(blame the GM), and they are playing (blame Bobby).

A big part are not contributing, which leads to other players pushing themselves. And the next thing you know nobody is hitting properly.

That’s my 2cents.

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Mark if you’re leaving, you can count on me to take over this blog.

Ok losers, next question?

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If the Braves put Pendleton as Manager after this year, we will stink for years. God help us.

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I have been on the TP MUST GO AS HITTING COACH Bandwagon for years! Every hitter he gets regresses in time. KJ got dropped for no good reason other than he had bad coaching! Andruw never fully developed as a hitter under his tutalage. Chipper Jones has had a power outage over the last few years to rival the Great New Jersey Blackout! Enough is enough! BRING IN A LEGIT HITTING COACH!

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Its time Bobby. Its time to forget about the feelings and egos of your veterans and play the hot hands. Infante (starting in OF and taking 3rd base at least twice a week to keep Chipper from hurting himself) should be leading off, followed by Prado, Heyward, McCann, Hinske (who should be given the first baseman job outright), Chipper (if healthy), Escobar, Diaz, Pitcher. Who cares if the vets get to sit the bench, THEY AREN”T HITTING. I hate to say it, but Glaus needs to be a backup…nothing more. Do this Bobby, and success will come to you on your last year. Its time to stop being a “player’s manager” and be a winning one.

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The Braves have not finished lower than 6th in the NL in runs scored in the last seven years. They led the league once, finished 2nd once, 3rd once, 4th once, 5th once and 6th twice in the last seven years.

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It also doesnt help that chipper has a postgame interview every other game saying he felt a “pop” jesus christ… its getting old

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To show you exactly how exciting this 2010 Braves team is, if Brian McCann had one more stolen base he’d be tied for the team lead.

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McLouth should take BP right handed and Gluas should take BP left handed so when they step to the plate on their natural side come game time it’ll feel more comfortable. have Mely hit lefty against a lefty in BP and righty against a righty. take em out of their element and when they get back to how they normally do it it’ll feel that much more confortable to them. this may not work but it’s not gonna make them any worse

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When the braves are good, they have Chipper/Andruw/McGriff, which could hit a combined 120 homers. Now they are replaced with Old-chipper/Melky/Glaus, do you really expect them to be any good?

Wake up people! I did not give them a chance before the season started. They will have another year of 2nd or 3rd in the East.

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Rome Braves to be swept in a 4 game series.

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When Tommy Hanson got the 1st hit last night by a Braves pitcher this season, that put him real close in batting average to more than half of the starting lineup.

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You have to ask the question of what the Purpose of the hitting coach is? They are there to help when players struggle. TP is not effective in helping when players struggle.
Of course these players are professional and they got there on their ability. So, yeah there will be times that he isnt an issue. Because the players will hit at times because they are professional. But the bottom line is that he HAS NOT been able to help these players in crisis and that is what he is paid to do.
Its sad when these players have to return to high school coaches to help. Just watching these guys in the dug out lets you know they are pressing. Pendleton is no where to be found and you never see him helping. He is always sitting in the corner watching.

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What do we stand to lose by signing Jermaine Dye to a minimum contract right now, i bet he wouldnt hit below .200 in LF

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Jermaine Dye could be our Carlos Pena situation

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Good point NORRIS. Can you tell that to Cox?

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The one constant over the last several years where the Braves struggle at the plate is TP.

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maybe we could trade chipper, escobar, and a minor leaguer like schaffer or blanco to arizona for KJ and laroche….seems fair to me

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it is definitely a valid question. something’s gotta give.

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At the start of the season everyone w/Braves talked about how great team chemistry was and how important that is…I bet that chemistry is suffering big time now.

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Disband the union so coaches can be bosses like they’re supposed to be. Until then only guys that want to listen will and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

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This was the SAME topic last year. TP needs to go. He should have been showed the door last year. 30-24

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I know the Braves aren’t hitting as a team, but Troy Glaus is killing this team single-handedly.

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The evidence is there for everyone to see. There is plenty of evidence for TP to be convicted in court for being a bad hitting coach. Good hitters come to Atlanta and become bad hitters. Struggling hitters leave Atlanta and become good hitters or good hitters again. I don’t know why this is the case. I am sure someone who is on the inside of the Braves organization has to know. Make the change. Make it soon before Heyward gets messed up too. This is not just a this year thing. Look at the last few years. Hitting has been a struggle. Make the change now.

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Mark totally agree with you. The facts are undeniable, bottom line is Terry Pendelton doesn’t offer any solutions.

Look at Jeff Franceour, remember he looked outside the organization for help with Rudy Jaramillo. Chipper said Don Baylor helped him a lot in his 99 mvp, and he always goes to his dad for help with his swing instead of TP.

I think the players like Terry as a friend and ex-teamat in Chipper’s case, and for that reason they wont blame their struggles to him. But I know the Braves have talented hitters. Chipper has won the batting title and an MVP, Brian McCann has like 3 silver sluggers in a row, Troy Glaus has averaged 37 homers per season since his career started, Yunel Escobar was awesome last year, Martin Prado is pulling a Ted Williams like you say, Nate Mclouth was an allstar, and Jason Heyward is the best prospect in the game. How in the world is this team not hitting???????

TP I’m sorry, it’s not you’re fault but you’re not helping.

I’ll tell you who else isn’t helping, who ever is helping Chipper and Mccan field their positions.

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I think the Braves could use a clubhouse brawl of some sort to spark them. Maybe some could punch Escobar in the face.

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THE BRAVES HAVE ALWAYS REMAINED LOYAL TO THEIR PEOPLE. THIS I S A WONDERFUL TRAIT,HOWEVER, THE BRAVES MUST FIND ANOTHER JOB FOR TP IN THE BRAVES ORGANIZATION. A HITTING COACH HE IS NOT AND NEVER HAS BEEN. LET’S FACE IT, THE BRAVES HAVE NEVER BEEN A DISCIPLINED TEAM. WHATEVER THEY DO COX SAYS ALL IS FINE. FACT IS ,IT IS NOT FINE AND TP HAS BEEN A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT. SOMEONE NEEDS TOO SPEAK OUT AND BELIEVE ME IT WILL NOT BE BOBBY COX.

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This is so much worse than last year. At least Kotchman, Francoeur, Johnson, Schafer, were likable and appeared to be trying. I downright can’t stand Glaus and Melky, and Escobar is quickly falling into that category. The other thing that make sit worse is you are left to think this is it, what are the odds there is another Martin Prado on the bench, we will be able to steal an all-star outfielder, and Adam LaRoche will fall into our laps. i don’t see it happening again folks.

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Whether TP is the problem or not, I don’t know but since he has been hitting coach the Braves always struggle at the plate. I believe he is trying to do a good job but sometimes he just might need to leave the hitting styles alone and see how things go. Anyway, when things go bad someone has to take the fall. It just might be time for a new hitting coach. Maybe that would shake things up and if not then maybe time to get rid of the hitters etc.

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Last season I told Bradley that the chances of the Braves finshing behind the Nationals were greater than finishing ahead of the Phillies. He thought I was crazy. OK, so I was a year off Bradley.

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As good as Prado has been this season and last, it took a faux injury to Kelly Johnson for Cox to finally put him in the lineup.

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No, it’s not all TP’s fault. The fault lies with Frank Wren. Since 2006 this team has not had a legitimate lead-off hitter. For three off-season’s now Frank Wren has been our GM. For three off-seasons now, not one lead-off hitter has been signed or groomed. Prado is the perfect #2 man who will get on base more times than not and it is usually by the double variety. The Braves need someone getting on base in front of him so the opposing pitcher is sweating by the time the middle of the order comes up. That is when the middle is most dangerous, when the pitcher is afraid to make a mistake.

Frank Wren also failed in keeping LaRoche. For some reason the Braves have this crazy idea that is wrong to give a short term contract to guy just because some kid is “projected” to come up in a year or so and they don’t want to block him. Block him? How about seeing if he is really worth the hype. Freeman had a great spring, but is struggling a bit in AAA. More than likely he will come around, but using the “blocking” excuse will get you nowhere. LaRoche and his .278 would be second on the team and he doesn’t look like he is going to have one of his usual first half slumps. Heck, maybe he matured as a hitter last season. What would have hurt the Braves to offer him a 2 year contract? He wasn’t getting the offer he was looking for and almost certainly would have taken it to be back with the Braves. If Freeman deems himself ready before that 2nd year is up, then trade LaRoche. First basemen – especially those who can hit 20HR – are always in need and he would have netted a decent return. If Freeman does not deem himself ready, then you still have a 1B who can bat cleanup and hit you 20HRs.

These two items alone are the sole reason for the Braves current struggles. I can deal with a platoon in LF, because it didn’t hurt the Braves in the 1990s. McClouth was a gold glove CF, All-Star, and a .290 hitter before he got to Atlanta. He will eventually come around. Glaus has not been the same since he came off the roids and if Chipper keeps this up he is going to need a walker. Also, Bobby Cox deserves some blame. He makes the lineup and right now his current combo is not working. Of course, he has to play the hand he was dealt.

