There’s no Glaus-ing over what we said in April about Troy
We believed all along. OK, so we didn't. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Troy Glaus is tearing up the pea patch, as they say, and maybe one or two of us saw this coming. I frankly didn’t, and from the tenor of the comments on this blog in April, not many of you did, either. So I thought it’d be fun to reprint some of those remarks.
Being a nice guy, I’m going to omit readers’ screen names. (The idea isn’t to embarrass anybody.) I will, however, own up to my own words. And be advised that all these stem from the live chat of April 20, the night Troy Glaus — of all people, as we were saying back then — ignited the epic two-out-in-the-ninth rally against the Phillies and Ryan Madson with a two-run homer. (Followed in short order by Jason Heyward’s tying blast and, in the 10th inning, Nate McLouth’s game-winner.)
The game didn’t start well for T.G. He made an error that let in Philadelphia’s first run. He grounded to short his first time up. He hit into a double play his second time. And here’s what we were saying:
M. Bradley, 8:29 p.m.: Bases loaded for Glaussy.
(Name redacted), 8:29 p.m.: I think a squeeze would be more likely to get a run in then him trying to hit and get a double play.
(Name redacted), 8:29 p.m.: please just get it out of the infield.
M. Bradley, 8:29 p.m.: As in 8 by 10 glossy.
(Name redacted), 8:30 p.m.: Is it wrong that I want Glaus to strike out?
(Name redacted), 8:31 p.m.: Way to go Glaus!
(Name redacted), 8:31 p.m.: Told u!
(Name redacted), 8:31 p.m.: man o man.
M. Bradley, 8:32 p.m.: As in he-into-a-double-play-with-a-rolled-up-8-by-10-glossy.
(Name redacted), 8:32 p.m.: so predictable. is there a word for “unclutch?” Wait…how about “Glaussian?”
(Name redacted), 8:32 p.m.: I despise Troy Glaus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Name redacted), 8:32 p.m.: Glaus has single-handedly killed about 5 rally opportunities this year.
(Name redacted), 8:32 p.m.: Wow — Glaus is quite awful.
M. Bradley, 8:33 p.m.: I just looked over. Frank Wren was on the phone. Probably calling the guy who said, “Troy Glaus would be great for the Braves!”
(Name redacted), 8:33 p.m.: either sit Glaus or admit you made a mistake and cut him. Give some kid a chance. Could not be ANY worse.
(Name redacted), 8:33 p.m.: Really Glaus? C’mon Man. Good thing he doesn’t hit in a clutch RBI spot in our lineup. Oh, wait…
(Name redacted), 8:33 p.m.: When will Cox wake up on Glaus?
(Name redacted), 8:34 p.m.: I will ask again Mark, when does this Glaus experiment end????
(Name redacted), 8:35 p.m.: I don’t think Glaus will be the everyday first baseman for much longer, folks. He’s single-handedly killed a ton of potential big innings via hitting into twin killings already this year. I hope Freeman’s progressing quickly…
(Name redacted), 8:35 p.m.: Wow, could Glaus [stink] any worse? This is what happens when your cheapie owners force you to take has-beens off the scrapheap. I realize it’s only a few weeks into the season but why is this guy even still in the lineup??
(Name redacted), 8:35 p.m.: The Greg Norton experiment lasted all year last year….I don’t expect anything different for Glaus.
(Name redacted), 8:36 p.m.: Glaus is painful to watch, I would rather have my girlfrriend tell me she is cheating on me than see him come up to bat with RISP again.
(Name redacted), 8:36 p.m.: My first braves blog of the year…glaus = garbage!
Zach (name not redacted because of restraint shown), 8:37 p.m.: Look, I know glaus isn’t hitting right now, but give it some time. This is like extended spring training for him with mlb pitching. By game 30 he’ll be fine.
(Name redacted), 8:37 p.m.: Glaus is washed up..they should have re-signed laroche and picked up Jermaine Dye…frank wren failed big time on this
(Name redacted), 8:40 p.m.: MB, do you think MLB will institute the Glauss-line after this year is over? It would replace the Mendoza line.
M. Bradley, 8:42 p.m.: Are y’all saying there’s no Santa Glaus?
(Name redacted), 8:50 p.m.: The only headline I want to see in the next week is “Braves cut ties with Troy Glaus”
(Name redacted), 8:53 p.m.: Glaus has too much pressure on him in the 5th spot. Batting 7th where JHey was would be good for him.
