Live from Game No. 162: Fredi tries, gently, to rally his Braves!
Is darkness about to descend on the 2011 Atlanta Braves? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
You wanted a team meeting? Fredi Gonzalez convened (a brief) one after Tuesday’s game. “He let his feelings be known,” Chipper Jones said, but now I offer this warning:
You’re going to be disappointed.
The Braves’ manager did not hurl invective or furniture. What he said was essentially what he told the press moments later. “I told them I wouldn’t pick another bunch of guys to go out and win one game,” Gonzalez said. “I also told them to get a nice sleep and come out ready tomorrow.”
Then: “It wasn’t like Knute Rockne. But maybe 50 years from now it’ll be in a book of great speeches.”
When you’ve handed back an 8 1/2-game lead and there’s only one game to go, what else is there to say? “If we blow this, you’re all fired”? (Those pesky longterm contracts might mitigate against such a purge.) “Take two and hit to right”? (Sounds like something the hitting coach should have been saying.) “You’re a bunch of choking dogs — now go relax and win this game”? (A bit of a mixed message, eh?)
It’s Game No. 162, you’re can’t install the Wishbone. And if you’re wondering why Fredi G. didn’t try to incite his men … well, these are grown men. They know what they need to do.
Chipper said Wednesday that the city of Atlanta was ready to box these players’ ears. (Or words to that effect.) Someone noted that at least such venom showed this city cares. Said Jones: “We care, too. Nobody cares more than we do. We just need to batten down the hatches and give ourselves a chance.”
Of his manager, Jones said: “I just don’t know what strings he can pull. It’s up to the players to put up good at-bats and up to the pitchers to put up zeroes.”
Of the Braves’ inability to score (four runs in the past four games), Jones said: “We have picked an inopportune time to make outs with runners in scoring position.”
Here he smiled. Baseball can be such a simple game. “If we could control when we struggle and when we’re hot, the game would be pretty easy.”
Nobody disputes that these Braves have made this much harder than it should have been. At the same time, they haven’t quite blown it yet. They’ve got Tim Hudson working tonight, and he’s the guy you’d want taking the ball even if Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson were hale and hearty. And the Cardinals will be facing a hot pitcher.
“We’re big Brett Myers fans,” Chipper said, speaking of Houston’s starter. “He went to my high school. I’m hoping for some Bolles mojo.”
The Braves didn’t appear a beaten team beforehand. They went about their pregame business the way they usually go about their pregame business. And Gonzalez sounded utterly upbeat in an extended media session.
He had, he said, packed “all the way through Sunday night.” If a one-game playoff with the Cardinals is required, the Braves will depart tonight. Should they win in St. Louis, they’d head for Milwaukee or Phoenix. Did Fredi pack attire for both the Midwest and the desert?
“They’re both indoor stadiums,” he said. “Besides, I don’t have that kind of wardrobe.”
The big news of the afternoon: Shortstop Alex Gonzalez could, his manager said, miss up to two weeks with a calf injury. Jack Wilson will start in his stead and bat eighth tonight. And batting seventh with be the right-handed hitting Matt Diaz; Jason Heyward has been omitted from the starting lineup for Game No. 162 — even though the Phillies are deploying righthander Joe Blanton.
Fredi’s reasoning: Blanton is actually more effective against lefties than righties — the numbers underscore the point — and Philly plans to bring in lefty Cole Hamels after three innings, which would force the Braves to pinch-hit early if Heyward started.
Gonzalez: “We’ve got a lineup capable of grinding out a group of at-bats.”
And that, assuming some of the at-bats conclude with hits, would be a good thing. And these Braves weren’t acting as if they were looking for a soft place to plop down. They want to keep playing. They want to win. I think they’ll be playing in St. Louis tomorrow night. So does their manager.
Asked if his team would win tonight, Gonzalez said: “Yes. We’re going to go out and play the best baseball game we can play.”
That might be enough. It might not. That’s why they play the game. “Hopefully at about 10:30 or so we’ll be shaking hands and seeing what’s happening with the Astros and Cardinals,” Gonzalez said.