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Yeah, I think it might be about time to usher in a new coaching “regime” ! Bobby Cox is retiring anyway,so I believe staff changes are in order. Ultimately though, the players must do their part on the offensive AND defensive side of the ball ! Especially the likes of Chipper,Nate and Troy !! They’ve been in majors for an eternity !They don’t have to be coached up and shouldn’t be making TOO many rookie mistakes ! Everybody should be held accountable, not JUST the coaching staff ! There are a lot of issues obviously that need to be addressed, but I think the batting order definitely needs to be revamped again ASAP !!!

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It certainly shows how pathetic Pendleton is as a hitting coach. He has been around for far too long and it’s time to show him the exit. Unfortunately we will have to endure him as a manager when Cox leaves because MLB is putting so much pressure on clubs to hire minorities weather qualified or not. I’m just waiting on them to defend the hiring once it happens…

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Mark,
I wasn’t a believer on TP from the get go. However, why would a professional player look outside a organization for help? That is what Francouer did. He went to Texas. If the professional athletes see it then why is everyone so blinded.

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Tell Chipper he needs to move to 1b or approve a trade. He can’t physically play defense at 3b anymore, if he is too stubborn to realize that he needs to go. How much better would we be right away with Glaus on the bench and Infante at 3b leading off. just like Prado if Omar is given the chance he will be an everyday player, remember last year he was seen as a better player off than bench than Prado. Then your only problem left for the deadline is LF. Why was chipper willing to move to LF but he won’t move to 1B where he can concentrate much more on hitting and take a much less beating to his body

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Chip – I agree. Cox is a bigger problem than TP. Unfortunately mgmt decided to give him a celebratory lap and cost the Braves a season to develop, get better, and/or contend. The guy simply cannot fill out a lineup card. And why does he get so much credit for the playoff appearances but so very little blame in the media for the last 4 seasons and the complete lack of fundamentals on this current team? If he is so great and the players are so much in love w him, what keeps them from playing good smart baseball? Maybe because you can hit .150 and Cox will keep you 4th or 5th in the lineup because last week you had two good swings or hit one hard grounder to short. And the level of play beyond just the pathetic hitting is an embarrassment. The entire plan this season was rely on the pitching, get offensive help on the cheap, hope your aging franchise player suddenly can field and hit again at a hjgh level, and make do with an outfield made up of platoon guys and subs. Weak defense on the corners, no speed in the order, etc.

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I can play better sober but it’s so fun playing high.. leave me alone dang… and Tp just tells us to hit the ball like it’s a video game. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t

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SOOOO…….. I heard a story. An ex-Brave, hometown hero, who was recently traded has apparently seen a HUGE difference in two different ballclubs and their approach to hitting. In his new club, he meets with his hitting coach often, even had the man to his house in GA in the off season to work on some things. A proactive approach is taken, and they actually come grab him for some individual cage time when they see something going on with his swing or approach. During each game they require him to stand next to his hitting coach while in the hole before going on deck to check out the pitcher, situation and approach for the next at bat. In essence, they are not going to fail alone. Whereas, with the Braves, NONE of this took place. He never had anyone come to him with some ideas or seek him out to work on things one on one. Pendleton NEVER tried to help him and shunned him when he went to another hitting coach in the off season. We are starting to see what happens when a lazy man like Pendleton just sits around waiting for the manager job. They are not going to start hitting without changing some things up, I am now a believer that Terry is not worthy of the job and is a lazy ass coach!

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Glaus is this year’s version of Garret Anderson

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The only thing TP is good for is…well you know…wiping things. Get rid of him and bring in someone who knows how to coach hitting. Is the Texas Rangers hitting coach available from last year?

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Cox and Wren, aka “Dumb and Dumber”….

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And this situation is an example of why I am a Braves Fan No More. When managers don’t produce they get fired, right? When teams can’t hit, hitting coaches get fired, right? Not in Atlanta. The team has no real owner to hold the front office, the manager and coaching staff accountable. Hence, the mess in this franchise. I hope that you all have fun watching the bad, get worse.

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Wow. Bravesfan I totally belive u. Sad fact is this man is gonna be our next manager.

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TP is going to be a good major league manager someday. He knows the game and relates well to players. He is a smart baseball guy. He just is NOT a batting coach.

Look at this way – Chipper’s number one hitting coach is is father. Same with Brian McCann. Francour goes to NY under a different batting coach and begins to hit much better (in a pitcher’s park). Andruw goes elsewhere and shows signs of life that he has not had in years. The evidence is not real positive if you are TP.

I still think he will make a really good (maybe even great) manager someday. But being a hitting coach is entirely different job description and one for which TP has shown he is not well suited.

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It’s really sad when you’re wishing that half your starters were able to rise up to Greg Norton’s average. Sad, sad, sad…… And then last night even poor Jason Heyward looked like he had caught this disease! Ouch!

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I still go back to the signing of Kawakami in 2008. They could have signed Adam Dunn for almost the same money, and he is virtually guaranteed to hit 35-40 HRs and drive in 100 runs. He might not hit for a high average, but at least he gets guys across the plate. Right now the Braves have no rund producers. Have you seen how many ment they leave on base? They get on base, but they can’t get them in.

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It is not the hitting coach. The Braves hitters are not patience hitters and there is little or no speed on the team to manufactures runs. The Braves, past and present, win or lose on their homer and power production. This is Bobby Cox coaching style.

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I have always been a big Pendleton fan. Obviously, you can’t blame everything on the hitting coach. But, when does he have to be held responsible, like anyone else in any other job? He is NOT getting the results he should be. It’s been about 3 years now that I feel the Braves hitters have been underachieving. It’s time to make a change. This can’t continue. It is completely unacceptable for all of these players to be hitting so poorly. These are good hitters. Are we supposed to sit through an entire season of THIS!?!? Pendleton, I love you, but this isn’t working out. It hasn’t been working out for about 3 years now. We have to make a change, and we can’t get rid of all of the hitters. So, our only other option is to get a new hitting coach and cross our fingers.

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Is it Pendleton’s fault our guys aren’t hitting? Who knows. Could another hitting coach do more to help them? The numbers say yes.

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Same as last season,
The payroll is a lame excuse. We have the 11th highest payroll in baseball. Much higher than the Marlins and Nationals, yet they have the ability to find decent players. Wren and Cox are idiots, their idea of good off season pickups are Melky and Glaus. The Marlins and Nationals wouldn’t give them a second look, even at the minimum salary.

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“Real” Men know who to use their bats…
the Braves hitters are all sissys…

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maybe it’s the coaching that is causing this. Maybe when players are in Atlanta, they don’t have to work as hard as they do in other organizations!

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Just a random thought…Am I the only person who thinks that Rafael Belliard juiced during his time with the Braves?

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The Blog is running about 95% to blame TP and Mgr. Why not add a poll Mark.

Chip, You know the Braves have not won crap since Leo’s been gone…thats a fact.

Mark you never answered the Question on TP..Yes or No should he go. I bet you say No. Thats the ajc way.

I believe Management don’t give a damn what fans want. Whats your opinion?

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Frank can take Terry Pendleton when he goes… Hasta la vista.

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It is highly unlikely anyone blogging online will have much of an idea how effective a hitting coach at the professional level is. Hitting coaches can break down mechanics, review videos of player’s at bats during games and design drills to reinforce reflexes. They can talk psychology and how to instill confidence at the plate. They create an atmosphere where it is possible to succeed, but they can’t force success. If they could, hitting coaches would be paid like players and players would be paid like hitting coaches. Baseball can be a tough game on people who try too hard. My recollections of Terry Pendleton go back to when he first came over to the Braves after many successful years with the Cardinals. The Braves became a more competitive team with his arrival. I compare his joining the Braves to Frank Robinson’s joining the Orioles in the mid-sixties where a good team found the ability at the outset to play at a higher level.
Coaches don’t have the same effect on a team that players do, but I doubt TP has forgotten what it takes to be successful in this game.
And the Braves will hit when their hitters become confident they will hit. Sorry, no easy answers.

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its time to move infante in the lineup everyday. Put him at 3rd move chipper to first. start diaz in left and bring schaeffer up and blow out glaus, melky nate and while the bus is rolling make sure TP is on board. Wasting too much good pitching with no hitting and this team and us deserve more.

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Thinking about the Braves woes, honestly, TP isn’t in my top 5. I’m unsure of the order of importance, but top 5 problems:

- Chipper’s age
- Yunel’s head
- Glaus’s everything
- lack of a lead-off hitter (I vote for Infante)
- overall lack of team athleticism (primarily, the ability to run faster than molasses)

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Bill, Leo leaving is not the reason for the lack of success. 2005 is also the season Furcal left and the Braves have yet to replace him at the top of the lineup. Outside of 2006 and the injuries of late 2008, the pitching has not been the reason for the Braves demise. The problem is scoring runs and that usually starts at the top of the lineup. When Furcal was on, the Braves racked up the runs. Since he left, runs are hard to come by.

