Why are these Braves playoff-bound? Credit steady Fredi
Here are Chipper J. and Fredi G., awash in sweet victory. (AP photo by David Goldman)
Hours before Tuesday’s clinch that was, Fredi Gonzalez was asked about the clinch that wasn’t. How often in September 2012 had he reminded his men of September 2011?
“I haven’t,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve not mentioned it since spring training. And I don’t really remember what I said then.”
Even if the Braves’ manager had been inclined to offer a few words on the subject, what would they have been? Something inspirational? Something along the lines of, “Men, let’s try not to blow it this time”?
The only way to handle the disappointment of last season was — not to get all Zen on you — by handling it. Fredi Gonzalez, characterized by some as doing a Nero-on-his-fiddle number while his team burned to an epic collapsing crisp, hit every grace note this time. He kept it loose. He kept it steady. He did what a manager is paid to do.
Yeah, it helped that his team was healthier and that it has played a heck of a lot better, but sometimes how a team performs has much to do with the man in charge. We need only note that the Red Sox responded to their infamous failure by hiring Bobby Valentine, and the man with the golden ego has led $173 million worth of inherited players to fourth place in a five-team division.
Fredi Gonzalez, by way of contrast, went back to work and has taken his Braves — with a payroll roughly half that of Boston’s before the Red Sox started dumping players — to the postseason. There’s a segment of this fan base that’s loath to credit the man for anything, but Tyler Kepner of the New York Times is plumping for Gonzalez as National League manager of the year. So there.
Let’s not be naive. There was a megaton of pressure on this organization this season: For falling short last year, for standing mostly pat over the winter, for not changing just for change’s sake. But this team and this manager handled it all, riding out an uninspiring first half and turning into something brighter and better.
Let’s also not be so naive as to think that Gonzalez, in his determination not to overmanage, did no managing at all. He lost Brandon Beachy, his best starting pitcher, in June. He got next to nothing from Jair Jurrjens, who was an All-Star last season. He got much less than expected from Tommy Hanson, and Jonny Venters hasn’t been the unhittable Venters of 2011. This hasn’t been a rocking-chair season for anyone involved.
But the Braves changed on the fly. With the addition of Kris Medlen and Paul Maholm and the essential cameo appearance of Ben Sheets and the blossoming of Mike Minor, the rotation went from substandard to pretty darn good. The offense went the other way: The Braves hit .259 before the break; they’ve hit .236 since. Still, they’ve gone 15-7 in September, and they clinched a wild card with eight games to spare.
And that took managing. “Fredi kept us together,” Chipper Jones said Wednesday. “He learned from the best in Bobby [Cox, Gonzalez's mentor and predecessor] that there’s a silver lining in every dark cloud. … Everything trickles down. If you’ve got positive vibes at the top of the food chain, so to speak, that’s going to rub off on the players.”
The roughest part of the season was May into June. The Braves lost eight games in a row, the eighth coming on Memorial Day. Two weeks later, they were swept at home by the Yankees, and the clamor over Gonzalez’s handling of the eighth inning of Game 2 — the Braves had taken a 4-0 lead behind Minor, but Alex Rodriguez hit a tying grand slam off Venters and Nick Swisher hoisted the game-winner off Cory Gearrin — was deafening on AJC.com blogs.
Over the next few days, this correspondent asked four men whose salaries are paid by the Braves if Gonzalez was in any trouble. All four of the men were surprised by the question. They felt he had the respect of his players, and they believed those players would continue to play hard for him. (The consensus of the four, just so you know, was that Gonzalez had not totally bungled that eighth inning.) And that, at the big-league level, is more than half the managerial battle.
Had they been working under a man they despised, a man given to hurling invective and furniture after losses, the Braves would have gone belly-up three months ago. They stayed the course, and — please pardon the Chipper-like mixing of metaphors — and Fredi Gonzalez steered the ship. Maybe he doesn’t bunt enough for your liking, or maybe he bunts too much, but this is a good manager who has done fine work.