And I’ll be here until we know what’s what, baseball-wise. I ask you to join me as Game No. 162 unfolds. I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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1,908 comments Add your comment
TN Jeff
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
Remember I called it in the 9th inning when I said, “I sense a Linebrink loss on the horizon” Somehow Gonzalez doesn’t see the same idiotic scenerios that are obvious to us (like Kimbrel gonna blow the win in the 9th)
Old School
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
Can’t wait to hear Leo the Apologist on 680TheFan tomorrow.
Why Is This Man Managing?
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
If Kimbrel would have at least thrown it down the pipe…………………………what an epic collapse!
stendek
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
Braves = Garbage. Phils took it out!
Boyz From N. Ave.
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
Stay AWAY from Turner Field until they drop Freddi G. and his horrible management. He is worse than Bobby Cox, which I thought was impossible. As Tony Kornheiser said today on PTI, the Braves historically dont show up come playoff time. Frank Wren should be put on notice as well. It will take fans staying away from Turner Field before the team will make changes.
TheAntiMe
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
if you had to do a check of intestinal fortitude it would clearly show that this entire roster of 2011 Braves does not even have one-fourth of a single nad collectively of the entire team put together.
The final word from our Atlanta Braves:
meow
Leo Mazzone
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
I still think they got a shot. Quit bein’ so dad-goned pessimistic.
Tampa Gator
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
One good thing……..
Fredi can’t continue to ruin the arms of Kimbrel and Venters. Go get some rest. You both had a great year….despite Fredi. I just hope he did not ruin your arms this year.
Little Jimmy
September 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
Hey DOB…. where are all your smart A comments about “Won’t happen” when people were asking about the Braves collapsing. On paper it shouldnt have…. but when you factor in the lack of heart this team has it was easy to see.
Steve
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Fredi — somewhere, a village is missing its idiot
peachie
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Ramboorider that isn’t surprising it’s hard to hit a pitcher you’ve never seen before
Lou Brown
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
It’s either a leg thing, or a spiritual thing, or a psychological thing, or a heart attack!
Gregory Moundine
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Ok Falcons, I need to be re-energized! Don’t break my heart also!
G
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
You have to be careful about knocking the Braves cause the homers running this site will block you.bloggers. They are like the KGB.
GeorgiaBorn
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
How about Heyward not hustling on Utley’s hit that allowed a confused Phillie base runner to trot to 3rd? The next hit would never have scored him from 2nd. If Heyward is on his horse on that hit, the runner stops at 2B.
WOW!
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
That’s gotta be the biggest choke job of all time. By season’s end I don’t think the Braves could have beaten anybody. Just WOW!
I Knew you'd miss me- Rick Ankiel
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
They should go get Ozzie Guillen and shake things up. Bradley would be put in his place about once a week. What ever happened to Constanza? When he went out of lineup the offense just went in the tank.
Billy Howard
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
I refuse to give them any more of my money. I will not be attending any more games until they win a playoff series. The Braves need a real culture change. They don’t win against teams that they should win against and they don’t win tough “need to win games”. THEY SUCK!
Big Wally
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Umm. The cardinals had injuries too. There best pitcher Wainwright was hurt all year I believe and Pujols was lost for a month and a half, didn’t hear them whining.
carl
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
hey, at least we didn’t trade away any of our good talent. I’ll always be a Braves Fan. Go Braves!
the truth...
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Fire Fredi
TN Jeff
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Sure wish some of the Atlanta sports writers had the guts to ask Gonzalez why he sits on his hands when his closer has stunk for the last month and blows another winable game.
omar
September 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
They choked. Plain and simple.
Lazlo
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
A final tip of the cap
Texas Braves fan
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
Uggla, in a post game interview, actually just said, when asked what happened “we ran into some tough competition”. You could almost cut him from the roster for that. We lost to several of the worst teams in the NL. That statement summarizes the pathetic excuse making of this team and organization.
Goodnight Freddi
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
Lights out, Atlanta. Lights out.
