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
Matt S.
June 1st, 2010
2:37 pm
TG!!! Nothing better than silencing your critics. Unreal May, keep it going.
ATL Fan
June 1st, 2010
2:43 pm
I called the Glaus 7th inning HR. Unfortunately, I was out in left field.
TruthSeeker
June 1st, 2010
2:45 pm
Ouch, one of my posts was the one Bradley included in the article. Pretty embarrassing, although at least I had plenty of company.
Yang
June 1st, 2010
2:51 pm
Silly people. Watch what happens when he gets hurt in a few days or starts to stink it up again this time not being able to get his groove back. It will happen
Top kill
June 1st, 2010
2:52 pm
He is in the zone right now. Let’s just hope he stays there.
jfreak13713
June 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
I too wrote Glaus off early on as well! But before I totally change my mind on that I have to remind myself that I once wrote off Mike Woodson only to openly eat my words at the start of season. But now after the season is over my original opinion was correct. Mike Woodson was rightly fired! However, Glaus does have a history of putting up good numbers and we should give him credit for being a TRUE PROFESSIONAL so far this year.
Troy you are a big reason why Atlanta is in FIRST place.
BravesfaninNashville
June 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
It’s great to give Troy credit where it’s due. He has turned it around both offensively and proven to be finding a groove defensively at 1B. He’s handled some bad throw’s both hi and in the dirt and saved some certain errors for our infield and he’s started some tough DP’s that were really rally killers for Braves opponents. I think it’s also time to give Frank Wren credit as he has done many things well including signing Glaus and handing him 1B. The Hinske signing is huge, the trade of Vazquez in order to afford signing Hudson to three more years looks smart and could be even smarter if Vizciano turns out to be anywhere near the pitcher he looks like he is in the minors today. Melky is a throw in who is helping more than he’s hurting right now. I look at the trade as Vazquez for Hudson as Hudson would have been gone if we didn’t have payroll room to extend him + the high hope pitching prospect. No one would trade Hudson for Vazquez today so it’s been a great move. Way to go Frank the method to your madness is becoming clearer and clearer.
shelbydawkins
June 1st, 2010
3:01 pm
I liked the signing of Glaus cause he seemed like a good guy, someone you’d like to root for. Real happy for him and please keep it going.
Brad
June 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
Is anyone eating crow yet?
Brad
June 1st, 2010
3:11 pm
By the way I find this hard to believe: Glaus had a lot of good years during his Anaheim days but this month (28 RBI’s) was the best month of his career. That’s impressive.
NickDiamond
June 1st, 2010
3:16 pm
Mike Woodson SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED. Woodsen can coach an nba team to 50 games, but he cant go beyond that and motivate a team to go to the next level. The problem with the Hawks players is that they had been below 50 games for so many years that when they FINALLY won 50 this year under woodsen (53 wins) suddently, unexpectedly, the Hawks players felt that they had won the championship because they now are an (”ELITE 50 WIN TEAM”). There was absolutely no incentive to win any more than 50 and woody couldnt push them to more wins because they played like stubborn lazy mules in the playoffs getting pasted by over 100 points in a four-game sweep (NBA RECORD FOR FUTILITY). That was going to cost mike woodsen his job and there were no two ways about it. Mike Brown, coach of the Cavs received the same treatment that Mike Woodsen did because although brown coached the cavs to two straight 60-win seasons, he couldnt motivate labron james and the rest of the bunch to capture the GOLD BALL (nba TITLE). MIke brown justifiably got fired. The next guy up in the coaching firing carousel of revolving door firings is STAN VAN GUNDY. Stan will be fired this week for allowing his team to lay down against the Celtics.
