Fire Fredi? No, but the Braves did some major mismanaging
Esteemed colleague Mike Luckovich offers this extremely flattering bit of imagery.
Midnight had come and gone, and Frank Wren stood in Bill Acree’s office just off the main clubhouse. (Acree is the Braves’ director of travel, and earlier he’d been triangulating the hoped-for trip to St. Louis and then to Milwaukee or Phoenix. Moot point now.) The general manager was staring at a TV above the door. Boston had just lost. Tampa Bay had just won.
“Coming into September,” Wren said, disbelief in his voice, “we [meaning the Red Sox and the Braves] had two of the four best records in baseball.”
Neither will be part of the sport’s eight-team tournament, and today the Braves’ one source of consolation is that the Sox choked even harder than they did. (Unbelievable that two of the three biggest September flops in the game’s century-long annals were concluded within moments of each other. The third happened in 1964 to the Pholdin’ Phils.) There were similarities in these contemporary collapses — starting pitchers got hurt and everything unraveled — but we’ll let long-suffering New Englanders suffer long with theirs.
As for the local nine: Wren did his job. He built a good-looking team. He landed Michael Bourn in July and fleshed out his roster with Matt Diaz and Jack Wilson in August. (And what did the glove man Wilson do? Became the new Brooks Conrad by erring on a double-play grounder that became Philadelphia’s second run Wednesday night.) This should have been a playoff team, and for 5 1/2 months it was playoff-bound. Then it derailed itself.
Blame should attach itself to Fredi Gonzalez, but not the sort that has been tossed around. Jose Constanza would not have saved the season. (He’s a journeyman. Come on.) Starting Derek Lowe in Game No. 161 was a justifiable choice. (You’d start the rookie Julio Teheran instead? Come on.) This wasn’t so much about managing situations — every manager, even the learned La Russa, whiffs on a nightly basis — as in managing people.
I’m not a big fan of team meetings, but sometimes they’re necessary. Gonzalez had one after the Braves lost seven of nine early in the month, which might have been a day too late, and another after they lost Game No. 161 to fall into a tie with St. Louis. What Fredi said Tuesday night was appropriate — “I wouldn’t pick any other guys over you to go out and win a game” — but by then the panic was full-blown. Panic is why this season ended after 162 games.
Ninth inning, Game No. 162: The kid closer Craig Kimbrel is on to do as he has done 46 times in 53 tries — slam the door. He yields a leadoff single to Placido Polanco, strikes out Carlos Ruiz, walks the part-timer Ben Francisco. It’s clear the kid closer, who’s 23, is trying to hurl the ball through the backstop. (”I was overthrowing,” Kimbrel admitted.) Brian McCann walks to the mound.
Roger McDowell sits in the dugout.
Only after Kimbrel walks Jimmy Rollins to load the bases does the pitching coach emerge to speak to his kid pitcher. (Something similar happened in Monday’s game, when McDowell watched as the Phillies mustered four base runners and one run in the fourth inning before going to the mound to counsel the rookie Randall Delgado.) It’s entirely possible that a coaching visitation would have had no effect on Kimbrel, but why not try? Why didn’t Gonzalez say, “Roger, get out there,” one batter sooner?
I asked. This was Fredi’s response: “That’s here or there.”
But it isn’t. There are certain things managers can do to manage a game, and dispatching a pitching coach is one. The Braves’ dugout seemed to be a beat slow in this final series, this whole final month. Again, it might have made no difference. Again, why not try?
And then the hitting, or the lack thereof. Once the Phillies tied it, nearly every Brave wanted to be Kirk Gibson. Guys were overswinging as badly as Kimbrel had overthrown. The Phils were deploying pitchers who won’t work a postseason inning, and the Braves’ flailing made Justin DeFratus and David Herndon look like Mariano Rivera.
“We’ve been swinging really, really hard for a while,” said Chipper Jones, who had the best late-game swing — the deep drive that Michael Martinez hauled down in the 10th — of any Brave. And that, sad to say, was this team’s signature: Swing really hard in case it hit something.
Under hitting coach Terry Pendleton, the 2010 Braves led the National League in on-base percentage. Under Larry Parrish, the 2011 Braves were 14th of 16 teams. Parrish was hired as hitting coach despite never having been a big-league hitting coach. Maybe the Braves would have hit .193 in September with runners in scoring position with Ty Cobb as their tutor. Then again, maybe they wouldn’t.
