Fredi Gonzalez: The best choice as manager, or the easiest?
From one manager to another. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
“Good organizations don’t make changes just to make changes,” Fredi Gonzalez said. Then, scanning the room: “All the faces are the same.”
And that’s the part that worries me. Fredi Gonzalez is a good baseball man, but he’s a product of The Braves’ Way Of Doing Things. “This organization, the past 25 years, they win,” Gonzalez said Wednesday, but even Bobby Cox, the man Gonzalez succeeds, was moved to correct the new manager.
“We haven’t won as big as we’d have liked recently,” Cox said.
Over 14 completed seasons the Braves finished nowhere but first. Since 2005 they’ve made the playoffs once as a wild card. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2001, haven’t graced the World Series this millennium. The Braves we see now aren’t quite the Braves we beheld.
In many ways Gonzalez is the ideal person to follow Cox: He’s a former Braves’ third-base coach who still lives in Marietta and who happened to be out of work when this job came open. Frank Wren, the general manager, started serious talks with Gonzalez on July 2 at a cabin in Wedowee, Ala. One hundred three days later, Wren hired Gonzalez without having interviewed another candidate.
With a chance to hire the first manager from outside the organization since Chuck Tanner in October 1985, the Braves waited not two full days after being eliminated in the Division Series to unveil the new man, who really isn’t new at all. John Schuerholz, the team president, would surely cite this as another in a series of seamless Braves’ transitions. But it was Stan Kasten, who as Braves president hired Schuerholz as GM, who said: “If you’re going to make a change, make a change.”
Going Cox-to-Gonzalez is almost like promoting the chief assistant when the head coach finds a better job. It’s the thing to do, but it’s not always the wisest course. And continuity is the least of the Braves’ problems. If anything, this “great, grand organization” — Schuerholz again — suffers from its insularity.
Asked how he’d differ from Cox — if, say, he’d delve heavier into statistical analysis — Gonzalez said: ” I just joined those guys [meaning the Society for American Baseball Research, or Sabermeticians].” Then this: “I’ll use all the numbers you give me, but for me to sit here and say I’m always going to go by numbers, I’m not going to do that.”
What will Gonzalez trust? His “gut”, he said. And that’s fine: On some level, every decision is made at a visceral level. But it was Cox’s gut that persuaded him to stick with Derek Lowe one batter too long in the last game he ever managed. Other organizations, the Red Sox chief among them, have come to rely on data as a guide for the gut.
The Braves’ way has been old-fashioned. Indeed, hitting coach Terry Pendleton expressed surprise earlier this season when informed his club was leading the National League in on-base percentage. (This might help explain why Pendleton was reassigned to being the Braves’ first-base coach Wednesday.)
Wren had known since Sept. 23, 2009, that he’d have a managerial opening come 2010. Over the winter he compiled a list of candidates numbering in the teens. (Gonzalez headed the list even though he was employed by the Marlins.) Wren wound up hiring his No. 1 choice without ever speaking to Nos. 2, 3 or 4.
Maybe Gonzalez will work out. He’s an impressive guy whom Wren has known since before either man came to work for the Braves. Still, I can think of three others I’d have at least interviewed — Jose Oquendo, the Cardinals’ third-base coach; Scott Ullger, the Twins’ third-base coach; and Dave Martinez, the Rays’ bench coach — before deciding. But this GM, as we know, is forever in a hurry.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Braves at the major-league level haven’t exactly been cutting-edge in their approach. “I’m not going to come in here and change the whole culture,” Fredi Gonzalez said, but he’d better be ready to change some things. Because the Bobby Cox Method won’t work for anyone but Bobby Cox.
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243 comments Add your comment
bravegirl325
October 13th, 2010
11:47 pm
Mark, you’re right. If Fredi comes in using the Bobby Cox Method, not only will it backfire strategically, but fans won’t have any patience for it. That kind of patience and trust was only reserved for Bobby.
Out in Left Field
October 13th, 2010
11:49 pm
Didn’t the Braves chart every hit and use that to position their defense? But if you say you want EVERY decision based on statistics, well then, make me the manager, pay me the huge salary, and I will hire an actuary as my bench coach, and we will be set. No decision to be made, just go by the numbers. They could save the salary, and simply put a computer on the bench in the dugout. Would be very simple. Who needs a manager anyway?
