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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800 comments Add your comment
Otis Nixon nose candy
October 11th, 2010
2:16 pm
Not a good future for the Braves, if Heyward is supposed to be the Franchise. Franchise players don’t go hitless in the series and tank plays like Heyward did last night when he didn’t dive for the ball in the 9th. Heyward is overrated and embarassment to Atlanta.
Robert Bailey
October 11th, 2010
2:16 pm
I say bench Heyward he has done nothing this post season. Yes he is a rookie but he can not case down fly balls. He for sure can not bat he is 0-13.
Otis Nixon nose candy
October 11th, 2010
2:16 pm
Heyward is not good. He tanked that play in the 9th on purpose. Bench his behind now!!
DMDJoe
October 11th, 2010
2:19 pm
Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench,Bench, Bench. Get it??
Kenny Powers
October 11th, 2010
2:19 pm
I don’t feel sorry for Conrad at all. He’s a grown man being paid to field that ball. At the very least he has to get in front of the damn thing and block it with his chest. If he does the bare minimum and keeps it in the infield, we get out of the inning tied. He let the ball go between his legs. That’s tee-ball garbage!
Ever heard the saying “keep your skirt down,” Brooksy?
What an unmitigated disaster. I was so jacked up when Hinske hit his bomb only to come crashing back to Earth because we can’t play defense. I thought we would be closing out the series tonight and getting ready for the Phoolies. Now, i’ll be watching the last Braves game of the season instead…thanks a pantload, Conrad!
John
October 11th, 2010
2:20 pm
Buster Posey just called, he said if Heyward is tired in the outfield as his excuse makers seem to think he should try catching his entire rookie season!
Greg Norton
October 11th, 2010
2:20 pm
I could hit better than Heyward. Rookie of the Year, my butt.
Scott from Fairburn
October 11th, 2010
2:20 pm
Bowden and Stern ripping Coxie a new a-hole on Sirius XM … calling a spade a spade
This should be Glaus' team to carry
October 11th, 2010
2:21 pm
Maybe Conrad should ask to see all the balls before the game.That way he can be like Mark Fydrich and talk to the balls so they won’t make him look like an embarrassment to the world. Bad,mean and evil balls. There must be a voodoo on them.
Otis Nixon nose candy
October 11th, 2010
2:23 pm
Enter your comments here
JMOR
October 11th, 2010
2:23 pm
Scott–What are they saying about Cox?
Nate McLouth
October 11th, 2010
2:24 pm
After party for tonight will be at Blake’s. Hot Guy check-in, what what!
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
2:24 pm
Chris
October 11th, 2010
1:56 pm
Jesse Stone- Ok well what about putting diory at second. He might not have the same luck at the plate, but he is good in the field
**********************************************************
I would rather play Diory than Glaus
Bravesbobblehead24
October 11th, 2010
2:25 pm
Bench Conrad, start Glauss at 3rd B, use Conrad as a pinch-hitter, get Conrad a shrink so he doesn’t do something crazy or unethical. Comeback next season like a rawDOG!!!
King of Stone Mountain
October 11th, 2010
2:25 pm
Abner & Desi…Couldn’t “disagree” with you more. Part of being a “fan” often includes predictions and discussion of outcomes. Besides, how do you think these organizations are compensated? Hence, the reason why Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, & even “us” for that matter are pinching pennies every yr vs. that of the Phils & Yanks. Attendance makes all the difference, or in other words…having “a voice” makes all the difference. Never underestimate relevance of “the fan.”
Pdog
October 11th, 2010
2:26 pm
This is all on Cox, it is his job to put the players in a position to suceed, how many games did it take him to realize that Conrad couldn’t get the job done at third. As for not using Doriy, Cox had no problem using his last catcher to pinch run, if Ross gets hurt who is going to catch Dereck Lowe. Also how come when Venters or Wagner pitching we never hear Bobby talk about Lefty againast righty match ups.
This is a sad way for Cox to go out but the game has passed him by.
Steve Sax
October 11th, 2010
2:27 pm
I’ll come back and play second for you:
Resume: -Played second base from 1981-1994.