Yes, players ultimately must bear the blame for plays unmade, but this fine team was, in the end, both too laid-back in its oversight and too tightly wrapped in its playing. I don’t think Fredi Gonzalez needs to be fired — he did, after all, lose his two best starting pitchers — but I do think he needs to be more assertive. He absolutely needs a new hitting coach, but …
No such luck. Fredi announced Thursday the coaching staff would return intact. Which makes you wonder about Fredi.
By Mark Bradley
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585 comments Add your comment
Dawg Tired
September 29th, 2011
1:24 pm
shmoe… the answer is that this is a one-paper town with “connections” to the teams it covers. This isn’t hard-hitting journalist locations like New York, Boston, Phili or even Chicago… it’s Atlanta. Teams and those covering them are in bed together on some level. Plus, it wouldn’t be southern-gentle-like to be rude to locals! So, the press takes it easy on losing teams or those who aren’t producing… It’s the southern way!
Mr. Obvious
September 29th, 2011
1:26 pm
Atlanta’s left-wing, hypocritical media will not publicly call for the (much-deserved) firing of Fredi Gonzalez at this thime, no matter how incompetent he has proven himself, because he is the local, non-NBA face of “diversity” on the Atlanta sports coaching & management scene.
If his name were “Fredi Johnson” or “Fredi Turner” or “Fredi Cox” after last night’s 2011 death knell, AJC writers would be openly calling for his head like Braves season ticket holders (like me) are.
SG10
September 29th, 2011
1:27 pm
Mark,
Kimbrel blew his last three saves, Venters one. If the Braves had won half of those games, we are still in.. would that change your perception of managerial job done by FG’s team? If yes, is it fair to judge based on +2 wins when you play 162 games. I think for the first year manager, he exceeded expectations. What bothers me that the hitters have been overswinging for several weeks now and except Freeman, none of them is a rookie.. so how do we expect things will be different next year when the experienced guys are doing that? With the rookies, you can say they will mature and gain more experience but when experienced players do that, there is no hope.
Mr. Obvious
September 29th, 2011
1:30 pm
Fredi Gonzalez has now made even Michael Vick look cerebral, hard-working, studious & intelligent by comparison.
Chuck
September 29th, 2011
1:31 pm
Phillies fan here. Your guys got hit with some key injuries. When Hanson and Jurrjens both went down with long-term injuries, it was clear that the second half would be very difficult for the Braves. Had they stayed healthy while the Phillies lost Lee and Hamels, the situation would probably be reversed. I don’t know much about whether your manager is good, bad or indifferent, but I will say this: the rest of us don’t get why Cox is treated with such reverence there. He won 1 championship in a combined, what, 24 years of managing the Braves? And in his second stint there, he had the most talented team in the NL at least 10 of those non-championship years.
Ted
September 29th, 2011
1:32 pm
Fredi hired Parrish. He doesn’t have the skill to hire better or know better. He only got the marlins job bc he had been our 3b coach for four years, and they thought he would appeal to Miami. How wrong they were. Nice guy, but bad choice.
Curious George
September 29th, 2011
1:33 pm
Would the AJC be calling for Fredi Gonzalez to be fired today based on his same (poor) performance in 2011 if he were part of a different demographic?
cattledawg
September 29th, 2011
1:35 pm
How is this not Frank Wrens fault? This team needed an RBI at the trade deadline and what did Wren do? He got a guy that can get on base! Yes , it was a “good” trade , but its not what the team needed. Its like Dolly Parton getting a boob job! Clean house of everyone who has ties to the old briefcase braves of the 90s and early 2000 era!
wreckbuzz
September 29th, 2011
1:35 pm
I think both Larry Parrish AND Roger McDowell need to go. The proof:
McDowell: Braves starters (even the better ones like Hanson) routinely were not allowed to pitch deep into ball games. Presumably that is to protect them from injury. But two of their best starters had multiple DL stints (Hanson/Jurrjens). So you lose them anyway AND over work your bullpen. Ironic. McDowell in essence allowed the more inexpienced pitchers on the staff (Kimbrel/Venters) to work beyond their historic highs, but didn’t allow guys like Hanson/Jurrjens/Beachy/Minor/Delgado/Teheran to pitch deeper into ball games. They also continue to stick with Derek Lowe beyond what was appropriate. Ask yourself this question: if Lowe didn’t make $15million, would he have been starting over Delgado or Teheran? The answer is no. There is an upgrade at pitching coach living in Atlanta…Leo Mazzone. He helps pitchers strengthen themselves and pitch deep into ball games without a lot of injuries.