M. Bradley, 8:53 p.m.: Glaus might have too much pressure batting in the 11th spot.
(Name redacted), 8:54 p.m.: Having McClouth and Glaus bat is like having 3 pitchers bat. I think Glavine and Maddux were better
(Name redacted), 9:15 p.m.: Braves offense in this game: The Glaussed Boys …
(Name redacted), 9:26 p.m.: Before the season is over Troy Glaus will find a way to hit into a quadruple play. Worst baseball player ever.
(Name redacted), 9:30 p.m.: go troy, go! to the minors
(Name redacted), 9:30 p.m.: This game was over when Glaus killed that bases loaded situation…again. I really despise this guy. He needs to go, and I was one of the people patient with him. No more.
(Name redacted), 9:31 p.m.: Oh Oh, look who’s at bat (my eyes Glaussed over)
(Name redacted), 9:35 p.m.: I’m not giving up on Glaus because he’s a bad first two weeks, I’m giving up on him because I can tell by watching him play that he’s finished as a useful ballplayer. Hinske can do at serviceable job at 1B. I hope Bobby will at least start to work him in a few times a week, but making him the starter and cutting bait with Glaus ASAP would be ideal.
(Name redacted), 9:40 p.m.: Glaus will make over 2 million this year and he’s batting .180. This is what irritates me with the braves mgmt. I am not going to spend my money at TF to pay for this kind of crud. And to make matters worse, his lousy fielding led to an error this game. 2 million for this crud. What a joke. Might as well just bring in some rookie. You certainly wouldn’t do any worse.
M. Bradley, 10:07 p.m.: Guess who’s up.
(Name redacted), 10:07 p.m.: Glaus! Turn out the lights!
(Name redacted), 10:07 p.m.: Game over.
(Name redacted): 10:08 p.m.: 1 and 1. He will hit weakly to short.
M. Bradley, 10:08 p.m.: Glaus!
(Name redacted), 10:08 p.m.: It’s a miracle.
(Name redacted), 10:09 p.m.: Troy got his Glaus in gear, it would seem.
(Name redacted), 10:09 p.m.: Hell is freezing over.
M. Bradley, 10:09 p.m.: Like I said: You can’t keep a good man down.
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195 comments Add your comment
NC Braves Fan
June 1st, 2010
11:37 am
Mark: I do believe this was me …
(Name redacted), 9:15 p.m.: Braves offense in this game: The Glaussed Boys …
One of about 572,471 cheesy, awful, ridiculous Glaus word-plays by me. But Troy had to go and Double-Glaus me (not that I’m complaining).
Welcome to ATL Troy!
RM
June 1st, 2010
11:38 am
Can I have some ketchup with my crow? It’s a little tough…
C from Marietta
June 1st, 2010
11:38 am
All Star game is a sham. I don’t vote for it or watch. Anything you can vote for something 25 times. It can’t be legit.
Tale of Woe
June 1st, 2010
11:39 am
Damn…That is a lot of cutting and pasting
Can we put the same jinx on McLouth?
Colin
June 1st, 2010
11:40 am
the month of June is the kryptonite to the Braves..
Tami
June 1st, 2010
11:40 am
This was a great piece & hysterically funny. I have no problem with Glaus proving us all wrong. He can keep doing that the rest of the season. I have noooo problem with that whatsoever! LOL
Jo-Bu
June 1st, 2010
11:40 am
I’m glad I kept the faith. I just kept saying: Look at the back of his card and at some point he’ll be there. I mean heck, the guy only played like 14 or 15 games last season. You can’t just take over a year off from MLB pitching and expect to jump right back into the saddle where you left off.
McClouth:
I think Nate will get it back, too. And if he doesn’t, he’s not going to last in CF under the Mendoza line for long. I’m not saying they’ll trade him at the deadline, but stranger things have happened. It’s all in his head and a little with his swing in that sometimes he leans too far back on his upper-cut. I wish he would just try to hit liners rather than trying for the fences — that, in and of itself can cause a really deep slump.
preston
June 1st, 2010
11:41 am
lololo………Mark I actually posted on that blog, and I see my immortal words printed above…..funny thing is, is that, that was my only braves blog comment up to this point. At the time Glauss was stinking up the joint, but I will say that he has turned things around, and he definitley deserves ….as we say around here on these blogs….his “KUDOS!!!!!”….,,(p.s. being that I just admited that what I posted back then was my first and only braves blog up to this point, it is not to hard to figure out what my comment was…………lolol)………..but again Glauss definitely deserves a ton of credit for turning his early season malaise around.
