Why Bobby Cox can’t (and won’t) start Conrad in Game 4
Managerial mercy required. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Well, I’ve slept on it (though not well), and I’ve decided: Bobby Cox cannot start Brooks Conrad in Game 4 of the NLDS tonight. This has nothing to do with baseball strategy. It has everything to do with human kindness.
Brooks Conrad is a journeyman whose journey has led him into the wilderness, and he can see no way home. It’s incumbent on someone (meaning Cox) to come rescue him. It isn’t that Conrad has developed Steve Sax/Chuck Knoblauch Disease, where he can’t throw straight. Poor Brooks is so confused he can’t even think straight.
We saw it last night even at those times he wasn’t making an error. He looked to second base before throwing — accurately — to first base, and in the game’s strangest moment he called off Derrek Lee to run over and catch a pop that should have been the first baseman’s all along. It isn’t that Conrad isn’t trying. On the contrary, he’s trying so hard he can barely remember where to stand.
Credit Conrad for facing reporters after the worst postseason game any Brave has ever had. (Let’s recall that Lonnie Smith ducked out after stopping at second base in the Metrodome in 1991.) But now it’s up to Cox. He has to do the right thing: He has to bench Brooks.
If that means playing Troy Glaus at third base and letting San Francisco bunt three times an inning, so be it. (The Giants are starting Madison Bumgarner, who’s a lefthander, so having Glaus at third — as opposed to Eric Hinske — makes a bit of tactical sense.) Omar Infante can move back to second, and Conrad can go back to being a pinch-hitter.
The important thing is to get Conrad in the dugout. He’s doing no one any good at second base, himself least of all. (His evocative postgame words: “I wish I could dig a hole and sleep in it.”) And there’s no percentage in inflicting further indignity on the tough little guy whose big hits helped get the Braves beyond Game No. 162.
He’s doing his best, but at the moment his best isn’t very good. I’m not certain what Bobby Cox will decide, but if I’m anything of a Bobby reader after 25 years of study, I’d say he’d made up his mind last night. This would not be a punitive benching, a Charlie-Finley-trying-to-deactivate-Mike-Andrews-in-the-World-Series thing. This would be an act of mercy.
Update: The Braves have announced their lineup for tonight’s game. Glaus is starting at third base. Conrad isn’t starting.
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GT Alum
October 11th, 2010
1:00 pm
The lineup I would have tonight
Infante 2B
Gonzalez SS
Lee 1B
McCann C
Glaus 3B
Heyward RF
Diaz LF
Ankiel CF
Gonzalez has shown more of an ability to bunt runners over and do the kinds of things a #2 hitter is supposed to do. And it allows you to move Heyward down into more of an RBI spot, which may shake him out of his funk. Glaus may give the lineup some more punch. Since Bobby trusted him enough to put him at 3B late in game 2, I think we need to make SF show that they’ll take advantage of his limited mobility before we eliminate the possibility of starting him at 3B.
CreekBoy
October 11th, 2010
1:00 pm
Who really cares? Conrad is doing us all a favor so the few of us still watching baseball can switch our focus over to the Falcons. This team can’t beat the Phillies anyway.
DP
October 11th, 2010
1:00 pm
I’m surprised at all the rips on Heyward on this and other blogs. He’s 21 years old, this is by far the longest season he’s every played, he’s had injuries and this is the first time he’s ever seen MLB playoff pitching and been under playoff pressure. With regard to the tying run last night, he charged the ball and got rid of it quickly. His throw was off line but the runner was sliding home as the ball got to the catcher. No way a good throw would have gotten the runner.
Heyward is the key player in the future of this franchise, and we’ve seen throughout the year that he can go from cold to hot pretty quickly. The Braves certainly don’t have anybody to put in his place. They can’t even put major league quality outfielders in center and left.
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
1:01 pm
Glaus made a ballsy play the other night, but he got a Sunday hop right at him, and almost threw it into centerfield. Infante should get the credit for coming across the bag, grabbing the errant throw and making the turn to first. The “L” screen they use in batting practice plays a better defense than Glaus.
WindyCityDawg
October 11th, 2010
1:01 pm
Should’ve lived or died last night with Kimbrell. If Kimbrell (or Venters) is the closer in waiting…there’s no more waiting. Put them in in the bottom of the 9th and treat them like Wagner: all or nothing.
jay dubu
October 11th, 2010
1:01 pm
former pro,
Heyward hasn’t had a stellar series at the plate, and has made some fielding plays where he looked tentative. You don’t know what lingering effects he was dealing with after the collision with the wall.
If he’d laid out for that ball and missed it, it would have spelled doom. By playing it on the hop, the Braves still had a chance to hold the lead.
That’s part of what makes sports fun.