CharlieAlphaBravo
October 13th, 2010
11:56 pm
Boy, it’s too bad the candidates you suggest for Atlanta coaching vacancies never actually get hired… Guess we’ll never know. Ho-hum.
beantownbrave
October 14th, 2010
12:06 am
“But it was Cox’s gut that persuaded him to stick with Derek Lowe one batter too long in the last game he ever managed.”
Really Mark? You would’ve said the opposite if Cox took DLowe out early or would’ve hailed Cox’s move if Lowe got out of the inning cleanly.
…Hardly a fair example to use in your argument. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember you criticizing that move before…
I think the idea of bringing someone in of the “Cox-ian Ilk” was meant to produce a certain amount of continuity in the organization with clear identity and I personally think it is a fine idea. Fredi is not Cox and will not be doing things the way Cox did it; at the same time, Gonzalez would be familiar enough with the culture that has brought success in the past that he would be able to positively contribute to the club for years to come without straying too far away from the organizations goals and expectations. And it was this same “Bobby Cox Way” you are wary of that brought the team so far this season with significant injuries to the line up.
Someone who contributes a bit of continuity of tradition and culture that represents the Braves isn’t a detriment; especially if that tradition and culture has brought some tangible success over the last several years.
I mean, do you really believe what you wrote? More importantly, do you believe that WE would believe what you wrote?
Homer
October 14th, 2010
12:46 am
If you have to ask the question, then you already know the answer. Easiest. Not gonna go outside the mediocre comfort zone.
Ron Gardenhose
October 14th, 2010
12:54 am
And it was this same “Bobby Cox Way” you are wary of that brought the team so far this season with significant injuries to the line up.”
Actually, it was the “Bobby Cox Way” that CAUSED the injuries. FTFY.
James
October 14th, 2010
1:36 am
Braves need to get Adam Dunn and Cody Ross this offseason.
Alex
October 14th, 2010
1:40 am
Fredi may be a good choice because he is about to get the same kind of team he had in Florida. He has ownership that is not willing to spend much on this team….after all, the team is really just a side-show. Second, the current roster needs to be purged of the old and/or unable to include McClouth, Glaus, Diaz, Cabrera, Ankiel, Moylan, Conrad and Kawakami. One should seriously consider moving Chipper if he can return and a contender wants him. After that, the team will need to go with prospects (of which most are pitchers other than Heyward and Freeman) and fill in with role players. I can live with Infante and Prado – though, I do think these guys had what will be career years and never again contend for a batting title. McCann is the man. Ross and Derrick Lee (if he gets his back fixed) is serviceable. As for Alex Gonzalez….too inconsistent from night to night, but we may be stuck.
Anyway, it looks like Fredi inherits a situation similar to the team he had in Florida. Thankfully, he does not inherit a lazy, tempermental superstar.
ward
October 14th, 2010
2:53 am
I think fredi will do great job, and just maybe we can get back to the fundamentales of the game. hit and run, steal some bases, and get c. crawford,or alfonzo soriano. Get back to the old way of baseball.Instead of station to station, one base at a time. I;m excited, and ready for the winter meetings already….Go!!! Braves!!!!!!
ward
October 14th, 2010
2:56 am
we also need some players that can bunt runners over to scoring position.We need to play smart baseball, and fredi can do that as a manager… dicipline is what this team needs. Go!!! Braves!!!!
ward
October 14th, 2010
3:00 am
good talking to you, and i think fredi was the right choice. He could be our manager for a long time if he;s sucessful,and i;m confident he will be…..Go!!!! Braves!!!!!
TheAntiMe
October 14th, 2010
3:04 am
Erica
October 13th, 2010
5:12 pm
You’re always bitchin about something.
Very cool comment, Erica. It sure beats the heck out of “First”!
BravesfaninNashville
October 14th, 2010
4:34 am
Rupert…. I totally agree with everything you said.
MB…… it gets really old reading these kind of predictably negative story lines from you.. Very Pedestrian in my opinion and you are being paid to write this column when many of the best contributions here came from average fans. Pick a new slant the old one is just …… OLD…
BravesfaninNashville
October 14th, 2010
4:47 am
What’s wrong with ending up with your first choice? If Fredi were to still be employed by The Marlins the Braves would have needed permission to interview him. It seems like this worked out perfectly. He’s bilingual which is so important with all the latin players in the league, he’s proven he can compete with a small budget. He also knows who he might want to trade for in the Marlin’s organization and they always seem to be stocked with great talent. Maybe we can trade some of our young pitching talent for an everyday up and coming outfielder and possibly third basemen to replace Chipper when he decides to retire. I see a win/win trade coming up with The Marlins this offseason.
