After a wasted homestand, the Atlanta Braves are in trouble
This man isn't a bad manager, but his team is in a bad patch. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
If you check the standings, the Braves are still OK — four games behind Washington in the National League East, nicely positioned in the wild-card chase. That’s the good news. Here’s the bad:
If you watch them play, you see a team in trouble.
A homestand that began 2-0 wound up 3-6, with a week on the road — first the Bronx, then Boston — coming. “There are a lot of guys in here frustrated right now,” Chipper Jones said Sunday.
June began with the Braves wondering about their starting pitchers. The rotation has stabilized — although a rotation awaiting an MRI on its best arm can’t quite be described as stable — but now the losses are coming hand over fist. Randall Delgado yielded two runs over eight innings Sunday, and it mattered not.
This wasn’t one of those games where the Braves left a zillion runners at second and third. They pushed only two runners into scoring position, both of those in a third inning that came undone when Delgado bunted into a 1-6-4 double play. Contrast this with the Baltimore sixth, when pitcher Wei-Yin Chen sacrificed Steve Pearce to third. Delgado began to pitch from the windup, whereupon manager Fredi Gonzalez whistled to warm Delgado to work from the stretch, whereupon the addled rookie halted his delivery and balked Pearce home.
If a guy pitches a one-hitter against you, you take your loss and tip your hat. (Jason Hammel had done just that Saturday night. Sure enough, Gonzalez said: “You’ve got to tip your hat to him.”) To lose another winnable game in a week that saw three winnable games lost gives greater pause. Are the Braves turning into one of those clubs that does just enough to lose?
Said Jones: “There’s a lot of pride in here. We’re going to go up there [to Yankee Stadium] looking to win a baseball game.”
Then this: “The only thing we need to do is to avoid pressing.”
Which is hard to do when you’re losing. The Braves hit into double plays in innings 1, 2 and 3. (First Jones, then Jason Heyward, then Delgado’s failed sacrifice.) That did suggest a batting order that was getting antsy. But then they came to the game’s final out, when Gonzalez thought too far ahead.
The right-handed Matt Diaz, who was hitting .120 against righties, was allowed to bat against Orioles closer Jim Johnson. With left-handed hitters Brian McCann and Eric Hinske available, why not deploy one? Gonzalez’s reasoning: He planned to pinch-hit McCann for David Ross if both Diaz and Heyward reached, and if Hinske had been used in Diaz’s slot there was a chance the pitcher’s spot could roll around with the tying run at third and nobody to hit except Tim Hudson, who’s a pitcher.
The counterpoint: If Diaz makes an out, all points are moot. And it should be noted that Gonzalez had sacrificed the left-handed Juan Francisco in the eighth not because Jack Wilson is a better hitter — Wilson isn’t a better hitter than many people in the big leagues — but because he hits right-handed and the O’s had just summoned lefty Troy Patton. (Wilson popped to first.)
The impression — heck, the reality — was that the manager of a team that had lost five of six suffered a sixth loss in seven games without using either of the two left-handed hitters on his bench against a righty closer. Had Diaz ripped a single (or drawn a walk), we would applaud Gonzalez’s patience. Instead Diaz whiffed, and his final swing was as meek as the rationale that put him in that spot.
This isn’t to suggest that Gonzalez is overmatched or that his team has stopped playing for him. He’s a solid baseball man, and there has been little to suggest his men aren’t trying. But these past four weeks — the Braves have lost 15 of 24, and that’s with a six-game winning streak mixed in — have put a hitch in this team’s swagger. First the Braves weren’t pitching well enough, and now they’ve stopped hitting.
“We blew a couple of four-run leads [on the homestand],” Jones said, “and those would have gone a long way toward having people not take a loss like today’s so hard.”
Add two wasted leads to the losses-for-no-reason that closed the sets against the Yankees and the Orioles, and you have a well-pitched-but-wasted homestand. (And with Brandon Beachy out, there’s no guarantee the starting pitching will be this good again anytime soon.) It’s still too early to say the Braves’ season teeters on the brink, but it’s not too early to suggest they need to stop losing winnable games.
By Mark Bradley
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363 comments Add your comment
MD braves fan
June 17th, 2012
6:03 pm
Thanks Mark for an anctual realistic view of this team and its over matched manager. Someone had to tell it like it is. This team will be way out of it by the time they do the right thing and fire Frediot. DOB probably asked him what his favorite color is, and then they left for a ride on their Harleys.
What?
June 17th, 2012
6:04 pm
Why is the manager who never pitched or played in the big leagues telling his pitcher to pitch from the stretch when he’s about to do what he is comfortable doing? Makes a lot of sense.
TomP
June 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
Braves aren’t AL East material. Few teams are, fortunately for them they are in the NL East, a winnable division so no need to panic.
mountain_jim
June 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
The last 2 series, Gonzalez has proved to be ‘overmatched’ in my opinion
Sparks
June 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
Send Francisco to Gwinnett and bring Constanza back up…please.
Joe Mama
June 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
Nah, don’t be scared, Fredi IS a terrible manager. He proved it over the last week, and the entire last month of the ‘11 season.
Nanny
June 17th, 2012
6:08 pm
An absolute disgrace. This team has a loser mentality that cannot be overcome. I hope I am wrong come October, but it is painfully clear that they are useless.
shorty
June 17th, 2012
6:10 pm
Enter your comments here
shorty
June 17th, 2012
6:11 pm
Two words…Fire Fredi!
archie
June 17th, 2012
6:11 pm
Good job Mark, it’s nice to read some informed commentary instead of the usual spoon-fed rah-rah blather. As far as Frediot being a good baseball man, we agree to disagree. I don’t see an engaged tactician. I see someone with the confused expression of a dog being asked to drive a car.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2012
6:18 pm
went to the game today w/ my father…crowd was dead just as the braves. who do i contact to get my $$ back & wasting 3 hours of my life??
Marteen is a Ballplayer
June 17th, 2012
6:18 pm
Mark:
Nice article. I was waiting for Schultz to come back and bring up Fredi G. I was a big fan of the hire last year. By mid-season, I had seen enough. Every manager takes grief, but Fredit G consistently mismanages the pitchers and the bench. He makes Bobby Cox look too aggressive in comparsion, and that it hard to do. Last year, he left Ascensio (sp) in too long and we blew a 5-run lead. Fortunately for him, the team came back and won in extra innings. This year with Toronto he stuck with Livan too long until the game was out of reach. Against the Yankees, he stuck with Venters to the game was out of hand…why not Kimbrel in the 8th? Even the announcers questioned it. No one in the media broached the subject until the bloggers wouldn’t let it go.
I don’t know what goes on in the clubhouse and I don’t have all the answers, but Fredit G mismanages the pitchers and the bench like no other. A manager can only impact a handful of games each year. He has botched three possible wins in one week. Do you truly believe the Braves would not have made the postseason last year if Bobby or another competent manager was leading the team? Where do you see the Braves this year with Bobby at the helm?
Timbo
June 17th, 2012
6:20 pm
Agreed…
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2012
6:22 pm
saw fredi ho hummed his way out there to argue the balk call- no fire in him. he needs to get rowdy & get ejected to fire up his players. such a pansy when comes to arguing with the umps
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 17th, 2012
6:24 pm
Ummmm…. YA THINK?!
Old Dog
June 17th, 2012
6:25 pm
Well done Mark.
David S
June 17th, 2012
6:25 pm
need pitching and better conditioning…. When Freeman comes back, I’ll give him 2 weeks at the most before he’s hurt again… And whats up with all the days off… bunch of wusses…. team needs to man up or there needs to be some moves made to get those types of players…
NorCal Brave
June 17th, 2012
6:26 pm
Chipper came close to saying it: Fredi’s pitching changes ( bringing in Livan vs. Jays and pulling Minor vs. Yanks) have had a ruinous effect on the team’s psyche. Braves hitters are doing what they always do when runs get scarce: press like crazy. The Simmons call-up was a shot in the arm. Only a Fredi Gonzalez can make it disappear this fast.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 17th, 2012
6:27 pm
“This man isn’t a bad manager…”
LOL! Good one, Mark.
tennisbrave
June 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
Good article on telling like it is. Fredi is in over his head and I think most Braves fans realize it by now.
Timbo
June 17th, 2012
6:31 pm
Steinbrenner would have fired Fredi after last years disgusting collapse and this years losing streak and down right losing ways of late. He would have been right for doing it too. There are some unemployed talented proven major league managers waiting for a call.
Timbo
June 17th, 2012
6:34 pm
True Dr K… Bobby and any other manager would have gotten himself thrown out of at least one game, maybe even two during that gawd awful losing streak and this gawd awful homestand.
Rick
June 17th, 2012
6:35 pm
Dr. Kenneth, he likely came out of the dugout just to get an explanation, not to argue. And the call was the correct one. Getting himself ejected there would have served no purpose.
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 17th, 2012
6:37 pm
From MB: “This man isn’t a bad manager, but his team is in a bad patch”. That has to be one of the most comical comments I have heard all season. If he wasn’t serious I would think he was kidding. A team doesn’t score but 4 runs in 27 innings, leaving 33 on base, and he is not a “bad manager”. Guess what a good manager would do? He would manufacture runs, you know, like Sparky Anderson, and Earl Weaver use to do, with bunts, steals, hit and run, etc. HE WOULD ALSO HAVE HIS PLAYER’S BACKS and QUESTION THE REALLY BAD CALLS BY THE UMPIRE! Not just be a robot and sit in the dugout, and say, OH WELL, tomorrow’s another day!
In despair
June 17th, 2012
6:38 pm
It has been said before — the AJC is not one of those papers that will launch a tabloid tirade to drive a manager out of town. It is time. Stop pulling punches. Fredi is not a bad man, he is a very weak manager.
bill
June 17th, 2012
6:40 pm
I cannot take it no more. Big time Braves fan (forever) but the team seems to have a no-care attitude (just like late last year) so I’ll be taking a break for a while. This team has a bunch of hackers and do not know how to manafacture a run. They have no heart and are still a Bobby Ball team which is we need good pitching and a couple of homers to win. When that is happening they seem to do OK but there is no plan B (for the most part). I have watched a lot of the games and just do not see the desire to win. I t looks like Simmons is the only player that seems to have a dejected and sad look on his face after all of these losses. The other players just seem to be in a daze and cannot wait to brag about how good the other teams pitcher is.. Not a whole lot has changed on this team since Bobby left and its time for a complete makeover.
Stinger 2
June 17th, 2012
6:42 pm
To all those who want Fredi fired: Note that Mark did not call for this and was, inmy opinion very objective in his assessment of him. Please calm down and give this team a chance to play out of this slump. They can and will if the fans will be loyal, patient and stop the needless ranting to fire Fredi.
And to Sonny Clusters: Please be a reasonable fellow if you post tonight.
Thank you.
DaveinNEPA
June 17th, 2012
6:42 pm
I too applauded the hiring of Fredi G. at the time. I’ve seen enough this past week to see that this guy just doesn’t have what it takes to lead this club.
These players probably feel like their season is being sabotaged by the stupid moves their manager makes. (and yes, the players do talk among themselves about this stuff).
I Don’t think FW is going to be in any hurry to make this right though, because he’s the one who made the hire, and he’s the one who didn’t bother to interview anyone else for the job. Firing Fredi would make Frank Wren look bad so don’t expect it anytime soon.
Just for the record, I wasn’t exactly enamored of Bobby Cox either, but he was far better than what we got now.
Joe
June 17th, 2012
6:44 pm
That’s just it, Fredi is overmatched. The guy is a horrible manager and now we see why Florida fired him. We thought we got lucky when he was suddenly available when Bobby’s retirement was close at hand. I predict 2012 is his last year in Atlanta.
Amos Magliocco
June 17th, 2012
6:45 pm
Gonzalez is absolutely over matched. He lacks the charisma to motivate his team and the tactical awareness to match opposing managers–the latter is probably more damaging to the club’s psyche than anything. They’ve watched Bobby Cox their entire careers. You think they can’t tell the difference? The tragic aspect is that a young, talented roster is in the hands of this deeply confused and ineffective leader.
ezekile
June 17th, 2012
6:48 pm
Been a long time since the Braves were competitive and relevant on a consistent basis. Schuerholz and company were geniuses back when Ted had one of the highest payrolls in the league. When the payroll budget dropped back to middle of the pack the wins dropped back to middle of the pack. Turned out Schuerholz and company were only as smart as the money.
You heard it here first: This team will collapse and in a desperation move they will can Gonzalez and bring Bobby back for the last 6 to 8 weeks of the season to try and energize the team and the fan base.
What?
June 17th, 2012
6:49 pm
Wren won’t fire Fredi. Instead, the blame gets put on hitting coaches, bat boys, etc. Livan was released. At least he swallowed his pride on that signing. It’s time for new ownership who will replace anyone and everyone if needed.
Kevin
June 17th, 2012
6:49 pm
The owner of the Marlins knew what he was doing when he fired Gonzalez. Blame the balk on him.
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 17th, 2012
6:51 pm
Rick, don’t really think it would have mattered one way or the other even if FG had gotten himself ejected there. In fact, things may have gotten better. FG has more of a negative effect on the game than a positive one. What kind of manager yells at his pitcher(especially a young one) in the middle of his windup? He knew it was his fault, and that’s why he went to the ump. He usually doesn’t even budge from his recliner.
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2012
6:51 pm
We was reading where Fredi is getting B.o.B. to stretch out his arm just in case he’s needed in the next few weeks. We never knew about arm stretching until they sent Medlin down to stretch his. Now, he’s back and still in the bullpen. Go figure.
shorty
June 17th, 2012
6:53 pm
Its Past Time for the two failures Frank and Fredi to be fired..please John do the Right thing while the season is still salvagable.
George Stein
June 17th, 2012
6:54 pm
Fredi has to go. Period.
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2012
6:54 pm
If Chipper is so “frustrated” maybe he should take it out on a baseball. He is contributing nothing but talk. Team leader = Zero.
ezekile
June 17th, 2012
6:55 pm
We can only hope for new ownership. There needs to be a comprehensive enema with the arrogant, country club type Braves mentality. They act like they are still winning division championships every year when in reality they’ve stunk it up when you add up the past 7 seven seasons. Has David McDavid by any chance sold some cars lately and saved up his nickels to buy this mess?
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2012
6:57 pm
Bring Constanza back. Try to score a run. If you do, try to hold a lead. Play your best players. Play them in their best positions. Don’t keep messing things up.
Stinger 2
June 17th, 2012
6:58 pm
Regardless of anything all of you who want FG fired, you should be smart enough to know that it will never happen because of you opinions or what you say on AJC blogs. Why not just be realistic and don`t get so upset over the present situation.
