Help Fredi steady the reeling Braves: Your tips welcome!
Who thinks either man knows a thing about baseball? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Braves, as noted, have played their way into a spot of bother. But this is baseball, where momentum is tomorrow’s — by now, that would be today’s — starting pitcher, who would be Randall Delgado. So hope remains. That said …
I know you folks. (Not personally, not even Sonny Clusters — at least not to my knowledge.) I know you’re not willing to rely on ephemeral concepts like momentum and fate. You want managerial action! And here’s where I ask: With his team reeling, what should Fredi Gonzalez do?
(I pause to note: Unlike his predecessor, who relied on his iPhone for electronic interaction, Fredi has a laptop. There’s no guarantee he’ll see the fruits of your wisdom, but there’s a chance. And if your advice is sagacious enough … well, you could be the one who saves the Braves!)
Being a famously splendid sport, I’ll go first. My advice to the skipper:
• Tell Chipper Jones, “The next time the ball is hit your way, try to find it.”
• Tell Derek Lowe, “The next time you pitch, throw left-handed.”
• Tell Jason Heyward, “That stuff you were doing last year? Do it again.”
• Tell Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, “Stop hurting.”
• Tell his hitters, “When there’s a man in scoring position, try to drive him in.”
See, I’m not really sure a turn-over-the-postgame-spread-table tantrum is in order. I don’t for a second believe the Braves aren’t trying as hard as they can. (Think about it. Why would they not be trying hard? Because they’d much rather be lumped with the ‘64 Phillies than partake of postseason play?)
I do believe the injuries to Jurrjens and Hanson have put a greater load on the bullpen, and the load on the bullpen was already immense. I do believe Brian McCann’s post-DL slump has put a strain on a lineup that didn’t have a Prince Fielder or a Ryan Braun in the first place. (Note that Milwaukee has both those guys.) I also note that, if you go by that “expected wins” stat, the Braves’ overall numbers suggest they should be 83-71, not 87-67. So maybe they’ve actually gotten good value from this roster, which could be taken as a sign of — gasp! — skilled managing.
But I know you folks, and I know that’s not what you want to hear. You want action! You want accountability! You want resignations on the postgame-spread table! You want to see this team Play With More Emotion! You want all that stuff you wanted but didn’t get to your satisfaction with Bobby Cox and charge and aren’t getting with Fredi G., either. So here’s your chance.
Tell Fredi what to do. And if your suggestion is good enough and he happens to see it, I’m reasonably certain he’ll tip his cap to you.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
406 comments Add your comment
Abnerish
September 20th, 2011
2:00 pm
Take them to the swimming pool and dive off the high dive. It works for Coach Richt (er, maybe not!).
Seriously, though, they just need to go out there tonight and try to win tonight’s game. Put the best 9 out there, get a lead and win the game. Play fundamental baseball. Do the little things that win close ball games.
And are you serious about platooning McCann?? Did you watch the game last night? He crushed the ball the first 3 times up, just hitting them to the deepest part of the park or right at someone. He’ll be fine. There’s an off day Thursday – no time for him to rest. D Ross is a great backup catcher, but to say that he should platoon with McCann is ridiculous. By the way, Prado and Heyward are having better ABs as well. Or did you miss the walks, the HR and the double off the wall, too??
Fredi is handling this the right way. That game hurt for sure, but it is never time to panic. Play the game the way it is supposed to be played and we will win our share of these remaining games. And then hope it’s enough.
Ralph
September 20th, 2011
2:00 pm
Play Constanza, they were winning when they played him regular, he makes things happen and gets everybody loose.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 20th, 2011
2:01 pm
Play Georgie.
jayvee
September 20th, 2011
2:02 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I see somebody else picked up on it, too. I have never seen a team that won as many games as the Braves have won and hit so many pop up, foul pop outs and weak grounders. This is not a line drive hitting team. I guess the best way to fix it is to go out and get some line drive hitters. And probably a new hitting coach. Sorry, Mr. Parrish. It’s on you. Also, don’t ride your show horses in the pen until they’re all lathered and worn out. Just needed to find more people out there that could pitch in a close game. Too often to the well makes it run dry, and that’s what’s happening to Venters and Kimbrel. I don’t blame Chipper for not fielding that ball, though in retrospect it was hit so softly he didn’t really have to shy away from it. If it had hit him in the nose, he might still have had a play.
Dr. Phil
September 20th, 2011
2:02 pm
Take Derrek Lowe out when he gives up three runs. Do not wait until he gives up six or seven.