So MB if you know the girl you want to marry because you’re in love with her should you just keep dating take a chance on losing her? If the Braves were truly in an open search and actively interviewing other candidates they would have had to wait until the seasons end to interview the coaches you mentioned. This would have meant the Cubs opportunity would have been LIVE for Fredi as he wouldn’t have had a guaranteed job with the Braves. If he knew the Braves were going to interview every candidate before they made a decision he might have felt compelled to take a “Bird In The Hand” offer from the Cubs if he got one. I think Frank Wren and the Braves played this perfectly which is something I haven’t felt on some of the personnel moves (Glavine, Smoltz) in the recent past.
Rockdale Braves Fan
October 14th, 2010
5:18 am
MB: To me it is obvious why you wrote this story. Either your bosses
directed you to write something taking the opposite position written by Jeff S.
or you just wanted to stir up the pot and get a lot of blog responses to keep your high rating.
I don`t pretend to know if FG is the right hire. Only time will tell.
Marie
October 14th, 2010
7:37 am
Nice Erica! Congrats Fredi-Welcome home!
papadawg
October 14th, 2010
7:41 am
I’ll wait to see what kind of coaching staff he puts together before I pass judgement on his hiring. If he keeps Pendleton then the hiring sucks
Plate Appearance
October 14th, 2010
7:56 am
Typical Wren!
The paint wasn’t even dry on Bobby’s managerial career being over and Wren hires Gonzalez within two days.
How can Wren truly make a reasoned decision when he hasn’t even gone through an interview process? All he had was a list of names.
One gets the distinct impression that Wren makes trades in the same way.
I’m not a fan of how this GM conducts his business.
glord1
October 14th, 2010
8:06 am
“Bobby’s gut believed in Martin Prado long before he was an all star. ”
Really? I remember Prado sitting on the bench for 3 months in 2009 while Johnson hit .200. Bobbys gut belived in Prado a little late and probably cost the Braves thte 2009 Wild card.
Great hire on FG. Great in game manager which will be an improvement.
The Grinch
October 14th, 2010
8:26 am
papadawg
October 14th, 2010
7:41 am
Maybe I read the article wrong, but it sure sounded like Pendleton was moving to first base. Wonder what will happen to Hubbard?
coach joe
October 14th, 2010
8:26 am
maybe this gonzo can teach the other gonzo that you run out all its you learn that in lil league
10-1 lead after 3
October 14th, 2010
8:32 am
Mr. Bradley, now you write about how the Braves haven’t really been very good for the past decade. However, you’ve spent the past month writing about how great Bobby Cox was as a manager and, in turn, how great the Braves have been during his tenure. You now say that the Braves should go in a different direction,while until now you were saying that the Cox way was the best direction ever.
Give me a break or give it a rest.
Cecil34
October 14th, 2010
8:35 am
Fredi Gonzalez is no Bobby Cox. Let’s make that clear. Whatever in common they have, it is what differs between the two that will be positive change.
And that provides hope that Fredi will get this team properly conditioned in spring training to play 162 games of baseball.
Cox’s teams seem to run out of gas in September, and look sluggish and out of shape in April.
Maybe Fredi won’t treat spring training like a six week fun-n-sun vacation.
Trust me, the Braves could have done much, much worse.
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter. It may make no difference if Fredi is the manager if Wren can’t get some hellacious ballplayers in here.
With antiseptic Liberty Media as the purse-string holders, it is a tall order.
Wren may not be in the category of rocket-scientist GM’s, but we will never know because he performs his job with one hand tied behind his back. He is easy to point the finger to, but that is misguided.
Until this organization gets an opportunity to spend some serious cash, Fredi will have to use smoke and mirrors to make it happen.
Chipper, you need to retire. Don’t worry about coming back. You had a good run, but playing 90 games out of a 162 game season doesn’t work. Thanks for the memories.
Good luck Fredi!
Harry
October 14th, 2010
8:39 am
What a bad article. You mean the same Red Sox organization that decided to leave Pedro in the game for one more batter?
5150
October 14th, 2010
9:02 am
Agree Greg Walker would be great hire for hitting coach. If he has worked with Ozzie he can handle anything.
Ted M
October 14th, 2010
9:27 am
Lowe’s late season performance should allow the Braves to trade him for prospects and free up some cash so they can sign a good outfielder.
I like Lowe but we got the pitching to replace him.
SadDawg
October 14th, 2010
9:28 am
It’s a little telling that Chipper didn’t want to “get to work” with Fredi.