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I’m pretty sure that TP is Hank’s choice for replacing Cox….We’ll see.

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@Bat Masterson (wanabe)

You are an A$$HOLE!!! This blog is for Braves fans. Go find a Phillies or Mets blog, you poser!

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bravesfan – I’m really interested in the origin of your story. Please spill

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MB, if you’re at the shootaround, ask Josh what he thinks of all the rancor they’re trying to stir in Milwaukee over his comments? I was watching the Brewers on their local sports channel the other day and the BASEBALL announcers took several jabs at him.

Personally, I don’t think he said anything others haven’t voiced in the past — lol — Milwaukee isn’t exactly an ideal destination for athletes. In terms of NBA play, it’s got to be right there with Sacramento…

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I have always thought the hitting coach, Terry Pendelton was to blame for the Braves hitting woes. If all the pitchers were struggling and were failing to make progress, wouldn’t we fire the pitching coach? Leo Mazzone got so much credit for Avery, Smoltz and Glavine when they were young so why not blame the hitting coach? He needs to go and real soon!

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It is pretty sad when the Braves are facing pitchers whose ERAs are in the 10s and 20s because they have been clobbered by teams like the Nationals, and all of a sudden, when facing the Braves offense, they somehow look like the top Cy Young candidates… When it happens one time, it’s a good game, and you tip your hat to the pitcher. When it happens against every single team’s No. 5 starter put out against the Braves, then it’s an embarrassment.

In the past, I haven’t blamed things on the hitting coach, because usually when a player has turned out awful offensive numbers and has been traded because of that, then he usually ends up playing on that average level or worse elsewhere (with a few exceptions here and there). But over the past couple of years, it seems almost every time we’ve let a player go or traded him due to mediocre offensive output, then he’s significantly improved once he’s playing for another team. Now this I can only attribute to seeing and working with a new hitting coach, one who gets through to the player and is effective in his teaching methods.

Of course, all of the Braves nation is a fan of Terry Pendleton. He’s a great player and a great guy. That being said, I just don’t think he’s an effective hitting coach. I’ve found this to be the case shortly after he started. So many players who can’t buy a hit in Atlanta are amongst the league leaders all across the board elsewhere. When one or two players are in a slump, it’s understandable. But when the entire team can’t put up runs year after year, then the hitting coach isn’t helping. So, as I’ve said for the past few years: BRING BACK DON BAYLOR!! He is the most effective hitting coach I have seen for the Braves. Can we pry him from the Rockies mid-season?

It’s just so frustrating because the players on the Braves roster are great hitters up and down; almost every player has at least near All-Star potential on the offensive end… but the results are flat out embarrassing. If this was a no-talent team, I’d just shrug it off. But this is a team legitimately trying to compete for a playoff (possibly World Series) push in Bobby’s last year, and they look flat out awful.

They’ve looked terrible in the field too lately, but that’s another topic…

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Yes the Braves are in last… While 2 games under .500 with only 140+ games to go.

You know what, there’s no point. Clearly we are too far out to even hold hope anymore. Let’s all just commit mass suicide and spare ourselves a shameful defeat for the season.

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@bignel

You stupid racist moron! You need to get a grip on reality. You will never have anything in this world if you blame racism for everything wrong in your life.

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My answer? Frank Wren and his pathetic roster management.

We were led to believe (surprise!) that Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske were an improvement over Adam LaRoche and Kelly Johnson. What a shock.

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Escobar made a boneheaded base running play. No doubt. However for Bobby Cox to use that as his “whipping post”…….is kind of pathetic.

To make Escobar’s mishap out to be “horrific”, while barely paying lip service to Chipper’s lack of concentration recently with his own boneheaded plays………..reeks of Bobby’s propensity to cover for “his boys” while taking his frustrations out on someone like Escobar who isnt one of “his boys”. I remember Chipper giving Kawakami a nasty look when Kawakami got picked off second base against the Giants………however a few games later, Chipper got picked off second as well. Very little lip service was given to that.

The Braves have $28 mil committed the next two years after his year to 2 players who are WAY PAST THEIR PRIME (Derek Lowe $15 mil, and Chipper at $13 mil). That’s $28 mil to two players who, if given playing time, will guarantee that the Braves will be also-rans until at least 2013 (just in time for Jason Heyward and Tommy Hanson to become eligible for salary arbitration).

Our 2010 offense is making the first 3 months of our offense in 2009 look like the 1927 Yankees……..when compared to each other.

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If I produced like Terry Pendleton I wouldn’t have a job. For the people on the first page who said you can’t blame TP for the way the Braves are hitting. If thats the case then change his job title. If my job is sales rep and I don’t sell anything then I loose my job. So if I’m a hitting coach and my hitters don’t hit I’m responsible. Since 2002 here are the Braves team batting average: .260, .284, .270, .265, .270, .275, .270 and .263. Compared to the other teams in MLB, they are very average.

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Mark, you could add the story about when Frenchy went out to work with the Rangers (I think) hitting coach before the ‘09 season. That coach made a few minor adjustments (hands, higher, open stance, etc) and had him hitting .300 through ST and for a good month of the regular season. Then without that guy here to keep him straight, Frenchy went back to his old habits. That was proof enough for me that a good batting coach can make a difference. TP is just not a good coach.

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I’m really worried that TP will be the next manager of the Braves.

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Ted M, im a friend, it is true, that is all i can say.

And i am not saying that a professional hitter isn’t responsible for taking care of his business but the story itself makes you wonder about other ball clubs and what goes on behind the scenes. The braves ARE losing alone at the plate and I feel that it goes beyond that, I feel that TP doesn’t have their respect and players aren’t going to listen to a guy they don’t respect. What a difference in approach between to NL rivals! Kinda scary and I really hope it does turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to that kid!

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Phil…Point taken. I would say Wren is more an idiot than Cox as he is the one that assembled this team. Cox just has to try and manage them.

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To Paul in Richmond:
I can’t speak to Prado, but Chipper’s hitting coach is his Dad. Same for McCann. These two know better than to rely on TP!

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Thanks bravesfan – That is reason enough to fire TP. Especially with a young team.

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We need Eddie Perez as the new manager. If players begin to lolly-gag, he’s liable to pull out a knife and cut someone.

Melky Cabrera, to be as pudgy and stout as he is sure doesn’t have any pop in his bat – and his ability to play CF is nowhere near McLouth’s. To bad neither of them can hit. It’s gonna be a long year…

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Rwebb: Not patient? We are Top 3 in walks. We are too conservative

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Braves’ NL rank since ‘03:

Runs scored – 1, 5, 4, 2, 3, 6, 6
Batting avg – 1, 5, 6, 2, 4, 3, 4

Again, I have no idea how good TP is – and, I don’t think most of you do either. But to say the Braves have been awful under TP ignores stats that say the opposite.

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Why are we only looking at TP? Why does Cox always get a pass? This is HIS team, not TP’s. Always has been. He’s a player’s manager, a nice guy, and nice guys wind up with 14 division titles and ONE World Series. And leave Wren out of it, too. Bobby is the centerpiece of a team that clearly has no discipline and no motivation. I say again: BOBBY COX. Good players win divisions, good managers win the World Series. Bobby Cox’s one win? Against a worse manager. I’m so tired of his teams. A Cox-free Braves can’t come soon enough.

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Pendleton has to go, but we also need a quality first baseman to fill in until Freeman comes to the bigs, and we need two good hitting outfielders, can’t blame Pendleton for Nate and Melky’s ineptitude, wouldn’t Andruw Jones or Johnny Damon look good out there in the outfield? Being a Braves fan is tough under the best of circumstances but to start losing hope in the season already and it’s only April, wow this is the pits

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Wish I knew what that phrase “keeping it real” meant. The ones who use it sure don’t seem to know what real is.

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One of my least favorite managers of all time said it best: “In baseball, you’re going to lose 54 and win 54. It’s how you do in the other 54 that determines how good you are.” It is way too early to write off the Braves (or their coaches) as being anything right now – good or bad.

That being said, we are wasting a lot of the “other 54″ awfully early in the season. I think hitting coaches are like any other “advisor” – after a while, their advice just gets old. How many times can you tell Andruw Jones not to swing at the 2-strike curve ball in the dirt in the left-handed batter’s box. After awhile, the players have heard it all.That’s when you need a fresh voice.

I also think it says a lot that Chipper has always gone to his dad for help when he’s in a prolonged slump. The only hitting coach that Chipper ever really went to was Don Baylor who taught him how to hit homers from the right side. Don’t forget that Francouer called the Texas hitting coach instead of TP a couple of summers ago. Do you need any more of a hint that the troops have stopped listening? Instead of taking the hint, the front office circled the wagons and blamed the messenger. Remember our beloved Leo Mazzone? Atlanta was all atwitter when he left for greener pasture in Baltimore. Now he’s begging to come back and no one’s taking his call. Do you remember the comments about Leo from the pitcher’s after he left? It seemed then that it was time for a fresh voice in the dugout for the pitchers. The time has come for a new voice for the hitters as well. Bobby, all good things do come to an end.