-Rookie of year and 5 time All Star
-Bats right, throws right
-Can catch.
-Can’t throw worth a lick.
Kawakami
October 11th, 2010
2:27 pm
Why I no good?
Chuck Knoublach
October 11th, 2010
2:27 pm
I’ll play 2B – I can field, just can throw to first. Cool?
senoiadawgs
October 11th, 2010
2:28 pm
This is pretty simple folks. Giants have scored 8 runs in the series. 3 of them are the direct responsibility of a 2nd baseman. The heck with human element to the story the team can’t afford him being out there.
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
2:28 pm
Carlos Ruiz is a better catcher than McCann. McCann is a better hitter, but Ruiz is a better catcher. (Although, this year, in addition to being a better catcher, Ruiz also outhit McCann by 30 points, out of the 8 hole.)
Also, McCann is the genius who decided to call a slider after Kimbrel had blown the guy away with two straight fastballs.
The problem with “braves” fans is they don’t understand baseball. The chubby kid you have behind the plate is much better suited to either play 1B or DH in the American League. Learn a thing or two braves fans…
Scott from Fairburn
October 11th, 2010
2:29 pm
Bowden and Stern (and I paraphrase):
Bowden: “Two worse moves in recent memory … pulling Kimbrel and leaving in Conrad on defense.”
Bowden: “Conrad can’t come back … he can never be an Atlanta Brave again … Frank Wren can trade him to the Royals ….for Brooks.”
Stern: ” I feel sorry for Braves fans.”
Lines filled with Braves fans …
carolyn mccullough
October 11th, 2010
2:30 pm
Bobby has nearly always managed the regular season one way–and post season another.l In 1995, his roster didn’t need quite as much managing.
Desibrave
October 11th, 2010
2:31 pm
Hey King of Stone Mountain, Please don’t get me wrong.. I am not saying not to discuss, Please do, But my problem is every one who is posting here thinks they know better than Bobby. When we see bobby making a move and that backfires we immediately think we could have done better job, but honestly how many of us really knew that Adam Dunn would give up that hit? I was at the game last night, we all were cheering when Kimbrall was taken out and Dunn came in.. Now that it backfired everyone here thinks they had better plan than bobby.., All i am asking is try to be reasonable., most easiest thing on this planet to give advise to others.
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
2:31 pm
…and all the trash talk we heard from braves fans about Heyward during the season, all coming back full-circle. This is why you don’t count on rookies when the games matter. You don’t see our own highly touted rookie, Domonic Brown, getting any playing time right now do you? Thats because the Phillies are a real team with a real lineup. I would like apologies from the braves fans that were talking trash in August…
Gonna Miss Bobby, That's For Darn Sure
October 11th, 2010
2:31 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more, Mark. I’m gonna go walk the dog every time the Braves are in the field if Conrad starts. Can’t bear to watch any more of that.
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
2:31 pm
reckingball
October 11th, 2010
1:59 pm
Jesse did Glaus get to that ball he turned for a DP in the 2nd game?
I thought that I saw him make that play
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
He got a Sunday hop RIGHT AT HIM. He still almost threw the ball into centerfield. It was a gutsy play, but the credit should go to Infante, who had to snag the throw and make the turn. Again, Glaus didn’t have to move to make that play. You will see MANY bunts from SF if Glaus starts.
Abner Doubleplay
October 11th, 2010
2:32 pm
John, I hope your last name isn’t Scherhoultz. The Braves only have 2 catchers on the post-season roster. I was possible the pinch run for McCann with a player other than Ross, but then you lose a PH AND you have AND if the player (say Hernandez) stays in the game, you lose either Gonzalez or Conrad – or Hernandez is 1 (inning) and done). And Conrad’s error aside, you want to lose his bat in a one-run game? Either way, Ross was going in the game, so you might as well trade a catcher for a catcher. Again, folks – this is the difference between being a big league player/manager and a fan. And as far as Heyward goes, I doubt he or Bobby would cop to it, but I suspect he wasn’t seeing (or maybe thinking) straight after being knocked out. You see folks, in playoff baseball, every move, every at bat and every decision is important because you win, or go home.