Tami
June 1st, 2010
11:41 am
Colin….you’re absolutely correct. I blogged on another article also appearing this morning that maybe the clubhouse folks should do the team a favor and not flip the calendar over from May to June. Let’s pretend for about 30 days (starting today) that it’s still May. Shhhh….don’t tell the boys it’s June!
Colin
June 1st, 2010
11:44 am
haha that sounds fine by me Tami, the last few years when we have been in it, June has killed us! I have a strong feeling tonight we will start it off in grand fashion.
Jo-Bu
June 1st, 2010
11:44 am
…And where’s all of the TP love these days? I think those who were on the fire TP bandwagon ought to at least have the integrity to give the man credit when the team hits well. Not that a single hitting coach has made any difference good or bad for any team. All I’m saying is that, if you’re going to blame him for a lack of offense than you should also be willing to give TP credit when the offense is hot.
Tami
June 1st, 2010
11:45 am
(Name redacted)….oh, that’s so painfully true. How many times have we had players who were legendary (well, to their former teams & their markets) come over to the Braves to “resurrect” their careers, do well, think they’re back to their former selves, move on to another team due to free agency with a much higher paycheck, and…….bomb (or worse….excel!). We’ve also had the same thing happen in reverse too many times, I stopped counting.
RM
June 1st, 2010
11:45 am
One important fact that can’t be ignored is that ever since Prado was moved to lead-off and J-Hey moved up to 2nd, the Braves are a completely different offensive team!
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
11:45 am
Ha…MLB.com let me vote 25 more times w/my other email address. I didn’t think it would work because it was coming same IP address but it did.
NC Braves Fan
June 1st, 2010
11:46 am
Mark: I think a really awesome, profound comment I’m trying to post on this little slice of Internet heaven is directing to SPAM. Could you please check it for me? Thanks!
DawgDad
June 1st, 2010
11:47 am
Unless I’m mistaken Glaus is now hitting right at .274 with 8 homers. This translates to .274 with roughly 24 homers for a full season, about what you’d expect at this point from a healthy Troy Glaus in Turner Field. A baseball season is full of ups and downs; April and May were pretty severe downs and ups on each end of the spectrum which is a bit unusual. It took exceptional performances from Glaus and Hinske (and others) to make May happen; those guys will level off and the Jones – McCann – Escobar – McLouth – Cabrera bunch will need to step up to sustain a Braves run at a playoff spot.
The foundation of this team remains pitching, which has been exceptional by 2010 standards. A lot of no-names and has-beens have been doing a super-fantastic job in the bullpen; that success needs to sustain for the Braves to reach post-season play.
extremus
June 1st, 2010
11:47 am
I readily admit my cautious optimism during the offseason was turned into disappointment and ridicule of Troy Glaus during the first few weeks of the season. But I’m very glad to see him turn things around; his resurgence has been a huge part of the surge the Braves had in the standings the past month. I hope that this season won’t be a “Jeckyll and Hyde” type of year for the Braves as far as hot and cold streaks go; in a divisional race involving this many teams this close together, consistency is what will win it. But for now things are fun again, so I’m enjoying the moment.
LLOYD CHRISTMAS
June 1st, 2010
11:47 am
I didn’t even see it coming.
Tami
June 1st, 2010
11:48 am
RM…absolutely! I think it’s pretty cool. I actually blogged weeks ago that Bobby should move Prado to the leadoff spot. Ironically, a day or so later (if that much), Bobby did just that. Now…I’m not saying MY blog was actually read by Bobby himself, heeded my advice, and thus it flip-flopped the season. Of course not. Maybe good minds just think alike. But, I’ll pretend I had something to do with it….hee-hee. So far, the season is becoming FUN again!
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
11:49 am
this is some first class spin, but it appears to me that players read these sports blogs (boston red sox players seem to). It appears to me that all the negative comments motivated Glaus, just like it did Big Papi. Personally, I don’t expect Glaus to keep going, but I was for giving him until at least the all star break to get back in the swing. Glaus, Hinski – 2 good signings. Don’t make up for the Frenchy & McLouth trade. Also, Kelly Johnson & La Roche are both hitting pretty well. all Braves fans should be pumped – it looks like we can win pretty well with just 5 guys hitting well. It does look like KK might lose 20 games this year.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
11:49 am
Plus the horrendous Cabrera trade.