Chief Pitchanono
June 1st, 2010
3:17 pm
Good article Mark – Hey we can’t allways be perfect, but man I got this one right! Doesn’t often happen, but I couldn’t quite see the logic for all the Glaus haters back in April. Lets face it, the whole team stunk in April and it kinda seemed like he became the punch’n bag for all the fans frustrations. I could see the logic in the fact that he missed a whole season due to injury and I honestly thought it would take a couple of months before he got back to putting up numbers like he did prior to the injury. Gotta remember too, and i’m sure he wont admit it, but he has allot of money riding on his performance this season. He’s a free agent at the end of the season and if he puts up a monster year he will really cash in. It may be premature but I have been calling for Escobar’s benching since he came off the DL, but all of a sudden he’s starting to heat up so probably got that one wrong and I could’t be happier about it. The braves need him going well and be the RBI guy that he’s been in the past in the 6 hole. Can’t depend on the Glaus show all the time, If Escobar is truly back to normal this team is really gonna take off.
Roymus
June 1st, 2010
3:27 pm
For those of you that are claiming that established major-leaguers like Troy Glaus always play to their stats (i.e., their seasons tend to average out to whatever is on the backs of their baseball cards)…wouldn’t this apply to players like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jayson Werth, etc., who are slumping pretty bad too? The Braves are doing much better, but let’s get real: there are still several gaping holes in this lineup, and the teams we’ve been playing lately have been god-awful. Good to see we’re winning the games we should win, but I’ll suspend judgement on whether Troy has successfully De-Glaussed himself until July…
Mark Lemke
June 1st, 2010
3:34 pm
Sorry Troy Glaus. I was one of those guys that bashed you at every chance I could get.
doc
June 1st, 2010
3:45 pm
my bad
still a long season?
keep it up stud and ignore me.
Melky way
June 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
I would love to see Glaus hitting 3rd Mc 4th chipper 5th every thing else the same.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 1st, 2010
4:14 pm
The Fans are back on the BANDWAGON.
MitchC
June 1st, 2010
4:20 pm
Mark, I wasn’t part of that chat in April. I was probably watching the game that night, lol, but, as you know from having read my comments, I wasn’t fond of Glaus in the early going either. I’m happy he’s producing now.
Bottom line, while I’m a Braves “fan”, I’ve only been affected by several Braves, personally, as a fan, during my whole 27 years. Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Chipper, and Dave Justice, when he hit the homer to win the WS for the Braves. Beyond those guys, I just want to see productive players in Braves uniforms who can help the team win. I guess you can count me as a fair weather fan too.
I know ballplayers aren’t machines. There is still a lot of season to go. Troy will have a slump, and I’m sure the entire team will cool off at some point again, although hopefully it wont be until at least after the Phillies leave town.
You see it in every city, Mark. Fans love the guys when they produce, and ride their butts if they dont. That’s the nature of being a pro sports fan, in any sport, I think.
MitchC
June 1st, 2010
4:23 pm
Comment didnt go up, again. So, I’ll try again.
In any team sport, fans love the guys when they produce, and criticize them when they dont. I’ve only been attached as a fan to a handful of Braves players over the years. Guys like Murphy, Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Chipper, etc. When those guys left the Braves, I was upset. Beyond that, I just want to see good players in uniform, who can help the team win.
the real Old Gold
June 1st, 2010
4:40 pm
He sucked and he shouldn’t have. He was presented to us as the answer at first base and he wasn’t.. now he’s improved so we quiet down. We don’t have to say sorry..
meh
June 1st, 2010
4:50 pm
I figured old T-ROY would come around. he was just rusty from being out so long. Now if we could just get Nattey Mac going.
DirtyDawg
June 1st, 2010
4:56 pm
Over time you, Bradley, have said much that I’ve gotten upset with – most of it having to do with criticism of UGA – but this time I’m really pissed. How dare you post all those ‘name redacted’ comments and not have included even one of mine. I mean if anybody here was trying to blister Troy’s butt it was me…slow bat…way to slow a-foot…clearly will never adapt to what it takes to play 1B…you name it and I was certain – with all my keen knowledge of baseball – that this guy needed to be sent packing, and Frank Wren along with him.