Skeezix
October 11th, 2010
2:32 pm
Couldn’t agree more with Searle’s 2:04 post.
John
October 11th, 2010
2:33 pm
Riddle me this Bobby….If a lefty/lefty pitcher/hitter matchup results in a 5% pitcher advantage, but the lefty pitcher is 10% less effective than the current right hander who got 2 outs already that inning and was a high fastball away from ending the game, does it really make sense to bring in the lefty?
Scott from Fairburn
October 11th, 2010
2:33 pm
Stern: “How come we all see – and everyone in Atlanta saw- that Conrad didn’t have the ability to buckle down?”
Bowden: “I can’t explain it. Cox was caught up in his game plan (mix & match) rather than making adjustments at the line of scrimmage.”
DOCTOBER
October 11th, 2010
2:33 pm
Cheer up, Braves fans…it will all be over tonight. Then you can get a good chuckle watching the Giants get massacred by the Phillies. Oh, and anyone who thinks McCann is a better catcher than Carlos Ruiz is delusional…McCann is a good hitter, but he is BRUTAL behind the plate. The last time I checked, the most important thing for a catcher is defense and handling a pitching staff…and Cooch is head and shoulders above McCann in those areas. As far as Brooks Conrad goes…I hear the Reds are looking for some defensive help…Conrad reminds me of Michael Jackson… he wears a glove, but nobody knows why…
Flying Tigers
October 11th, 2010
2:34 pm
To start with, this is the best option from our entire minor league system? I thought the Braves had a good farm system? Also, I would like to feel sorry for the bumb, but he kakes a hell of alot more money than I do to play a kids game, and if I was on the field tonight I certainly would not want to having to count on this guy. He is an error just waiting to happen now. Bench him, then next year cut him, he cost the Braves a chance at this series.
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
2:34 pm
The Braves have shown themselves to be the NOT YET READY FOR PRIME-TIME PLAYERS (just like the Reds) that we all thought they would be. They overachieved this year and had a fantastic middle of the season, holding first place while the Phillies hung close and recovered from injuries. They had a good year, the trash talk from braves fans in August was just naive and uncalled for though. Actually comparing the braves to the Juggernaut Phillies was, and is, laughable.
Gatorhater
October 11th, 2010
2:35 pm
Glaus at third, Infante at second. ‘Nuff said.
crackbaby
October 11th, 2010
2:35 pm
Yogi 2 – well said. Braves’ backs are against the wall. Let’s hope and cheer and watch the games.
Curtis – Rick Ankiel is a AA outfielder? Come on, Man! None of them are Andruw Jones but the the negativity has escalated to tidal wave proportions.
GO Braves!
Pdog
October 11th, 2010
2:35 pm
Jesse Stone
If they bunt like Conrad then the games in the bag. If Glauss had started and made one error Cox would have pulled him off the field in the middle of an inning.
T. King
October 11th, 2010
2:36 pm
The Bobby bashing has to stop. There is no excuse for Kimbrell walking Ishikawa after being up 1-2 (pitches were not even close) and with two outs, that started the comeback. You cannot walk people late in games. Then Kimbrell gets beat on his second-best pitch by Sanchez to put the tying run on. After those mistakes, why should I think Kimbrell is going to get a veteran like Huff? Bobby played this like 99% of all mangers would. The problem is the players did not execute. It is too easy to bash Bobby. If you are going to hold Conrad accountable, then hand some blame to Kimbrell. He screwed up which also makes sense because he is a kid. That is why you really need veterans in the postseason. We loose Wagner, Jones and Prado; its a wonder we have gotten this far.
LordStanley
October 11th, 2010
2:36 pm
Bobby Cox will start Brooks Conrad tonight as a testiment of LOYALTY for all the CLUTCH home runs hit this year. Bobby has decided that if “Clutch” Contrad sets a new record of 10 errors tonight, Clutch will be granted a starting position for next season. Conrad, knock youself out and make as many errors as you can.