It’s a lot easier to sit at home in front of the flat screen, and say what someone should do.
extremus
October 11th, 2010
1:03 pm
Jason Heyward’s (and on a bigger scale, the Braves’) biggest problem at the plate is that he tries way too hard to be disciplined and not be the next Jeff Francoeur (I’m sure he was well aware of Francoeur’s initial success and subsequent fall from grace coming in). So he has let the first pitch go by uncontested what has to be a large majority of the time. Big league pitchers have listened to their scouts, so Heyward (and an alarming number of other “patient” Braves hitters) often quickly see themselves in an 0-1 or 0-2 hole.
Yes, Heyward’s gotten enough walks to boost his OBP significantly…but then he’s not being expected by this franchise to just get to first base somehow, is he? He can and should be hitting 30-plus home runs even if it’s sacrificing some of that OBP, because this team sure as heck has enough trouble getting runs home as it is. When he was told by Cox and/or Pendleton early in the season to get more aggressive at the plate, he took off for awhile and really did well, even keeping his strikeouts relatively low while doing so. But then he regressed to that earlier form, especially after he injured his thumb, and afterward apparently NOBODY reminded him to be aggressive and that the Braves needed power from him more than they needed him to play it “safe”. The result has been a guy up there who seems unsure of himself in clutch situations and especially against top-tier pitching; you can tell he’s becoming frustrated when you see him starting to bark at umpires who ring him up looking. But like Nate McLouth, Yunel Escobar, and Troy Glaus (to name just a few; funny how Escobar took off after being shipped to toronto, isn’t it?), nobody seems to have had a serious one-on-one to emphatically tell him what’s really wrong. Meaning somebody didn’t do their jobs.
That’s why I have to lay the biggest blame for this problem on Terry Pendleton, and then Bobby Cox if he sees that Pendleton isn’t doing his job with these players. The Braves need a HOUSE CLEANING come the offseason, and a new manager is only the beginning. I think the entire coaching staff and certainly the ownership need to change; perhaps some of the front office as well. Because from top to bottom, 2010 has been a year where obvious problems that could have been addressed internally even without trades simply WEREN’T. That kind of ineptitude and inaction goes all the way to the top given how long a MLB season is.
BravesFan1Pissed
October 11th, 2010
1:03 pm
Maybe this will be a wake-up call for the owners. I mean seriously. This has to be the most pathetic line-up I have ever seen on a postseason squad. From top to bottom the whole thing is weak. Our best hitters (Heyward, McCann) can’t be productive because of the lack of talent ahead and behind them in the lineup. It’s sad. The acquistion of Lee, Ankiel, Gonzalez have done absolutely NOTHING. Spend some money! The fans will pay for what they want to see! Atlanta sports are a laughing stock of the major sports world. We piece together journeymen, and stars at the backend of their career. When we do sign a stud, we sign em to a one year deal and their off the next year cuz the teams can’t frickin’ pay em enough!…The days of 90’s are over…We got Maddux in a good trade…Glavine, Smoltz, Avery were already part of the team. It’s time for Wren to turn into Scherholtz…or get out the way and let someone that is capable manage this team….
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
October 11th, 2010
1:04 pm
If I had been in Conrad’s shoes I would have made it easy for BC, even before last night’s game. I would have gone to him and requested to be removed from the lineup. Even sitting out one game could have worked wonders. That would have been the smart thing to do. Also, BC’s big mistake was taking Kimbrel out. Pitching changes are Cox’s “Achilles Heel”!
Yuck
October 11th, 2010
1:04 pm
Booing is part of the game….booing the other team…you don’t boo your own team or players, unless you are Philly or NY…
Charlie
October 11th, 2010
1:05 pm
Sit down Conrad and Heyward tonight. Heyward could have prevented Conrad’s second error, and Jason is a liability at the plate. Give Hinske a chance to shine tonight.
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
1:05 pm
Carlos Ruiz calls a heck of a game doesn’t he? Do Braves fans still think McCann is a better catcher or are you starting to come around?
Guido
October 11th, 2010
1:07 pm
jay dubu, if you’re not going to lay out for a ball in the playoffs with the game on the line, then when will you?
And saying that Heyward “hasn’t been stellar” at the plate is laughable. He’s our two-hole hitter and he’s hitless in the post-season.
I’m afraid that Heyward has already been poisoned by the uninspired and underperforming style of play that is Bobby Cox baseball
Shawny
October 11th, 2010
1:07 pm
Bobby will start him.
And in a tie game with 2 outs, RISP, and the pitcher on deck, we will pitch to the #8 batter (again).
jay dubu
October 11th, 2010
1:08 pm
Ironicly, the 1 game the Braves won this series, 6 was kicked out. Techically, he did not manage the victory.