Sure, its discouraging to lose some of the games like we have lost. But to say the manager is an idiot and the players have no heart is taking it a bit too far. After all we are very much in the race for NL East. No team is running a way with it.
durrtydogg
June 17th, 2012
6:58 pm
This is why I love the blog at certain times. You guys are right on. Our manager has no fire at all. The players do not respect him. He constantly makes the wrong decisions. I just can’t understand his thinking. Putting Chipper in the three hole today? Starting Hinske yesterday? Not pinch hitting for Diaz with McCann. The list goes on and on and on. He never argues. He always has this oh wo is me look on his face. We are in trouble.
Stinger 2
June 17th, 2012
7:01 pm
Clusters: Be patient with Chipper. He is not the whipping boy like you make him out to be.
Fastball
June 17th, 2012
7:01 pm
Nice to see the Atlanta media questioning what we’ve all seen. Chipper should manage. Glavine should become the pitching coach. Smoltz the bench coach. …Otherwise, I want to be a relief pitcher. I’m 65, from central Illinois, I’ve been a Braves fan since 1956, Fred Haney and the Milwaukee Braves. As a teenager I drove to Milwaukee to see them play. I bought ever gadget they sold to get radio reception so I could listen to the games. Then thank God for Ted Turner and TBS. In 1982 after an illness that wouldn’t let me work I got a sleeping room in Atlanta and bought a season ticket to the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. I sat right behind the on deck circle for Dale Murphy’s MVP seasons in the eightys. Now, I have the MLB Extra Inning package, only to be up staged by the Fox network. Why when I watch every game during the week do I have to watch the Cubs on Saturday. Come on MLB charge us extra (the real baseball fans) and give us those Saturday Game of the Week games. I promise to buy the same amount of beer and cars that I would have anyway. …But I won’t have to listen to Tim McCarver. …Was at the game in 1964 at Sportsmans park in St Louis when a New York Met popped up to him (McCarver, his rookie season, I think) for the last out of the 1964 season making the Cardinals in National League champs. Okay, so I’ve rattled on just like an old man, and thanks for listening. It’s nice to be with a family of Braves fans. Happy Fathers Day. Steve
Dammit
June 17th, 2012
7:03 pm
Well done
Pal Joey
June 17th, 2012
7:04 pm
We should have gotten a clue when the Marlins fired Fredi. His instincts are two moves behind the other team’s manager. Leaving Venters in to pitch to A Rod with the bases loaded, when Venters had already proved the only way he could find the plate was to throw it down the middle should have told him something. And leaving Livan in to toss batting practice in the Toronto game only underscored his inability to react in a meaningful way to a dismal situation.
But the Braves will likely putter along and win just enough games to get him through the season. I sincerely hope I’m wrong, but I suspect he will never be more than a mediocre manager for any team in the majors. The Braves need a fire brand to come in and light a fire under them. They have rocked along for so long under Cox and now Fredi with such a low key attitude, a change of managerial attitide may be in order. The last month of 2011 was a disaster, and it is beginning to look like September 2011 redux. Injuries are one thing. The consistent inability to rise to the occasion and hit in the clutch is getting very tiresome and will inevitably affect attendance. Atlanta is not Chicago, and fans here do not exhibit the longsuffering attitude of a Cubs fan.
fsubrave
June 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
this team is just simply not that good..the starting pitching is average at best…it has loooked better the last week, but there are no superstars in the field….the best player is 40…trade bourne for a top flight pitcher like greinke and put costanza in CF….trade in July a big bat…
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
Pretty good losing streak underway. Fredi didn’t have an answer in September and doesn’t appear to have one now. We was wondering if maybe they should get to the ballpark earlier (a Fredi idea) or maybe just all switch numbers and see if that will change things around. Sometimes companies will send their employees out for team building exercises and maybe that’s what the Braves need. Maybe they could all go on a deer hunt together during the All-Star break. They won’t have anything else to do.
Laughing out Loud
June 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
Although the Braves present streak is no laughing matter, fan response is certainly laughable! You want the manager to manufacture runs, well sorry folks the Braves players are the ones who hit, run, bunt, pitch and score the runs not the manager. While the manager as well as players can certainly be criticized, the common fan posting here has unrealistic demands and no positivie suggestions on how to right the ship. I say get off Fredi’s back and give him some positive encouragement and suggestions.
dandydawg
June 17th, 2012
7:06 pm
Yes, we are in trouble…. No leadership, no manager. The Bobby Cox style of management is not working. What’s next?
BravesBobblehead24
June 17th, 2012
7:07 pm
You can fire Freddie, Frank but with the owners the Braves have you will probably get the same results, maybe a little better, but no stability in the lineup, no going after players that can fill you needs when players you bring up still need to be in the minor league. Just plain D@mn!!
braveslover
June 17th, 2012
7:09 pm
Did I hear Jair is coming back and will be pitching in Boston on the broadcast today? With all this (deservedly) ripping of Fredi no one has a suggestion for whom could/would replace him. Let’s look at the facts:
1-Libery is not and will not up the payroll enough to be competitive
2.We have the second youngest team in the majors
3.We will be young until such time as the team is sold because we cannot afford to keep or sign big ticket players so we will have to keep bringing them up from the minors when we let them get away cuz we can’t afford them
4. It’s hard to teach athletes how to WIN. From olympians to nascar to golfers, to professional athletes there is a huge difference in knowing how to PLAY and knowing how to WIN
5. A manager has to put his team in a position to win. Fredi bless his heart just doesn’t know how
6. There is no on available during the season to take Fredi’s place even if the Braves wanted to let him go. Well maybe Lou Pinella
7.Yes there is a large number of pitchers throughout baseball that are or have been injured this year but no team has had EVERY pitcher hurt or miss games on their team except the Braves
Let’s face it fellow Brave Lovers…we want more for and from this team and this franchise than the Braves organization does.
BirdDawg25
June 17th, 2012
7:11 pm
this team has been average for the past few years. dont expect a world series ring for this team anytime soon. remember the 90s ? they are gone. and so are the braves glory days.
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2012
7:11 pm
Tender little man, we are enjoying blogging about the Braves and we watch them on television and go to games and sit where all the other fans sit . . . so we think we are as much a fan as a little tender tulip that tries to impose his will on everybody else. If you are content with losing streaks and having the Yankees and Orioles come in and hand us our tipped caps . . . well, good for you. If, on the other hand, you have really accepted this organization’s claims of “championship” baseball for years . . . you are a major reason why the organization is not compelled to improve. They can do no wrong because you, tender one, are a “true” fan. Those of us who don’t drink the Kool-Aid are “unworthy” if we ask for more, expect more, demand more than this group cares to give. Now, Chipper could always hit but he’s no role model. He is not “classy” and he is not all that the publicists would like us to think. He is a ballplayer. A tattooed, seed spitting, ballplayer and that’s all right because that’s all we expect of him. If you want to talk with him about marrying your daughter, that’s all right with us. He should be available in a few months.
blazerdawg
June 17th, 2012
7:15 pm
The balk did not hurt, because we could not score a run. Batters failed at moving runners all day – not a Fredi issue. I liked that he stuck with Delgado also. Time for the players’ leadership to step up. Jones, Uggla, Heyward did not do anything at the plate today.
gcs
June 17th, 2012
7:15 pm
Someone needs to light a fire under this team but it’s not going to be the librarian Fredi Gonzalez.
He has NO fire.
LakeDawg
June 17th, 2012
7:15 pm
“After a wasted homestand, the Atlanta Braves are in trouble”
Well, DUH. Welcome to reality. I love Chipper’s quote. After saying the team has pride, he says they’re going to NY “looking to win a baseball game.” Looking to win A GAME. That’s a way to rally the troops, Chipper.
Veritas
June 17th, 2012
7:15 pm
The next Brave that tips their cap, I hope their posterior and career is in it.
LakeDawg
June 17th, 2012
7:16 pm
Did Fredi actually yell “go to the stretch” as Delgado was into his wind up?
1991 braves
June 17th, 2012
7:18 pm
Wren and his puppet making another brilliant move. They are bringing up J.J who has a losing record in Gwinnett and an E.R.A. of over 5.00. This guy doesn’t have it, and why did they bring up Medlen if they were going to sit him in bull pen. These idiots have no clue what the hell they are doing. Medlen should have never been sent to Gwinnett if they were going to just put him in bullpen. Medlen had much better numbers at Gwinnett as starter, so why not let him start. But no these clowns show once again they have no clue. And to say this guy is not a bad manager, is just sugar coating by another AJC writer that is afraid to call a spade a spade. The guy’s explanation for letting Diaz bat instead of McCann or Hinske is typical. And why do the AJC writer’s always give Larry Jones a free pass? This guy runs his big mouth and criticizes other players, and constantly takes his little jabs at teammates, yet he never admits that he is part of the problem. He is no leader, he is nothing but a back stabbing crybaby. He is the biggest problem the braves have, other than the manager. The other players don’t look up to this guy, because they know he is stabbing them in the back, and blaming everyone except himself. A leader will stand up and say when he is hurting the team, and a leader will admit if he is part of the problem, but this guy has no sack, and he will never be a leader. When your face of the franchise isn’t a leader, and he is part of the problem in the clubhouse, you have huge problems. This team has huge problems. Get rid of Larry crybaby Jones, and this team will be better off. Someone would have to step up and become the leader on the field and in the clubhouse.
LakeDawg
June 17th, 2012
7:19 pm
This is ” Bobby Cox: the sequel.” Only worse, because sequels are never as good as the original.
BirdDawg25\
June 17th, 2012
7:19 pm
Enter your comments here
George Stein
June 17th, 2012
7:22 pm
How ’bout Fancona, braveslover?
DAM
June 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Outstanding article, Mark.
Fed Up
June 17th, 2012
7:25 pm
Finally. somebody willing to say it.
Fire Fredi G. and all will be well. Dude is worthless.
DaveinNEPA
June 17th, 2012
7:28 pm
@Stein
When Francona managed in Philly, the fans called him “Francoma”.
He had the 2nd highest payroll in the game to work with in Boston but if he came here with this ownership, he wouldn’t do any better than he did in Philly.
What?
June 17th, 2012
7:29 pm
Chipper just needs to go ahead and end this little retirement parade. It does no good to have him on the field twice a week. No one gets comfortable because they are constantly switching positions on the field and in the batting order. Go ahead and hang it up, Chip. This team is going nowhere with or without you on the roster. Let Prado be the man at third.
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
“LakeDawg” will let you know if he yelled during his windup(or too late) when I watch it again. Will try to post it on this blog if still available.
That photo of FG walking away from the ump makes me thing he is crying. Just looks that way. “THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!” Wonder if the ump hurt his feelings when he said, “Go sit down and shut up,Fredi!”
JOHNNY
June 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
Did someone mention Chippee should be our next manager..What a laugh that would be..He talks like he has mush in his mouth..Says dumb things all the time…ie, his retirement speech three weeks ago, when he said “I am retiring cause i want to spend more time with my family” ahahahahh…which family would that be Chippee? The one going to family court for a another divorce????
kevkat
June 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
Doofus(Goober and Gomer’s Smart Brother)
June 17th, 2012
6:37 pm
From MB: “This man isn’t a bad manager, but his team is in a bad patch”. That has to be one of the most comical comments I have heard all season. If he wasn’t serious I would think he was kidding. A team doesn’t score but 4 runs in 27 innings, leaving 33 on base, and he is not a “bad manager”. Guess what a good manager would do? He would manufacture runs, you know, like Sparky Anderson, and Earl Weaver use to do, with bunts, steals, hit and run, etc. HE WOULD ALSO HAVE HIS PLAYER’S BACKS and QUESTION THE REALLY BAD CALLS BY THE UMPIRE! Not just be a robot and sit in the dugout, and say, OH WELL, tomorrow’s another d
Couldn’t agree more
Timbo
June 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
Hey LOL… Freddie doesn’t encourage his players. Why should we encourage him? Just because he’s the manager? He should be questioned right now, is being questioned right now, and deservedy so.
Mikey in Jax
June 17th, 2012
7:31 pm
The Braves have absolutely no clutch hitters. They must be dead last in runs scored in bases loaded situations. Heck they can’t even execute bunts successfully. Uggla hits one home run a week and the announcers pronounce him to be on fire. In April I had guarded hopes for a successful season. With this manager and these players those hopes are gone in June.
Joe 12-Pack
June 17th, 2012
7:31 pm
I wish someone on this team would get mad! Throw a chair! Break something! I wish it would be McCann but he is too much of a “nice guy”. It’s not gonna be Fredi even though it’s his job.
These guys are a bunch of sensitive weenies who hug. I am glad they have chemistry but they need some fire.
Freeman needs to suck it up, get on the field and play through the pain.
Chipper needs to assume his role on the bench.
Heyward needs to stop being a kid.
Bourn is good as gone in a couple of months (you’re welcome Yankees).
Prado is the only one who comes to play everyday.
George Stein
June 17th, 2012
7:31 pm
I don’t think this team is devoid of talent, Dave. The manager is complete dolt who has no clue how manage a bullpen, set a lineup, or use tactics to help his team. Francona would make fewer of those errors, I think.
RFK AVL
June 17th, 2012
7:32 pm
You think Fedi leaving in Beachy for 128 pitches in the middle of May just for a complete game
was a good decision either? Hard not to imagine that doesn’t effect his elbow problems from yesterday.
There is a place for Fredi in the MLB, and it is on 3rd base coaches box.
kirkinga
June 17th, 2012
7:37 pm
I still think Joe Torre should be our manager. He played and manged well for the Braves,
He also has all those rings that give him a type of credibility that even Bobby Cox doesn’t enjoy. The Braves clearly lack leadership and accountability in the clubhouse.I think it is now clear that perhaps some teams might benefit from having some players who refuse to be happy-go-lucky when the team is losing..
William Smith
June 17th, 2012
7:41 pm
You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken s—. The Braves are a second rate team, but continues to talk like the 1927 Yankees. The ultimate example of the Braves futility was when McCann let the ball get past him and it bounced off the back wall to him. He stumbled around like a drunk and could never pick up the ball. Time to unload this whole team including players, manager, coaches, and most of all owners. I make my statement by refusing to go to Braves games if everyone did the same changes would be made. Lastly, the Braves should have gotten rid of Bobby Cox and they would have done much better.
DaveinNEPA
June 17th, 2012
7:41 pm
@Stein
Oh, I know how overmatched he is. I live in the NE part of Pa. When they played the Yankees last week I was forced to watch the Yankees feed for the games and their announcers were all over the moves Fredi was making. If Fredi were managing in Boston, NY, or Philly, the news media would be all over him and would basically run him out of town.
Unfortunately, the softsoap media (and company shills in the broadcast booth) in ATL keep trying to con us into believing that “all is well”. All is NOT well and isn’t going to be until this organization gets a complete overhaul. Firing Fredi would only be the start.
Excited fan
June 17th, 2012
7:46 pm
Just because I said I was excited, means if we can lose more, quit putting money in libertys pocket things will change for the good. You retarded nu nut fans keep going to the game so they think you love the product. grow up people and quit letting these corporations own anything. Let’s get back to knowing who own our teams. We all knew Ted and Jane. I bet over 99 percent could not tell me the CEO name of liberty media without searching. I wish somewhere that someone would listen and get rid of fredi and Frankie. The two f boys have made an f in every category they have touched. I predict a fire sale by July break.