By Mark Bradley
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108 comments Add your comment
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
7:05 pm
First Clusters!
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
7:10 pm
Hot peppers in the dugout.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2012
7:15 pm
the one, two punch
NCDawg
September 26th, 2012
7:16 pm
I agree, Mark. They have had plenty of challenges and have maintained their collective cool. It would have been sweet to see them win the division, although they aren’t mathematically eliminated but the possibility seems remote. Hopefully, the pitching stays solid and the bats get hot for the playoffs.
NCDawg
September 26th, 2012
7:16 pm
I agree, Mark. They have had plenty of challenges and have maintained their collective cool. It would have been sweet to see them win the division, although they aren’t mathematically eliminated but the possibility seems remote. Hopefully, the pitching stays solid and the bats get hot for the playoffs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 26th, 2012
7:17 pm
I’m not one of the biggest supporters of Fredi, but I don’t hate him either. I don’t care who you are, you have to admit that he’s done a great job. He lost his best starter (Beachy), had last year’s all star crumble to pieces (Jurrjens), and Hanson turned in a bad year. Yet, we are set to pass last year’s win total by at least 5 games.
Fredi has done a great job.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
7:23 pm
Too bad this wasn’t a video. We was thinking some of Mark’s videos might go well during rain delays instead of the McCann story, and Bobby Dews, and Buck Commanding.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
7:25 pm
I agree, Mark. There have been a lot of folks on these blogs carping about Gonzalez, and–WAIT, PRADO HOMERS!!!–I’ve never understood it. I want to hear from an armchair manager who tells me what the head man should do before he does it.
boyizyodaddy
September 26th, 2012
7:37 pm
This is a joke blog, right ? Very cruel Mark.
Tim Scott
September 26th, 2012
7:40 pm
I have been critical of Freddi G from time to time while understanding he is managing with one arm tied behind his back,thanks to our cheap ownership. So all that being said “CONGRATULATIONS TO FREDDI AND THE BRAVES” Lets go Braves !!!!
Only and Only IF........
September 26th, 2012
7:40 pm
Only and Only If these Atlanta Braves go to the World Series and Win the World Series will I ever utter any words of praise for the lazy fatso name Fredi…..in my mind he is a total waste – not worthy of even mentioning in the same conversation as Bobby Cox……go back to Havana Fredi we don’t need or want you here in Atlanta.
boyizyodaddy
September 26th, 2012
7:41 pm
They can still collapse in the wild card game. Clinching wild was step one of a 4 step process.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
7:41 pm
Ouch! Nats 5, Phillies 0; only in the 2nd inning.
Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
7:42 pm
Nationals have hit three home runs off Kyle Kendrick.
John Leonard
September 26th, 2012
7:43 pm
Everyday that Fredi stays a manager at the major league level,the baseball Gods laugh out loud.
I'm the Slime
September 26th, 2012
7:45 pm
I think it’s worth noting Freddi’s handling of Uggla. Maybe it came a bit too late for some, but by sitting him down for three games, the message was received and Dan has responded well in September.
Champagne Is My Name
September 26th, 2012
7:46 pm
Keep the bubbly on ice. Braves might celebrate tonight if they win.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2012
7:48 pm
You know what? Mark may be right. Frank kept running Fredi out there and look what happened! Not knowing what happened in the game because he didn’t see the play bothered us at first but maybe Fredi was just being coy.
KakNiqueTree
September 26th, 2012
7:54 pm
Last year the fans said Fredi was an idiot. This year would love to hear Fredi say the fans are idiots. But of course the latter goes without saying.
Champagne Is My Name
September 26th, 2012
7:59 pm
Don’t pour any champagne of Christhian Martinez, he will lap it up and go drive his car…
George Stein
September 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Huh. And here I thought it was the players who were responsible for the team’s success. They were sure quick to blame them for the failures of last season.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Now 5-2 Nats over Phillies. Go Phillies!