Sonny Clusters
September 20th, 2011
2:03 pm
“Flu-like symptoms” means the player is hung-over, right? That’s what it was with Andruw and probably with Chipper, too. Too much deer scent. Everybody slobbers all over Chipper and he gets on other players . . . and then he loses a ground ball in the lights. Field it and throw it and the Braves win. Winners win. Winners lead. Winners have done it before likely. Losing is a pattern. The pattern has been in place for a time. Celebrating division wins means nothing. Putting up a pennant for last year’s wild card is embarrassing. The NL Pennant is the trick. The WS Ring is the prize. Just go hunting and leave us alone.
GABuckeye
September 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
Bench Hayward, get him to understand that he needs to move up to the plate to cover the outside pitches instead of casting his hands/rolling over on the pitches. Until he learns not to try to pull the danged outside pitch, he’s worthless at the plate.
Why doesn’t Larry Parrish see it? Joe Simpson does, heck, even my 16-year old daughter sees it…
1eyedJack
September 20th, 2011
2:08 pm
I was wondering what Clusters ate before there was Dairy Queens. I guess wild game was out. Maybe turnips?
Sonny Clusters
September 20th, 2011
2:08 pm
If Ol” Fredi is reading this, we bet he’s ready to tip his cap to some of us. When we was playing ball we’d run hard to the bag and we could hit the cutoff man. We could steal a base and hit behind a runner. We was Clusters-like in the field and at-bat. Fredi could use a Clusters about now. Instead, he has a Buck Commander leading things and the Buck Commander always goes home early. Always.
Nittany Lion
September 20th, 2011
2:10 pm
Stop taking the first pitch. Which has been strike one for the last week. Then stop fouling off pitch number two and getting in the hole 0-2. The third pitch has been a ball then we hit a weak grounder or pop up pitch number four. Is this not how it has been lately? A 33rd round draft pick has his best game of the year against the Braves and we just tip our cap. This is really getting old. Same approach from all batters. Someone have a plan that works.
Oregon Brave
September 20th, 2011
2:10 pm
I would tell Fredi to start Georgie in place of D. Lowe tomorrow. I would tell Fredi to find B. Mac’s goggles, and I’d tell Fredi to have Parrish go coach 1st base. Go Braves. . . . Joliet Jim: Every time I wore my lucky Braves shirt they lost. Perhaps it’s time to track it down and put it on. Go Braves. .
STEVE BURROUGHS
September 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
Have a players only meeting in the Team Hotel away from baseball. Have Chipper ask the team if they want to win this thing or pack it in. If the answer is win, then start playing to win each night instead of playing not to lose!
joliet jim
September 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
mark bradley didnt i get in JUST ahead of rufino???
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
Get thrown out of a game once in a while so the players know you have their back!
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:12 pm
“Field it and throw it and the Braves win.”
Not necessarily true. Even if he fielded that cleanly, I doubt he would have gotten Bonifacio. Those types of hits were basically like what Constanza was doing when he was starting. Infield choppers that speed can often beat out.
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:12 pm
Put a strip of duct tape over Chipper’s mouth whenever anyone with a microphone or a pen & paper approaches him!
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:13 pm
Convince Ted Turner or Arthur Blank or some other wealthy Atlantan to buy this team and double the payroll so we can compete with the Phillies next year!
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
Buy a pair of Ray Bans for Chipper!
Really!
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
Bring back Chief Nocahoma!
southern hope
September 20th, 2011
2:15 pm
some of these comments are hilarious…my fave 1) have all of the fans “tip their caps” to the opposing team at random moments during the game and 2) pick a random fan from the stadium and have him or her draw up the batting order while Freddi goes for a drink. Sorry that I can’t recall the 2 posters who wrote these!
Tom
September 20th, 2011
2:15 pm
Two comments to make – (1) With that high bounce on the grounder, even if Chipper had caught it, he would not have been able to throw out the speedy batter. (2) Speed never slumps, hitters do at times. When we were playing Constanza we had two speedy and exciting guys in lineup, we were winning and it was exciting. Then you decided to play JasonH reguarly and things went down-hill for whatever reason. Why did you keep playing him when he was not productive, did Wren tell you to? Why did you not bring up Gartrell(26HRS at AAA) at end of season, it almost seems like you do not want the AAA guys to be more productive than the guys you started the season with in the OF? Why did Wren and you not go get someone like Pence or Franceour(quit screaming people) they were having great seasons and were available. I do believe the WC is lost because of your decision to just keep playing someone because they may get better!