George Stein
June 17th, 2012
7:51 pm
Totally agree, Dave.
extremus
June 17th, 2012
7:51 pm
Going to Yankee Stadium to “try to win a game”, Chipper? You should be going to try to win THREE baseball games there, just like the Yankees did on your field.
I realize Jones didn’t mean for his statement to come out that way, but still…
For the many here who are increasingly frustrated by the Braves’ current situation, at least look at the positives that may come out of it should this swoon actually become a season-destroying trainwreck (something I have a feeling we may know within the next week or two depending on how the Braves respond). If the season unravels completely, Fredi Gonzalez will likely be out the door, and perhaps at some point even Frank Wren (keep in mind that ownership really only cares about the team’s profitability, not its on-field performance, so the latter especially is unlikely during the season itself). If ticket sales drop sharply enough to affect Liberty Media’s bottom line, they could sell the team (hopefully to a passionate and emotionally invested human, local owner), but that would require Fulton County Stadium mid-1980s level turnouts. And this roster, chock full of disappointment and inconsistency, would likely see some major turnover as the Braves become sellers at the trade deadline; the question is what they might get for a half-season of Bourn or some of that young pitching they so stubbornly held onto this past offseason to none effect.
Many of us, at least if all those things happened, would have the BEGINNINGS of what we want going by the daily comments here. The big question then is whether those who replace these parties end up being any better than what we have now.
Dr.Don
June 17th, 2012
7:54 pm
Doofus – Earl Weaver? He would have sat back and waited for the 3 run homer. Bunt? Not so much.
cheap braves
June 17th, 2012
7:58 pm
FORGET ABOUT FREDI!
LOOK AT THE SALARIES OF THE PITCHING STAFF.YOU GET WANT YOU PAY FOR!
THE REAL PROBLEMS OF THE BRAVES IS LIBERTY MEDIA.THEY DO NOT WANT TO *OFFEND*
ANY OF THEIR CABLE CUSTOMERS,BY HAVING A WINNER IN ATLANTA!
MLS
June 17th, 2012
7:58 pm
Well Folks, I think we can turn off the light because the season is over here in Atlanta. We have ownership that does not give a crap about the team (just the bottom line) and we have a coach that is absolutely clueless!!!! He showed it last year and he is proving it this year. Atlanta Braves fans deserve better and we should all band together and make sure ownership does something NOW not at the end of the season. We need to start praying for an owner like a Ted Turner or Mr. Home Depot himself. We are back on the road to having a team like the Braves of old (the 1970’s). H-E-L-P,,,,,
braveshoo
June 17th, 2012
8:00 pm
Whoever we got to replace FG couldnt be worse. If Liberty wont spend the money for another manager, then try Eddie Perez. They are already paying him, and having been a former catcher, I am sure he would handle the pitchers better.
dean
June 17th, 2012
8:02 pm
This just sucks.
NYBRAVESFAN
June 17th, 2012
8:04 pm
Good news; Freddie will be fired within the next 7 days
Bad news; The Braves are about to go 0-6 under Freddie this week.
LakeDawg
June 17th, 2012
8:09 pm
Doofus(Goober and Gomer’s Smart Brother)
Thanks
Biff Pocoroba
June 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
When this team gets behind, there is no sense that they have a chance of coming back. Our team doesn’t seem capable of putting pressure on an opponent when they are losing. The Braves seem to be either disinterested or just not good enough and neither is acceptable. I don’t know about the rest of you but I am tired of loserville and our commitment to mediocrity. It wouldn’t bother me at all if all three of our underperforming teams decided to move.
DetroitBraves
June 17th, 2012
8:11 pm
He is over-matched. He is not a good manager. And had Diaz reached, even if the Braves had gone on to win the game, it would still have been the wrong move by a bad manager. I agree that most would have forgiven the move, or worse, let the results justify yet another poor decision by Fredi. It would have been lucky that they won the game despite not deploying resources in an optimal way. Of course, this does happen in baseball. It is not validating. Fredi Gonzalez has been a bad manager in both times when the Braves have won and when they’ve lost. There’s no reason for a big league club to continue to put up with this.
dmr
June 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
This has been and will be the BRAVES the fans get until “private ownership” takes over. We try to live in the past when it comes to pitching. We have good players but not those many would consider clutch. Our pitching staff has been mediocre at best. Our hitting has been inconsistent as per usual. Freddie “G” cannot seem to get out of his own way sometime…”playing by the book.” Finally, Liberty Media will join the ranks of the ASG in terms of ownership.
DetroitBraves
June 17th, 2012
8:14 pm
@Dave and @Stein, amen brothers. It’s getting a little old, and I totally agree that the Braves issues extend well beyond Fredi.
BravesFanInBama
June 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
I love hearing the comments from Chipper…considering it is absolutely awful hitting that isn’t helping this team. How does getting a bruise on your foot kill your swing? Me thinks there is a case of “Tiger-itis” going on here….
BravesFanInBama
June 17th, 2012
8:17 pm
* his awful hitting.
DetroitBraves
June 17th, 2012
8:17 pm
Enter your comments here
Rafael
June 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
At least someone else agrees with me that Matt Diaz is a TOTAL BUM and an EMBARRASSMENT to have on the Braves MLB roster.
Fredi Gonzalez, Matt Diaz’ Uncle keeps putting this washed-up, bargain-basement BUM in the lineup.
Whoever keeps saying “he rakes lefthanders you know” PLEASE STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank Wren and Liberty CHEAPIA will NOT make ANY moves to help this struggling team becasue it costs money. Liberty CHEAPIA continues to use our Braves as a “tax writeoff.”
Since Liberty CHEAPIA owns QVC, PLEASE DO NOT buy a thing from QVC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QVC and Liberty MEDIA are like the ANTI-CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All you toot fans CONTINUE to flock to Turner Field for the 33% off Turner Dogs. Stay away, one of the ways to DEFEAT NAZI Liberty CHEAPIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken Stallings
June 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
I have never called for Fredi Gonzalez’s head. But, for a manager to yell at a pitcher at that time and directly cause a balk RBI in grounds for immediate termination! It shows way too much of a micro-managerial strategy combined with a tone-deaf appreciation for the game situation.
That run is entirely on Gonzalez for putting his player in a position to fail.
The balk did hurt because in the ninth inning being down two runs vice merely one prevented the Braves from playing that leadoff single into a sacrifice to put the runner at second base. They had to go for multiple runs to tie.
It was a serious lack of judgment for the manager when his team is struggling to score runs and no manager can force such a terrible mistake directly causing a run.
Tomy Fournier
June 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
no comments…for what?????
1eyedJack
June 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
Jekyll and Hyde…with a limp.
tim
June 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
Great article, I too loved the hiring of FG in the beginning however while I do not presume to have the ability to run a big league club I don’t Fredi does either. What this club needs is a Larry Bowa type,not Larry Bowa but his type one not afraid to kick a little ass. This club has been lack luster from day one no spirit no drive,but a move needs to be bad soon like NOW.
nobobfan
June 17th, 2012
8:27 pm
All apologize to Ozzie Guillen, he said he admired Fidel Castro. That was taken out of context. He was asked “Who do you admire, Fredi G or Fidel?” Ozzie answered correctly.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 17th, 2012
8:29 pm
Fire Havana Fats!
Steve From Dalton
June 17th, 2012
8:31 pm
Would Chipper make a good Manager?
Gene
June 17th, 2012
8:32 pm
Sonny, the Braves probablyt won’t go deer hunting on Chipper’s ranch, because he is about to lose half of it. He may have to play another year to pay his attorney fees. I expect Wren to make a bold move and pick up Brad Lidge to shore up the bullpen. The fack of the matter is, Fredi is an average manager on a good day, and this is a .500 team at best. Wren is the best GM the Texas Rangers ever had. I am not throwing any more money at them until they stop their lollygagging..
Bo Diddley
June 17th, 2012
8:33 pm
Long, long, long time fan here. Season is far from over and team has been banged up. That’s a fact. That stuff happens. But Fredi does appear to be greatly overmatched. Even when he’s not defending a justifying yet another questionable move, even when things are going well, his public statements make no sense, are just a hodgepodge of cliches and rarely reflect any in-depth baseball knowledge or strategic thinking. Don’t know how much longer I can ride with him.
?
June 17th, 2012
8:33 pm
Why did the Braves sign Fredi after he blew it with the Marlins? I never understood that…
Nativebird
June 17th, 2012
8:35 pm
Three words: Jason Heyward: Bust.
nobobfan
June 17th, 2012
8:40 pm
Would Chipper make a good manager??? HELL NO! Like Mickey Mantle, a great player but dumber than a ditch carp.
Also: YES! I was in favor when Gonzalez was picked…but I thought it was ELIAN!
Grandpa
June 17th, 2012
8:51 pm
…..thsi IS last years team…… Brave’s as a collective whole…., suck!
jt
June 17th, 2012
9:05 pm
For the last time, Why in the Hell do you think Florida fired Freddie?????????????????????????????????????????
Who Me?
June 17th, 2012
9:05 pm
And this folks, is as close as the Atlanta newspapers will ever get to calling out a sports franchises management. Think New York or Philly fans would put up with this namby-pamby coddling??
RHR
June 17th, 2012
9:06 pm
Wow those pics of Chipper from today’s game. Hope he makes it thru the season.
DawgNole
June 17th, 2012
9:14 pm
Rick
June 17th, 2012
6:35 pm
Dr. Kenneth, he likely came out of the dugout just to get an explanation, not to argue.And the call was the correct one. Getting himself ejected there would have served no purpose.
_______________________
Not so sure it would have served no purpose. The general feeling is that he needs to be permanently ejected from this team. That certainly would serve a purpose.
tmc
June 17th, 2012
9:15 pm
Mark- i’m not a Fredi Gonzalez basher. I thought he was the right guy to manage this team. I’ve questioned many decisions/no decisions by FG, but given him the benefit of the doubt most times… That benefit has just about run dry.
His miss-managing is becoming routine. And it goes both ways. Making a move when he shouldn’t or not making a move when he should. There were several times today alone when we should have put a runner in motion to create runners in scoring position (both Bourn and Heyward w/ 2 outs on first… try and get into scoring position so a hit will score a run… not even an attempted steal). We hadn’t scored a run in 16-19 innings for god sake why not try and run your best 2 base stealers to create runs…
We also have a very bad bench and you can bet the other teams know it.
Wilson, Diaz, Ross from the right side…
Hinske, Francisco from the left side….
Wilson & Francisco are terrible and Ross can’t be used in most cases to save a backup catcher. That leaves Diaz and Hinske unless there is an injury in which case one or both of them start.
There best player (imo,Prado) is playing 3 positions. Thank god he is good no matter where he plays, but if he goes down…. this team sinks to the bottom of the NL East. and quickly.
The last thing this lineup needs is a manager making bad moves.
Well………… that’s exactly what they’ve got.
Capt Von Trapp
June 17th, 2012
9:17 pm
Salute to Mark for timely story on the serious attitude and robot like atmosphere invading the Braves duggout. Home stadiums make most teams put a swagger/snap in the players’ walks, BUT not this 2012 team. What is it that gets these Braves motivated? Or are they too arrogant to use motivation to kick start them? Strange brew we have here…………..strange brew
Legend of Len Barker
June 17th, 2012
9:29 pm
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismay’d?
Not tho’ the soldier knew
Someone had blunder’d:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
OTP
June 17th, 2012
9:29 pm
No, he IS a bad manager.
Top Dawg
June 17th, 2012
9:30 pm
There’s one of the problems right there. How many games are they going to play in Yankee Stadium, and Jones says that they are going up there looking to win a baseball game???
DawgNole
June 17th, 2012
9:30 pm
Laughing out Loud
June 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
While the manager as well as players can certainly be criticized, the common fan posting here has unrealistic demands and no positivie suggestions on how to right the ship. I say get off Fredi’s back and give him some positive encouragement and suggestions.
_____________________
And what are YOUR positive suggestions on how to right the ship?
Bobby's Cox
June 17th, 2012
9:32 pm
I am going to take a break from watching. I can’t take anymore of this bull$hit.
Bobby's Cox
June 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
As a matter of fact, I may not come back until the 4th. Screw it. TOO BORING!! and now Chipper’s trashy affairs are affecting our whole team.
ON the bright side the Phllies Suck
DetroitBraves
June 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
Stinger 2, I don’t know about the Braves’ hearts but the manager is an idiot. I swear, you remind me of Kevin Bacon’s character in Animal House. All is not well.
Bobby's Cox
June 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
ah forget it….I dont have anything to say anyway
Go Braves, I guess..
Larry
June 17th, 2012
9:37 pm
From the moment of the announced hire, throughout last season, before Spring Training and YTD this season, I was one of maybe 5, no more than 10, bloggers telling you all that this was a terribly poor hire and literally nothing but an extension of Bobby Cox’s greatest weaknesses as a strategist and in-game manager. As been proven, and much, much worse, he’s simply a total buffoon as a MLB manager.
Looks like I now have lots of good company…
DawgNole
June 17th, 2012
9:40 pm
DaveinNEPA
June 17th, 2012
7:41 pm
Unfortunately, the softsoap media (and company shills in the broadcast booth) in ATL keep trying to con us into believing that “all is well”. All is NOT well and isn’t going to be until this organization gets a complete overhaul. Firing Fredi would only be the start.
_____________________
“Company shills in the broadcast booth . . . .”
It’s nauseating to listen to, frankly. Jerenovich during today’s postgame analysis was saying “but they (the Braves losses) weren’t crushing defeats . . . . ” As if that were some sort of accomplishment.
Same with the Hawks announcers (Rathbun and Nique). Unabashed boot lickers. Apple polishers. Toadys. Sycophants.
Not even a feeble attempt at objectivity–and thus no professionalism.
Enough problems on the field and court without having to listen to these nimrods.
Jack
June 17th, 2012
9:46 pm
I see Uggla K’d 2x today, how many times did He pop up? What a waste.
Ralph
June 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
Thanks Mark for almost telling it like it is
Harvey Korman's combover
June 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
Tell Fredi to take that hat that he tips 4 after every loss and stick it where the sun dont shine
Leo and Joe
June 17th, 2012
9:50 pm
Are you negative nellies kidding? The Braves are the best team in baseball. Horrible home plate umpiring has been the cause of most of our losses. Plus injuries…and the wind is almost always blowing against us when we bat.
Tattletales
June 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Stephen A. Smith on ESPN said some of the Hawks woes could be due to the ‘distractions’ in Atlanta, such as the gentleman’s clubs. Seeing how the Braves play better on the road than at home, maybe they have the same problem….except Diaz – he just sux
BravesWin
June 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
My thoughts, exactly, MB…I can’t believe I just typed that…but you are spot on. Go ahead, suggest that Fredi is over his head. It’s true. And his team is certainly losing trust in him, it shows.
gunter
June 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
Typical uninformed Atlanta fans, no time to panic folks. Managers don’t hit and throw. We’ve got a solid ball club and will be fine over the long 162 game season. Let’s keep Shurholtz out of this or we’ll end up with another Texas trade.
