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
P. Bull Terrier
June 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
Mark Martin, spokesman for E.D.
Mark Bradley, spokesman for Premature Evaluation
Nice blog, Mark.
Fire Frank Wren
June 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
He who laughs last laughs loudest. I have seen this movie before and it does not end well. I think they play the World Series in Octber, not May.
Blackberry Cobbler
June 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
Glaus deserved the boos in April and deserves the praise in May. This team needs him. Let’s keep it going. Glaus, Prado, and now Escobar starting to hit make a big difference in this team. Now, if we can either get McLouth going or get him outta there…………..
Colin
June 1st, 2010
12:21 pm
I feel bad for Nathaniel, I am still in his corner until he proves me really wrong..maybe Gregor could step in I dont know.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
12:22 pm
For those Lowe haters – he has 7 wins, what else do you want? At this pace he could win 20+ games. Of course, he vacuums all the SP luck up, leaving KK to lose all the heartbreakers. But the baseball gods give & take, with Lowe, they give, give, give.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
12:24 pm
as opposed to the TRUTH, who believe unless you lost to New Orleans in the Super Bowl, you lose your right to write or comment, because of course, your knowledge is pathetic. He must be the PR guy for Hanley Ramirez. excellent!
MyView
June 1st, 2010
12:24 pm
Now all of those comments need to be directed @ Nate “The Out” McClouth…
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
12:32 pm
Colin – I’ve got 50 votes foe Heyward and I’ve got another email address for 25 more. He really does deserve to be voted in, so I don’t feel bad.
It does piss me off when people vote for player who don’t deserve it. Some idiots (actually a lot of idiots) vote for player who have not even played. Or player who stink.
Ken Griffey Jr. is 3rd in DH voting. He is absolutely the worst DH. What’s wrong with people? I was a big fan of Jr. but I don’t want to see him in the all-star game NOW even tho I’m pulling for the NL
Ted M
June 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
Paddy O – Lowe is a good pitcher but the Braves can’t afford him especially with the good starting pitchers we have here and the minors.
Chop Chop
June 1st, 2010
12:40 pm
I’d venture to say that the whole team, minus one or two guys, is playing out of its mind right now. Baseball teams don’t often win 16 of 20. Enjoy the ride, but don’t start popping the champagne yet.
Marty
June 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
MB, I disagree with you 101% of the time. I’m just not a reactionary pessimistic like you seem to be. But I completely respect the fact that you owned up to being wrong in this case. Although you were completely correct about the mediocrity know as Melky Cabrera so I must say I was wrong to believe that he could play an average left field for the Braves. That goodness JV is throwing so poorly and AV seems to be a complete stud in the vain of JT and RD.
Lee
June 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
Ha. I can’t remember the last time I saw this much optimism on the blog.
Betting Baseball Club » Texas MLB Capsules: Maldonado, Zimmerman homer in Nats … – Brownsville Herald
June 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
[...] There’s no Glaus-ing over what we said in April about … – Atlanta Journal Constitution…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 … [...]
Col. Al
June 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
The Brave’s are just getting warmed up…..look out NL.East!
hal
June 1st, 2010
12:51 pm
i agree with the guy above i use to watch each and every braves game just to watch the murph and maybe horner so i can watch these guys just fine one thing i will say for mr cox his teams play hard for him none of the garbage i see on other teams watching the twins last night denard spam hit a one hop rocket that skiped out out of the infielders glove unfortunatly for the twins spam had taken te wo steps and quit running would not happen on a booby cox team eg. andru and esco lol
OSCAR
June 1st, 2010
12:52 pm
Why was adam wainwright traded??
hal
June 1st, 2010
12:56 pm
im wondering where all the “thephils are in another league from the braves” bozos have gone too the plucked up pills have as many issues as the braves just in different areas if cox had left a pitcher in getting his brain beat in like blanton yesterday the roar would have defened me lol
Zach
June 1st, 2010
1:01 pm
Told you so!
hal
June 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
oscar one would have to ask that questin about wainwright of a person who this blog can find no error with so your on the wrong blog man give up these idiotds only see one thing at a time dont confuse them ewith truths theyed much rather have unprovable verbal ditrides that they can break down by brilliant arguments like i know i played college baseball lmao
Chino Cada Clusters
June 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
Some people ask me if Bobby reads the blog and does he make any decisions after reading suggestions from bloggers. Here’s what I know . . . Bobby is not a blog regular but he will sometimes check in and read what Brads has to say. When we was reading the blog one time with Bobby something was smeared on his screen and we could hardly make out anything. I am not sure if Bobby could either. I think if he read the blog and made decisions from it we are in trouble for the rest of the season.