Must be deer season . . .
Andy
October 14th, 2010
9:31 am
Mark
Your “if you are going to make a change, make a CHANGE” argument does not hold water. The Braves were not unhappy with Cox’s performance so they did not want to make a change. He only left because he is retiring. This actually makes perfect sense to hire Fredi because he is a Cox disciple and will continue with a similar philosophy that has yielded much success. Nice try though.
Unknown Hinson
October 14th, 2010
9:37 am
Good hire, simple.
reckingball
October 14th, 2010
9:44 am
Fredi G. is not going to manage the same way that Cox did, TP wouldn’t have either. Just because they worked for Cox, it doesn’t mean they will make decisions based on ‘what would Bobby do?’.
Mad Mike
October 14th, 2010
10:07 am
whatever, bradley. the most important job a manager can do is keep the club cohesive for 162 games. that’s what made bobby great (it sure wasn’t his game management.) that being said, i hope fredi is much better at small ball. i will not miss sitting back and waiting for the three run homer. let’s go braves! can’t wait til spring!
bascogcjs
October 14th, 2010
10:10 am
Why is it that bald headed men grow facial hair?
Is it because that’s the only place it will grow, fredi?
Also, why do men who smoke all have some kind of facial hair?
You hardly ever see a man smoke with no facial hair!
Look aroun and you’ll see, I’m right.
fayncdawg
October 14th, 2010
10:11 am
Any word if Gonzo pushed Hanley Ramirez too hard in Florida?? Any concern that he’ll push Heyward too hard??
Mitchell
October 14th, 2010
11:33 am
Heath
October 13th, 2010
7:13 pm
How’d that whole Chuck Tanner thing work out, anyway? Being from outside the organization it must have been a smashing success.
How’d that whole Bobby Cox thing work out?
How about with him crying like a bitch after blowing it in the playoffs… again?
Is that your definition of success?
This whole organization is a joke.
It is a den of losers. Only two of the past twenty seasons have ended with a Braves victory and only one of those occurred during the streak of division titles.
Stated simply: with one exception, Bobby Cox’s Braves lost the last game played in every year they won the National East Division.
That is called being a f***ing loser.
The man even found a way to top Game 4 of the 1996 World Series on the scale of excruciation before he called it a day.
He singlehandedly erased one of the greatest moments in the history of Turner Field, if not the entire franchise (Eric Hinske’s home run), in the span of twenty minutes.
When I think of Bobby Cox, I will always remember him as a world class Loser.
Nobody did it better.
More statues have been built due to his decision making than Winston Churchill.
Kirby Puckett statue outside of Target Field… made possible by Bobby Cox.
sg10
October 14th, 2010
11:37 am
Mark,
There are statistics for everything for judging player’s value..why aren’t there statistics for the managers? something like ‘Win above replacement’ or something like that.. there has to be some measure to separate out good managers from the average…right now everything is just hazy and confusing..After Marlins fired Gonzalez, their record was the same (slightly better) than with him..does it say he didn’t make any difference? Why is it that some managers are suddenly successful with some group of guys while they weren’t with others? For example, Buck Shoewalter who has suddenly turned it around with Orioles…In my opinion, role of the manager is overrated…70% is players 25% is luck and 5% is manager. It is hard to gauge the effect of 5% when the other factors dominate so much…You just have to go by the reaction of the players and people in that business what they say on the record and more importantly, off the record..It seems everything is positive so far about appointment of Gonzalez so there is nothing to really complain yet…
I must be the Crazy One
October 14th, 2010
12:58 pm
I think Fredi gets the chance to run it the way Fredi wants to, and i believe that’s what he’s doing. I’m gonna give the man a chance before i start calling him out on anything. And I for one and glad the Braves will continue to run things the way they have over the last 20 years… with a ton of class and with a humble respect for the game. That’s why the Braves are the class of the National League, not just the wins over that time span, but the way they won and the way they carry themselves. We are set apart from the rest, and i’m glad of it.
Pdog
October 14th, 2010
1:00 pm
Is there anyway we can trade Gonzo back to the Jays for Escobar.
Stu B
October 14th, 2010
2:01 pm
Bradley’s the same idiot who during the first 2 games of the 1996 World Series wrote about how superior the Braves were to the Yankees and the series was nothing more than some kind of coronation. Then, after the Yankees swept 3 games in Atlanta and won game 6 back in NY to take the series to make Bradley look like a fool, he was apparently too arrogant to write anything admitting how wrong he was!