Parrish: Mark Bradley’s stats above on how the OBP went from the top to the bottom of the league. Terry Pendleton did not need replacing but Parrish certainly does. Ask yourself this: who did Parrish help to get better down the stretch? Freeman showed progress until August, but tailed off. Where was the hiting coach? McCann struggled. Heyward really struggled. Prado struggled. The whole mentality of this team was poor.
Fredi: He made some questionable moves leading into September. He had been riding the hot Jose Constanza and if not for a fateful ankle injury, would that have changed? Check the record after that. Since his last start on Sept 6th, the Braves went 7-14. Prior to the ankle injury the Braves had a dynamic offense, scoring runs like crazy. He made the decision to leave Heyward as the starter, but then when it mattered the most, he went with Matt Diaz in game 162. Dumb dumb dumb. And he doesn’t exude the same energy as Bobby Cox did. When Michael Bourn was incorrectly called out at 3rd base, Fredi came out but didn’t make much of an argument. Cox would have been thrown out on that crappy call in such an important game. These Braves were flat.
TomB
September 29th, 2011
1:35 pm
Wren is ultimately responsible. He’s made some good moves and poor ones. Bourne was good, Lowe, Proctor & Linebrink were poor. But, he hasn’t made these decisions in a vacumn. Ultimately, he should be evaluated on the bottom line, and that is, this should be a playoff caliber team. Fredi, Parish or whoever else you want to blame, are the decisions of the GM.
bigstack19
September 29th, 2011
1:37 pm
So the whole staff is being retained? Fantastic! That means that even if they have the chance to go out and hire someone who actually can coach hitting they will still go with Parrish who a blindfolded, locked in a dark basement, sleeping Stevie Wonder can can’t get the job done. Any other team would make this obvious change which is why I am also predicting that the opening day starter for next season is Derek Lowe. They won’t fix the hitting so why should I believe they won’t rid themselves of this 1000 lb anchor? Speaking of hitting, can someone look up how many times the Braves lost when the other team was held to 3 runs or less?
Najeh Davenpoop
September 29th, 2011
1:39 pm
“Jose Constanza would not have saved the season. (He’s a journeyman. Come on.) Starting Derek Lowe in Game No. 161 was a justifiable choice. (You’d start the rookie Julio Teheran instead? Come on.)”
I can understand not playing Constanza after he started slumping, although I am not convinced that he wouldn’t have broken out of his slump if he had continued to play. But there was no excuse for starting Lowe. Forget Teheran; they would have been better off starting a position player or doing the All Star game thing where every pitcher goes for one inning.
That said, the Braves’ offense is the main reason for the collapse, not the pitching. Even with Lowe sucking and even with Kimbrel and Venters tiring, it is damn near impossible to win games when you can’t exceed three runs scored in a game.
Ted
September 29th, 2011
1:39 pm
Agree on Wren. He is a disaster. He hired Fredi. Fredi didn’t hire him.
Buster
September 29th, 2011
1:44 pm
Mark, I think you’re spot out with this one, and your standards for a manager are obviously lower than a crawdad’s belly. Playing Lowe (Experience is as overrated as a politician’s brain), sitting Constanza (speed never slumps, and the man knew how to get on), pitching to Pence, burning out the bullpen, and a thousand other moves the man got wrong in the last thirty days shows it’s time to buy Freddi a one way ticket to wherever. And I’ll say it again: I will never again pay to watch a Brave’s game as long as Freddi is the manager.
shmoe
September 29th, 2011
1:45 pm
There is no accountability in the Braves organization.
How can you bring back Parrish? How can you not try to change the tide of ineptitude at the plate?
Dandy Randy
September 29th, 2011
1:46 pm
Mark, you’ve got to be kidding. Come on.
Curious George
September 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
Will the giant advertisement bottle above left field at Turner Field by supplanted by new sponsor CHOKE-a-Cola?