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
11:50 am
the MLB All-Star game is great and the only good one in pro sports. You are allowed to vote 25 times because that is the approximate number home games during the voting period.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
11:51 am
I hope everyone remembers that Chipper asked Bobby to drop him in the line up. Heyward should be 3 or 4 – he is good & clutchy. The 2 guy should be McLouth, but his hitting thus far has earned him the 8 spot. thus, you need either Hinski of Escobar in the 2 slot. HOpefully, McCann will start hitting better once it warms up – if he can see the ball.
Jordan
June 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Hey Mark —
So here is a question to you — When does the Nate Mclouth experiment end???? He has hit awful this year, and overall has been a disappointment. I think we can all agree that Jason Schafer is just as good as a fielder, and wouldn’t hit any worse than .179, and has potential to hit 100-120 points better than that and has better speed. So why not call him back up and give him another shot? I know he hasn’t hit well in AAA, but we can agree that he wouldn’t do any worse, can’t we?
LLOYD CHRISTMAS
June 1st, 2010
11:51 am
I’m voting for Rico Carty
Tami
June 1st, 2010
11:54 am
Paddy O: I hate that about KK. He actually pitched great his last outing. I was absolutely livid with Bobby for keeping him on the mound in the 7th inning vs. the Pirates. It was obvious with the first batter of the inning that he had run out of gas, was getting quite flustered and lost his focus. Not once did Bobby or Roger twitch, or did Ross go out to calm him down. Next batter, first pitch — Braves no longer lead, and KK is no longer factored in the decision for a win. The team picked him back up again so he wouldn’t get the loss. True…good starting pitchers usually pitch through the 7th inning. But, the goal was to try to get KK his first win. Then, they could build from there. I fear he’ll surpass the team record currently held by Pascual Perez….sigh.
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
11:54 am
I’m for an outfield of Hinske, Schafer and Heyward!
Jo-Bu
June 1st, 2010
11:55 am
How ’bout that Eric Hinske (or is it Ed Hinske that I saw on another blog subject?).
I think EH is our second biggest “get” this off season. I’m giving Frank Wren all the credit for Glaus and Hinske. But I’m still bitter about the high-dollar D-Lowe and Kawakami deals. I mean, how can you justify paying KK what he’s getting when in all we really knew was that he pitched well in what is equiv to the American Triple-A??? Next time you do a contract that that, there needs to be performance incentives that would add up to a contract like that. That way you at least protect yourself and your organization.
And my thoughts on KK: Well, he is indeed the tough-luck loser and has pitched far better than his record suggests with the lowerst run support in the league. You certainly cannot expect KK or even Halliday to go out and pitch 7 perfect innings per game when the 1-4 pitchers on the rotation certainly aren’t. Poor guy must have not confidence in his stuff now — even as hot as the Braves’ offense has been latetly, they didn’t give him more than two or three runs through like seven innings. But they minute he left the game, the bullpen got all the runs we needed for the win. Again, poor fella.
Go Braves! Go Blackhawks!
June 1st, 2010
11:55 am
Gotta love the AJC writers. Three weeks ago the AJC sports staff were all calling for Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton to be fired. It was all over with and Heyward was a wash up.
The people who matter most are die hard Braves fans who stick out the good and bad times. I’m from the old days of Dale Murphy where I would go see the Braves just for him.
Go Braves! Go Blackhawks!
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
11:56 am
w/ Diaz worked in too
hal
June 1st, 2010
11:56 am
ive voted for prado mccan (why?)and glaus thats all i can see deserving to be on an all star team as for heystack that dude in pittsburgh jones is out playing him in almost every respect and has hardly any votes
extremus
June 1st, 2010
11:56 am
Mr. Bradley,
By the way, should Glaus continue to put up good numbers (it’s very hard to expect the RBI numbers the past month consistently from ANYBODY) for the rest of the season, what are your feelings on the Braves trying to retain his services for another year or two while Freeman breaks in? There are two main reasons I ask this: A) because those two would give the Braves a superb pair of options at first base, and B) if Chipper Jones decides to retire after this year, Glaus could make a very good replacement for the time being at third. What do you think? And could the Braves afford to keep him in such a case if Chipper’s salary was freed up?
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
11:57 am
Wren is still inept.
Mr. Phil
June 1st, 2010
11:59 am
This article is a simple case of mistaken holidays.