BaseballTopFan
September 26th, 2012
8:30 pm
Fredi Gonzalez did a wonderful job managing the Atlanta Braves.
Good luck in the playoffs
WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS is still a possibility for the Atlanta Braves baseball team !!!
john
September 26th, 2012
8:37 pm
I like Steady Fredi’s style of managing. He has played with lineups all year long in order to get it done. I like that he has rested his players and communicates how he will do it daily as to not cause surprises. He also gives a player enough rope to make some mistakes and still gives them a chance to prove themselves–Bobby was very much like this also. He has managed his pitching staff very well thru numerous injuries. Good article Mark! Congratulations to the Braves for sticking together–feel good about the playoffs.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
8:39 pm
BaseballTopFan
I’m going to start assuming that anybody who doesn’t take the attitude you just expressed is not a Braves fan. I started learning baseball in the 1940s. You rooted for your home team. You were even big enough to acknowledge achievements by opposing players. The turn things have taken is unfortunate and upsetting.
jj
September 26th, 2012
8:43 pm
Lets not forget the most important move Wren made over the winter..He Hired Greg Walker as hitting coach and although McCann (Dad Hitting coach)and Uggla did their own thing most all improved esp J-Hey. Bourn has been working more in batting cage with Walker. Congrats to Team.
Got to win the one game play-off are it all for nothing.
JoeyBagOBravos
September 26th, 2012
8:44 pm
I’ll admit I was one of the ones jumping all over Fredi the first half for what I thought were bonehead moves…. and honestly, I still think they were. But the second half, Fredi really did play his players smartly and made some great decisions to critical to their success.
Growler
September 26th, 2012
8:47 pm
Mark, I’ve read and enjoyed your work years, but I don’t agree with you here. I get the mental/psychological part of your argument, but too many times Fredi makes moves that don’t put his team in the best position to win. [Much like Bobby], he’s benefited this year from an above-average rotation and an outstanding bullpen.
To dovetail it to the end of your story, let me ask [any of] you, this: Last night, Freddy Freeman’s home run was oh-so-dramatic… but how on earth was it the right move not to have him square to bunt on the first pitch? 26 or so other managers would have played it to move the runner over and tie up the game at home. I’m glad it worked out, but under the microscope of the post-season, his strategic faux pas (much like Bobby’s) are going to be exposed.
MattyB
September 26th, 2012
8:51 pm
Great piece, Mark. Could not agree more.
Growler
September 26th, 2012
8:55 pm
Hey is there a reason some [legit] comments get posted here, and others seem to disappear into the ether?
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
9:05 pm
Who would have thought Maholm v. Johnson would be such a one-sided matchup? Not me, but I’ll take it. Maholm is making a case to be part of the post-season picture. That last play was a comedy of errors. Braves try to squeeze and Marlins pitch out but throw it away. Uggla steals home.
Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
Twenty-six other managers would not have chosen to bunt with their No. 5 hitter.
And let’s say Freeman had bunted. Know who was up next? Uggla, who leads the team in strikeouts. So if Freeman sacrifices and Uggla strikes out, you’ve got a man on third with two out.
Growler
September 26th, 2012
9:14 pm
We’ll see what happens in the post-season… (and the post DID show up, but later… weird)
MitchC
September 26th, 2012
9:15 pm
We cant worry about the Nationals. We are in. Er.. in case anyone forgets.. we won division titles fourteen times, and didnt win the World Series 13 of those times. Wild Card is fine with me. Many Wild Card teams have won the World Series. As I said before, I;m more worried about the play in game.
I’m proud of the Braves for getting into the playoffs after the way we collapsed last year. Now, I’m concerned about how long the playoff run will be.
Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
9:16 pm
Meanwhile, Paul Maholm has thrown a great game.
Leebo11
September 26th, 2012
9:20 pm
Fredi has done an amazing job. It shows how much character he has to bounce back from 2011, and the early season losing streak to lead the Braves back to the playoffs.. Frank Wren also has done a great job with the players, and depth.