P Rose
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
Fitting. To cap the worst collapse ever with a weak double-play ball by one possible rookie-of-the-year in the 13th, after the other possible rookie-of-the-year blew the save. The loss taken by the much-maligned Linebrink. The so-called team leader, Jones, did absolutely nothing for 13 innings. It’s just all too fitting. See ya next year, boys.
CMR
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
Is this even real? Nothing in this state has gone right this year.
Somebody let me know when this is over.
Gregory Moundine
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
I wish I was a fly on the wall to hear only what Bobby Cox is saying now!
Turtsnap
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
LOSERSVILLE…… Once AGAIN
ATLER (Ramblin Wreck)
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
The whole organization needs to be reworked from top to bottom. They try to get role models instead of real ball players. That good ole boy system is old. I’m tired of all the disappointment from the Braves.
texasbrave
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
Fire that isiot Fredi. What manager does not steal second to stay out of a double play
Michael
September 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
To loss such a huge lead in one month, what a embarrassment to City and National League
stendek
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
Important to clean house! Fumigation only answer. Season was failure bozos! Major choke. Not little slip. MAJOR CHOKE!
Leo Mazzone
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
Ya’ll are just bein’ so negative. Just shut up and enjoy the ride, we’ll make it! I’m Leo Mazzone!
justWow
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
ron gant: “I don’t think [the season's] a failure.”
Wow.
John
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
GO ATLANTA DREAM
Todd A.
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
Been watching the Braves since the early 70’s and this is the saddest, most pathetic group of losers I’ve ever witnessed in a Braves uniforms. Keep only Hudson and the young starting pitchers and take a wrecking ball blow to the rest of this sorry team and staff.
jfreak13713
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
The decision that cost the braves even a chance to win was the managers decision to pitch to Hunter Pence with at sub .200 hitter behind him. That is the managers decision and he failed and should be held resonsbile. I would fire him tmorrow! Sorry but this is the real world and he failed at his job! Fire him now!
Tampa Gator
September 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
I think Chipper might just change his mind……and retire….and make many of you happy. The guy played with bone on bone in his knee and you are ripping him. He is the only player who hit the ball hard after Ugla HR……..and he did it without the proper function of either leg. Some of you are just dumb.
TN Jeff
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
G – you’re right about that. I still wish the Braves players would be forced to come to the stadium on the scheduled home game for the Divisional Series and entertain all the fools that bought tickets for that now defunct game
done
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Should never have traded Escobar.
the truth...
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Heyward is a loser…..
John Schurholtz and Frank Wren and Hank Aaron ordered Fredi to play Heyward and sit Constanza the rest of the season….
So the manager Fredi all the way up the chain are responsible….
And Uggla Strikes Out
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Well, the Braves managed the impossible…………..wasn’t it quoted that there was a 99.9 per cent likelihood of the team making the playoffs a few weeks ago?
farmer
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
I HATE FREDI GONZALEZ ! FIRE HIM AND WREN IMMEDIATELY! what a pure choke job. nothing else needs to be said. except go Cardinals.
Leo Mazzone
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Listen, all your fancy stats and numbers. I don’t care about any of that. The only thing that matters is heart. I’d go to war with these guys!
P Rose
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
The player of the game was Pence, the guy the Braves didn’t get at the trade deadline, settling for Bourn. Fitting.
stendek
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Georgia Tech would murder these Braves!
The Ghost of Rico Carty
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Well, on behalf of the folks who deal with the screwed up Atlanta traffic….thank GOD one season is over….and THANK GOD the Hawks may be OVER TOO…maybe there will be a few dozen less vehicles on the roads for us to deal with.
Growler
September 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
You can squawk about the lousy hitting all you want (and boy there were some awful at-bats there by Prado, Chipper, McCann, Heyward, etc. etc.) but the Braves offense was lousy all year long. In the end, the Braves collapsed because Kimbrel (and Venters) burned out and were running on fumes by the end of the year. Kimbrel blew three saves (in St. Louis, in Florida and tonight) that ultimately cost them the season. Hopefully this will not happen next year, but if they’re worked to the bone again — -it might.