A voice of reason!
October 11th, 2010
1:08 pm
Whaaa… Without Brooks we are not in this post season. Enough said!!
So stop complaining and start being positive for once!
I’ll be there tonight and i hope to see Brooks in the line up for a chance at redemption!
Go Braves!
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
1:08 pm
also, why are you guys being so cruel to Conrad? – that guy has worked his butt off to get where he is with half the talent of a Jayson Heyward. Heyward is killing the braves more than Conrad – give him a break. My anger would be directed toward the malcontent D Lee or Heyward if I was a braves fan…
BillnJax
October 11th, 2010
1:09 pm
Can anyone tell me why Kimbrel threw a 87 mph slider on a 1-2 count when Sanchez showed no sign of catching up with his fastball which average 96 mph. One strike away from holding a 2-1 lead in the series and we speed up Sanchez’s bat. Come on now. What was they thinkin…
Brad
October 11th, 2010
1:10 pm
That’s really great, Yogi 2, I will make sure when I pay the $$$ to attend Braves’ games that it’s all OK to be a choking dog like Brooks Conrad was last night and be woefully lacking of anything resembling the “right stuff.” He didn’t “just make a mistake.” He sucks and lacks ability/talent/whatever to be playing in a post-season.
I am actually proud of the ATL fans who boo’d this bum last night because you either show up or don’t when it all really matters. Conrad failed to answer the call and drug everyone else down with him.
Biff Pocoroba
October 11th, 2010
1:10 pm
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor ?
BrooksandDONE
October 11th, 2010
1:11 pm
Chipper Jones For Batting Coach!!!!
BrooksandDONE
October 11th, 2010
1:11 pm
Play Bobby Dews!!!!
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
1:11 pm
BillnJax
October 11th, 2010
1:09 pm
Can anyone tell me why Kimbrel threw a 87 mph slider on a 1-2 count when Sanchez showed no sign of catching up with his fastball which average 96 mph. One strike away from holding a 2-1 lead in the series and we speed up Sanchez’s bat. Come on now. What was they thinkin…
—————
I can tell you why – because your vastly overrated catcher, Brian McCann, called for a slider.
Choppin' 4 Life
October 11th, 2010
1:12 pm
Conrad should start but at 3B, he looked better at 3rd when filling in than he has at 2nd. I honestly believe that’s what has had him looking so lost out there.
Stop throwing sliders
October 11th, 2010
1:12 pm
Maybe if Kimbrel threw more heaters than sliders like Wohlers, we never get to Conrads error
Brave New World
October 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
Phillies, Class of the NL October 11th, 2010 1:05 pm Carlos Ruiz calls a heck of a game doesn’t he? Do Braves fans still think McCann is a better catcher or are you starting to come around?
Carlos Ruiz would make a great 3rd catcher behind 5-time all star McCann and Ross.
It's taken this long.
October 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
Brooks got on Facebook this morning and apologized to the fans. He’s sincerely remorseful, and is giving no excuses but that he botched that routine grounder.
So instead of focusing on tonights game, he’s on facebook first thing this morning!?!?!? Gota love it!
extremus
October 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
BillnJax,
That issue has been a problem with several young Braves pitchers this year. Tommy Hanson, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel…they all get into trouble when they start not trusting their stuff and start trying to “trick” hitters by nibbling at corners with sharp sliders. When they don’t end up getting the call, it sets them up for a difficult inning. Hopefully if McDowell won’t sit them down and tell them to go after people, the Braves will find a pitching coach who will.
coachKR
October 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
Glaus at third is just, plain stupid! He can’t move people! Did y’all not watch any of the Gwinnett games when he tried to play 3rd? If you are going to play someone else on the infield, it better be Diory Hernandez. 1. good glove. 2. Speed on the bases 3. Good glove. and 4. Speed on the bases.
Guido
October 11th, 2010
1:13 pm
Please don’t offer Chipper any sort of coaching role on future teams. He’ll only perpetuate the Bobby style, which is tired and worn out in Atlanta.
BrooksandDONE
October 11th, 2010
1:14 pm
As punishment to tha team, they ought to make all the braves players that wont sign autographs stand at the fence and wait on fans to ask them for one..
jay dubu
October 11th, 2010
1:15 pm
6 is playing with what he has. Heyward’s the best overall option for RF, so that’s who he puts in there.
The Braves just don’t have the offense to compete with the next level of teams, Phillies & Yanks, if things were to break just right.
The team is constructed around pitching, which has been excellent most of the season. Hard to tell how much thought went into defense, speed, etc. because you don’t see the results on the field.
It's taken this long.
October 11th, 2010
1:15 pm
Brooks got on Facebook this morning and apologized to the fans. He’s sincerely remorseful, and is giving no excuses but that he botched that routine grounder.