Everything isn’t TP’s fault. For the love of Pete, let’s put an end to the horror show at first. Troy Glaus’s problem is NOT his hitting it’s obviously his fielding. He’s actually one that can claim bad luck. He has hit some absolute laser right at people (by the way, that wasn’t a HR that Victorina caught; top of the fence at best. No one “robs” legitimate HRs at Turner Field! It’s not possible.) I have never seen so obvious a case of a fish out of water than Glaus at first (with the possible exception of Klesko in the outfield during the early years). The stress of fielding is affecting his hitting (just as many of you pointed out that K. Johnson was impacted by his move to 2nd – which the stats don’t actually support). How can you make hitting adjustments when you are constantly focused on making fielding adjustments.

I say the Braves need to do the following:

1. Replace Pendleton (a minor league coach with experience with Heyward, Freeman and Jordan Shafer makes a lot of sense (Jamie Dismuke, Ricky Albert or Bobby Moore);
2. Put Chipper on the DL until the all-star break and make him work out with Brian Jordan until then;
3. Move Glaus to his natural position of 3rd. If he still isn’t hitting after a month, release him and put Prado at his natural position and Infante at 2nd;
4. Bring up Freddie Freeman and let him play first. CAN HE DO ANY WORSE!?!?!?!?! Hasn’t Heyward shown that Freeman at least deserves a chance. Freeman has much more time at AAA than Heyward ever did. Further, that would give Heyward someone to pal around with and allow both of them to relax and ease into life in the Major Leagues;
5. As soon as he’s healthy, get Shafer on the active roster. Again, can he do any worse than Melky or McLouth? Make room on the active roster by putting one of those 2 on the DL with “worn out patience”. I am sure Dr. Andrews can fix them. Once Shafer proves whether he’s ready for the Majors, then we can decide whether to keep McLouth and Melky; and, finally,
6. After the all-star break, bring Chipper back as a backup at 3rd and 1st. Pace him for the rest of the season and prepare him for August and September. Between the 2 position he could play as much as 4 times a week or as little as necessary. Either way you protect the oblique that Brian Jordan has strengthen and increase the chances Chipper is productive when you really need him.

Will these changes make any difference? Who knows? But it would create a whole lot more excitement than watching this train wreck for the rest of the season! Not too mention, Tommy Lasorda would feel better about our chances in those “other 54″. What do you think guys?

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FYI: A good hitting coach has immense impact. Walt Hriniak, hitting coach for the Red Sox, turned Dwight Evans into a force, by working with. The Texas hitting coach, Jaramillo, is recognized for getting the most out of his hitters. Now, Magadan is bad in Boston and Pendleton is bad in Atlanta. Frenchy should have been coached to ALWAYs lay off the late count breaking ball. Atlanta management should have required A Jones to lose weight, and should have put it in his contract – will always be less than 200 or whatever. Since Ted Turner left, the franchise has gone down the toilet. Cox is good with great players. With iffy players, he is bad. Jack McKeon was a good manager. So is Tracy, Francona & Pinella. The Braves would be smarter to fire the staff, and hire young guys who have something to prove.

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Thoughtful, “2. Put Chipper on the DL until the all-star break and make him work out with Brian Jordan until then;”

I’m not sure if that was intended to be a joke or not, but I chuckled at it.

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Angus, 6 and 6 is NOT good enough if you want to make the playoffs. I never implied they were pitiful under TP, just not good the last two years and before that the pitching was to blame. Either way, this is not a playoff team and 5 years is long enough to throw everyone out.

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Thanks Marc I look forward to cashing in my bonus points.

I knew that Jones and McCann used their dads for their help but I did not know that they avoided TP. If what TP is doing is so bad why haven’t our team leaders taken things in hand and made suggestions themselves? After all – it is supposed to be a “team” that works with each other.

I think (I am just guessing cause I don’t know) that we have a singles hitting batting coach and a home run hitting manager. I have coached baseball and when your team worships the HR they do not listen to someone who helps you hit singles. Clearly TP would play small ball and Bobby would wait for the 3-run homer. TP thinks coaching means bunt, hit and run and slapping the ball the other way while Bobby believes coaching is shuffling the lineup daily, chirping encouragement from the dugout and waiting for the “breaks” to score.

Bobby’s way works if you have the hitters. TP’s way works if you have disciplined students of the game with some speed who play fundamental baseball. This team has yet to decide which it is.

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@Braves Fan 84: Yeah, I’ll calm down enough for us to get the wild card, and then choke in the postseason as always as we have double-digit LOB every game. Ridiculous. Bye bye, Bobby! Don’t let the door hit you in *** on the way out!

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I don’t really believe it will make that big of a diference, without having been there it is hard to say how important a hitting coach is at the major league level as far as the whole team is concerned. I’m sure it can make a big diference in a few individual players, but I would not expect a complete team turn around just because TP was replaced. That being said I also do believe in fairness and if our pitching staff had an ERA of 8 you know Roger would be fired on the spot. So I do believe the braves need to at least consider making a change, not just because of whats happening right now, but also because of the past couple of years. Its very hard to watch several players significantly improve their offense shortly after they leave atlanta after the really struggled here. Gotta let TP go at this point and get somebody new in there. Maybe swap him out with a minor league coach for a while and see what happens. Really cant get any worse.

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Let me make another case TP is not to blame:

1. If TP is to blame, why is Prado hitting like crazy then? same hitting coach and not using his dad.
2. If TP is to blame, why Chipper and McCann is not hitting then? since they use their dads as the hitting coach
3. If TP is to blame, why Melky and Glaus are not hitting then? since they are the least influenced by TP.

Well, as I said earlier, since you team don’t have old-Chipper/Andruw/McGriff, you team will be bad because you don’t have good players. When you were good, you had the old-Chipper/Andruw/McGriff. TP is in the wrong-time just like Leo was in the right-time.

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I am one who places a lot (not all) of our hitting woes on Terry Pendleton. However, I also think he would make an excellent choice to replace Bobby Cox. I do not understand the logic that says that a guy who is not cut out to be a hitting coach cannot possibly be a good manager. That is comparing apples and oranges. Completely different skill sets are required. It is like saying that a person who cannot do open heart surgery is not qualified to be hospital administrator. They are completely different roles.

TP knows the game well. He has been well thought of in the league for his baseball mind. When Larussa was considering retiring last year (or year before) it was widely assumed that TP was going to be offered the job. He was a finalist to be manager in Philly and Baltimore. You don’t get every job you apply for. His day is coming and I don’t think it would be a bad thing for it to happen in Atlanta.

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Re: The Hawks

Mark, while we are on coaching …. Do you think it falls on Woody that the Hawks play so poorly on the road? I mean, if we are talented enough to beat virtually every team currently in the playoffs at our place this season, shouldn’t we be good enough to win on the road?

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Perhaps Frank Wren isn’t as smart as he tells us. Given an $80 M payroll you think you’d be able to find a 1st baseman who could hit for average and HRs and a SS who isn’t a liability on the basepaths.

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mark, you’re batting 1000. you went from mike woodson to terry pendelton.hitting is not the total.the braves can’t field or think.these are the contributing factors to them losing.they have mediocre players trying to win with

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I think I speak for quite a few people and Bobby Cox might be included there. T.P., loved you as a player. Your a class guy, but when it comes to being a hitting coach… I just don’t think you’re cut out for it kid. Facts are players hit in the Braves minor league system, don’t hit for the Atlanta Braves. Those players tear the cover off the ball when they leave. Yes I did just say they are tearing the cover off the ball and some of you smart a… yeah might want to argue their stats are average. Theirs may be average, ours are below average. With what I’m used to seeing in Atlanta right now, I’d like to see some middle relievers take batting practice. Bet they could put the bat on the ball, T.P. doesn’t really mess with the pitchers. It’s not just our homegrown talent. When we do sign free agents or make trades to bring in proven hitters, all of the sudden those same hitters forget the strike zone or how to swing the bat at all. I think Two things need to change on this team…1. T.P. needs to accept another position with the team. He can help Hubby with the infielders. 2. I really hate to finally rip a guy that I have always supported, but Escobar…oh Escobar. I am finally resigned to the fact that he can be a great player, but I feel he is more of a cancer to the team. The at bat before his brain freeze on third…Escobar on first. Prado hitting. Escobar runs with the pitch. Prado hits the ball hard to the fence. I see Prado digging for second. I see Escobar jogging to third. As Prado is taking hitting batting gloves off, he is barking over at Escobar, looking all kinds of hateful at him. It took a while for Prado to grow on me, and I have always thought Escobar could be our SS for a long time…I don’t see Escobar sticking around long with his style of play, which has gotten lazy. The sooner he goes, the sooner we start focusing on winning and not on our lazy SS. On a positive note, it’s good to see Chipper “manning up” so to say. He’s a great player, but he’s got to realize the older you get, the more pains you’re gonna have. I got stuff popping that shouldn’t pop to, but I still go to work the next day, so good job Chipper. Plus I’d rather see your half swings than the next T.P. prodigy.