Big Wally
September 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
Schuerhotz YOU need to clean house. Wren is not a championship team building GM. Jack Wilson? that’s the best backup you can get. Fredi-cat is not a top tier Mgr. He blew out the bullpen, let Blowe pitch, when Teheran should have been pitching in Sept. Parrish, wow what a disaster. If you want to get the fans back, you have to clear out the chokers. These three are in over their heads. Everyone else can see that as plain as day.
y3ll0wjacket
September 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
I sure wish the folks in these comments were coaching and gm’ing the Braves. We’d easily hit 162-0 and sweep through the playoffs. That said, we need some fire from the manager and some more pop in the lineup. 1 or 2 additions and we’re back in the playoffs with a chance to win. They just ran out of gas for some reason. Maybe conditioning? Lastly, results would indicate we have to get a new hitting coach.
Piedmont Blues
September 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
Well said, Mark. That is all.
SG10
September 29th, 2011
1:49 pm
Not saying this in the heat of the moment but the Braves will finish near the bottom of the division next year or at best at 500 record. The reason? I don’t think they will get rid of Heyward, Prado, McCann after one disappointing year. I strongly fear that either Hanson or JJ will be out for the entire season needing surgery. The same for either Venters or Kimbrel seeing their work load. They can not get rid of Lowe. If they decide to release Lowe and bring in the rookies, the rookie starters are rarely successful in the first seasons. Marlins, Mets and Nationals are all going to be better. Their improved performance means somebody’s loss. Braves struggled to beat them in their current state.. can’t imagine them beating when they get better.
On the positive side, the Braves played much better defense than everyone imagined coming into the season. Addition of Bourn for the full year and Diaz off the bench against lefties should tremendously help.
Fan of the Game
September 29th, 2011
1:52 pm
Fire the manager, yes sir take the easy way out! I don’t see how we finished in second place. Very overrated when we don’t have Jurrgens and Hansen pitching well.
Coop
September 29th, 2011
1:52 pm
Well said, Mark. Fredi’s got to be more proactive. I agree with the examples you gave about not sending out McDowell when our pitcher’s struggled, and I’ll add a couple: Earlier in the year I attended a game where McCann got ticked about the balls and strikes and went out to the mound. Chipper had to come over and talk to him and cool him down. Fredi should’ve been out there giving the ump an earful. Same thing last night when Bourn was called out stealing third. Fredi did come out of the dugout but was way too understated. He should’ve gone bonkers and gotten tossed. In both cases a) the players would’ve known Fredi had their backs and b) it might’ve provided the team a little spark that was sorely missing at times this season.
Fan of the Game
September 29th, 2011
1:53 pm
Not sure of my spelling but I never really came through in spelling class. They should have fired my spelling teacher.
Sonny Clusters
September 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
Well, Fredi lacks judgement more than we knew. That announcement could have been made later when the restlessness had settled some. That’s sort of putting it in the face of the fans. These fans are not so eager to be mistreated as in the past. We was always able to spot a dummy.
eastbound and down
September 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
Bradley, way to support a failed group. do you paid by Fredi or the AJC? Why not fire Fredi? is this an appointment for life?
As far as starting Derek Lowe in Game No. 161 being a justifiable choice. (You’d start the rookie Julio Teheran instead? Come on. Would the results have been any worse? what about going with a 4 man rotation.
don’t worry, as long as Fredi stays in Atlanta, you will the opportunity to write many similar articles in the future starting next september.
mikeny
September 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
I posted that I wouldn’t watch the Braves again until Fredi was fired but backed off after a night of cooling off. However, he was definitely over his head yesterday. His salary is extremely low so my suggestion is to let him go. Barring that, I think the following changes are needed. Some are drastic and some are no brainers: Love Chipper but I think they need to buy out the remainder of his contract. He can play 3rd everyday w his bad wheels. I’d prefer to get a power hitting 3rd base instead of moving the free-swinging Prado but he’ll do for time being (fiscally responsible). McCann’s value is near its peak so I’d trade a perceived premiere catcher for a premier power hitting left fielder. Honestly, we need a more defensive minded catcher (and I believe that we can’t have a catcher batting fourth or fifth). We can’t give up on Heyward despite a frustrating year. That being said we do have a journey man in Constanza that shows speed and may be an every day player, batting 7th. Trade Lowe by eating 1/2 of his contract to a team that require a pitcher to eat up innings. I wouldn’t take Lowe for $15 but for $7; there may be takers. So, with approximately $8MM (from Lowe), appx $7MM (Chip), and Minor as incentive, we go shopping for a power hitting LF (No. 4th batter).
Then, maybe it can be a watchable team.