Capt.Mudd
June 17th, 2012
9:57 pm
“Reality?” A real assessment in brief? Fans are being served poorly–that is why I gave my Yankee tickets away last week. Poor folk come to see professional baseball and encounter an unorganized, no depth worth sh*t team. Wren ought to be ashamed–my favorite team is lacking on many levels right now I can’t even get mad anymore–what? Expect an intrepid effort? Just not there guys!
nextyearsfantacy
June 17th, 2012
9:58 pm
GATTIS IS COMING IN JULY TO SAVE US
Ryan
June 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
I’m not one to impulsively call for firings. I thought Cox was a decent regular season manager, and bad in the postseason. I thought Richt had a couple really bad years and was particularly bad managing the clock with the game on the line. I think Bobo is inconsistent. In none of these cases have I ever thought that the firings of these men would significantly improve their respective teams … at least immediately. FG, as much as I hate to say it, may need to go. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a team seem so defeated once a losing streak begins. It’s like a runaway train over and over. When they are healthy and able to right the ship, the ability of this team is apparent. Never, however, have I thought that their wins were a result of the acumen of management. In contrast, I’ve thought the team has lost on several occasions with absolutely no help from on-the-field management. If he stays, it’s FG that needs to step up first. When Cox was in the dugout, you could almost predict in advance when he was going to get tossed from a game to shake things up. FG needs to get tossed. He needs to do something unexpected to show that he’s ticked. At least then, perhaps, his team might respond emotionally in lieu of crafty management decisions that put them in positions to win.
chuck
June 17th, 2012
10:01 pm
We don’t have the talent to win in the post season and even if we did, our manager is a joke. I see why he got fired in Fla.
jj
June 17th, 2012
10:02 pm
We out hit the Yankees and O’s except one game and lost..The Braves need to learn how to win..like two or three bloggers above said manufacture runs..a,b,c, ball..If not fire Fredi and get someone who will.
Wren put this group of BAD PATCH together..maybe he should be fired.
McDowell has done nothing to help and improve the pitching staff. Fire him too and Bring Leo back.
Someone said Simmons was only one that showed he cared..Bourn is a winner, he cares and shows it and takes the blame.
Thats Mark for finally standing up for whats right on this team.
jj
June 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Thanks Mark..not thats.ops
big mac
June 17th, 2012
10:10 pm
I’d say that it is FREDI who is in trouble…maybe the Marlins front office had it figured out right. He seems to have absolutely no clue as to whats going on. I can’t call for his firing yet because the penny pinchers in Colorado will promote Terry Pendleton.
GwinnettDad
June 17th, 2012
10:12 pm
Was at the game Sunday. Chipper looks arthritic. 3 DP in 3 innings. Misplay by Diaz in the outfield giving the O’s a 2nd run. Didn’t see a single hit and run play. Not a single hitter looked intimidating. Team is headed nowhere.
fg stinx
June 17th, 2012
10:12 pm
Larry and I have been saying since last year that fg needed to go. But others didn’t agree. This is what it takes? Like somone being in a terrible wreck before a stop sign is put up. Well, here we are folks, looking like fools, and everybody sees it now. Please stop the madness, and let the AJC headlines read tomorrow that fredi is gone. MB just nibbled at the edges of the problem. None of our sports writers or announcers have what it takes to tell it like it is. Fear is a powerful thing.
David
June 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
Mark, I really appreciated the piece about you and your dad in today’s paper. That was terrific. Thanks for sharing that.
Matt
June 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
At least the “Looser” has yet to show up.
LAC
June 17th, 2012
10:17 pm
Enough of the “Chicken wren & freddi” show. These two Idiots need to go !
Winning is MORE important than loyallty !!!!!!
ACE
June 17th, 2012
10:24 pm
way to point out the obvious that this team is in trouble but how about putting the blame on Fredi where it should be. I was at the game today and Kimbrell gave his dad a new Harley. Maybe Fredi, Dob and Mr. Kimbrell can ride off into the sunset. Please stop the cap tipping.
not a pitching coach
June 17th, 2012
10:34 pm
I’d like to see the Atlanta Braves bring Jose Constanza back up and keep him here. THe guy can field, hit and can he ever run. He can drive opposing pitchers nuts when he gets on base.
I’d also like to see them bring up Christian Martinez from Gwinnett. He too can hit–with power- and is a very good first baseman–and is agile and quick on the bases.
The Braves need a way to manufacture runs.
As far as JJ is concerned, in his last outing he got hit hard, but kept the balls inside the park, thanks to the GBraves outfield. He got a horrible break when he gave up the grand slam HR. WIth 2 out and the count at 2-2, he threw a pitch that everyone in the stadium–except the HB umpire–thought was strike 3. Nope. Ball 3. Count is now 3-2, with the bases loaded and he gives up a long drive that barely clears the center field fence by about 3 feet.
Instead of the score being 0-0, it’s now 4-0. Those are the things that don’t show up in the statistical analysis of this game.
Columbus
June 17th, 2012
10:34 pm
Constanza!
RoyU
June 17th, 2012
10:36 pm
Sure they are in trouble and with all due respect, he is part of the reason “Why”!!! If I heard right on the telecast, we are paying a “part” time 3rd baseman, 14 Mil and he has not a RBI in over a month. Does that really surprise anyone with good common sense? Based on the past TWO YEARS experience, didn’t it seem quite likely that he would be very much a “part” time player. Chipper should be a first vote HOFer but that does not help the Braves one iota in winning a playoff spot in 2012! He talks a good game but in reality he is a major part of the problem, just by being there while the Braves have a miserly ownership and management that are in dire need of necessary funds to improve the team. He is only part of the blame. That miserly management and ownership that put greed ahead of the Pride for the team they should show the fans is just as bad. Finally, with all due respect to our players that give their all, there is and has been since before spring training a need for more talent. What goes around comes around and management and Chipper are getting exactly what they deserve. Unfortunately, the fans asre the ones coming up on the short end. A lot of fans will not like this but only the ones incapable of facing reality.
Columbus
June 17th, 2012
10:37 pm
I posted “Constanza” without reading comments and it seems others seem ot believe he is a difference maker also. I would play him before Diaz and Heinske. I know they need some playing time but they havent dome much with it and Braves need to score RUNS and
Constanza will average over 1 run a game over the long haul I am sure…
Columbus
June 17th, 2012
10:37 pm
Not to mention pinch running
RoyU
June 17th, 2012
10:38 pm
Sorry not to clarify who “he” is and that respectfully is Chipper.
Ed
June 17th, 2012
10:53 pm
Ok. My comment for those of us who have never played ball above city streets. I cannot believe the futility of Chipper and Danny. The only thing Chipper is capable of now is a weak bounce out to second. And Danny? Surely a hitting coach could make a liittle siggestion to him. He swings wildly at balls amd misses them entirely. And Brian? The AJC has a nice article on how he is back so he takes the day off. And Freddy? One day with glasses, next day none. Then the hand problem. I too see the many blunders our manager makes. And I wonder if the team has just quit trying thinking it futile to even try with our manager. As I said, these comments are made by just a fan of baseball and the Braves and not by an expert.
BravesfaninWis
June 17th, 2012
10:53 pm
Funny how under Gonzalez’s picture it says he isn’t a bad manager. The hell he is not, he dismantled the Marlins, then last year when the Braves choked away a 10 game lead in the Wild Card race in Sept, now this year they are more up and down then a damn roller coaster ride.
The entire pitching staff with the exception of a few absolutely suck, our bench has to be the weakest in MLB, and the manager is constantly making idiotic move after idiotic move, and oh yeah, the pitching coach sucks ass as well.
Add all that with a cheap ass ownership group, and we all have our beloved Atlanta Braves. They are paying 10 million for a guy that is pitching pretty good in the AL this year, they are paying 12 million this year for a guy that will play a 100 games only if he rubs the hell out of a 4 leaf clover. So why haven’t the management team approached Bourn about a new contract? The guy has only proven himself for how many years now? He was a bright spot on a otherwise crappy Astros team, he played well for us last year when he came here at the trade deadline, and he has been arguably our MVP on offense this year. So why haven’t the Braves tried to lock him up knowing damn well that both Chipper’s and Lowe’s contracts will be off the books next season? Because it makes to much damn sense which we all know the Braves don’t have. That is why I am sick and tired of watching this team, and frustrated that I was dooped into spending my hard earned money again this year on these losers.
Bvillebaron
June 17th, 2012
10:55 pm
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! All you chicken littles take a deep breath and look towards the east tomorrow when you get up and you will see the sun come up. The real concern is Beachy’s health. The fact of the matter is that the Braves actually GAINED a game on the Nats this weekend. As one of the other posters noted, the Braves play in the NL East and are far from out of anything.
Reason
June 17th, 2012
11:03 pm
The Brave’s players have to decide if they want to play like loses or winners. This time blaming Fredi doesn’t cut it the manager doesn’t hit or catch for these so call professional Baseball players.
These guys play like little kids and they played the same under Cox’s. The Braves are an annoying team.
Hinke, and Francisico, need to go. They are without a doubt a bunch pitiful overpay crowns.
StingerSplash
June 17th, 2012
11:04 pm
No, Fredi is in over his head. The Red Sox careened out of control at the end of last year, when most prognosticators had them penciled in for a spot in the World Series, and the manager and general manager were ultimately told thanks, but no thanks. The Braves made no big changes and here they are, mired in another rut of mediocrity.
And is anyone else scared blankless over the thought of Jurrjens – in Fenway – against the Sox and Big Papi? That might get ugly. Fast.
Peter
June 17th, 2012
11:08 pm
Welcome to Corporate baseball………all the yes men are lined up nicely in a ROW…….
Buzz2011
June 17th, 2012
11:14 pm
Sorry, as I noted earlier the Braves are not even a 500 team for the long run!
Hitting and pitching at the same time is required..
P.T. Barnum
June 17th, 2012
11:18 pm
Braves look like they would be overmatched by a little team. FW-DO SOMETHING–ANYTHING
kirkinga
June 17th, 2012
11:27 pm
Funny how those who have deemed Heyward a bust at 22 can totally overlook McCann who appears to have peaked several seasons ago. The veterans on this tam are not carrying their weight and that is not helpful to the development of the newer players.
While I don’t believe the season is over, I do think there might come a point where being sellers could bring a handsome return. There can’t be more than 3-4 core young players and guys like Uggla should be shopped if it get’s to that point.
Vel Crow
June 17th, 2012
11:39 pm
I guess the losing streak will continue against New York, because the Braves have the worst record in baseball when they play on Monday.
dlh82
June 17th, 2012
11:39 pm
I just spent hundreds of dollars bringing customers of mine from Savannah up here,covering everything,and the Braves can’t score a single run while I watch my money go down the drain. NOT ONE RUN OVER SAT SUN. See you later
Carter
June 17th, 2012
11:42 pm
Fredi sucks. If you’ve played beyond high school you know that. However, their whole approach sucks. Chipper swinging at a 2-0 pitch when down by two leading off the 9th—Take a pitch! Same with Diaz—GToo aggressive and swinging at balls that are below the strike zone. Their pitch selection stinks. Hinske does it too. We need baserunners. Also, send Bourne every now and then. Yes, hit and run (or better yet run and hit) with Bourne and Prado. When we’re down in the 6th and 7th innings, pinch hit for your starting pitcher. Fredi simply doesn’t know how to manage OR MOTIVATE HIS PLAYERS! I guarantee I would demand much more and show a lot more emotion!!
dlh82
June 17th, 2012
11:51 pm
fire freddy i just decided. frank wren must go as well. this team stinks.i won’t be spending another dime. watch yankees/redsox feast on this carcass. ITS OVER
gadawgs
June 17th, 2012
11:52 pm
Hanley Ramrez may have been right about what he said about Fredi when they both were with the Marlins after all!!
reasontocry
June 17th, 2012
11:54 pm
Reason, geta life..I hate fans that can’t see two feet in front of them..you can’t see are either dumb as ??
Vel Crow
June 17th, 2012
11:57 pm
Can we officially label Freddie Freeman”s season a sophmore jinx.
Rick
June 18th, 2012
12:09 am
I live out of state but anytime an Atlanta team is close I try my best to go watch them.
I am a Georgia born and raised sports fan. I’ve taken my licks from other sports town friends that know my Georgia teams are not as good as theirs. Since I can remember , let’s go back to 1980 when the Dogs won the national championship ( I was there by the way) and the Braves won in 1995 we don’t have anything to cheer about. That’s 31 years and 2 Championships. The Braves were division champs what 12 or 13 straight years and 1 freaking world championship. Something is and has been missing with this bunch for a long,long, long time my friends. Besides big money players there is no killer instinct with this team. I hate the Yankees,and other teams that have bought their teams, they have the trophies to show for their money. SPEND SOME FREAKING $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ AND LETS TRY OUR BEST TO KEEP UP WITH THE WINNERS!!!. Don’t get me started on that sad, sad football team there in Atlanta. MONEY AND KILLER INSTINCT WINS IN SPORTS!
The day in Fredi « Rowland's Office
June 18th, 2012
12:11 am
[...] Judging by Mark Bradley’s account of the Bravos’ sixth loss in seven games, Fredi was in fine form. [...]
Just Because
June 18th, 2012
12:21 am
Blah blah blah. I told you this last October.
BravesfaninAugusta
June 18th, 2012
12:27 am
It won’t happen but they should bench Chipper and let Prado play third….bring up Constanza to play LF… Waive Diaz
Thadsdad
June 18th, 2012
12:30 am
While this team will stay close for the majority of the season – simply because no team in the division – save Washington – is capable of pulling away, the fact is, this team is going nowhere and has zero chance of winning anything. But instead of facing reality, the Braves will not trade Bourn (because we still have a chance, they’ll say) and lose him for nothing to free agency. They’ll hang on to the manager because they still can contend – even though it’s obvious he’s in over his head. They’ll hang on to the likes of Diaz, Wilson and other useless spare parts because they’re inexpensive and “they’re good in the clubhouse,”
And realistically, even if this club had a chance to contend, ownership wouldn’t spend 49 cents to get them over the top, let alone a sizable chunk of change to make them better.
Solution?
Boot Fredi, trade Bourn, bring up Teheran and the other kids. It’s always best to lose with kids than lose with veterans.
Chances of those things happening? Same as their chances of making the playoffs with the same team that couldn’t do it last year – zero.