The Blue Indian
October 14th, 2010
2:14 pm
Come on. Let’s get real, Mark. As any good newspaper journalist should do, you’re simply playing devil’s advocate here. Schultz, DOB, and everyone else are in favor of the move, and you’re simply showing another side.
Fredi was the only man for the job. And one commenter was right– time will tell.
Phil
October 14th, 2010
2:23 pm
It was easy as ABC……
“A”nybody “B”ut “C”ox!!
Phil
October 14th, 2010
2:35 pm
Mitchell,
Agree 100%. Cox would have been run out of Boston or New York after the 96 season. They don’t put up with losers like Cox. That’s why they are the organizations THEY are, and we are the medicore organization that WE are, because we held onto that loser for another 14 years.
Now, in Bradley’s mind, winning Division titles is what it’s all about and that’s the true sign of Greatness. Thus he appoints Cox as the Greatest Manager of all time. Doesn’t matter that you can’t win it all.
Bradley himself would have been run out of Boston and New York with his sick distorted view of greatness.
ward
October 14th, 2010
2:50 pm
i just gotta poke fun at the giant fans. my prediction philly win series 5 games to 1 or embarrassing sweep philly;s 4 games to 0. Ha! Ha i get the last laugh!!!!! My Braves will see you next year!!!!!!
ward
October 14th, 2010
3:02 pm
phil go back to your glory hole ,and hide there! nobody want;s to here you trash bobby.
ward
October 14th, 2010
3:11 pm
mitch , maybe you should join phil too. who want;s to you bitch too.
ozzie
October 14th, 2010
3:46 pm
I was also a bit disappointed that Wren and the FO interviewed no one. It really was shortsighted and unnecessary.
Fredi was going to hang around until Wren made a decision. He wanted this job so much you wonder if he asked to be fired back in June.
Wren is a ready, fire, aim GM always has been. Look at his moves. He reacts and rushes – mistaking impulsiveness with decisiveness.
JS is terrified of rocking the continuity boat so he likely was pushing for Fredi as well.
McGuirk is an empty suit.
CO doesn’t care.
That all equals a list that had one name on it. There was no list in the teens. That was for the press so they wouldn’t look completely irresponsible.
These guys are stewards to a 85mm payroll and a national franchise. Not interviewing anyone was a bush league move.
Once Mark Cuban comes in (one can only hope) he will likely fire everyone but the bat boy (he will be put on a performance plan though
) and reboot this franchise.
Fredi is a shades of gray guy they hope is better than Bobby b/c he is younger and will be creative but not TOO creative.
When Bobby was younger he lost in the post season too. The guys who are manging teams in the post season are older not younger.
So youth may be over-rated versus the reality of the game.
All water under the bridge.
Fredi will need a lot more talent to get back to the post season any time soon.
This club needs a LF, CF, SS (Gonzo is terrible, cheap yes but terrible), a few pen Vets, revamped bench (Omar stays the rest go) and a plan to get a 3B should Chipper face plant.
My hope is Fredi is going to make minor changes up front but has a plan for major changes as 2011 unfolds b/c he probably won’t get a boat load of talent and will need to make lemonade out of lemons.
Michael
October 14th, 2010
4:10 pm
I think Fredi was a good choice and was handpicked by Bobby who absolutely loves this organization. I also believe that Fredi received a 3 year deal which sounds about right because it fits another scenario I believe in and that is that the future long term manager of the Braves will be Chipper Jones.
Eleta
October 14th, 2010
4:14 pm
Your article suggests that the Braves need changes as drastic as were needed in 1991. Several years before that team, the Braves had languished at or near the bottom for many years. Drastic changes were required to shake things up. After those glorius 14 division titles, they haven’t been as good this decade. However, they aren’t a bottom-dweller, either. They need tweaking, not a total makeover. What they do need more than anything else is an owner willing to increase the payroll. Stay tuned….maybe one day that will happen again……probably not in my lifetime, however.
droopydawg
October 14th, 2010
4:23 pm
Weren’t you pounding the drum for Freddi just two or three days ago? I seem to remember you posting a comment that your top three choices were Freddi G
Phil
October 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Funny how Fredi already knew that TP needed replacing as the hitting coach. Only took 1 day to make that change. Anybody with half a brain has been knowing for years that TP was not an efefctive hitting coach.
I guess that’s the reason Cox could never figure it out.
DMBJAMS
October 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
MB = Buzz Killington
I did enjoy your perspective. Good read.
Go Braves!