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The problem with the Braves is that they have utility guys starting in two of the three outfield positions and two washed up players playing the corner infield spots. Other than that they are just fine. They have no team speed from top to bottom of lineup. It was frustrating to see Mets score on an excuse me single by Reyes who promptly steals second and comes home from 2nd when Jones tries to throw out a runner after it took him 5 seconds to get up and throw wildly to first. It was painfull to see that. Most aging players are the last to realize that their talent has slipped. In Chippers mind he was moving as fast as he always has, but to us watching it looked like he was moving in slow motion.The Braves outhit the Mets but were station to station with every hit. No one took extra base. I hope Escobar does not force the Braves to trade him to get away from Cox. The nucleus of McCann, Escobar, Heyward, Prado, Freeman and Young Pitching staff ccould make Braves exciting next year with new YOUNG MANAGER, not deciples of Bobby Cox. Just need to find that young speedy 2nd baseman to replace Prado when he moves to 3rd base repacing the washed up Chipper Jones.

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@TommyJack

“road doggies”?!?!? What in the hell?

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Fire Terry Pendleton

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You left out Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones, White Sox: .292 average, six homers, 9 RBIs

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Speaking about the heart of the problem – payroll – it’s hard for me to get my hands around the fact that we are now in the category of teams that win ONLY when their farm system talent arrives. I can’t believe we can no longer afford to get a quality free agent every now and then to help this team truly compete. I am tired of getting has-beens on the cheap – - in hopes that they’ll somehow find the magic again and produce. A once proud franchise, the Braves are now in the category of Florida and other small market teams. What a shame!

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Well its not my fault I just wanted to be apart of the coaching staff Booby gave me this assignment.

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“Bobby believes coaching is shuffling the lineup daily, chirping encouragement from the dugout and waiting for the “breaks” to score. ” – Paul in Richmond

Might be the best summary of Bobby Cox I’ve ever seen. There is NO team that wins consistently with a different lineup every game. He gave Heyward one lousy game in the 5 spot and Infante one shot at leadoff. Yet Glaus stays at 5 no matter what because he fouled off a pitch hard in 1997. His lineups make no sense on a regular basis. Like you said he just waits for the 3 run HR that is coming less and less because the team lacks power.

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About frigging time. But you continue not to blame Bobby. The buck stops with that moron.

Cox is a clown.
Wren is a clown.
TP is a clown.

This franchise is run by a bunch of fools. It’s time to clean house.

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Braves are last in hitting. Terry Pendleton, while maybe not the cause of their horrible hitting, certainly isn’t showing himself to be the solution.

Cut him loose and bring in some fresh ideas. At this point, what can it hurt?

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At some point perception becomes reality.

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@Johnny Kakes

IMHO we are the same as a small market team: b/c we have a thimble-minded GM who burns longterm money on bust free-agents {Chipper / Lowe} ~ subtract $28 mill from our cap and we are a middle to small market payroll…
Those same teams don’t have the cash for the GM to screw up {in the 1st place} & the 130 / 140 million teams have cash to make up for the mistakes…

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The wheels came off the bus when Scherholz stepped down and gave the club to Frankie. Now how do WE fix that?

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Kyle Lohse with an ERA of 7.31 is pitching for the Cards tonight against the Braves. Look for Kyle’s ERA to drop considerably after tonights game.

Roy Halladay pitching against the Braves is like a cheat code.

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The Braves are the good old boy network magnified. No matter how bad they perform no one is going to get their feelings hurt or loose their job. Whose fault is that? Start with the, President, then the GM, then the manager and right on down the line. No one rocks the boat and ultimately the craft takes on water from the constant storms and sinks.

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Time to make the trade for Adrian G from the Friars. Jo-Jo, Gregor a AAer and a AAAer! For now it should be Hinske over Lip Gloss. Remember the Raul M. experiment? Let Glaus go!

Go get em Frank W!

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Herschel Talker,
Good one!

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Enjoy Bobby’s last season. And probably every assistant coach. Any other team in the league would be looking to fire the manager about now. The trend is now 4 years old.

Actually, MB, you wrote and article back in the winter about the Braves putting together a team on the cheap. Well, you were right. Someone earlier wrote that the Braves have two utility guys playing 2 outfield spots and two aged has-beens playing the corner infield spots. That is the truth.

And to think that in the last year Wren has traded Francouer for nothing and Vasquez for Melky Cabrera. Ugh.

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“Wait till next year” is what I’ve been dreaming about for the last 10 years. We finally get rid of that stupid Moron Cox and his clowns. TP will not be retained by the new manager. With a resume like he has, no friggin way.

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Good Grief, I’ve been telling MB to start ending his blogs with a song, but I think Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)” was a bad choice to start out with.

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The Braves cant hit because Stank Wren put this mess of a team togeher. If you”ll gonna fire TP, send WREN out the door with him. TROY GLAUS couldnt hit fast pitch softball, and he is done. Melky is a fourth outfielder, who isnt any better than GREGOR BLANCO. The BRAVES never gave Brandon Jones a real chance and when he did play he produced. Nate is trying to hit a homerun everytime he comes up, but I havent seen him try to bunt his way on. BOBBY COX is a lame duck manager and this team is beginning to check out. YUNEL is playing like he dont give a damn and CHIPPER should just change his name to BRITTLE.

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Figure out what’s making them press and they’ll start hitting again. I still like this team….we know Yunel can hit, we know Diaz can hit, if we can get McLouth and Glaus to get some confidence, this pitching will take them a long way.

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Come on guys TP aint the problem here. B. Cox and Frank Wren are the problem. Signing Troy Glaus & not LaRoche & trading J. Vasquez for Melky Cabrerra and some prospects has created a hole in our line up you could dribve a truck through. They needed a left fielder & a first baseman going into this year and all they got were two guys that shouldnt even be in the leauge.

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The braves hitting is terrible becuase of Terry Pendleton. The braves have not hit since he became hitting coach. Hitters get worse under his tutalage.

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When you’re in a slump, it’s almost as if you look out at the field and it’s one big glove. ~ Vance Law

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It seems to me that the Braves hitters are too predictable. They seem to be waiting around to be walked, particularly at 3-0 and 3-1 counts. And they are at the top of the NL in walks.

How’s that working out for ya, Bobby/Terry?

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Cox is such an idiot, if Wren were to tell him to replace TP, he would probably hire Greg Norton.

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I didnt expect the others to hit this poor Mark. I still think Escobar will hit but there ae severe questions about McClouth now. So you really have huge holes at center, left & first base. Add that to the pitchers spot and you have 4 out of 9 in the line up giving you nothing. Not a good recipe for success.

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It is really time to give Hinske a fewgames to see if he can do the job at first.

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I know how to make all of the Braves’ hitters catch fire. Trade them to other teams.

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If the Braves were in the AL, I’d bet that even our DH would be batting under .200, and Bobby would love him.

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I know. I’m Mr. Obvious.

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sidenote….. I love my sports teams like I love my wife, I got your back even when your wrong, lazy, or just plain stupid. Sorry Baby!! Let Infante play short or left field, put Conrad in a ss, put Hinske in at 1st and call up Freeman. Release…. Glauss ( love what you’ve done, just not what your doing aka. Mr. double play) and put KK in the bullpen with his homeboi and put Venters in the starting rotation and leave it alone. Love JJ, Hanson, Venters, Hudson, and Lowe in that order. Infante, Prado, Heyward, McCann, Jones, Hinske, Escobar/Conrad, McClouth in that order.

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Heck, sign him up. He’ll lead the team in hitting.

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I believe this is a payback from JS…He brought FW from Baltimore when he knew that FW was responsible in part for the failure there. Look at the line up and tell me as a player you would want to be on this team….McLouth for Jones, Glaus for LaRoach, Melkey for Vasquez. McLouth didn’t just become a poor hitter…what did he do last year? He needed glasses…now what does he need? Look at the trades Tex for Salty, and Andrus (why not Escobar in that position). What do we have to show for that trade…NOTHING. As troulesome as it may sound….I BELIEVE THAT AS LONG AS FRANK WREN IS AT THE HELM…….IT IS GOING TO BE NOTHING BUT LOSING SEASONS

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Ted M. RACIST! RACIST!

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BTW Mark, can you speak to who in particular hires and fires the hitting coach with the Braves? Thanks.

And as an aside: does a manager who’s pretty bright get ejected from the most games ever? Of course not. Cox sucks, and he’s always been a liability. Give many of us fans of above average intelligence three hall of fame pitchers and a huge payroll through the 14 year streak and we’re winning a LOT more than one world series.

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To BuckheadBrave: I was born and raised just off of La Vista – near Clairmont… what in god’s name are you talking about? What does that have to do with the Braves stinkin’ it up? You give the rest of us here a bad name.

Shouldn’t you be blogging your anger on a Teaparty site?