The Rev Al
June 18th, 2012
12:37 am
Yes…the Braves are in deep trouble. The vaunted pitching staff (starters and relievers) is in real trouble. Hanson and Hudson (if Beechy is seriously injured) are not enough to get this team to the playoffs. Venters has a meltdown every other time he pitches. Now to the hitting. While Chipper is still a great talent (when he plays), his fifteen million takes the Braves out of contention for any major starting pitchers of big time hitters as the trading deadline approaches. Chipper at best will play half the games for the balance of the season. Fredi is no Bobby Cox and his total failure last season when the Braves went into the last month of the season with a nine game lead to make the playoffs is certainly in part his fault. Now we see further decision making that means last seasons collapse has continued into the 2012 season.
A not so bold prediction is tha the Braves will struggle to be a .500 team by the end of the season and the playoffs are out of the question. Washington is a far better team and the Marlins and Mets arent going to lay down either and let the Braves make a run. Heres hoping 2013 will be a better season because the fat lady is warming up.
JRW7
June 18th, 2012
12:37 am
Freddi, DID you notice that the Braves started losing when Chipper came back off DL?
JRW7
June 18th, 2012
12:40 am
Fredi is no BOBBY COX, Braves are being outcoached!!!!
Spencerforhire
June 18th, 2012
12:50 am
It’s not just the Braves that stink, it’s Atlanta sports in general. New York, Boston, Chicago, LA among others have all won multiple world championships in multiple sports. In case you haven’t figured it out, they’re not satisfied with division championships. Snap out of it and get a clue.
Veritas
June 18th, 2012
1:41 am
it’s clear that Fredi is a graduate of the “Crash Davis School of Baseball Cliches”.
“We gotta play ‘em one day at a time.”
“I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.”
“I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.”
It’s too bad Fredi never learned Crash’s lesson about messing with a winning streak.
Go Go Pilots
June 18th, 2012
2:06 am
Where did all the great wins go ..why down the toilet as we swept by Ny lose to a Baltimore watch Ny mets swept them …and now chipper Jones we goin to Ny try win 3 games..How about lets do what they did to us sweep them off the field in Yamkee stadium No we be all gooy goo eyes at place chipper will strain his nose on the field and heyward will strike out before game..And freddi he be just with O’Brien ajc kisser sayin we better team we just in a funk yep…Right after the sweep by red sox at fenway and 0-6 tour…chipper will come out of lawyer office losin his home n stuff and marry his3rd wife soon…and freddi will be fired for are new Manager if its okay with bradley n shultz and O’Brien and the MLB crew who say freddi is a great manager…..One other note rockies be firein there Manager very soon so maybe we can give freddi to rockies for 4 top draft picks and cash!
Bryan
June 18th, 2012
2:12 am
Fredi is sad, man. He shouldn’t be calling out ANY player for making an error whether it be a mental or physical one. The man makes errors every other game with his decisions, and costly ones, too. When things are overwhelmingly bad, he fakes that smile to the reporters I’ve noticed. He jumbles his words trying his best to cover his obvious ignorance of his management skills.
Chipper has always been a baby when things go wrong for him or the team. He pouts like a little girl. And yes, he’s very quick to point a finger when it is clear as day his dp’s have been very costly to the team. But yeah Chip, the bullpen choking it up those two games is at the forefront. It never me, is it?
no mo
June 18th, 2012
2:19 am
no big deal, the division is weak–the braves will get the wild card—book it.
Bryan
June 18th, 2012
2:20 am
The old robotic, conservative Braves with the cap tippin’ garbage is still here. Holy shi* it is STILL here!
Bourn will walk. We should all be disgusted by it, too. He’s everything we need. A good hitter, great fielder, speedy and passionate. Reckon everybody gets along with him in the clubhouse as well since they always talk great about him. And he’ll be gone. Thanks cheap asses. The teasing continues even after this season is over when we read he’s signed with Washington or some other team than is willing to hand over the cash to win.
We deserve better, but they don’t care.
Mister Frisky
June 18th, 2012
2:55 am
Stand pat with a team full of fat , slow,soft,heartless choking losers.Mix in baseballs WORST manager this is what you get.Why is everyone do surprised.They actually have over achieved so far.Look out Philly were making a move for last place.
Long time Braves suffering fan
June 18th, 2012
3:00 am
Chipper sums up the problem with the Braves attitude… “There’s a lot of pride in here. We’re going to go up there [to Yankee Stadium] looking to win a baseball game.” Why is the team looking to win “a” game??? Same philosophy as Cox had in just winning a series… That suggests that you are perfectly willing to LOSE games. I know that teams will lose games. I just hate to hear athletes and/or managers focus on “a” game or best 2 of 3 wins… How did that work out for the Braves in the 14 year run of division championships??? Once!!! Why can’t this current cast of Braves focus on going out and winning EVERY time they hit the field???
Train Wreck Bystander
June 18th, 2012
4:02 am
I think we can all agree that the 2012 vintage of this storied franchise is not a juggernaut.
However, I do not subscribe to the notion that the season is going down the proverbial crapper.
As ugly as June has been, this team is still in 2nd place in the division and only 4 games out. When you look at run differentials, our Braves are respectable at +20. The Nats, Mets and Phils all have longer losing streaks than the Braves.
July is mostly against the NL East, and those are the games that will make or break the Braves’ post-season hopes.
P B Orr
June 18th, 2012
4:11 am
I love baseball, and do not mind watching kids flail about. But I cannot stand a bad manager. I gave up completely on the Braves in the years before Cox. Although Cox had his issues, they were outweighed 10-1 by positives.
Not so Gonzales. When Dave O’Brien introduced him to us, he was striking a pose on his Harley, like many of the weekend badasses who visit my watering hole. I know these posers – and my heart sank. I knew then and there what we were in for.
He’s an awful, awful manager because he lacks what no manager can afford to lack, from Little League on up – a sense of his own self that shows up on the field as leadership. This man could not lead the Cub Scouts to a skin flick.
The Braves are headed for utter catastrophe that will be years long unless something is done quickly to get shed of this person. FG may be a good guy and a great motorcyclist – but he’s an awful manager. Having grown up around here, I’ve seen my share. We were spoiled with Cox. The party is definitely over.
35 yr season ticket holder, BUT
June 18th, 2012
5:59 am
Odd moves during the last few games, for sure. If Heyward and Mac were hitting, any of the starters
were consistent for more than three or four starts and Freeman could get healthy it would help. A totally overmatched Francisco and a rapidly aging Hinske give you pretty much nothing from the plate.
Francisco gives you no range, none at third. If its obvious he is not Chippers replacement next year, and it is, why not release him?
Ellabell1
June 18th, 2012
6:22 am
Bobby Jr. (aka Freddi) doesn’t know how to light a fire under his boys. I put the blame on him. Get a real manager. Too much talent being wasted.
clint
June 18th, 2012
6:26 am
Come on, everybody—THINK!
This team does not have the talent, pure and simple. Look at it by position…
—Bourne is great at what he does
—Prado is absolutely indispensable
—Heyward is a bust
—Chipper’s skills have badly eroded and his salary consumes the budget
—Simmons is a potential future star
—Uggla is excellent
—Freeman may be a future star but this season he is a huge disappointment
—McCann seems to have lost his mojo
—Pitching staff that was so great last year is now strictly mediocre
—Bench is only average
While other division teams improved over the winter, the Braves did not. In my opinion there needs to be a housecleaning starting at the very top and a new plan put together that will build the team for the future.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 18th, 2012
6:43 am
“Company shills in the broadcast booth . . . .”
The only person who occasionally tells it like it is, is Joe Simpson. The rest of them just fall in line and collect that check, keeping clueless fans thinking all is well. HA…
Longtimefan
June 18th, 2012
6:45 am
The “fans” that frequent this blog(generally only during losing streaks) are truly amazing. If you read the comments they range from fire the manager(most), to get rid of all the players, to hire all new management. The same enlightened fan base that frequently called for the head of Bobby Cox several years ago-one of the best managers ever to put on a uniform. I believe part of it is a mob mentality- fans are angry because the team as lost several series in bad fashion and the knee jerk reaction is to clean house-fire everybody! I wonder how you guys would react to a real losing team.If the regular season ended today the Braves would be in the playoffs and 11 NL teams would not. From reading this blog you would think the Braves are the only team to have players injured, leave runners on base or get a bad pitching outting. Do any of you read about other teams? Do you have any perspective? Do you give up on everything in your life so quickly? Do you expect perfection out of yourself and everyone in your life?
Longtimefan
June 18th, 2012
6:49 am
BTW, when Chipper says “Let’s go to NY and win a game” he doesn’t mean he is satisfied winning only a single game. It is a figure of speech. Many of you can’t be that dense, can you?
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 18th, 2012
6:55 am
“When Dave O’Brien introduced him to us, he was striking a pose on his Harley, like many of the weekend badasses who visit my watering hole. I know these posers – and my heart sank. I knew then and there what we were in for.”
The man is a phony, that’s why players don’t run through walls for him.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
June 18th, 2012
6:58 am
“The sky is falling! The sky is falling! All you chicken littles take a deep breath and look towards the east tomorrow when you get up and you will see the sun come up. The real concern is Beachy’s health. The fact of the matter is that the Braves actually GAINED a game on the Nats this weekend. As one of the other posters noted, the Braves play in the NL East and are far from out of anything.”
^Another brainwashed victim of Bobby Cox who probably pounds his chest at all those division title flags in the outfield.
Scott Brantley
June 18th, 2012
7:07 am
Fire Freddi and hire Larry Bowa. We need a culture change and Bowa will light a fire!
jerry
June 18th, 2012
7:10 am
Why have the Yankees won 27 WS? Pure and simple, it was the manager. Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, they had very little to do with it. It’s ironic that they have become household names while their mangers can hardly be remembered. Bradley is on the right track, fire the manager, win the WS.
A.S.
June 18th, 2012
7:16 am
I must say I am really surprised how many fans are now asking for Fredi to be fired. It was evident lat year he didn’t have a clue. I do like how some posters said this week he proved he was overmatched. I found that to be useful. He has face off against 2 very good managers with Showalter and Gerradi. He got outcoached in 5 out of 6 times. Time for change. If not for the organization, but for the sake to show you care about the fans. Fredi’s had his chance, he took the team down last year and should be happy he still had a job. If this GM and Ownership is evaluating Fredi he should be on a 7-day watch. See how his team performs this week against potential playoff teams like NYY and BOS. If the Braves drop 5 out of 6, Fredi should be let go. Simple as that, this is a business, it’s time the Braves start operating this team like one again.
Ted M
June 18th, 2012
7:21 am
Fredi almost always makes the wrong move. Even tho I would have made some of them too…it doesn’t matter if you’re always making the wrong moves you don’t know your team.
The Braves are not going to fire Fredi.
dtanner
June 18th, 2012
7:35 am
schuerholtz looked like a genius when he had ted turners deep pockets,not so much after though,wren has always looked overmatched,freddi also
Bravesgonewiththewind
June 18th, 2012
7:38 am
I think the ball club needs a come to Jesus moment.. They need to decide to turn it up a notch… Don’t let up… develope a killer attitude… They are not going anywhere until they do.
Miss Management
June 18th, 2012
7:40 am
Just a bunch of overpaid clowns. The Braves, I mean, not The UGA coaches. Well, yes, them too, actually.
AlanFalcon
June 18th, 2012
7:41 am
Its very evident that the Braves got Freddie cheap and its showing, I really thought he had the ability to lead this team, its easy to seet he doesn’t .
Ancely
June 18th, 2012
7:48 am
Has Fredi ever hit and run? Just wondering.
Ancely
June 18th, 2012
7:50 am
Loved the explanation about letting Diaz hit. Gotta plan ahead. Duh
NO O
June 18th, 2012
7:58 am
This team has been in trouble for some time not just this year. The truth came out last September but they stuck withn the same team because Larry Chipper liked it. The management treated the team like when you find out you have cancer and do nothing about it. It can only get worse. They did nothing over the winter and the team has gotten worse
LAFMAN
June 18th, 2012
7:59 am
What took you so long to realizehey are in trouble?
RGP
June 18th, 2012
8:00 am
The Braves need a spark. They look lethargic. Poor pitching and no hitting makes for another loss. No Chipper and no Freeman in lineup makes for a weaker lineup. Someone above mentioned bringing Constanza back up. At least he hussles and might bring some excitement to dullsville.
GwinnettDad
June 18th, 2012
8:06 am
Braves lost 3-0, 6-4, 3-2 against the Yankees. 6 runs. Braves scored 4 runs in 3 games against the Orioles. Now to the Yankees new park, which is a HR park, and then “Friendly Fenway where big run totals are possible. How many runs will the Braves score in the next 6 games? I think 18 is wildly optomistic. What’s your crystal ball say?
Larry
June 18th, 2012
8:07 am
Longtimefan,
The problem here, frankly, is because “long time fans” like you who seemingly ignore one significant component in this relationship with the Braves…this is a business.
I’m not going to bother with my resume other than to state two qualifications for my opinion: one, I played baseball for nine seasons; two, I have been a Braves fan since the beginning and held “Hank Aaron section” class season tickets for 21 straight seasons before choosing not to renew two seasons back for what I deemed–and has been validated–too much Bobby Cox followed by his clone.
This isn’t little league or any amateur sport here, Pal. This is big time business involving big time money; and with these salaries necessitating highly expensive ticket prices, I have every right to question what I see as utter, unabashed buffoonery in on the field management.
So, you sound like a pretty decent, level headed guy. But, let me suggest that before questioning anyone’s support for this team, and/or understanding of how they are playing under this manage, that you take off those “it is just a game” glasses and make a sound argument about this manager or these players. This we can debate point by point. Because from my standpoint this is a team in need of a manager more instinctive, more passionate, more prepared and, in all candor, a higher ceiling of aptitude.
Is it his entire fault? Of course not! The money tied up in the Lowe, KK and the disengaged, disinterested Chipper who already looks retired in body and mind is to be hung on upper management. And certainly Heyward, Freeman and other aren’t getting it down now. But you have to play your very best with what you’ve got and this team simply isn’t doing this under Fredi Gonzalez.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with a question. How does one concisely define an effective manager/leader of men? Answer: An effective manager of men simply gets the best from those whom he manages.
How would you answer this about Fredi Gonzalez?
Whiskey Breath
June 18th, 2012
8:09 am
Come on Jeff, this team is similar to the teams we have had for several years.
They are not built to go to the playoffs. We start folding after the all star break.
Freddie is no amateur, he has the skills to win championships. However, having a team
on the same budget every year is just not fair going against teams that have unlimted budgets.
You get what you pay for. Blame the ownership.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 18th, 2012
8:12 am
With a line up full of sub .250 hitters. Injuries to your 2 most consistent hitters and a starting staff of 3-5’s, what did you expect? Only thing this club has going for it is Bourn and he has been neutered on the base paths by Fredi. And Prado may be the most over-rated player. With a chance to do damage, he always grounds into a double play. This group is about as clutch as LeBron.
meh
June 18th, 2012
8:20 am
I bet the Braves come out tonight and hang 12 on the Yankees and then MB writes an article how about the strength of this team is so great that they stuck together and overcame amidst this horrible losing streak.