Really!
September 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
Where is Francisco Cabrera when we really need him?
CaptainMudderland
September 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
The great starting pitching lost traction….a mudslide ensued; just pull together and do your best Bravos….that is all any of us have a right to ask. Yes, I am upset with the state of our injury situation, but there is nothing to say or do that will change a single thing….so go Bravos indeed!
Bulldawg
September 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
There is only one thing to say about this team – either put up or shut up. These guys have to look within themselves and see if they really have the heart to make the playoffs or not. Right now, they are playing like they are afraid to do something wrong, just waiting for the other team to find a way to beat them. They are more talented than the Marlins and the Nationals, so there is no reason to be losing to either of them at this critical point in the season. I’m tired of hearing that we just have to forget about yesterday. No, remember yesterday, how it felt, and do something different today to win the game. Either you want to be a playoff team or you don’t. Champions find a way to get it done. Man up and take the wildcard!!!!!
JPopNC
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
They definitely need some additional advice on their hitting because thats where they’re hurting worse. Sure pitching is off, but when you have men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and can’t get a run in? Something is wrong there.
It’s probably too late in the season to fire Parrish, but they really should get a second opinion on the batting situation right now.
And I feel the batting order should be:
1. Bourne
2. Constanza
3. Freeman
4. Uggla
5. Chipper
6. McCann
7. Heyward/Diaz
8. SS de jour
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
Play Georgie, bench Heyward, and move Derek Lowe to the bullpen as the long relief pitcher he is!
Colorado Braves Fan
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
Don’t put this on the bullpen. It is the inability to get key hits.
Compare last nights game to the Cardinals effort vs Philly. In the 7th, with a runner on 1st and 2 out, the batter hits the ball down the line for a double and they score the runner. This was the 4th run which turned out to be the winning run after the Cardinal bullpen gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th.
For the Braves, again top of the 7th, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, the batter hits a weak grounder which results in a run only because of an error. The next batter pops out. Thus the Braves are only up by 1 and the 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th are enough to ensure the loss.
If either of those batters had gotten a hit the Braves would be up by 2, or up by 3 with a double, and the 2 9th inning runs would not have sent them to defeat.
It soedn’t matter who those batters were because this has been a recurring story: The inability to get key hits to bury the opponent.
rutlean
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
In the last five years, the Braves have had 2 people collect more than 100 RBI’s. That should say enough. You have to score runs to win games no matter how good your pitching is. Sad to say, but if you look at the Braves lineup, they’ve over achieved. They’re simply a terrible hitting team with good pitching. Terrible hitting puts a huge strain on pitching. Who wants to go out pitch 7 innings of 2 run ball and know there’s probably a better chance of getting an L than a W.
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:20 pm
Give Derek Lowe a breathalyzer before every start!
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:21 pm
“Why did Wren and you not go get someone like Pence or Franceour(quit screaming people) they were having great seasons and were available.”
During the first half, the Braves were one of the best hitting teams with RISP. They just weren’t getting enough guys on base. They didn’t need another run producer, they needed a leadoff hitter. Bourn was having a great season as well and he fit that roll. It wasn’t until after the all star break that they started suddenly failing with RISP.
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:21 pm
Take the players to the Cheetah and tell them to loosen up!
timboy6
September 20th, 2011
2:22 pm
Put Constanza back in right field and don’t let Derek Lowe pitch another inning!
Chop Chop
September 20th, 2011
2:23 pm
Bobby’s looking at Fredi in that picture and thinking, “Man, this guy’s gonna make me look good.”
Learn from the Past
September 20th, 2011
2:24 pm
Bobby Cox dug for boogers and beat his wife.
That won him a World Series.
Maurice
September 20th, 2011
2:24 pm
Enter your comments here
J Hey's Better (Than This)
September 20th, 2011
2:27 pm
The team has been hit with the injury bug period! I knew when I seen JJ’s fastball at 83-86 that their was a problem he is usually 90-93 when your breaking stuff is 80-82 and the fast ball is 5 plus you will have problems. The Starting Pitching was supposed to be a strength and it was during the 1st half of the season, Now you are asking young guys to come in and give you innings and quality starts at the MLB level. That is a tough job for anyteam to handle. They are now back to their “Station to Station” baseball ways again and that will not simply not get it done! Dont blame Chipper or Kimbrel for those loses this team needs to pitch and needs to hit and right now they are not doing EITHER!