1) Bourn
Ross/Defensive catcher – unfortunately Bethancourt is only 19 years old.
2) Prado/Uggla
3) Heyward (stop swinging for the fenses son)
4) Acquired LF
5) Freeman
6) Prado/Uggla
7) A Gonzales (love to find a replacement but ss are a premium)
Hudson, Jurrjens, Hanson, Beachy, Delgado and Teheran (Delgado or Teheran can be the 5th). Medlen, Martinez, Moylan, Flgherty, Venters and Kimbrell
If they let Fredi go, I think Pendelton is a great replacement. If they keep Fredi, Terry needs to do double duty as a batting coach.
Braves fan
Boston Dawg
September 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
I’m an Atlanta native now living in the Boston area. I’m still a huge Braves fan and am therefore hurting a little (yet not surprised) today. After listening to commentary locally here in Boston, I find it strange that not once have I heard a mention of the Braves collapse. People here focus solely on their Sox and how to right the ship. However, most articles I read about the Bravos bring up the fact that the Braves aren’t the only team to falter dramatically in September.
I’m not saying such a self-centered style of reflection is the best option, but it makes me think that the Red Sox are going to get more done in the offseason than our Braves. There are no excuses here, just an understanding that something went wrong and it needs to be fixed. I’d like the brass on Hank Aaron Blvd to have the same opinion.
Sonny Clusters
September 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
Accept it fans. The staff will return intact for another season. That is what Fredi says now. How stupid to say that the day after the embarrassment of blowing the wild card the way they did! It is time for Stinky Wintes. We hope you will join us in the campaign. Wintes or Bust.
Curious George
September 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
Will Mark Richt be able to feel more comfortable in his own job security after Fredi Gonzalez has just publicly done such a worse job in contrast?
Michael M Beard
September 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
Parrish need to go today. Prado and Heyward had good years under Pendelton. There should be a shakeup in the coaching staff. The team did not hit well with runners in scoring position all year long. A visit to the hill last night to calm the young pitcher down would have helped.
Curious George
September 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
If the entire 2011 Braves coaching staff is returning intact for 2012, does that mean they head have naked pictures of Frank Wren and Fredi Gonzalez in “compromising” positions?
Najeh Davenpoop
September 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
Fredi saying he is going to keep the coaching staff — including Parrish — intact is eerily reminiscent of Jim Moron sticking by Greg Knapp despite the readily apparent fact that he was an incompetent idiot. Frank Wren (who really shouldn’t be taking all that much heat for this) needs to step in and force Fredi’s hand.
bulldogbubba
September 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
I wonder why we didn’t start Kris Medlen tuesday?A rebuilt arm would have been better than Lowe.Chipper and Lowe need to RETIRE.Give up that 29 million dollars that will hold us back next year.
HPick
September 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
One key factor that plagues the Atlanta Braves is that they lack an interested owner, the last one being Ted Turner. Not saying that all owners are good for their teams (Frank McCourt, Jeffrey Loria, etc.) but they provide for a more defined incentive to play. Our owner, Liberty Media, received as tax incentive for stock options from AOL-TimeWarner which is the first red flag. Secondly, they operate out of Colorado, which distances its owner from its team. Ownership must change. Active and interested owners can invigorate a teams spirit. It used to be Bobby Cox who could do that when he would argue calls for his pIayers. I do also believe the hitting philosophy that Larry Parrish brought was not the right one and either needs to change or he must go. Players need to be smart hitters not smashing for power on the first pitch from each pitcher, especially if they haven’t hit against them yet in the season. As far as people asking for Chipper to retire, he is one of the more consistent benefits to this team. No he isn’t a .300 hitter but who was this season for us? His bat and presence in the dugout are more valuable than many believe. Gonzalez, the manager, needs to think more about strategy for next season. Maybe he will be better, maybe not, but he is Bobby Cox’s replacement, which is one of the hardest replacements that can be made. Y’all can take it or leave it but it makes a lot of sense.