Pee Wee's Big Adventure
June 18th, 2012
8:22 am
Yankees sweep us again. We suck at home. Might win a game in Boston. 1-5 week. Team is dead in the water now.
Joey
June 18th, 2012
8:27 am
“Are you negative nellies kidding? The Braves are the best team in baseball. Horrible home plate umpiring has been the cause of most of our losses. Plus injuries…and the wind is almost always blowing against us when we bat.”
****************************************
Not to mention we always hit the ball hard – but right at somebody . . .
Lady Luck
June 18th, 2012
8:28 am
I don’t want the manager to manufacture runs, I want Wren to sign players who can hit. I am so tired of watching the same old players go down on pitchers who are not that good and they do it time after time after time.
As for our pitching, what do you expect when you have a starter in the pen, two rookies in the rotation and the all star pitcher sitting in AAA Gwinnett? I mean really, can we not sign a real player to two. Rookies and over the hill 3rd baseman running his mouth. Good team? Yea right!
Huh?
June 18th, 2012
8:35 am
” am so tired of watching the same old players go down on pitchers who are not that good and they do it time after time after time.”
Yikes, I thought this was a family column…
John
June 18th, 2012
8:37 am
And to think it was Larry Parrish’s fault the Braves collapsed. Now he is at home still being paid and the Braves still can’t hit.
crackbaby
June 18th, 2012
8:39 am
Here is the only stat that mattters.
Braves are 4 games out. Yankees swept the Nats after burning down Atlanta. The entire NL East has sucked in interleague play.
Whatever Bradley says about the Braves woes barely scratches the surface of the Phillies problems. I wouldn’t count them out yet, but Charlie Manuel may not have a job in September.
It’s only June. Braves kept a lot of arms in the system over the winter. Hopefully, Jair comes back with a chip on his shoulder and solidifies his spot in the rotation.
drew
June 18th, 2012
8:40 am
Newsflash….the Braves were in trouble last Sept. Nothing has changed. A team with this many ups and downs does not have all the pieces to contend. They will finish in 4th place. Betcha ya!
Nurse Ratched [aka Randal Patrick McMurphy]
June 18th, 2012
8:41 am
“This man isn’t a bad manager, but his team is in a bad patch.”
Bradley the Apologist. Yeah, right. Havana Fats is isn’t a bad manager, you’re absolutely correct – he’s HORRIBLE. No ballz media lapdog… turing a blind eye to the 800 Lb Gorilla in the room. Let’s look at the situation this way – WHEN ol Fat Freddie Faker is canned, let’s all take notice how fast (NOT) he picks up another managerial position in Bigs. Don’t hold your breath, not gonna happen…
The Emperor has NO clothes on…
And there it is… a Bargain-Bin Bum parading around as a manager – it’s almost laughable if wasn’t so predictable & pathetic… ’nuff said…
yep
June 18th, 2012
8:41 am
I think I would have hit Hinske for Diaz and then let Ross hit and had McCann for the pitcher’s spot.
Joey
June 18th, 2012
8:41 am
Can we all now agree it wasn’t, “for the love of the game” that Chipper decided to come back this season?
More like, “cause I’m about to lose half of everything.”
Joey
June 18th, 2012
8:44 am
I ain’t one of those nasty “Occupiers,” but I can damn sure name one of the 1%’ers that shouldn’t be one of the 1%’ers.
Matt Diaz. Whatever he’s gettin paid ($1M+) it’s way too much.
Stacie Jaxx
June 18th, 2012
8:44 am
Using the term “wild-card chase” before the All Star break (let alone the end of August) is so inappropriate and seriously undermines credibility.
Sammy Hagar
June 18th, 2012
8:50 am
Chipper & Uggla going combined 0-7 killed the offense. Why was McCann not playing? Remember Johnny Bench,Mike Piazza,Ivan Rodriguez,Gary Carter? Those catchers caught 150 to 162 games every year.
Dawg Fud
June 18th, 2012
8:51 am
Fredi Gonzalez is a bum. Dude is an awful manager.
don s
June 18th, 2012
8:52 am
It ain’t the manager. The Braves do not have the talent . The Yankies have the talent.You are in a division that will be dominated by the Nationals for years to come. Wild Card? Maybe
Sammy Hagar
June 18th, 2012
8:53 am
Diaz couldn’t make the Pirates as a pinch hitter. The Braves have too many bad players on the team like Diaz,Hinske,Ross,Livan. Sorry players = losses.
GT
June 18th, 2012
8:53 am
I notice both American League teams pick up our pitching the second time through the batting order. The Yankees were just a better team than us, actually fun to watch play the game of baseball but Baltimore was a team we should have taken care of. They are reading our pitching which still doesn’t explain why we can read their’s.
Frediot O'Brien's Hat Tip
June 18th, 2012
8:53 am
This is the most horrificly mis-managed team in baseball. How many times do we read post-game interviews where Frediot’s asked to defend why he’s made certain calls? It’s every game. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but he’s so far in over his head it’s laughable.
And “hat tip” to you MB, for writing a piece with at least somewhat critical untones of our current manager, unlike that fluffer DOB.
Sammy Hagar
June 18th, 2012
8:56 am
Dont even blame Delgado for the loss yesterday. Diaz misplayed an out into a double. Even if Delgado had a no hitter thru 9 innings score still woulda been 0-0. Blame the offense.
Milburn Drysdale
June 18th, 2012
8:58 am
@Clusters….we was wondering if you would just get the hell off of these Braves Blogs and stay off!
Taylor Wooten
June 18th, 2012
9:03 am
This is a .500 team….at best. Doesnt matter who is managing….the trouble is at the top, the Owners.
See you next year.
Winchester
June 18th, 2012
9:11 am
This organization is a joke. Here’s a novel idea. Fire that inept Wren and replace with Scherholtz. Fire that inept idiot FG and replace with CJ. Fire that inept McDowell and replace with Leo. Bring Constanza back and remove Diaz from the team. Offer up a collective loser basket of Lian, Minor, Venters, JJ, Diaz, Heinske, Durbin, and Hanson for one good player out there.
coach joe
June 18th, 2012
9:17 am
sure glad we stood “pat”over the winter… Thats really working out great..
Can’t even listen lately on my phone and i love listenig to games.
Mark in ATL
June 18th, 2012
9:28 am
Everyone is pointing fingers at the manager…how about the GM….this is an ok team…they are ok….
1B can’t stay healthy
3B can’t stay healthy and is on his way out…greatest ATL Brave ever and he’s trying to do all he can
RF…is there something about RF at Turner Field that causes great young players to suddenly regress…just amazing
SS is a very young kid
Catcher is starting to show his age and the grind of catching
LF…very good player but needs to be playing 3B next yr with a big bat in left…this team is a miss mash of players
Braves Fan
June 18th, 2012
9:29 am
We’re in the middle of a rough patch right now. Let’s try to split the games with the Yanks and Sox and regroup. The good news is that we’re still in the wild card and are only 4 games out despite playing really poor ball for the last week or so.
Milburn Drysdale
June 18th, 2012
9:35 am
@Texas Ranger….Martin Prado is overated??? Well, the guy is hitting over .300. Do you think hitting .300 is easy? Maybe you should go try out for the team.
P.T. Barnum
June 18th, 2012
9:36 am
WOW! I just read Brad Lidge was released. What a pickup for the braves 35 yo, a 9. something era and was on the DL earlier this season. He could replace Hernandez, come pretty cheap and help the braves with his experience. Mcdowell could probably work wonders with him as he has done with the braves pitching staff.
Double Zero Eight
June 18th, 2012
9:46 am
The Braves do not have the bats to finish higher
than third in the division. I have said this since
the beginning of the season. Fredi is an average
manager and is stil learning on the job. I say bring
back Mazzone as a consultant or assistant, to help
this young pitching staff with its mechanics. and
conditioning,
DawgDad
June 18th, 2012
9:51 am
“the Braves have lost 15 of 24″ “Are the Braves turning into one of those clubs that does just enough to lose?”
Mark, have you somehow forgotten September 2011? This team has to PROVE it can win, and win when it counts. They have NOT earned the benefit of the doubt, they’ve played it down the drain.
Actually, the Braves are sitting right where they were constructed to be in the standings, in a battle for a wild card spot. There’s enough pitching here to win; the middle of the Braves order isn’t scaring anybody.
Ricky Bobby Cox
June 18th, 2012
9:54 am
Sold my section 111 Row G seats 4-7 season tix last year after a few months of Fredi. Friend who bought them sold them at a discount after the Yankees series. Last one out, turn out the lights.
DawgDad
June 18th, 2012
10:03 am
If you’re fishing for positives, right now Simmons is the best position player on the team (measured by recent performance). He’s seemingly made Uggla a better second baseman, too, with Dan really busting it to turn the DP and finish plays up the middle. Heyward is looking better at the plate, and Bourn and Prado are solid.
Hiawassee
June 18th, 2012
10:05 am
The problems with the Braves at this point are NOT manager-related. Pitching injuries and inconsistencies, lack of hitting and execution of fundamentals, and personnel mistakes by the front office.
Don
June 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Surprise- Surprise – Surprise
It goes ON – and ON, and ON, and ON —–
FOUR of our FIVE Starting Pitchers from last season were COMMING OFF INJURIES.
And NOW – BEACHY.
And this is just the TIP OF THE ICEBERG —
Of all the LARGE NUMBER of different STARTING PITCHERS that the Braves have had in the SIX or Seven YEARS since Leo left as Pitching Coach- almost ALL OF THEM have ended up being INJURED —— UNBELIEVABLE.
Recently, MOST of these have been YOUNG, GREAT, ESTABLISHED Starters.
This has DESTROYED and is destroying the Braves chances of being a CHAMPIONSHIP team for YEARS TO COME.
This is probably the most SIGNIFICANT THING in the history of the Braves team or for any other major league team.
Mr. BRADLEY, – FOR CRYING OUT LOUD – HOW CAN YOU AND THE OTHER WRITERS FAIL TO ADDRESS THIS????????
bruce mac
June 18th, 2012
10:13 am
Obviously Francisco and Wilson have negatives of someone in management. These two clowns have no business in the major leagues, Cincinatti and Seattle cut them so we could watch them strike out and miss bunt attempts. If this is the best we can do, Liberty media should be called out by Mayor Reid to sell the team immediately. We deserve a reasonable facsimile of a Major League bench. You know, somebody that can put the ball in play or sacrifice bunt on occassion.
Columbus_dawg
June 18th, 2012
10:19 am
Fire Fredi and let Chipper finish the year out as player-manager.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
June 18th, 2012
10:20 am
Yup
The Sertoma Kid
June 18th, 2012
10:21 am
Where is Bob Horner when you need him?
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
June 18th, 2012
10:21 am
How munch longer do we have 2 put up with that shelfish Chipper hurting this team?
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
June 18th, 2012
10:22 am
Sad
Joe Tess Fish House
June 18th, 2012
10:22 am
Remeber who told U all that hiring a managar with a loosing record was a misteak.
Columbus_dawg
June 18th, 2012
10:22 am
Probably as long as your non spelling butt keeps changing names and making comments………
Joe Tess Fish House
June 18th, 2012
10:26 am
Having Chiper as managar is just plane dum. What has he did 2 prove he can be a managar? The guy is a shelfish looser and will not be N E help 2 the team.
BTR
June 18th, 2012
10:27 am
I’m NOT returning ever to the ballpark until this freddi guy is gone for good !
46 years and ONE Championship, ONE !
I believe it is time for John S. to step down, he seems to be out of touch with the game now.
The GM is a complete JOKE, as others in this town and until the “corporate owner” sells to a real
person this team will stink !
hayward BUST and then some, he stinks !!!
uggla, Way overpaid and simply cannot get it done anymore.
Chipper, Good Bye NOW !
Just removing those three and freddi and wren, will make up 10 games FAST !!!!!
But I’m staying away until winning is put first over being loyal to players & management !!!!!!!!!!!
French Fries from KFC
June 18th, 2012
10:31 am
Chipper as manager? Not smart.
B-Fan
June 18th, 2012
10:32 am
Chipper is a future Hall of Famer, but he’s not much of a leader – if he was, he would have been made team captain long ago. Chipper might make a good hitting coach (I say might because he knows a bunch about hitting, but being a great hitter does not mean he could be a great coach). No way is Chipper manager material.
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
June 18th, 2012
10:34 am
How do U figrue Chiper being in the hall of fame?
LOL at the Braves
June 18th, 2012
10:38 am
LOL!!
B-Fan
June 18th, 2012
10:40 am
This season still has a long way to go, and there is talent on the Braves. Here are the important “ifs”: 1) We need Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Delgado, and Minor healthy (Jurrens is a big question mark); 2) We need Medlen, Venters, and O’Flarety(sp) as strong support for Kimbrel; 3) Freeman and McCann must stay healthy (Chipper at 40 is what he is); 4)We need Heyward, Bourn, Uggla, Simmons, and Prado to just have “normal” years; and 5)We need Diaz and Hinske to produce as role players. If all of the aforementioned happens we will win 90 or so games and make the playoffs.
LostCause
June 18th, 2012
10:44 am
You people are absolutely nuts.
Dawg'88
June 18th, 2012
10:47 am
“Tip Your Cap” again?!
When you get shutout for the 3rd time in 6 games, its not the DAMN pitcher!
Its the hitters failing!
Get a Clue!
Poppy
June 18th, 2012
10:49 am
“He would manufacture runs, you know, like Sparky Anderson, and Earl Weaver……..”
You can’t mention the masters at manufacturing runs without including Whitey Herzog. I think he invented it.
TaylorVol
June 18th, 2012
10:51 am
On the bright side: 1) Simmons is a future all-star defensive SS, 2) Prado is an all-star, 3) Uggla is a pro and hustles like a champ, 4) Bourn will hopefully be signed, 5) Heyward and Freeman are future all-stars.
Poppy
June 18th, 2012
10:55 am
Great to have Glavin in the TV booth yesterday. He helped keep the pitching/umpire performance from getting out of hand like the other 2 nitwits do when left unchecked.
Late in the game Uggla took the called third strike and before the nitwit [not Carey] could begin to complain about the call, Glavine refered to the pitch as ‘there’s nothing you can do with that’. How refreshing to have an expert and fair-minded analysis of what is really happening. You could tell from the nitwit’s response that he had planned to say something else but smartly deferred to Glavine.
Poppy
June 18th, 2012
10:59 am
TaylorVol…….I agree that things seem to bode well as regards Simmons. Hayward and Freeman have to prove that consistancy is there at a high level prior to annointing either with star status. But Simmons has shown that he just might be a very good SS for many years.