Sonny Clusters
September 20th, 2011
2:28 pm
We’ll never know if Chipper could have made the play, because Chipper did not make the catch. Neither did he catch the bouncer to his left a bit earlier. Neither did he drive in a run with the bases loaded, Infante’s error got that run in. Losing a ground ball in the lights is a new one on us. Yes, it was a Chopper but it was a Chopper to Chipper and he’s supposed to be able to handle those. We should call him Larry until he leads us to a WS title.
Tim D
September 20th, 2011
2:28 pm
I’m not sure why Prado is still batting 2nd? We need to put Costanza in LF and bat him 2nd. About a month ago when the Braves were winning we had speed in the lineup and it created havoc for defenses. We need that back in the line up and can’t rely on a 3 run homer. I know Prado is a gamer and wants to play but he’s not getting on base as we need him to. The line up should be this against righties:
Bourn
Costanza
Chipper
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez
Heyward
I got gout
September 20th, 2011
2:30 pm
Optical rectitus.
Couldn’t have said it better.
Cue Jim MorON
“PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?
I just wish we could win a game.”
Rob
September 20th, 2011
2:30 pm
Do you guys even watch the games?
Heyward has been his old self the past 2 weeks– he’s back to taking walks and is starting to slug a little again. Constanza was a one trick pony.
The biggest issue we have is Larry Parrish and our entire org’s hitting philosophy. Its the absolute worst. WE NEED TO TAKE MORE WALKS! The name of the game is to NOT give up outs.
Michael M Beard
September 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
The big mistake that Gonzalez made was removing Pendelton as hitting coach. Parrish has not good track record as a hitter and a coach. Heyward had a good year under Pendelton last year. If the Braves miss the playoffs someboby has to bite the dust. Lowe should not pitch no more this season.
Michael M beard
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
Regarding what to tell Gonzales to do: only use Diaz when A LEFT HANDER’S ON THE MOUND! please. Try to get at least SOME regular at bats for E Hinske, B Conrad and (back up catcher-forgot name, oh yea D Ross). Remember Lefty-Righty set up: lefty hitters tend to hit RHP better and vice-versa when pinch-hitting. And Be Aggressive on base paths…show some guts!!! Take some chances!!!
Daryl
September 20th, 2011
2:33 pm
It is a little late to do this but try to play ABC ball. It’s funny when were kids they teach us to play fundamental (sacrifice bunt) but these major leaguers who are paid MILLIONS refuse to do it. It makes me sick.
A Very passionate and disappointed Braves Fan
September 20th, 2011
2:33 pm
Play with urgency. Play like you already lost the lead and are trying to get it back. When the Braves were down six or seven games they gave off a better vibe than they do now. Now they don’t even act like they deserve to be in the playoffs. The first thing I tell my son when he’s competing: YOU got here. YOU put in the time, energy, and sweat to make it this far. I can not do it for you. No one can. No coach, no media, no father, no instructor can fight for you. You have to do it yourself. If every individual on the Braves roster BELIEVES that, then they will succeed. There will be some let downs but not a meltdown. Right now they are on the verge of melting down. Damn the team meetings. YOU (The Braves roster) need to show urgency and grow a pair. The Marlins and Washington Nationals are looking to knock you out of the playoffs. YOU deserve to be there. Now act like it!
Maurice
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
I like the Chief Nocahoma tip
Tobias
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
Chipper was not hustling out of the box on that 7th inning grounder either. Almost hurt himself making the play a hell of a lot closer than it should have been
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
“I know Prado is a gamer and wants to play but he’s not getting on base as we need him to.”
304 AVG over the last 7 days with a 2B, a HR, 3 RBI, and 2 BB.
Rob
September 20th, 2011
2:35 pm
“Tell Fredi what to do”
Fredi, it’s easy. Call Bobby Cox and ask him what he would do, and then do the opposite
It’s going to be ok. Every team has its ups and downs during the year. Winning the division was not the goal.
Keep them settled, and get it done over these final few games
The time when there is no tomorrow begins after the regular season ends
It's Ok
September 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
Tell every guy on the team to forget anything Bobby Cox ever told them, and it all turn out ok
Tom
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
Rob@230 – Great, a 6′5, 245lb RF is starting to get his walks again. 3-4 hard hit balls in 3 weeks. I guess you are right, he’s coming around folks!! Rob, go back to your Wall St Journal, since you know nothing about the “business” of baseball!!