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
2:36 pm
John- you are guessing. Was he REALLY a high fastball away from ending the game. Yes, he got two outs, but he also allowed two baserunners. If BC leaves him in, the same people would be here b!tching that the lefty was ready in the pen and we didn’t use him.
Mark The All Seeing All Knowing
October 11th, 2010
2:36 pm
Bradley, did you ever play baseball? I think not. I bet your mommy wouldn’t let you skip ballett lessons would she? You are a jock sniffing weenie. Jump all over a guy when he’s down. That takes a lot of talent, you hack!
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
2:37 pm
Pdog- Now you’re sounding like a whiny little girl. Glaus (not Glauss) can barely move around out there. At least Conrad can get to the ball.
QueenKing
October 11th, 2010
2:38 pm
Thank goodness tonight will be Cox’s last game. The Braves couldn’t hit the side of a barn if they were standing in it.
Iceman
October 11th, 2010
2:38 pm
Troy Glaus at 3rd won’t exactly solve any problems either. If nothing else, you sacrifice offensive production to bring in a rusty olayer. I say you put Conrad back in there. Just like they sent Maverick back up in Top Gun. Wax those Commies! Yeah!
Phillies, Class of the NL
October 11th, 2010
2:38 pm
An apology from a few of you is all it will take for me to leave this board. I will soon be done with you anyway as you have embarrassed the
NL East yet again, and will focus my attention on the Giants. The Giants will simply be another obstacle to be vanquished on the Phillies singular goal of a 2nd World Series in 3 years, and the saviors of the National League.
Richard Dawson
October 11th, 2010
2:40 pm
The biggest no brainer in the history of earth. I love what Bobby Cox has done for Atlanta for 25 years as GM and Managr. However, it is unconscionable that he could not realize what a horrendous fielder Conrad is and develop an alternative solution. Further, it is incredible that he would move him from 3B to the much more important 2B position. Put Glaus at 3B (where he played much of his career) and Infante at 2B, or work Diory Hernandez in. With Wagner out, Cox also should have used Venters and Kimbrel longer. Let Venters continue in the 9th and bring in Kimbrel against a key righty. Instead, he wasted them both in 1.2 innings and went through three relievers to get the last out, bringing in a much weaker lefty to face Huff, who hits lefties better. I will miss Cox, but then again, I won’t.
Empty Seat at Turner Field
October 11th, 2010
2:41 pm
Just think, if the attendance at Turner Field wasn’t so anemic, the Bravos may have been able to build a stronger roster.
This should be Glaus' team to carry
October 11th, 2010
2:41 pm
Braves can’t afford mistakes. Wish they could just get whooped instead of giving the other team a chance to beat them. This is why the Nationals dominated the Braves this year. Put Glaus in the 4th hole.Lee in the third and McCann in the 5th hole even though I think Ross can be just as good as McCann and better. Ross is supposed to be a full time catcher. I don’t know why on earth he chose to re-sign with the Braves.Braves need all the confident players in the game they can get.Ankiel,Glaus and Ross top the list as leaders in one way or the other when it counts. Actually Ankiel is a much better hitter up in the line up than the 8th hole. He needs all the good pitches he can get.
Jesse Stone
October 11th, 2010
2:42 pm
Richard Dawson- GLAUS CAN’T MOVE. The DP was hit right at him. We would be better off rolling a batting practice screen to the 3rd base position.
John
October 11th, 2010
2:43 pm
So Abner, #1- the pinch runner had to score to even have us worry about having pinch hitters available, you, like Bobby are thinking too far ahead, lets score the run first instead of hoping Mclouth hits a triple in the gap which was the only way Ross scores. #2–Are you saying Hernandez would have had to replace Conrad? Wow, that just may have saved us the game! #3–Can you explain why our big league manager uses 4 pitchers in the 9th when he is already short staffed in the bullpen, with your reasoning he should have been thinking about saving pitchers just like he was thinking about saving a PH who never even made it to the plate! Face it, I was there and 53000 fans all stood in wonder when Dunn came in to pitch, hate to say it but its baseball and sometimes us dumbo fans get it right.