Rick
June 18th, 2012
11:00 am
You all know me. I am the BIGGEST Atlanta Team Homer there is. From the Braves, Falcons to the Hawks. All this year I have preached patience, telling you all that we will be ok. I still believe that because you see I am a fan. It pains me to have this leave my lips…………it might be time to see if Tito is really interested in staying at ESPN. Fredi, I have done all I can to protect you, fight for you, but this team does not react to your leadership for some reason. I just dont get it. Check into Leo as well. I never remember our pitchers having so many injuries when Leo had them on a throwing program…………cant be coincidence……..can it? I still believe, but Fredi if it is going to happen you have to LIGHT A FIRE UNDER SOMEONE’s AZZ! You cant be Bobby! Find your way to lead and do it man. This team has never had a fire that burns from game to game! I remember when Uggla played for Florida he played with an ATTITUDE! He comes here and adopts the Braves “business approach”. We need a leader in the clubhouse and for someone to step up and push and stop following. Come on guys I believe but we go to do it now before it is to late! Go Braves!
SM
June 18th, 2012
11:05 am
When does football start again?
Cecil34
June 18th, 2012
11:07 am
This team is sinking to the .500 level which is about right for this penny-pinching operation.
Anything on the north side of .500 would be considered a plus.
Schuerholtz must have gone into a vegetative state since hiring Wren.
The decision-maiking in the last several years has been sub-par.
One other thing – the AJC should just save salary and send an intern to gather quotes every night after the games, for all that DOB brings to the plate, which is nada.
Oh, he does put out some entertaining info (or used to) on eating joints and music. The AJC should just move him on over with Rodney Ho, since they are equivalent.
Brave Hokie
June 18th, 2012
11:09 am
Just what I expected. Idiot fat face manager who cannot get out of his team’s way and heartless / weak souled players who could care less about winning.
Have the skankees and Sox rip them “new ones” and count this season OVER.
Y’all useless bunch of impotent losers; thanks for nothing.
Welcome to LOSERVILLE…
B-Fan
June 18th, 2012
11:19 am
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now! June 18th, 2012 10:34 am
How do U figrue Chiper being in the hall of fame?
Me figrue Chiper cos he verry good hiter!
Disaffected
June 18th, 2012
11:27 am
Sports fans have a need to identify a scapegoat when things are going bad. The truth is, it’s almost never just one guy’s fault. Last year Larry Parrish was made the scapegoat for the offensive struggles, and Derek Lowe was the fall guy for the pitching staff. Now, I’m not defending either one of them – they both performed poorly and needed to be axed. But even with Parrish gone, the offense is still lousy. Without Lowe, the starting pitching has actually gotten worse.
The point is, getting rid of Fredi is not going to magically solve this team’s problems. The Braves made choking in the clutch their trademark long before he got here. I don’t even need you to remind you of the six straight postseason losses or that ridiculous streak of 30 consecutive one-run losses on the road. Those things happened under the great Bobby Cox.
Getting rid of Fredi would be just the first of many moves that needs to take place. We need an organizational enema. This team, by hiring Cox and Schuerholz proteges to the manager and GM positions, has tried to impotently cling to the ’90s for far too long. It’s time to move on with a new philosophy across the board.
Tumbledown
June 18th, 2012
11:33 am
Rick, I agree 100%. We need to lose the Bobby Cox management style, which works really great if your pitching staff includes three future hall of famers. Chipper Jones, while a fantastic player and future hall of famer himself, also is not the fiery leader we need on the players’ side. I fear the worst in the coming weeks.
Tumbledown
June 18th, 2012
11:34 am
Go Braves!
Tumbledown
June 18th, 2012
11:35 am
It figures my two-word homer message would get immediately posted while my more critical posting would undergo additional scrutiny. Basically, I agree with Rick.
jacket3
June 18th, 2012
11:51 am
Long season…boys. 4 games out not bad with literally no changes in off season personnel. To me we are sorta like the Nats over the last 3 years. Flailing. A former Brave is managing them and is doing pretty good. If you ever met the Chipper I’d think you’d have a different opinion with his skills. The same said for Freddi. Maybe Freddi can’t manage with the budget constraints. Cox could not over come the issue either. We should know by the All Star break whether to cheer or cry.
DawgDad
June 18th, 2012
11:53 am
“On the bright side: 1) Simmons is a future all-star defensive SS”
Simmons is the best player on the team right now, offensively and defensively. Small sample size, yes, but at this point who’s doing more? Also, keep in mind Heyward is just one month older than Simmons.
Despite their recent woes I still think the Braves have enough pitching. They need one big consistent bat in the middle of the order, which they could have and likely won’t have for the money they are spending on Chipper.
Von Trapp
June 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hope Mark follows up and determines what ,if any motivational techniques are being used in the Braves duggout. I SEE NOTHING in that regards NOTHING………….:(
Tdawg
June 18th, 2012
12:16 pm
Whats that, 6 or is it 7 shut outs so far this season? I may at this point, want to revise my prediction of 15 shut outs to 20 shutouts. He!! If they are this beat up in the first half of the season, what are they going to look like in the second half of the season?
Stop beating around the bush Bradley. Come on. Have the guts to say what you really mean and what 99% of us fans would write if we had your job. Freddie Gonzales is a joke of a manager and is way, way over his head when it comes to strategizing against other coaches. You can say it. I mean it’s not like anyone would disagree with you.
LaRon
June 18th, 2012
12:18 pm
Fredi Gonzalez will never lead the Braves to the playoffs. He is not the right man for the job. Its time for a change. Last September we saw the real Braves team. Management should have fired him then. If any Braves fan calls last year a good year under a first year manager, then you should go get a CAT scan because something is wrong with your head.
FIRE FREDI
June 18th, 2012
12:23 pm
This team, is NO fun at all, to watch live or on TV. They have NO, FIGHT OR FIRE,within them. TOO many CRY BABIES. They are truely PATHETIC and PITFUL. BORING TO WATCH. Michael Bourn, just can’t wait, until he can get away, from this SOO CALLED, baseball team, we have. THEY SUCK.
Pete
June 18th, 2012
12:40 pm
Two things that bring you wins in MLB, clutch hitting and consistant pitching are the two things the Braves lack…………………………..in Spades.
This season, this franchise is……………………………over.
cdog
June 18th, 2012
12:58 pm
yep, they are definitely in trouble as long as martin prado, eric henski, jack wilson, martinez, johnny venters and manager freddie gonzalez are part of the organization.
BaseballBuff
June 18th, 2012
1:00 pm
We’ve got to play better or we’ll be buried by the time this road trip is over.
cdog
June 18th, 2012
1:03 pm
ever since they sent jose constanza out, they started to lose.maybe need to bring him back and send henski, prado,venters,martinez,and jack wilson out. but first, we need a nanager. freddie will never win for the braves. he lost a 10 game lead with 10 games to go and you bring him back this season? it won’t get no better with him
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
1:20 pm
gunter
June 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
Typical uninformed Atlanta fans, no time to panic folks. Managers don’t hit and throw. We’ve got a solid ball club and will be fine over the long 162 game season.
_________________________
The club “will be fine”? You mean “fine” like last year, the year before that, and the year before that–and like EVERY year (except ‘95) since the team moved to ATL nearly 50 years ago? That kind of “fine”?
No thanks, loser.
SSIgator
June 18th, 2012
1:21 pm
Just thought I would stop in and see how the Gimper Jones Farewell Tour is coming along . . .
Oh, not too well I see.
loser is spelled with one "O"
June 18th, 2012
1:22 pm
Just so everyone is on the same page…
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
As soon as they win 3 or 4 games in a row, they’ll be the greatest thing since sliced bread again.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
Spencerforhire
June 18th, 2012
12:50 am
It’s not just the Braves that stink, it’s Atlanta sports in general. New York, Boston, Chicago, LA among others have all won multiple world championships in multiple sports. In case you haven’t figured it out, they’re not satisfied with division championships. Snap out of it and get a clue.
_______________________
That’s the cold, hard truth. ONE title in 155 seasons of competition covering nearly half a century. Thus the well-earned monikor of “Losersville.”
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 18th, 2012
1:43 pm
“LakeDawg” don’t know if you will see this or not, but will try to remember to post it again later on the game blog. I told you yesterday I would let you know if FG yelled at Delgado after he started his windup and caused the balk. I watched it again today(6th inning) and could not hear anything for sure, but something sure got his attention just as he started to go into his full windup. CR said in her article today that FG said he whistled at him to go to it, but it was bad timing by “the robot” Fredi. Of course FG then blamed it on Delgado saying “it was a mistake by a young pitcher”. Thataboy, you “poor excuse for a manager” shifts the responsibility to someone else after you screwed it up. That’s what a rookie manager would do. Would have been better to let him go ahead with that pitch and then tell him. Honestly I do believe a brain scan would show just an empty space in that head of his!
Blaster
June 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
FG is hard to understand. He has been termed a “statistician” by those in the game, meaning he plays the statistical odds more than the hot hand or his gut. Because of this, he does not manage the moment, but instead plays the numbers. This method can work well or fail miserably. Lately, with the team scuffling, his style is hurting the team more, as he isn’t doing anything to jump start our offense. We FINALLY have speed to burn and hitters capable of situational hitting, but FG seems to think we’ll “hit our way out of it.” This is foolish when we have the players capable of playing small ball and a solid bullpen. He also fails to use the bullpen to WIN, most likely due to last year’s overuse of the 7/8/9th guys. Also, relying on Venters in the 8th for as long as he has was painful to watch. If you can’t throw strikes, you shouldn’t come into the game with lead. Why he’s not more aggressive I don’t know. His demeanor of nonchalance resembles his managerial style perfectly. When the idiots on this blog stated managers don’t matter, players do, I urge you to watch Joe Maddon manage the Rays. It will shut you up and make you realize how valuable, or harmful, a manager can be.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
Longtimefan
June 18th, 2012
6:45 am
The “fans” that frequent this blog(generally only during losing streaks) are truly amazing . . . . I believe part of it is a mob mentality- fans are angry because the team as lost several series in bad fashion and the knee jerk reaction is to clean house-fire everybody! I wonder how you guys would react to a real losing team.
________________________
“. . . a real losing team”??
Uh, I have news for you: ONE championship since 1966–none during the past 16 years–is about as close as you can get to a “real” losing team.
And the fans aren’t angry simply because the team “as (sic) lost several series in bad fashion.” They’re angry because the team has FAILED to win a championship in all but one of their 46 years in ATL.
How hard is that to figure out?
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
June 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
“Poppy@10:49AM”…………….You are absolutely right, don’t know how I could have forgot about Whitey Herzog. He was probably the master at it. He could almost pull runs right out of the air. If one of his Cardinals team got into a “self-imposed funk” like the Braves are now, he would do anything in the book to scratch out one of two runs until he got it going again. I still think he’s the one Tony Larussa learned so much from and continued the Cards successful ways.
D.A. Nuggla
June 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Those of you on here who are bashing the AJC sportswriters should exclude Jeff Schultz. He is the only one who has been on their case(before vacation) big time. Go to his column today and on the righthand side click on the two articles from May 26 and 29 and read them again. One is titled “Braves Crumble at First Sign of Adversity, Just Like 2011″ and the other is “Braves Suddenly Lack Pitching, Defense, and a Clue”. He “nailed them to the wall” then and it still applies today. So just be sure to direct your anger to the right area.
tweet
June 18th, 2012
2:11 pm
To all the Gonzalez backers on this site:
Tell me…WHAT exactly did Fredi G do while managing Florida to earn him the right to manage the Braves?? What credentials did he have? Did he win a division? NO! Did he get to the playoffs? world series? NO, NO and NO!
What he DID do was over use his bullpen alot and his teams all faded by August into oblivion.
Hes come to Atlanta and although Wren was GAGA over this signing, and so excited he needed to empty his dribble cup, he ,too, has too realize that he has made yet another BAD signing..be it player or manager both Wren and Frediot dont know what the heck they are doing
This once proud franchise has been ruined.
Why not bring back Russ Nixon while your at it?
Appalachia Brave
June 18th, 2012
2:18 pm
DUH….ya think there in trouble?….Just now figuring this out??? Where ya been? We had this figured out coming out of spring training…Will never win anything with the current front office. Build a team on the cheap is what they do…Just keep buying tickets, beer and hotdogs and it’ll all be ok….Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…hahaha…what a joke! Been this way for years…with no end in sight!
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
2:19 pm
clint
June 18th, 2012
6:26 am
While other division teams improved over the winter, the Braves did not.
_____________________
It’s all part of the unfortunate but accurate “Losersville” reputation.
The Mask
June 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
cdog
June 18th, 2012
1:03 pm
ever since they sent jose constanza out, they started to lose.
———————————————————————
You are truly beyond delusional if you think not having him around is the reason they are losing and it is utterly sad that there are more people out there like you who think and believe the same thing. If you really think that this team lost “its way” because a AAAA/4th OF was sent down, then you are far dumber than you sound.
bquinn10
June 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
The Braves biggest mistake was worrying so much about hiring from within that they forgot to hire the best manager. Fredi Gonzalez is an absolute waste, the team does not play for him. I think some outside influence would be just what this team needs. Also I see a real lack of toughness with this team. Please bring Francona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
2:35 pm
B-Fan
June 18th, 2012
10:40 am
This season still has a long way to go, and there is talent on the Braves. Here are the important “ifs”: 1) We need Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Delgado, and Minor healthy (Jurrens is a big question mark); 2) We need Medlen, Venters, and O’Flarety(sp) as strong support for Kimbrel; 3) Freeman and McCann must stay healthy (Chipper at 40 is what he is); 4)We need Heyward, Bourn, Uggla, Simmons, and Prado to just have “normal” years; and 5)We need Diaz and Hinske to produce as role players. If all of the aforementioned happens we will win 90 or so games and make the playoffs.
____________________
“Ifs” are for losers.
John
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
I don’t understand how Constanza is good enought to start over Diaz and Hinske for 10 games but then gets sent down? I am not saying he is a great player but at least he can make things happen when he gets on base. This team just has such a defeatest attitude once they get down. I honestly don’t think they belive they can win when they are down after the 4th inning. This team has alot of talent. They have been kind of banged up but everybody is. They just don’t seem motivated. Unlike some, I think this is Fredi’s job. It is not just to fill out a different lineup card everyday. Whatever happened to letting guys get comfortable in a spot in the order. Other than Bourn and Prado, these guys have no idea where they are going to hit. Heyward will bat 7th one day and then 3rd the next. The same with Freeman. Since shuffing the batting order obviously does not work, how about keeping it the same and bumping everybody up one when someone is hurt. I like Matt Diaz off the bench but he should never bat 5th in a major league game. I don’t care what his average is against a certain pitcher.
C from Marietta
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
A lot of anger and hatred on this board. Ya’ll must be a joy to be around. Talk about overreaction! LOL
John
June 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
It really feels like all of the Braves just “tip their hats” whenever they get down by more than one run. I understand sportsmanship and respecting a dominant performance but I just might lose it if I hear or read the words “tip your hat” again.
HammondB3
June 18th, 2012
2:42 pm
could someone one please tell me why everybody wants Constanza when he comes up he get some hits and then he goes cold yes he is fast we need clutch hitting and pitching somebody needs to kick a little but or send them down hit pitch or find a real job that pays this much money
The ATL
June 18th, 2012
2:43 pm
ATL=loserville
all the teams either suck or choke in every big game. I need some drinks—several.