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Angus- it’s only a joke if they don’t do it. They have to do something to keep Chipper in the lineup and Jordan is the only person with the anatomy to step up and suggest something. Why not give him a chance as Chipper’s personal trainer? CAN WE DO ANY WORSE!?!?!?!?!?!?

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And T P thinks he is going to be the next Braves mgr….give ATL a break. If he is even considered, I quit being a Braves fan

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The Braves have so many problems I am not sure it can be fixed with just a few moves. Yes our hitting coach isn’t doing worth a crap, but when you have dished out 30 million between lowe a pitcher who without 27 runs scored for him the 1st 3 games he would be 0-3 and a third baseman who is ALWAYS injured yeah i said it the untouchable, no one say anything bad about me CHIPPER JONES. And no one forget the brilliant braintrust we have in the front office. WREN couldn’t do anything in baltimore and he has done a bunch of bad moves here. Switching Adam Laroche for a guy who had not played 1st ever and had been injured for a year. Or Javier Vasquez for the MELKman who is hitting what? Great trade and we wonder whats wrong with the braves. A good start would be FIRING WREN!!!!!!!

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You have to also consider the players who DON’T use TP as their hitting instructor (ex. McCann, exclude Chipper right now b/c he is average is so low,etc.) but these are the guys that aren’t having any issues. It has been the same since he as taken over the hitting coach position. Every guy on this team who has taken instruction from him has failed and the ones who don’t flourish. The sad part is that this franchise will probably make him Manager next year, and the Braves will continue to be non-factors in the playoff race.

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Great article! I started researching this very topic after i saw that LaRoche went 4/4 and Glaus had hit into yet another double play. Glad to see ex Braves having success though…

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@Scott

That is one of the most idiotic statements I have heard in my entire life. Bobby Cox wants likes his team to NOT score runs. I want some of what you’re smoking!

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Kelly Johnson is tied for the NL league in home runs. Wow. That says a lot about this Atlanta team and it’s coaches.

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The Braves are reaping what they deserve — I predicted this before the season started. The front office is too concerned with saving pennies and nickels. When they let Adam Larouche get away I said that’s it — I’m not going to anymore games.

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The Braves have always had a “ho hum” attitude about their business. We need some guys with some fire in em. Chipper is a bad example. Never any enthusiasm out of him.

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The easiest conclusion to come to is that the hitting coach is the problem with the Braves hitting. When we are on our jobs there is no one there to tell us how to do our jobs everyday. We are expected to come to work and perform. These guys are professionals…professionals. TP is simply there to provide as much input as necessary, things that he sees that may be out of the ordinary with a player struggling…such as simple mechanics, and plate appearance, etc. He may also provide tips on how a batter is being pitched to. These professional Braves are going to have to reach inside of themselves and find that desire to lead and hit. If you blame TP, then everyone else on staff is responsible including the skipper. This is when in basketball, the coach would make a wholesale substitution…LOL

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TP has never shown much ability nor interest in his job as batting coach. My guess is that he was told long ago by someone in power that he would be the manager when Bobby leaves and that’s why he is still here. It might be that his aim has been to make Bobby look bad so that he will look better as manager with a real batting coach. The only coaches worth keeping are Lopez and Hubbard.

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No pressure means no reason to perform. When players aren’t willing to put pressure on themselves and the management feels the same, then we shouldn’t expect much either. If the star hitter of the team doesn’t feel the need to show up fit to play baseball then someone needs to put the spurs to him, but I don’t think this is happening. The best manager in baseball and the best hitting coach in the league? Something isn’t working as it should if we are not getting the best from the players who we have grown so use to seeing star caliber performances from.

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It’s George Bush’s fault.

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Even if Terry is not the problem, he obviously is not the solution. Give somebody else a chance and let’s see how they do. You never hear about how Pendleton has helped a hitter get better. Chipper still raves about how Don Baylor showed him how to hit. The batting coach that was with the Rangers had a dozen players singing his praises. As good a manager as Bobby is, his big problem is loyalty to a fault. He stays too long with players and coaches. I’m afraid we are going to see Troy Glaus hit into 6-4-3 double plays until after the All-Star break when we will be 15 games out of first.

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Mark Bradley, I find it atrocious that I can’t follow you on Twitter & Facebook.

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FIRE TERRY BEFORE HE RUINS THIS LINE-UP!!

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Mark,

I agree with you. Why have a hitting coach if he’s not the one responsible? I liked Terry Pendleton as a player. But as a hitting coach I haven’t understood how he has managed to stay on with the Braves. I just hope the plan is not to make him Bobby’s replacement.

BTW, it’s not too late to find a real hitting coach.

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Lets get real. Coach’s don’t play that large of a role in sports especially the higher you go up in level. For instance I think Phil Jackson is a good coach but if he was coaching the clippers for all those years he would not have all those championships. You can only modivate so much. As for TP, he does the exact same thing that every other major league hitting coach does. He looks at film and makes suggestions to struggling hitters. The fact is if TP was in Tampa right now he would be looked at as a genious.

As a matter of fact if I was the coach of the Yankees it would be harder for me to not win the league than to take them to the world series. Just use some common sense guys. How often does a hitting coach call time from the dugout to talk to his batter in the middle of an at bat. Never because it won’t help. See it and hit it.

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…what about that Mark?

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Ok, let me take this another direction. There are a LOT of reasons the braves offense is terrible this year; namely the Troy Glaus signing, Chipper’s mind-boggling injury bug and the fact that our best hitter is 20 (my point – blame Frank Wren too), but this falls 90% on Bobby Cox. His managing strategy is one of letting the players do their thing (which is why he’s a player’s manager) and it is one of winning with good pitching and the long ball. This philosophy hasn’t worked since you had arguably the best collection of starting pitchers to ever play on one team (Smoltz, Glavine & Maddox) & a few good power hitters. The Braves offense even back then was the reason we coulnd’t win consistently in the playoffs. Why? B/c we coulnd’t dial up long-balls whenever we wanted them in the playoffs. So, Bobby’s refusal to play “small ball” (ie, to grind out runs) is killing us b/c we don’t have any power hitters. Any games we’ve won have been on well-timed dingers. Don’t blame TP. I guarantee you the hitting problems aren’t “technical” in nature. Bobby refuses to let TP “actively” coach and critique his hitters b/c it isn’t Bobby’s style. Bobby refuses to demand a patient hitting approach or a “do anything to get on base” approach. So, our batters get up there and swing on 1st pitches and let the starters get through an inning on 9 pitches. Little things like “take the 1st strike” which is what you are taught in little league would help this club a ton. Supposedly, they were being patient & disclipined during Spring ball, but that quickly disappeared as soon as they started pressing. Bobby Cox gets way to much credit, when all he did during his “run” was let the best players (pitchers) do their thing. He refuses to adapt or change his philosophy which is why I’m glad he’s going. How about some bunts, steals, hit-and-runs, sacrfices, etc?

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Huff, I eluded to that point earlier…that is exactly right. Some people just want to place blame on everything but the real issue. In other words, switch out coaches until something works. When ultimately it is the player who has to control his destiny. To say that TP has not provided sufficient help to these guys is absurd

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Is it me? Or does Yunel, look like he could care less this year?

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Firstly, as horrible as the Braves have been and as much as I’ve cringed for this exhausting young season, it is so refreshing to read a published article at least organizing the numbers on the difference in Braves offense and ex-Braves offense. Secondly, message boards and that awful Facebook Braves page is constantly laced with overly blindly optimistic “fans” who are drenched in nostalgia. It’s great to see so many true Braves fans upset and even outraged over this regime. Cheers to everyone here. Good job, Mr. Bradley.

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Hey Wren, sign me!! Even I can out hit these braves.

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I don’t blame Pendleton. Under his coaching the Braves have finished no worse the 6th in the league in hitting in the last 7 seasons. But he doesn’t have much to work with. I blame the front office for not acquiring the best hitters available in the off season. And management still hasn’t fixed the lead off hitter problem even though they’ve had several opportunities to do so.

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Mark…with your access to statistics, any idea when was the last time the Braves ever were in LAST place in the division (lets say after at least 10 games minimum from start of season)? I sure can’t recall a time post ‘91 season.

I’m still stumped why LaRoche wasn’t signed here after his great performance last year.

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are these professional baseball players or not?.where was pendelton before they came to the braves?,do you think pendelton is stopping them from hitting? use common sense.its the player thats up to the plate hitting not pendelton.he can point out problems when they are not hitting but when they get up to the plate, they are on their own.i played baseball on every level, you either can hit or you can’t.the players as a whole that the braves have are lousy hitters.most are over the hill.pendelton’s fault? this should not even be brought up.i don’t care who the hitting coach is, this bunch are lousy baseball players period.95% of hitting is having something the braves hitters lack, confidence.

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I read comments saying that TP is not the problem. But no one has explained how everyone except Prado is slumping. If the hitting coach can’t spot what they are doing wrong (or different), who can? I mean Bobby Cox even praised McLouth for almost hitting a 3-run homer right before he struck out…again.