Tweets that mention There’s no Glaus-ing over what we said in April about Troy | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
June 1st, 2010
1:07 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AJC , TDC. TDC said: We believed all along. OK, so we didn't. (AJC photo by Jason Getz): Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) (Followed … http://bit.ly/akLLkj [...]
Bill Campbell
June 1st, 2010
1:08 pm
Won’t last..I didn’t.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
I’m pretty sure Bobby Cox doesn’t read anything I write. Not even on his iPhone.
Timbo
June 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
I ragged on Glaus big time at the beginning of the year. I didn’t think he had anything left, and I thought he was just another player with inflated stats from the steroid generation of baseball. I’m glad I was wrong.
tp
June 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
It’s funny … now people are exclaiming that Glaus is the second coming of Lou Gehrig!
How about we meet someplace in the middle? I’d say – for two million dollars – if he can hit @ .275 with 20-25 HRs and 85-90 RBIs, he’s far exceeded expectations. And if he can limit himself to 12-15 errors, even better.
What he does deserve a ton of credit for is his attitude and professionalism throughout the start of the season. He’s definitely a gamer, and I’m sure he’s more than won over his teammates with the way he’s handled himself.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
His new teammates admire and appreciate Troy Glaus very much, tp. Astute assumption by you.
tp
June 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
MB: So, when do you expect the “Santa’s Glauses” cheering section to appear? ANYTHING is better than the Geisha’s!
NC Braves Fan
June 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
I’m thinking this was my comment in the original post – “Braves offense in this game: The Glaussed Boys …”
I know mediocre writing when I see it!
Glad that Troy has Double-Glaussed all of us doubting fans.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:21 pm
That might have been yours, NC Braves Fan, or it might not. As I said, I’m not pointing fingers.
NC Braves Fan
June 1st, 2010
1:23 pm
Mark – haha … I’m owning it so it’s all good. I also give props to the few fans who believed it was a matter of TG getting his timing back after missing most of last year.
Duff
June 1st, 2010
1:23 pm
I have already admitted openly that I owe Troy Glaus an apology.. Great article. I however will never apologize to Nate McClouth.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:23 pm
I just realized I failed to link to the live blog in question, NC. Grievous error on me. Has been corrected. See above.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:25 pm
Cyberspace might not be deep enough to include all the slams against McLouth, Duff.
Coach D
June 1st, 2010
1:27 pm
I see where Terry Pendleton is getting all the credit for Glaus turning it around….
puff
June 1st, 2010
1:28 pm
I wasn’t in the thread, but my post would have been something along the lines of “worthless retread” … “Troy Mondesi” … “blind pig found acorn.” Tip of the cap to Bradley for this little reminder that, long-term and short-term, baseball is a game of patience.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Puff, I’ve noted it a time or two, but live chats are kind of like sitting with your buddies watching a game. Except that your comments are preserved for the enjoyment of one and all when you’re proven incorrect.
And I should tell you: Some of the silliest things I’ve ever heard over the past 30 years have been said by us professionals in the press box. (Only 98 percent of the silliness emanating from me.) We’re not immune in the slightest.
Bigstack19
June 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Fire Frank Wren
June 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
He who laughs last laughs loudest. I have seen this movie before and it does not end well. I think they play the World Series in Octber, not May.
They actually play the World Series in October not Octber. Secondly, hopefully the team continues to play well, but as I pointed out on the Santa Claus blog last night since 2006 June has typically been when the Braves have gone in the tank and with teams like the Dodgers, Tigers, Twins and Rays coming up the schedule is a lot tougher than having Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Houston coming up. Everyone is getting excited again but I have been a Braves fan too long to declare this team division champs just yet or even a playoff team for that matter. The team still has several holes including two outfield spots that need addressing and the lack of a left handed starter. Medlen should stay in the rotation when J.J. comes backs. Kawakami isn’t great but he has been pitching well enough to win some games with proper run support. It is nice to be in 1st place, but lets wait until say after the All-Star break to see where the Braves are at.
DawgDad
June 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
“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. ”
I think that big bright message board in center field is all the farther they have to look. If you’re the starting first baseman and you’re hitting in Mendoza territory you KNOW your days are numbered. No doubt some teams would have dumped Glaus (and others).
Now, we all have to hope the success is sustainable. I’m all for consistency, as long as the team is consistently winning. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a model of consistency; umm, not so good.