This is a GREAT Braves team..
longtimefan
September 26th, 2012
9:27 pm
Growler, i’ll answer your question and I have to disagree that most managers would have bunted in that situation. You rarely see managers ask their sluggers(Chipper, Heyward, Freeman, McCann) to bunt. Because they do it so rarely they aren’t the most adept at it and you do not want to take the bat out of their hands because of the potential to do exactly what he did.
Good piece Mark. I have said all season that FW and FG have done a much better job than the majority of bloggers give them credit for. The proof is in the record, check the AL and NL records-pretty darn good. I think i’ll vote to keep FG.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
9:29 pm
If I were Fredi, I’d have one of those Tees proclaiming the Nationals NL East champions overnighted; then I’d NAIL that thing up in the clubhouse.
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
9:34 pm
Whoever is called on to bunt, everybody should be drilled in bunting. Women softball players bunt better than MLB players, and it’s fun to watch. The drag bunt for a base hit is an exciting play, and it messes with the oppositions’ minds.
kreedham
September 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
What’s the latest on Ben Sheets? Is he at least throwing on the side?
Gus2259
September 26th, 2012
9:44 pm
My only complaint with Fredi is some of his comments were questionable like Hanson giving up those home runs in one game being not so bad and not benching Uggla sooner.His moves on the field for the most part have worked. Keep in mind Bobby failed his first time through. It was when he returned he got things turned around. Fredi is really still learning. I congratulate him and the team on a job well done so far. Still more to come.
Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
9:45 pm
Sheets has been activated. I assume he’s having bullpen sessions.
Jack G.
September 26th, 2012
9:45 pm
Mark—Did you ever hear the expression inspite of not because of.
Mark Bradley
September 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
Kimbrel strikes out four in the ninth. Braves win 3-nil
Cracker
September 26th, 2012
9:52 pm
Phillies rally falls a run short in the 8th: 5-4, Nats.
Jake
September 26th, 2012
10:45 pm
Dadgum! Sonny Clusters is back! It’s a Christmas miracle!
wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2012
10:49 pm
Also the Braves lost 3 in a row at home against the Phils earlier this year which made them look wimpy. There have been many downs as there are with all teams. The Phils, Marlins, and Nats were all picked to finish ahead of Atl and only one will. Fredi has done a fine job.
Wilbo
September 26th, 2012
11:00 pm
Wow! Oh, wow! Double wowee zowee! What a crazily outstanding accomplishment! The Braves earned a wild card, and our resident Homer Bonehead correspondent is ready to put Fredi Gonzalez in the Managerial Hall of Fame.
For those of you struck dumb by the fact that the Atlanta Braves have not yet done their patented fall steamed spinach wilt, please let me remind you, it’s only September 26, they still have plenty of time to as usual fall flat on their pudgy faces come the actual postseason.
Dum-Bass
September 26th, 2012
11:31 pm
Good comment, Wilbo, my thoughts too! I guess soon, just like Al Gore, these writers will nominate FG for the Nobel Peace Prize. The manager they are describing would have won the division title, not just a wildcard play-in game.
Wink
September 26th, 2012
11:43 pm
Congrats to Braves for clinching the 2nd WC!
Wait a minute not so fast with the platitudes for Fredi G! We had a 8.5 game lead with under 20 to play last year, correct me if I am wrong but was Bobby Cox his mentor last year as well, so should not that same experience been present in FG last year that help guide him this year.
The improvement was he had a 3.5 lead this year with under 20 games to play and we are in with 8 games to play. Catching the Nats may be out of the question, but the ironic part we will play the Cardinals in a one game playoff, who ran all the way to the WS with our opportunity. Also, we needed a big assist from the Phillies against the Nats, like a sweep, unfortuately for us the Nats are not bowing down like we did last year.
FG has had plenty to deal with, Chipper’s tour, Chipper’s health, Uggla year long slump, McCann lack of production, Venters, Starting Pitchers (Hanson, JJ), plugging the SS hole, but it does not make him a canidate for Coach of the Year. Dude, could have easily bench them all.