Then May happened. I’ll admit that several weeks ago I begged forgiveness for doubting Bobby’s ability to know his ballplayers better than me, and because of Troy. The man needed some time to overcome the fact that he hadn’t faced ML pitching in almost two years – it took him a while. He’s playing his position better every game – still can’t run, but that slide the other day to avoid a tag at home was damn sweet and a sign that the man can play the game.
Sure they’ll be some ups and downs across the season. If Philly can hit the skids like they have then so can we. All I know is that this looks to be a team that will be in it right up to the end and if they should indeed win it all, it’ll be a hellova finish for Bobby – and will be even sweeter to rub the noses of all those ‘know-it-alls’ on ESPN or MLB Network, or John Kincaide (may be spelled wrong, but I don’t really care) in it.
#22=MANBEAST
June 1st, 2010
5:40 pm
I’m pretty sure 8:33 was me. I was blogging under one of my former aliases at the time. It sounds like something I’d say.
aswingruber
June 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
This is a great example of why you should never take anything from these reactionary blog dodos seriously. It’s damn depressing to read the blog comments during a game. Nothing but gloom and doom from baseball know-it-alls… Begging to cut ties with Glaus a few weeks into the season when less than 5% of the season had been played? Get real clowns.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
6:13 pm
the real old dawg – I’m wrong and damn if I’ll admit – the Redneck Swan Song.
Paddy O
June 1st, 2010
6:19 pm
Cox has proven that he is flexible. Moved Heyward up. Moved McLout down. Altered Prado. Stuck with Chipper & Troy. Should have gone to Hinski earlier. I would stick with McCann too, as he has. Pitching is a little trickier, but the use of Medlen is sharp. Hopefully, he keeps pitching well, and if JJ or KK can’t go, we have a good option. When Shafer is ready, I would give him a run – if his defense it similar to McLout.
Thomas
June 1st, 2010
6:39 pm
I am glad that Glaus has turned it around, April is not a time to evaluate a players performance, you have to wait till late August and see where your at then when smack talk is better absorbed by those who know baseball.
Kevin Sheets
June 1st, 2010
7:18 pm
This is just proof that someone people need to have patience. I mean seriously some people wanted Glaus’s head along with Wrens’ and now Wren is a genius and Glaus an allstar. Yes it looks good now but there is a reason you need patience in a 162 game season. Also i see people wanting Escobar gone, so for someone who is starting out the season poorly after leadin the team in RBIs and had once of the highest RISP batting averages your ready to give up on him?
Patience. Some people here must have some serious injuries from jumping on and off the bandwagon so much.
baseball, yawn, huh?
June 1st, 2010
7:33 pm
I dont give a crap about any of this. Baseball is b o r i n g
Give me hockey any day.
CaptainMudderland
June 1st, 2010
8:25 pm
162 games…I’ll never make it…college football will take over and…….well, even if the Bravos are ahead of the pack, I’ll sail off to pigskin island.
J-Hey
June 1st, 2010
11:59 pm
See!! The comments about Glaus really prove it: we really need to rail on Nate for a few weeks! Just boo so loud he can’t hear himself think.
It turned Troy around so it might do the same for Nate
scottbravesfan
June 2nd, 2010
12:24 am
Mark Bradley wrong? GET OUT OF HERE!
scottbravesfan
June 2nd, 2010
12:28 am
Captainmudderland,
What is this college football you speak of? Is that the sport who’s champion is decided by computers? I’ll pass. Give me MLB and NFL any day of the week.
Meatlake
June 2nd, 2010
1:43 am
Mark, thanks for printing this as I recall all the bloggers ripping Glaus after like 2 weeks into the season. I remember standing up for him here and likening him to Rick Wilkins who had a horrible start and then hit 42 HRs for the Cubs. I don’t know if he’ll go on to get those numbers but he’s no chump either. You go Troy…and the Braves.
Bravesfan79
June 2nd, 2010
2:37 am
I never stopped believing in Glaus and told people you just cant count out a former World Series MVP. However, i did not expect us to be in 1st place before the all star break. I was counting this team as a wild card team… but it might be time to raise expectations.