CO_Braves
September 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
So Fredi plays the “hot” hand in Constanza bc Jay Hey is sucking it up, but Lowe is sucking it up just as bad and he doesn’t bother to play one of our talented rookies (Minor or Teheran)? How is this logical? I understand Fredi has his “own” way of doing things, and I can’t change that. But really, do it across the board if that’s the case. Be consistent. There is no way Lowe should’ve been out there based on Fredi’s managing of Heyward. I mean he stuck with Gonzalez’s poor bat all year because he “made up” for it on defense. Ok, whatever. He backed it up with a reason, albeit pretty illogical. But what was his reason for Lowe? It’s not like he was pitching poor but at least giving us good innings. He was out by the 4th or 5th innings pretty much every start. If you manage based on a “hot hand” or “cold hand” theory, be consistent with it. He continued to play Constanza after he stopped hitting for awhile, and eventually sat him. Lowe should’ve been sat his last start or two, at minimum. He clearly wasn’t getting it, and continued to hurt the team. I can’t remember his last halfway decent start. All those games Fredi mismanaged throughout the year came back to bite us. So sad.
D-Nice
September 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Steve you said it right there you are so right about this squad and Parrish changing Jason up. Every time jason would try and get hot Fredi would bench him and thats no way to get a kid going. People may not have agreed but Bobby let kids get themselves out of slumps. If the other 7 batters are doing their job then the kid should be able to do his and we didnt help him out. Jason is too talented to not get better and his last at bat showed as he was patient and layed off the inside pitch until it was a strike. TP should have gotten the job anyways because what exactly has Fredi G won in Florida and now here? This team should have competed for a division crown not a WC. Roger Mcdowell has to get better and the fact that he is a homophobic doesnt help so send him packing and bring back Leo to be on TPs staff and have Clarence Jones, Walt Wriniak, Rod Carew, or shoot ask Chipper is he interested if not his or McCanns pop, on being the hitting coach.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
To be clear, Wren deserves blame for wasting money on Lowe and Kawakami, but if you look at every player on the roster and see how much they should have been expected to produce based on their track record, the Braves had more than enough talent to make it to the playoffs. They didn’t make it not because they didn’t have talent, but because they underachieved. That is not the GM’s fault.
kpokeefe
September 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
Oh, Mike Luckovich, didn’t you get the memo about depicting minorities in a less than flattering manner. Shame on you…I thought you as more liberal than that!!!
Michael
September 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
I was hoping Fredi would outdo Cox, and he did! Just not the way I hoped!
It’d be hard to be a manager – I will grant that. But you know what, I know what buttons to push on my kids and when to step in!
Curious George
September 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
If the entire 2011 Braves coaching staff is indeed returning intact for 2012, will my Braves Season Ticket Holder Client Services representative act surprised when I cite that as the sole reason my company & I will be cancelling our professional and personal season ticket packages for next year?
bulldogbubba
September 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
Sunny, Will you come out of retirement and play 3rd if Stinky takes over as manager.Then again maybe HG should play third and you at shortshop.Just remember Henry don’t like hugging.
Rob In Fayetteville
September 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
The fact that the entire coaching staff will return in 2012 tells me how tone deaf these clowns are. It also guarantees that there will be a lot more empty seats at Turner Field next season….
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 29th, 2011
2:11 pm
both of bourn’s feet came off the bag, he overslid, watch the replay, watch Sportscenter, this is not up for debate…and guess what, she shouldn’t have been stealing anyway, there were no outs and he was already in scoring position.
Brother John
September 29th, 2011
2:11 pm
Mr. Obvious may have something there, but I do not want to play that card. I simply wonder what this manager has ever done?? Ever?? Anywhere?? Why is he managing this ball club? There simply has to be more experienced, veteran managers out there. Or spend the bucks and hire a proven winner away from another team. This is not going to get better without a change at the top.
ChillyMutt
September 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
I don’t see any way in heck you can keep Frediot OR Parrish. Each were not only bad but ’should not be working in baseball’ bad. Fredi is totally unaware of situations and overwhelmed by the simplest of baseball strategy.
black1
September 29th, 2011
2:16 pm
part ways will chipper and sign a strong home run hitter that can walk and chew gum without getting hurt. !4 million. I mill per HR
Jesus Christ
September 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
Most fans of sports teams have unrealistic expectations. 89-73 is a fine record based on the talent. If anything, the Braves overachieved under Gonzalez. If two of the top 3 starters hadn’t been hurt, the Braves would be a playoff team and this silly blame game wouldn’t be happening.
david
September 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
how about a bunt when its 1st and 2nd with no outs– i think chipper nad mccan were in that situation. i dont care if The Hammer was up– BUNT THEM OVER TO GET A RUN
shmoe
September 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
Jesus,
But it did happen, so here we are.