MoneyTR
June 18th, 2012
2:45 pm
the owners of the braves make millions if they suck or not–chumps keep buying tickets and paying obscene prices for beer and food, so the owners keep laughing as they pocket all those millions!! keep paying chumps—the want your money!!
Yanquista
June 18th, 2012
2:52 pm
Fredi is disheartens and oppresses players with good potential. As a manager he lacks vision and is not well liked by the a lot of the players. At least Bobby Cox was liked. The Braves have been in trouble since Ted Turner sold them. Bye Bye Birdie
htownbravesfan
June 18th, 2012
3:01 pm
To all of you who want Constanza back: What is this infatuation you have with a guy who will hit no more than .220 in the major leagues. Does he bring energy and an occasional spark? Yes. However, he’s nothing more than a pinch runner in the long run. The organization needs to find an everyday left fielder, as they’ve needed to do for the past few seasons. And, if you think this year is bad, wait until next year, when we lose MB in center and we have to go out and find two outfielders to partner with a marginal plate presence in Heyward. I’m nervous just thinking about it.
htownbravesfan
June 18th, 2012
3:03 pm
On the flip side, I will add we are not out of this thing yet. As a matter of fact, if the season ended today we’d be one of the wildcards. Provided Beachy is healthy, all is not lost.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
3:17 pm
C from Marietta
June 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
A lot of anger and hatred on this board. Ya’ll must be a joy to be around. Talk about overreaction! LOL
___________________
“LOL”? That’s how you react?
Classic loser attitude.
b
June 18th, 2012
3:22 pm
Braves management has treated Constanza like crap!
b
June 18th, 2012
3:24 pm
hometownbraves fan, your infatuation with Constanza hitting .220. He’s never hit that in his life.
He’s a lifetime .304 in minors and .291 in majors. Quit making up stuff. He’s better for the roster than Francisco.
Darryl Blackberry
June 18th, 2012
3:27 pm
I actually do think Wren will fire Fredi if things spiral further out of control. However, the Braves need someone competent who can fill his shoes…and I can’t come up with a single name who’s willing to step in.
Maybe next year, once Terry Francona inevitably gets tired of sitting next to Orel Hershiser in the ESPN booth…
Peter
June 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
Frank Wren has built this team…….. Please let’s get rid of him !
Peter
June 18th, 2012
3:38 pm
Constanza. is not an everyday Left fielder…that is typically played by a guy with power…. BUT wait, we do not have an outfielder with power now do we ?
Prado belongs at 3rd, the experiment they brought in to take Chipper’s spot is totally questionable, and I wonder about Chipper with his extra curricular activities…..Why does one get divorced ?
We all know why the first time….. another reoccurring theme again ?
Jean Claude Killy
June 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
When does Skiing season start.
Yanquista
June 18th, 2012
3:41 pm
This has got to be worst Braves team in history.
seabass
June 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
I read an article out of Cincy, before the season started. This article was predicting the season for the A.L. and N.L.. This article also read that the Braves had the worst manager in all of MLB, but the best players/lineup. The author went on to say how like last year when we should have won the division, Fredi will find some way to lose. I thought the article was full of beans, but I am beginning to see the truth.
Easy Breezey
June 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
Only manager worse than Fredi is B Cox. They come from the school where u do less with more.
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
doc, how bout those Braves? Crickets………….roll eyes…
Lost 6 of last 7..Headed to Yankee stadium tonight. Yankees on a 9 game winning streak!
Oh the Humanity…..
Stick a fork in these Turkey’s..They are done!
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:50 pm
Enter your comments here
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:52 pm
Oh the Humanity!
Sucks being the Braves…..
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:53 pm
Retire Rick Sund! And take Fredi with ya!
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
3:54 pm
Fredi has got to be pulling his hair out right about now? lol
Jean Claude Killy
June 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
I’m ready to hit the sloaps,, then maybe watch a little FutBol,,,,
andrew
June 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
The Braves are the same old Braves, they just win enough to keep you watching them, and then they blow it! That is why the Braves fan are the way they are! Freddy is a idiot! Hey Wren please get off your ass and do something to help this team win!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:12 pm
No Comments….. Crickets…..
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:14 pm
I’m done with these losers! Yankees win 12-1 tonight!
GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:15 pm
Go Yankees!!!!
Loserville
June 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
Good ole boys getting it done? Not…
DawgDad
June 18th, 2012
4:17 pm
“You are absolutely right, don’t know how I could have forgot about Whitey Herzog. He was probably the master at it. He could almost pull runs right out of the air. If one of his Cardinals team got into a “self-imposed funk” like the Braves are now, he would do anything in the book to scratch out one of two runs until he got it going again.”
Well, Whitey did not win every year and after Gussie Busch (owner) died he didn’t have the horses to win. What Herzog did otherwise was play his hand masterfully, which included tailoring his team to the extreme conditions of Busch Stadium in those days (hot, expansive, astro-turf), and, until the last couple of years under corporate ownership, HE was accountable for the roster and the results. Herzog didn’t manufacture runs, his players did. Was he daring? Yes, but with Coleman-McGee-Herr-Van Slyke-Ozzie (and others who could run), he’d have been stupid NOT to be.
Since you mentioned it, Herzog inherited a Cardinal roster that wasn’t going anywhere with some solid veterans . He turned some big talent over in daring trades (Simmons, Templeton, Vuckovich, Fingers), threw his lot in with some key young players (Herr, McGee, Andujar, a no-hit version of Ozzie Smith, and others). I look at this Braves team and see, under Herzog, Chipper and Uggla in the American League, Prado playing second or third full time and batting THIRD (re: Tommy Herr), similar emphasis on young pitching with one veteran anchor (Hudson – Bob Forsch), Kimbrel pitching one-plus innings per outing (Sutter), and someone imported to hit cleanup. Herzog wouldn’t be afraid to trade a veteran for a 20-something prospect he thought would emerge. He wasn’t always right (David Green), but he got solid production from a whole host of young players (Lonnie Smith, Coleman, McGee, Herr, Ozzie, Pendleton, Dane Iorg, Tito Landrum, Van Slyke, and several young pitchers), and he would have some young players on the bench. The Braves have many of the pieces, but they have some dead weight Herzog would not tolerate for long. Of course, Herzog didn’t have any Chipper-Lowe contracts to contend with.
P.T. Barnum
June 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
Why don’t the braves ban hugging abd eating sunflower seeds in the dugout. Maybe they’re getting too soft. What injury is Freeman going to have next? I thought Heyward had chronic injuries until Freeman became injured. How many weeks has it been since he played a full week. It’s time to make changes especially mcdowell. W’ve had more injured pitchers than Leo had .
Old Dodger
June 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
I really hope the braves sweep the yankee, I’m 69 yr old and have hated them for over 60 yrs. I doubt it but still hope
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
Yea keep those non athletes on your roster and see how far that takes you…
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
Old Dodger= Simpleton
I cant stand these Braves!!
By Next Monday the Braves will have lost 12 of the Last 13!
Braves get their azz kicked tonight!
Go Yankees!!!!
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
Yankees sweep these turkeys again!
Mark: Buy a Clue
June 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Chipper for President! Yahoo!
Whiskey Breath
June 18th, 2012
5:01 pm
Mark, I don’t like you being the homer, but Freddie didn’t deserve this.
Bobby Cox was one of the all time winning managers in MLB history.
His personal choice to replace him was Freddie. Freddie may have got fired from Florida,
but wasn’t because he couldn’t win. We are very lucky to have Freddie. We just don’t have any money to get players. Plain and simple and don’t like Wren, but I can’t blame either man.
Tony King
June 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Why is Matt Diaz and Jack Wilson on this team? Hinske has been terrible this season. How much more of this can we take. Fredi is not doing a good job and it’s time for him to go. I don’t see him taking us to another level. His in-game decisions are terrible. You can also send Frank Wren packing as well. He put this team together and I am not sure he can make the moves neccessary to fix us short, middle or long term.
Packer Ed
June 18th, 2012
6:14 pm
A new owner please?
Von Trapp
June 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
Robo Braves only 4 games behind with no fire in em…………………..I quess we can count our blessings
Need Bones Jones to go home for a month and get healthy. Only this time DONT bring “Bones” back until he is really healthy
Dale_in_NC
June 18th, 2012
6:31 pm
All I know is that at least twice this season Fredi has left the pitcher in to bat for himself only to replace him the next half inning! Not even the first time was acceptable or made any sense. How in the F%^& did he manage to do it a second time?!! Ive never seen anyone at the AJC call him out or question it.
Hy Ronatt.
June 18th, 2012
6:43 pm
Told you so. Last year.
74BravesJersey
June 18th, 2012
6:58 pm
Mabey some rich Russian who becomes enamered about baseball & decides to give Liberty Media a nice hansom price to buy the Braves off there hands & own the team & say’s “ve vill du vhatvever vit takes to brin’ vorld shampionsip vack to georgia. Then he picks up the team & moves them to georgia-soviet union. That means all the teams playing the Braves would have to fly to russia & play em’. Oh yeah, he tells fredi he’s changin’ his name to vladimere ishkoff, mgr.
74BravesJersey
June 18th, 2012
7:01 pm
I wish we did have a whitey herzog mgr. who wouldn’t put up w/ any dead weight, & wouldn’t put up with any inconsistency, unproductive easy outs.
FRED-IDIOT has got to go!
June 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
This moron of a manager has got to go! He is an absolute idiot and should not even be managing a little league team.
Whiskey Breath - You have had to much to drink!
June 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
Freddie is an idiot and needs to be fired and run out of town in front of an 18 Wheeler headed south bound down I-75 and take his sorry butt back toward Florida and Cuba from whence he came……”Lucky to have him” You have to be kidding…..
Steve
June 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
BTW the Braves are losing 4-2 in the 6th! Yawn…….
Poppy
June 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
By the way, Mark Bradley did an excellent job with this piece. It’s almost startling to read a forthright, honest article about what is happening. Mostly, all you see in this market is a bunch of fluff pieces that dance around the core issues without any fair-minded assessment.
Thanks
Ted Turner
June 19th, 2012
7:56 am
Eddie Gonzaloz always started strong in Florida before fizzling. It seems the same in Atlanta now.
Ted
June 19th, 2012
8:23 am
Here are the real Braves…getting their buts kicked by real (actually competitive) teams. The Braves are in third place thanks to being in a really lame division. HA!
mwb
June 19th, 2012
8:43 am
Looserville would you expect anything else this town sucks!!!!!!!!!
Ebrave
June 19th, 2012
8:49 am
don’t worry—fredi’s got a plan! He’s saving it for the right time!!!
Don
June 19th, 2012
11:00 am
Mr. Bradley, fact is, the Braves have “Been In Trouble” For the last 6 or 7 years – ever since Leo left as Pitching Coach — With almost ALL of the great number of different Starting Pitchers that they have had during those 6 or 7 years – ending up being INJURED.
Do you think that it could POSSIBLY be time to DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
motalk
June 19th, 2012
12:04 pm
4-5 teams in MLB have the money and management to win a title—the braves are not one of those teams. they have 1 fluke title in their atlanta history, in a strike year. that’s why they call the city loserville.
SJ
June 19th, 2012
1:04 pm
motalk, the strike was in 1994, the braves won the world series in 1995. nice try to make a point though.
Mike "DP" Lum
June 19th, 2012
1:23 pm
First time poster. Braves fan since 1966. Grew up listening to Milo and Ernie on the radio. Here is my priortized list of issues with my Braves:
1) Liberty Media – restricted payroll (Can Ted sell off some land and come back to ATL??)
2) Injuries – all teams have them but it’s been our key guys the last two years
3) Manager/Coaching Staff – This team is way too streaky. The best managers/staff have a great ability to focus one game at a time and do whatever it takes to win that game…not so much with our staff.
4) GM – Frank Wren is probably batting batting less than .500 in his calls reguarding the roster. Not good enough given reason #1.
Until number one (ownership) either changes its diretion or sells to someone who cares, the other reasons will be so much noise…
Humbly submitted. Hoping for better days……
Fredi's not the answer
June 19th, 2012
2:06 pm
Braves have played uninspired baseball this year, minus a couple of streaks. The problem seems to be a few things with Fredi. First, he’s doesnt seem to inspire his player on the field. You want/need to get your team fired up everyone in a while, he needs to run out on the field, argue a blown call til he’s red in the face & get tossed. Instead, he simple walks out to the ump, and “discusses” the call; almost like he just wants a ruling or understanding of the decision and seems pretty content once he hears what the ump has advised. Second, Im starting to question his ability to evaluate talent. His line ups change most of the time with no reasoning. It’s understood that he put Diaz in againt CC b/c of his #s. Ok, that’s fine, but other than that, he shuffles the line up like a lotto ball dispenser. A few weeks ago, JayHey was on a tear, seeing the ball well, then Fredi sits him. Why? Lefty v. lefty match up? Who cares, he’s hitting, leave em in the line up! Lastly, maybe not directly his issues, but seems the conditioning of our pitchers is less than satisfactory. I realize the Braves pitchers arent the only injured in the game, but it sure seems like a majority of pitchers on our roster have gone down with shoulder or elbow issues over the last few years. Is this even looked at as a possible issue, or just chalked up to, “well, that’s the breaks”??? Some thing may need to change, though I hate change, Fredi may not be the answer to the Braves future success. Please prove us wrong Fredi!
Bob Davis
June 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
Simply amazing how the Freddie G. bashing escalates on here when things get rough for our Bravos, but mysteriously disappears when we start winning again. Back off Gonzalez, folks. The man’s doing the best he can under the circumstances.
Brooklyn Braves Brawlers
June 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
#Bob Davis-
You are exactly right. Fredi is a good manager with underachieving players that don’t execute in critical situations. When you cant field, hit with RISP, make pitches in critical situations then that falls on the players.
Fredi can only due what he can. Fredi is not a college football coach that can fires up young kids. This is baseball, a game of skill and will. The players are responsible for performance and execution.
Steve
June 19th, 2012
2:39 pm
losing 12 of 13 by next Monday [after the Yankees and Red Sox sweeps] is a terrible job by Freddi..
He may not finish the season?
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
2:49 pm
1 championship in 155 combined seasons by Atlanta professional sport teams is beyond pathetic!
And yes that one 1995 Championship was by accident.. Bobby coached to lose that one too..His players won in spite of him…
We miss ya David Jusctice!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We miss ya Tom Glavine!!!!!!!!!!!
Chipper not so much[ Braves have not won a playoff series since 2001]!
What does Al Horford, Matt Ryan and Larry Jones have in common? Hmmmmmmmmmmm
O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D!!!!
Hey Chipper, your 40 years old! Time to go by your birth name of Larry? Ya thinks?
David Puddy
June 19th, 2012
5:27 pm
Slimjr….have to agree. Avid fans can’t escape this reality. And, no wonder, Chipper adopted a nickname…..Larry?