CaptainMudderland
June 2nd, 2010
6:20 am
Yes, just like Olivia Newton J, I am hopelessly devoted….the playoff situation? Yes, go ahead and do wallpaper, etc….it’s ok to wet with spit too!!!
Glaus-is-half-full-kind-of-guy
June 2nd, 2010
7:00 am
Another punching bag of many bloggers is Bobby Cox. Give hm credit for sticking with Glaus.
Gene
June 2nd, 2010
7:49 am
What a miserable punt!This isn’t TV, there’s no replays in real journalism!
Get to work and write a damn column!
Sorry Mark, but we all remember the Glaus-out and the fact that he wore a catcher’s mitt at first base for the month of April. To Truth’s point, this is like talk radio without the sound!
DC Braves Fan
June 2nd, 2010
9:48 am
One serving of crow, please!
ATLfaninVA
June 2nd, 2010
9:56 am
@Mark Bradley, care to admit that your column “These Braves aren’t Going to Win Anything” was written a little too soon?
Tralfaz
June 2nd, 2010
10:20 am
“…And where’s all of the TP love these days?”
–Sorry, but having a bunch of professional hitters who remain mired in slumps 2-3 months before finally coming out of it is hardly a ringing endorsement of the hitting coach’s capabilities
Live from Braves-Phillies, where the magic number is 110! | Mark Bradley
June 2nd, 2010
12:57 pm
[...] herewith I open the floor for questions, comments and Glaus mea culpas. (I’ve already said mine.) I’ll be here until the sweep has been consummated, and I’d welcome the company. As [...]
ZeussRichardson
June 2nd, 2010
1:43 pm
Its absolutely, truly amazing what a difference a months makes. I know that when the Braves started their run in May, I was amazed how much ground they were picking up and how the Phillies continued to slump. I am proud of the Braves and happy that they have given joy to all of their fans by getting the Braves into contention still this early in the season, and not waiting too late like they did last year when there wasnt enough time to recover in time to make the playoffs. Its almost as if the Braves had a 30-day time window to get the job done (almost as if they were in a time warp) and LIKE THE STORY OF CINDERELLA, if she didnt make it home from the party by 12:00 noon she would turn into a glass slipper; however, in the case of the Braves, if the Braves didnt make it into first place by the beginning of June, june 1st, then their ringleader and hottest player, Troy Glaus, himself, would have turned into the “Glaus” slipper. So you see the slipper fits, its fitting that Troy Glaus has championed the cause of the Braves because if the slipper truly fits, like it does then its truly a done deal and first place is now a reality. Braves Win!
CaptainMud
June 4th, 2010
5:28 pm
I am so happy about the Troy Glaus acquisition. Finally, the Braves came up BIG on a free agent acquisition. There had been talk from some fans about the Braves passing up on Jermaine Dye and other free agents and while I must admit I was disgusted about the Troy Glaus acquisition in April, I am esctatic about it in May and beyond. Glaus, if he keeps it up, will probably win comeback player of the year; and if he can maintain his current production, he can possibly win MVP of the league. Glaus has already won PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MAY. What a great acquisition for the Braves and I am not a BANDWAGON FAN. Its fabulous that the Braves have new acquisitions this year of Troy Glaus and Jeyson Heyward. Those two players have added an enormous PUNCH to the Braves lineup. How can any fan be upset. Hey, were in 1st Place in our division! Go Braves.
Geoff
June 9th, 2010
12:50 pm
To those who believe Glaus deserved the boos in April and the praise in May, that’s ridiculous. He didn’t “deserve” the boos in April because he was basically coming off a one year layoff due to injury, playing a TOTALLY new position on a totally new team. How in the world can you give a guy in that situation only a month to prove himself before you start unmercifully ripping him? Actually, most of you didn’t even give him a month before you started.
I admit that I have always been a Glaus fan. In fact, so much so that I actually want the Braves to win now after never having been an Atlanta fan. But even if I weren’t a Glaus fan, I’d at least give a player in that situation half a season to turn it around.