Really how do you stick with Hanson all year, even after his injury…FG is so loyal he would have started Hanson in WC, if Medlin did not make such a thought ascinine.
Uggla lead league in strike outs & walks, king of the pop up, and batting average is very subpar for his price tag. McCann has wore down and 2nd year in row with vision problem as well. These two guys playing everyday made a huge hole in the power part of the line up…just and average season from both & maybe we are leading the Nats or 1-2 games back with 8 to play for the division…if this were the case then we could put him in the conversation for MOY, buy this blind loyalty thing just about done us in again down the stretch.
There still is no real accomplishment for 2012, until they at least win the play in WC game, which is a crap shoot….World Champs vs Not Made for Prime Time Atlanta Braves?????
ChipperisGod
September 26th, 2012
11:54 pm
Fredi has done a better job this year, there is no doubt. Even though he still can make some bad moves, recently over the last month and half (minus starting Hinske in left field that one time, and continuing to let Hanson pitch), he’s been a lot better. He doesn’t just sit there and let things happen to him, he takes action. He pulls pitchers when he needs to, he does not let them flounder as much anymore. He has utilized the bullpen brilliantly and kept everyone sharp and rested.
Fredi has done a better job this year, and has battled and adjusted as he has needed to. I hope we can make some serious noise this year in October. We need to hit better, but pitching (minus Hanson) has been excellent.
Go Braves!
BusterBrave
September 27th, 2012
2:20 am
Just have to tip your cap to a good baseball manager…..face the truth all you haters,you be wrong !!!!!
Same Ole, negative dumbazz comments
September 27th, 2012
5:00 am
Wilbo@11:00pm & Dum-bass@11:31pm………Great comments, I could not have done better myself. Lots of great negative comments from other commenters, also. Good work guys.
Man, I hates me some Fredi G.
Stinger 2
September 27th, 2012
5:01 am
Mark: Thank you for writing an article that Fredi well deserves. He has taken more abuse on the AJC blogs than anyone else I can remember. The worse part is that some of it has been very personal with ugly name calling, etc. that is simply terrible.
I understand that everyone who posts has a right to speak their own opinion as long as the text is within your guidelines. So be it if they do not like Fredi`s managing. I have been a strong supporter realizing that, like all managers, he has and will make mistakes. The overriding facts are the record that results at the end of the season.
Fredi and the team deserve the kudos for what they have done so far regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Go Braves!
Stinger 2
September 27th, 2012
5:05 am
Same Ole: Good words. I agree 100 percent with how you said it.
Nacho Cheese Sauce
September 27th, 2012
7:41 am
I think alot of people still have ? marks on the team only 55 comments : (
bill
September 27th, 2012
7:50 am
Lets see if Fredi does a Bobby in the playoffs and plays weird player combinations and old guys who are hitting .200 while his hot hitters sit. Fredi is overmatched in game situations but he is like Cox in that he is steady predictable and the players like him. I hope he surprises me and leads this team to the World Series. Question would Fredi have gone to the mound to talk to Wohlers or would he just sit there and watch the Series fade to black?
bill
September 27th, 2012
7:54 am
Don’t ask Fredi for comments after games. He is inarticulate and comes off a s a buffoon when he speaks and that is not what he gets paid for.
FANtastic
September 27th, 2012
8:36 am
I still don’t love Freddi. Perhaps he’s great as a clubhouse guy, good at keeping guys spirits up, but a lot of his in game decisions are questionable. That being said, we could do a lot worse.
Red Dawg Bites
September 27th, 2012
9:06 am
Slonny Clusters reminds of a bum on the side of the road. Useless.
Jeremiah Wright
September 27th, 2012
9:07 am
Jeff Schultz and JSS have mastered Saul Alinsky. According to Alinsky, the main job of the organizer is to bait an opponent into reacting. “The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength.”