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Mark -

You quoted Bobby Cox as saying Mr. Pendleton is “the hardest working coach he has ever had.”

Wouldn’t be better for all involved for Mr. Pendleton to work SMARTER rather than “HARDER?”

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Need to take long look at hitting Inst. Look who was hitting when the came here and look at the ones that have left A. Jones , Frenchy K, Johnson , Mc Clouth, Glause Chipper and McCann are to smart to listen as their dads know more than the H Inst. Move him out

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The hitting is anemic, the on-field play is embarrassing – but hey, everybody gets along and everybody loves playing for Bobby.

Such is the status quo of the Braves. How can a team ever reach beyond its abilities when you start the season hoping for 85 wins and backing into the playoffs with a Wild Card.

The mentality of this team is so short sighted that it is really no surprise to see the “quality” of the product. The “Great Run” poisoned the mindset here. Just make the playoffs and we have had a successful season.

Band Aids, BS, reclamation projects, past glories, a Cow that chops – these are the trademarks of this franchise since 2001 – the last time they won a post season series.

The names may change from one year to the next, but the product remains the same. And as long as the local media and loyal fans coddle the team, why should they bother to change. You are as much to blame for that mess on the field as they are.

Just inagine this kind of play presented to fans in Boston or New York or Chicago? They would ride the team out of town on a rail.

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i wish all these apolozist are the problem–it allows chipper to continue to not put in the effort he should be, TP to hide behind boby cox, and body cox himself to stand around with a blank look on his face!! there is no ACCOUNTABILITY with this team–all this oraganization talks about is PAST division chapionships!! all this organization does is milk the past! this team could not hit water if it fell out of a boat! its never bobby cox’s fault , its never Penleton’s fault, it’s never the players fault, well whose left to blame then? i rememeber when andrew jones did not hussle in the outfeild bobby cox jerked him off the feild that very second right?? but the other day when a certain shortstop did something even more STUPID –did Cox jerk him out of the game that very moment??? NO!!!!!!!!! excuses started flying and the apologists started coming out of the woodwork!!! i would like to have seen the Cox that jerked andrew off the feild–you know –DEMANDED ACCOUNTABILITY!!!! this “mananger” ” hitting coach” “general Mananger” “team president” are a group of lazy waste of spaces that do not care!!!!!

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Two moves – one each in the last two off seasons probably would have made the difference between sitting home last year and being having the third worst record in the NL this season.

Last year – signing Abreu rather than Loaf. This year – keeping LaRoche. It would have made us a little lefty heavy but that doesn’t seem to bother the Phils.

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Mark

I know you need to write a story but ask me again at the all star break. Long way to go. I they gave up on Frenchy and Kelly Johnson too soon but that’s a different story for a different day. And I’m still mad about the players we lost in the Tex trade.

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Yunel hasn’t cared since the braves traded his buddy Bryan Pena

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I dont really see how TP can be the hardest working coach that Bobby Cox has ever seen since a lot of current and former players seem to just ignore him and go elsewhere for their hitting instructions and help. I mean if hes working that hard with the players whats he doing other than screwing them up.

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Lost in this whole “Braves can’t hit” mess, is the fact that Hanson pitched the Braves 1st complete game of the season last night.

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If batting coaches aren’t to blame when hitters don’t hit, why have them?

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Love when morons say if one guy is hitting well then it can’t be the hitting coach. Stupid

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Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t TP succeed Merv Rettenmund, who before his Braves stint was regarded as one of, if not THE, best hitting coaches in MLB – then failed as the Braves hitting coach? Think maybe Bobby’s approach, rather than the hitting coach ‘messenger,’ might have something to do with it? And why oh why let LaRouche go and sign, instead, on over-the-hill, out of position, marginally competent ex-power hitter? And substitute Melky [for close to or even more money, I believe] for Kelly Johnson [he of the blessed sweet swing, but bad half season?] in LF? All to save, net, maybe 5% of your payroll? I fear we have receded to the bad old pre-Schuerholz dayz ….

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Wow, lots of chatter. Let me point out the obvious, some of which has already been mentioned by other folks:

1) The Braves can’t score runs (14th in the NL).
2) Last in the NL in batting average and near the bottom in most offensive categories.
3) Five regulars under the Mendoza line after three weeks.
4) The Braves regularly struggle against marginal pitchers and pitchers they’ve never seen, which equals lack of concentration and preparedness.
5) A lot of ex-Braves are getting it done for other teams.

Yes, of course, TP has a lot to do with the problem. The team is a terrible offensive team and has been for a few years.

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Even if you can’t blame the coaches, it doesn’t look good for one who has to be thinking consideration for the manager’s job next year. It seems some batting order rearranging would be in order, and even sending a couple of them up the road to see if they can find their bats in Gwinnett County. Cabrerra and Glaus are not paying dividends at all. Escobar and Chipper both seem to be ho-hummers at times. You’re right, take away Prado and Cox’s last season could be worse than his first.

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This team is driving me nuts

Luckily, my favorite Braves fan blog is telling it like it is-

http://ijustwanttofitin.com/category/sports/

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Replace TP now

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Turn out the lights…the party’s over.

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For all you experts what would you have Pendleton do?? I mean we’ve had the bases loaded with one out or less repeatedly. Patience seems to be fine, but Pendleton can’t make these guys quit pressing and not hit a deep fly ball at least. And even when we do, you have guys that don’t know how to run the bases. Give Pendleton a rest, it’s tired!! I know this day in age everyone needs to have someone to blame, how about blaming the million dollar athletes who aren’t stepping up and getting it done. Whose in charge of the defense by the way, because that is as bad as it has been since 1989 and 1990. It’s like a blooper highlight video out there. I see a team that is giving away games. They all seem up tight, I just would like to see them loosen up and have a little fun out there. We got pitching, if these guys get over this little obstacle they will be in the thick of it, but that is a big if. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

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I still cannot blame Pendleton. How much influence does a hitting coach actually have at the major league level?? I am thinking very little.

The real problem in two words: Bobby Cox. He is too old and too old-fashioned. He does not relate to this generation of ballplayers and cannot inspire them. Chipper is more of a leader than Cox is.

If you look at Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu (47) and Arizona’s A. J. Hinch (35!), they are young and energetic.

Frenchy’s success in NY is just due to the fact that he was too complacent in Atlanta. He could play lousy at Turner Field but still go home to his childhood neighborhood and eat a pleasant dinner with his mommy, daddy and high school sweetheart. He needed tough love. I just wish Wren had gotten something, ANYTHING for him.

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Buck Commander…. For a wekk or so I have had a feeling that things were not so rosy in the clubhouse. Example: Observe the total lack of communication between Esco and everyone else. Also the same can be observed with Melky and Glaus. I just wonder if these three are a cancer eating at the rest of the team. Something has happened between ST and now. Things were hunky dory in ST with everyone hitting, now things aren’t so rosy with most everyone being in a funk. Makes you wonder if there isn’t some resentment going on between those who were producing and those who weren’t. Guess we’ll never know unless things blow up one of these first days. I can imagine the frustration level must be pretty high by now.

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Justin, we must have been watching the same games for the last 10 years or more. True, the approach of Cox does not work. People seem to accept mediocrity. For many fans, if the Braves make the playoffs, that is cool. But the desire to go all out and win championships is far from their minds. Cox, like you said is good for teams like the Yankees, BoSox, Angels, etc. But for teams that rebuild like the Braves and dont spend money for Cox, is counterproductive. At this point, the management strategy is more base stealing, hit and runs, etc. This will inspire the team as well as the fans and hopefully salvage a sinking season. Looking to hear from the infamous MB on this Justin…or maybe the article was just to bring out the uneducated baseball minds…

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King Toe, that is so true. While BC is a good manager and has brought many memories to the club. He is a baseball guy. It goes without saying that there comes a time when youth trumps age. BC knows it, even Jordan, Magic, and Bird knew it. That is why BC is retiring. To blame TP is ridiculous. BC is the manager and bears total responsibility for the team’s success on game day. We must not forget that folks.

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That is true King Toe, BC is a good coach for teams like NY Yankees, BoSox, Angels, etc. But for a team like the always rebuilding Braves, youth trumps age. BC is a baseball guy that has brought many memories to the club, but one championship. Even Bird, Magic, and Jordan knew when it was time to leave the game. The Braves need a younger motivated coach who is innovative in trying score runs, especially base stealing. Look at the game last night. Reyes, who is struggling himself was able to score on his speed alone. This has been a fault of the Braves since Furcal left, and prior to that Gant and Deion. It is not rocket science. I just hope that Heyward’s prosperous future is not ruined here in Atlanta by a lack of good managing. Maybe this article was to generate comments on TP from the uneducated baseball fan, but what about the guy responsible for the team’s on the field success, BC, Mark?

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True Atlanta fans dont suck. It is the evolution of the transplants in the city that suck, if you will. Those of us who grew up watching the Braves have a real desire to see the teams here succeed. And we have insight on things without being partial to one person or the other. We cant even pack the stadium for crying out loud.