Gota love that he’s on Facebook the morning after. You know….instead of trying to focus on playing better!!!!!!
c.bowman
October 11th, 2010
1:15 pm
while we are on conrad…why in the hell didnt the star player in rf (heyward)dive for the f%$#ing ball that would have been out 3???
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR
October 11th, 2010
1:15 pm
TROY GLAUS CARRIED US WHILE WE WERE IN 1ST PLACE,BOOBY DESERVES TO BE FIRED EVEN THOUGH HE HIS RETIRING!
WHY HAS’NT BOOBY PUT TROY IN AT 3RD BASE?
DUMB COACHING IM GLAD THIS IS HIS LAST GAME!
Andrew
October 11th, 2010
1:16 pm
If you want to blame someone for the loss last night, Blame bobby for taking Kembrel out of the game!
James
October 11th, 2010
1:16 pm
I know one thing he’s not going to be a Brave next season. He’s only with the Braves now cause he is their only option right now they need to find some better bench players for next year.
Stop throwing sliders
October 11th, 2010
1:17 pm
If Kimbrel is the next Wagner he needs the changup not the slider
coachKR
October 11th, 2010
1:17 pm
Lay off of Conrad. The guy had enough game winners to get us into the playoffs. He is trying to fill someone else’s role the best he can. He is a bench player, primarily. There is a reason for that. Personally, I would have made an outfielder out of him this year and got rid of some of the dead-weight OF’s that we have!
It's taken this long.
October 11th, 2010
1:17 pm
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR
Becuase it would make too much logic. Same reason being that it has taken this long for Conrad to be out of the lineup.
Knute
October 11th, 2010
1:17 pm
Conrad! Conrad! Conrad!
Anybody out there ever have a bad day at work?
No? Well here is a handful of stones to throw!
Bobby made 3 mistakes that cost the braves thee game:
2b at 3b and 3b base at 2b???????????? Why not Lee at shortstop and Gonzo at first?????????
Second mistake: why take out Hudson? Your ace reliever is out!!! OK, Venters comes in, struggles, but strikes out three, Braves get lead, why pinch hit for Venters with Cabrera??? Back to beating dead horses, Hudson would have had a better chance of getting a hit than Cabrera!
Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Admit you had a bad day! Conrad did his best under the circumstances!
Bobby is a great manager, but I think we need that first inning toss to fire up the Braves!!!!
While I’m here, SMOLTZIE FOR MANAGER – A LITTLE FIRE!
The Abs Man
October 11th, 2010
1:18 pm
Real “act of mercy?”
Cox GONE.
Sight unseen has to be better.
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR
October 11th, 2010
1:18 pm
FOR YOU STUPID PEOPLE THAT KEEP SAYING WE SHOULD STILL START CONRAD,THESE MUST BE MIKE BOBO FANS,BECAUSE ONLY THEY WOULD PUT-UP WITH THIS CRAP DEALING WITH CONRAD!
BOOBY COX = MIKE BOBO
extremus
October 11th, 2010
1:18 pm
James,
Conrad won’t be the only one who’s not going to be a Brave next season. Not by a LONG shot after this late season/playoffs fiasco exposed their actual LACK of depth.
Jason Heyward
October 11th, 2010
1:19 pm
I forgot to apologize to everyone for not diving for the ball that would have been the 3rd out in the 9th and would have won us the game. I had my iphone in my front pocket and didn’t want to damage it because I had this hot piece of tail calling me after the game. Man, she was smoking and she helpt me forget all about that loss. Hopefully, we can end it tonight so I can my groove on with this chick all week. Maybe, next year, I’ll hustle and learn how to hit a baseball when it matters.
The Rock
October 11th, 2010
1:19 pm
Phillies, Class of the NL,
You’re not a Braves’ fan, so get out of our business!!
Vince
October 11th, 2010
1:20 pm
Plain and simple. If Booby would have stayed with Kimbrel, we would not be talking about this.
Bob Horner
October 11th, 2010
1:20 pm
Jeff & Karl Childers, you are right on the money! Cox should bench himself for first giving McCann the sign for Kimbrel to throw the slider (or was it a changeup) and second for pulling Kimbrel!!! Keep Kimbrel in the game = game over, Braves win!
HolyMoly
October 11th, 2010
1:21 pm
I hope Booby has one of his tirades in the 1st inning, and gets ejected – maybe then the Braves can win the game.
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE WILL BE BROKEN THIS YEAR
October 11th, 2010
1:21 pm
WITHOUT BOOBY THE BRAVES ARE 1-0
WITH BOOBY COX THE BRAVES ARE 0-2
YOU GUYS AND GALS DO THE MATH!