Ok. Glaus is doing alright now. But we as long time Braves lovers know that the real measure of a team does not come until after Independance Day not Memorial Day. Same goes for individual players (although Prado is looking very rel-dealish)
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
11:59 am
Yeah, you want to careful with starters who have a lead – let them get in trouble, but not to the point that they could lose a well pitched game (any time after 5). Francona has the same problem, but not like the mets – they got lit up by the Padres – even walked in 2 consecutive runs. I still think the Braves can win the Wild Card – most likely would come in 1st in the west division.
Mr. Phil
June 1st, 2010
11:59 am
This article is a simple case of mistaken holidays.
Ok. Glaus is doing alright now. But we as long time Braves lovers know that the real measure of a team does not come until after Independance Day not Memorial Day. Same goes for individual players (although Prado is looking very real-dealish)
Hunter
June 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
Interesting piece on McLouth and his slump on BR, read it here — http://bleacherreport.com/articles/399641-nate-mclouth-and-the-hole-in-atlantas-lineup
Turns out ol’ Nate is hitting worse than the pitchers.
Supes
June 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
Mark, to be fair you cherry picked some comments when the team was struggling and fans were beyond frustrated with the BRAVES as a whole.
I have to admit I was calling for Glaus to be on the bench and Hinske to be at 1B (btw, I wasn’t wrong to want more playing time for Hinske, dude has provided a spark when given time), what gets me ticked off at you is your piece about “as currently constructed Braves aren’t winning anything,or going anywhere”, you said it and then you disappeared and you are now jumping on the wagon.
Why can’t fans change their minds about Glaus if you can change your own mind about the Braves?
Double standard I think…and you are the one with the online blogs. Deadly combination.
On the other hand, I’m glad that I was wrong about Troy Glaus, and that he’s not just another Raul Mondesi, Reggie Sanders, Ken Caminiti experiment due to the payroll restraints, but that he’s in fact a legit major league first baseman who can still get the job done.
adelfersy
June 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
Hilarious!!! Well done MB. Mmmmm, Crow.
Tami
June 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
If Extremus doesn’t mind my thoughts on his blog entry (I’m sure MB will respond as well): I’m all for Freeman making the roster next year, but retaining Glaus as the #1 1B and platooning with Freeman. Chipper — if he continues his gradual recovery/rise, will likely be back next season. It’ll probably depend also on who the Braves select to replace Bobby. But, I think he’ll be back, and probably will retire in 2 yrs when he’s 40 &/or when his skills really drop off. I’d like to see either Brooks or Omar at 3B, though, when Chipper does slide off into the sunset.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
12:02 pm
All teams mistake quality jap pitchers in the jap leagues – the Jap. leagues are not as good – look at Dice K, the Sox paid almost $100 mill for that guy, and at least 3 of his 6 years will be washes. I still like the Lowe signing, but I owe that guy the 04 WS, and he is a really “Lucky” pitcher.
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
12:03 pm
Lowe is pitching well enough to be traded so he will soon no longer be a drain on the Braves payroll. 3 or 4 more descent starts and he is in Boston or Anaheim.
UcantCLA
June 1st, 2010
12:04 pm
MB u forgot to mention Troy is a Bruin, as a Bruin I knew it was a matter of time(longer than I thought) until he turned it a round. Go Bruins, Lakers and Braves!!!
Murph
June 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
Glaus is raking, no doubt about it. Who is he using as his personal hitting coach, ’cause it certainly isn’t TP who has turned this ship around.
Colin
June 1st, 2010
12:09 pm
125 votes later I am done.
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
12:10 pm
I want to give Schafer another crack. However McLouth, McOut, McLousy can’t possibly hit .180 all year he is due for a hot streak.
Colin
June 1st, 2010
12:12 pm
I feel I have done my part on getting Heyward to the All-Star game as a starter..I mean he is going regardless there is no discussion over it.
TLanceB
June 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
Just change the name from Glaus to McLouth in each post and everyone is off the hook.
Rob
June 1st, 2010
12:15 pm
The only question remaining is: Where does Cellini put the Glaus Tattoo? my vote is for his forehead. LOL
the TRUTH
June 1st, 2010
12:16 pm
Mark no worries – like most “journalist” hacks like yourself have never been on the field of competition at any level. Don’t worry. You are one notch above sports talk radio fat heads (like Steak Shapiro) who basically read your article and then discuss it.