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Tony, you said it well. Keep in mind also, that when the Braves were in their most productive years, they were still playing in Fulton Co. Stadium that was affectionately referred to as the “Launching Pad.” Turner Field is NOT a good hitter’s ball park. So, again, this “long-ball” approach just really hasn’t worked since the move…yet Cox has refused to adjust his style of play. Wonder why fan attendance has continued to decline? Yes, the economy didn’t help, but the Braves brand of baseball is BORING. On any given night, you may see the home team get shut-out, and that isn’t very attractive to a picky consumer. I’ve already given up on the Braves this year b/c I see nothing has changed nor will change. So, my desire to go drop $50 – $100 at the ball park is pretty low.

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Not to mention Chipper feels the need to go to his dad for advice and Francouer had to go to someone in texas for help. TO needs to go. So does Snit as 3B coach. Both are awful. Take Bobby with them please..

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It’s time for Pendleton to go and bring in a fresh view point on hitting. You can look at many ex Braves and their success with new teams. Two stand out, Andruw Jones and Kelly Johnson. With TP they stink, they go elsewhere and tear it up. After awhile when hitters don’t have success or confidence they quit listening.

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Hey Mark-

So, what is your conclusion? In your opinion, do you think they should keep TP or get rid of him?

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Will somebody tell CHIPPER about P90X the next time he wants to really get in shape.

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Thanks Mark for having the stones to voice what a good many of us have been asking for some time.

While the lack of timely hitting falls mostly on the players themselves, I still have to question the message they get from Pendleton. Way too many players have regressed as hitters under his tutelage.

But, in a sense we also have to put some blame on the manager and the GM too. They watch the same games we watch so they can’t tell us they don’t see what we see. Being “loyal”to your players and coaches is one thing but it shouldn’t go so far overboard that it’s detrimental to the entire team but I truly believe that is exactly what happens here.

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Meant freshd

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Mark,

I see where you’re going with this article, but ultimately are you for getting rid of Pendleton? Yes or no?

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Pendleton is totally the problem – his career average was not that high nor did he hit for power – I would like to see him gone and have Chipper Jones as hitting coach.

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How about this MARK, since you’re the one that likes to bring up the bad about ALL the Atlanta teams and get your groupies fired up to see another man lose his job.

At the end of this season if the braves are hitting above the league average how about you QUIT THE AJC!

Its still April! Not June, July, or August but APRIL. You sit and write this garbage now – not even a full 20 games in. Just 5 games ago you was writing that this team had IT. Dude come on.

If this team is fighting for a spot in the playoffs come season end you’ll then be brown nosing.

So put up or shut up Mark.

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Mark, are you gonna take that off of him?

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“Mark do you think Bobby Cox is a moron?”

Yes

“Don’t you think that if he thought that if T.P. wasn’t getting the job done, that he wouldn’t replace him.”

No

“Let’s see, Bobby Cox has only won like a zillon games.”

He’s also lost a zillon.

In other words, Cox is senile, a moron and a loser.

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Sometimes it’s not necessarily the message, it’s the messenger. TP may be a good hitting coach (the numbers of those who don’t rely on their fathers for advice don’t bear this out, however) but maybe it’s just time for a change. If you recall, Merv Rettenmund, who was revered as one of the greatest hitting coaches ever, couldn’t get this franchise to do much, either.

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What are you saying Donny, about the all black team? There is only one in the starting lineup? HUH?

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I’m saying that that is all Hank cares about.

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the players who “knew how to hit” did OK under tp’s watch. But, those who were struggling, or went into slumps, or who in some other way actually NEEDED the services of a good hitting coach, didn’t fare too well. Even the teams that were loaded with high-powered hitting talent did not live up to their potential at the plate. When I think of tp’s tenure, the things that come to My mind are 1)Ben Sheet’s 18 strikeout game 2) Randy Johnson’s perfect game, and 3) the no-hitter just thrown. Obviously, he can’t hit for the players, but he certainly draws a paycheck for SOME reason

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Well folks it looks like a repeat of last year, and the repeat of the year before, and then a repeat of the year before……..can we say “Ground Hog Day ” ??????

Ever since Terry P took over we have batted very well compared to league average come the end of the season….. But we have been out of it…..that is a chance to really have a shot at the playoffs by then as well.

We are a tired out team, made up of has-ben’s with a few diamonds…..

We have gotten all these guys on the cheap, and they are turning out as we have paid them.

The other major problem is situational hitting……and frankly we suck at it…….Over anxious, and letting the pitcher off the hook.

That to me is the biggest issue….. when it matters the most …..the Braves seem to fail !

LEADERSHIP, or lack of it seems to be abundant…… Who is our leader, and who is the fire and attitude ?

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I was looking forward to a great season myself. But it is funny how no one has mentioned the real problem. Not even Mark, who would be privy to more of this than we are…the ownership are not even Braves fans. We havent had a real owner since Ted. The reason why we are tangled in this web (no pun intended…lol) of beating up TP, for some dumb*** reason, is because no one has the balls to call out the owners, who bear the ultimate responsibility. Are we that spineless?

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Terry Pendleton and Bobby Cox are probably 2 of the nicest guys in Baseball. Great. The team is horrible right now. Get mean guys.

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Tony this has been a problem before Pendleton got here.. Braves can’t hit when playoffs are here. Now they can’t hit when the season starts. Just awful hitting team.

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Same as last season…………….your 11:56am post sums it up what I said about the amount of money due both Chipper and Derek Lowe: SCARY!

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Tony makes an excellent point! Give us Ted Turner again and then we’ll see!
The Ownership has turned a deaf ear to the team’s needs for years. Hey AJC writers, how about investigating the current Atlanta Braves ownership?
As Tony said, You got the Balls?
Inquiring minds want to KNOW!!

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Hey Mark…….you cited the great statistics the Braves have by year end………tell us the important statics…….

How do we hit as a team with runners on base ?

With 2 strikes, and men in scoring position ?

At the end of the game ?

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Mark Bradley……….your 12:06pm post quoting Bobby Cox saying that Terry Pendleton is the “hardest working” coach out there, should have been followed up with the following: “The day laborer who does the grunt work on a construction site is a “hard worker”……..however would you entrust him with overseeing the construction of a skyscraper?

Hard work doesnt mean squat if you cant produce results. No other way to put it.

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Voice of Reason, you are just that! When the others come off of the brilliantly scripted article of MB’s and realize what we have had here in Atlanta, they will see what I too have been saying for years. If the fans are true fans, and not ones who are just looking for somewhere to go when they get bored, they will understand that they are contributing to a corporation that is not interested in winning. Let’s be honest folks. BC and TP are respected across MLB. They love to win. But they can only coach what they are given. I would like to see all of this energy demand the owners to quit cheating us true Braves fans, and spend some money. Surely, you guys can look at your own companies and see how they really work. These guys are robbing us blind!

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carlchamblee……………your 12:09pm post was well said. I said the exact same thing on the “other blog” last year to the MORONS who kept saying that Braves fans should start coming to the park and put more money into the coffers of the team FIRST………with the idea that management will spend more money on acquiring the right kind of players (Johnny Damon instead of Troy “Greg Norton’s protege” Glaus). No one in their right mind would spend hard earned money on this punchless lineup.

I would be very ok with seeing the Braves spend the next 2 years letting the youngsters like Schafer, Freeman, and Heyward play…..if the Braves arent going to spend wisely on acquiring some offensive power.

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My understanding is the better Braves hitters (Chipper, McCann, Escobar, Prado) don’t even listen to Pendleton for advice on their swing. They get their batting instruction elsewhere.

Frenchy and Andruw did, because they realize if the best hitters on the team don’t take advice from Pendleton, why should they.

Pendleton had a bad career batting average (.270, lower than frenchy) and a god-awful OPS (.707), lower than frenchy.

Pendleton struck out twice as much as he walked. Why would ANYONE think he could help others improve their swing? He changed his batting stance more often than his underwear!

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been a braves fan since 1966, have stayed with good and bad. Bobby cox used to be an excellant regular season manager and a poor playoff manager, now he lacks in regular season also. TP was a
great player for us but not a couch. Mcdowell was known as a jokster in the clubhouse and not a leader.Has anyone noticed we started missing playoffs after Leo left?
The Braves organization owes Cox and TP a lot. But, in my opinion, winning ways will not come back until next year after this couching staff is gone.

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Mark Bradley…………….What are your thoughts on Bobby Valentine replacing Bobby Cox for 2011? I would LOVE to see how Valentine would react to “this bunch of Punch and Judy, swinging at slop” hitters…………and of course the plethora of little league errors our fieliders have made so far this season.

I’d be willing to bet that Valentine wouldnt be picking his nose, taking it out on his wife, and say to the media “the breaks didnt fall our way tonight” crap that Bobby Cox is known for feeding the Atlanta press (and who pretty much gobbles it up like a fluffer on an adult film set, lol).

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