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2012
9:11 am
Clusters are not useless. Whatever makes you think that? We was thinking the red dog may have fleas.
All I'm Saying Is....
September 27th, 2012
9:19 am
Nice write-up, Mark, but those of us paying attention know that you were among the leaders trying to stick it to Fredi early this season following last season’s debacle so you are more than a bit disingenuous with this article which is typical of your (phony, John Kerry-like) behavior (”I was/voted against him before I was/voted for him”.)
Fredi stayed true to himself and let the past remain in the past which is what every manager has to do in baseball. 162 games is an awfully long season and players figure out whether their manager stands by them or behind them ready to stab them in the back. Bobby Valentine showed his true colors early in Boston by publicly ripping Youkilis [sp.] who was a true professional. The other players saw it and took note of it. The Boston organization tried to back Bobby V. up by trading Youk but that only made matters and Valentine worse. By contrast, Fredi did learn from one of the best managers of all time (and certainly the best regular season manager of all time) Bobby Cox and the Braves organization was smart enough to pounce on Fredi once that idiot owner in Florida fired him (by the way, Loria is up to it again with his latest hire as they are not on good terms assuming what’s his face is still managing). Once in charge, Fredi did what he does despite the mostly uninformed blather of the peanut gallery (Bradley, Schultz, most blog posters, etc.).
Fredi still has to prove himself, however, as qualifying for the playoffs is just the beginning of proving your mettle as manager. Let’s get the rotation set-up and get the guys ready for the new season that starts with the first game of the playoffs. Everything is re-set and every team can be the champion. CARPE DIEM!
LET’S GO BRAVES!
blue
September 27th, 2012
9:20 am
the only thing I saw this year where I was saying out loud “what the heck are you doing” was when it was obvious that Venters did NOT have it; he was walking guys and being hit hard consistently…and Fredi continued to trot him out there in one or two-run situations. Other than that, I think he did a really good job as to when to pull pitchers, etc.
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2012
9:23 am
Once, when we was on the side of the road, we was able to save some UGA lives because some coeds were on their way back to Athens and their car broke down. They was gathered around the car barking and and sniffing and not paying any attention when . . . HONK! HONK! . . . a big truck came over the hill and was heading straight for them! We was able to push the coeds out of the way just before the truck came rushing past and fortunately, no one was hurt. Now, does that sound like a useless Clusters on the side of the road? Not a single coed was hurt though we thought they’d lost a couple teeth when we pushed them but later we found out they was already missing the teeth. We hope that improves the way dawgs like RDB think about us.
Semper Fi Braves Fan
September 27th, 2012
9:26 am
I agree we could do worse, with that being said I still believe he is far from one of the better managers in MLB.
As long as BMac is trying to play hurt over a statistically better player is sitting on the bench, and Tommy Hanson continues to pitch every 5th day I will continue to question his reasoning.
reckingball
September 27th, 2012
9:47 am
Gonzalez has done a good job, there have been some of his decision that I have questioned, but the fans don’t know everything that is going on with the team.
Why?
September 27th, 2012
10:12 am
I’m sorry but I can’t agree. How about the 5 games or so he has single handily lost for the Braves? Incorrect pitching matchup in Yankee series. Not playing a,b,c baseball. Or how about him causing Delgado to bulk “remember Fredi yelled step off when Delgado was in his windup?”
Growler
September 27th, 2012
10:13 am
From ChipperisGod: “He pulls pitchers when he needs to, he does not let them flounder as much anymore.”
Uh, I guess that didn’t apply a week ago Tuesday when he left Gearrin in to serve up the winning run in Miami, in a game the Braves scored 3 in the 9th to tie and their defensive shortstop dislocated his shoulder. Remember that one? It was an inexcusable [lack of a] move in a situation where, to catch the Nats, every game is essential. Look, in reading the comments people have talked about personal bashes at Fredi. Those are stupid. All I ever watch is the games, and Fredi’s moves (or lack of), and how they impact the team. And the reason those get mentioned so much in the blogs is they never seem to get mentioned in the AJC game writes. And Mark B., if you’re still reading, it’s fair to say this column could pretty much write itself — -whether or not it’s really accurate.