I was in St. Louis over the holiday weekend receiving continual thanks for the Braves dropping four straight to the Cardinals in April. Sure would be nice to match up with them in October.
We_Run_This_Country
June 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
The most important thing in that blog was the fact that this happened 3 minutes before it actually happened:
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/04/20/live-from-braves-phillies-guess-whos-tremendous-looking/comment-page-6/#comment-211374
GovClintonTyree
June 1st, 2010
1:48 pm
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? – Jordan
Well, Jordan, here’s what I think – I wasn’t impressed with Schafer’s defense when he was up last year. Bad angles, dumb moves. UZR bears that out.
I don’t think Schafer is apt to hit 120 points better than McLouth. I think Schafer is hitting .193 at AAA Gwinnett with a .263 slugging percentage.
I don’t think Schafer is faster than McLouth. I think McLouth is one of the best baserunners I’ve ever seen.
I think McLouth continues to play excellent defense, though I know his arm is average.
I think I’m as frustrated as you are with his hitting, and one of the reasons for that is that he has a three year history of hitting .270 or so with a .340 OBP and a .480 SLG.
I think it would make sense for Melky to handle the lighter half of a platoon (against LHs) until Nate figures it out.
I think it’s entirely possible that we could reconvene on July 1, after he’s hit about .380 to round into form, have a good laugh, and say, “Hey…remember when we were all ready to fire McLouth when he was hitting .170 in May? Hyuk, hyuk.”
I think Nate will figure it out. Mark, remember the Governor said it on 6/1.
Nativebird
June 1st, 2010
1:48 pm
He’s still a has-been washed up, retread so commonly used and abused by the typical slew of also-ran teams that are 90% likely to not make the playoffs….
hmmm Mark Texiera….Troy Glaus? hmmmmmm.
not even friggin close.
ronaldh
June 1st, 2010
1:52 pm
Ok, pass the salt and pepper so I can eat my crow. A month ago I was very vocal in my criticism of the Braves. I freely admit that I spoke too early. We are now in first place. Maybe we can pull it off.
NC Braves Fan
June 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
Mark – nice! Way to put it out there with the comments.
Honky Talkin'
June 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
Went to the game yesterday….Damn the Braves look good!! Keep it up guys!!
rob graner
June 1st, 2010
2:23 pm
I have to say that the Braves are looking a lot like the team in Spring Training that I got all excited about. Hinske is getting his playing time (that he deserved throughout April) as well which makes our line-up even better. Cox inserted Hayward into the top of the order that we all said he should have done a month ago (April during our struggles) and Glaus is hitting the ball hard! Pitching has been great except for Kawakami but his days are numbered in the rotation since Jair is coming back. Now we have to win agains the AL teams coming up and take care of the rest of the Phili series!
bruce
June 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
if that blog night was a jury, only an appeal could permit survival. if it was a lynching… where would we be today?
hmmmm Nate
June 1st, 2010
2:25 pm
When Diaz comes back.. BC will rotate Melky Hinske and Diaz in left and keep Nate in Center.
It should be Hinkse in left. Melky and Diaz in center.
I hope Hinske does not lose playing time
dont hate on the Jap
June 1st, 2010
2:26 pm
If KK got the run support Lowe gets. He would have a winning record.
ZeussRichardson
June 1st, 2010
2:35 pm
Mark Bradley: Excellent article. I know I thought that Troy Glaus was a bust myself. I kept ripping the Braves for picking up what I thought was a washed up retread. In fact the way we got Glaus so easily, I had thought Glaus was actually “Santa Glaus”. But it shows how much I know, I myself actually glossed over Glaus and didnt realize just how great the guy still is. What should be pointed out also is that skipper Bobby Cox should deserve a lot of the credit for the Braves success in taking over first place away from the Phillies. Cox made a couple of moves in the starting lineup and its worked to perfection like a charm for the Braves. Cox tweaked the lineup making two moves: #1, moving Martin Prado to the top of the lineup as leadoff hitter and #2, moving Jayson “the say hey kid” Heyward from seventh in the batting order to second. Those two moves have paid HUGE dividends for the Braves by making them now the best team in baseball. I must admit I didnt think Cox was that much of a genius, but the guy can still manage with the best of them. Good luck Braves, win the division and the win the world series. What better sendoff could there be for Bobby’s last year.
Bet Baseball Club » Blog Archive » When will The Conversation begin? - ESPN.com
June 1st, 2010
2:35 pm
[...] There’s no Glaus-ing over what we said in April about … – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog…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 … [...]