Why?
September 27th, 2012
10:14 am
I had high hopes Fredi would be gone after this season. But since they “made” the playoffs, it may take another season.
Caseyatthebat
September 27th, 2012
10:18 am
If you count the games Gonzalez mismanaged this year the Braves would b in first place and the Nats would be second. To call this one game elimination a “playoff” is ridiculous. I congratulate them for doing much better this year than last but let’s not get carried away.Earlier this year the question was asked, “Are the playoffs enough?” Evidently, for many here, they are since you’re already handing out accolades. Atlanta fans (and sports writers) reek of a “second-best” attitude. Let’s see how far this thing goes and then comment. With only one game we could be eliminated faster than ever before.
Caseyatthebat
September 27th, 2012
10:21 am
Enter your comments here
Island Bravo
September 27th, 2012
10:42 am
You didn’t mix metaphors. “Stay the course” is nautical in origin, thus fitting with “steering the ship”
Gene
September 27th, 2012
10:46 am
Fredi has gotten the team into the post season. I won’t make him manager of the year quite yet, but he is due all credit for getting the team there. They have as good a shot as any of the Cox teams.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
10:48 am
Mark Bradley: “And let’s say Freeman had bunted. Know who was up next? Uggla, who leads the team in strikeouts. So if Freeman sacrifices and Uggla strikes out, you’ve got a man on third with two out.”
This only points out Fredi’s stupidity even more. No other manager in baseball would be placing Uggla in the 5th or 6th spot in their lineup. In fact, most other managers wouldn’t be playing Dan Uggla right now. Davey Johnson wouldn’t have him anywhere near his “A Team” lineup. Know what spot comes up with runners on base more often than not than any other in a lineup? No, it’s not the clean-up spot, it’s the 5th spot. Just last night the Marlins demonstrated just how ridiculous Fredi’s lineup is with Uggla and McCann hitting in the 5 and 6 spots. They walked Freeman intentionally to load the bases with one out to get to the “mighty” Dan Uggla and Brian McCann. Guess what happened? Oh yeah, they both went down swinging. If Dan Uggla wasn’t anywhere near that spot in the lineup, you wouldn’t have to worry about him striking out in decisive moments or killing rallies on a regular basis.
“The fifth batter is usually a team’s second-best power hitter, and his purpose is often to “protect” the clean-up hitter in the batting order. He is expected to pose enough of a threat that the opposing team refrains from intentionally walking the clean-up hitter in potential scoring situations. The sixth hitter serves as a backup to the fifth hitter in case he fails to score runs or to drive more in himself if another scoring opportunity presents itself.” -Wikipedia
Tell me, Mr. Bradley, is Dan Uggla and Brian McCann accomplishing any of this? Fredi Gonzalez is a moron, end of story.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
10:48 am
>?
Dawgdad (The Original)
September 27th, 2012
10:50 am
Jack G above said it best, they probably won in spite of Fredi. Could they do better than Fredi, probably should have hired Davy Johnson, but they could do worse, i.e., Valentine. His steadiness and patience at times have served him well, i.e. Mike Minor, but at times have kept the Braves from possibly winning the Division. His managing of the BP has been better, but why is Sheets, Delgado, and Tehran not even getting some mop up innings to stay sharp. Why does he refuse to run for the catchers in late innings when he has three on the roster, now. How many games has he cost us by refusing to sit Uggla or pinch hit for him or others in critical situations. How many times has he run Homer Hanson out there, when he had to know in his own mind, that better options were available.
He is a mixed bag to say the least.
Brock
September 27th, 2012
10:53 am
Tonight will most likely be a loss with Hanson on the mound. I say he goes 4 2/3 with one strikeout and at minimum 3 earned runs. One of those being a homer.
Dawgdad (The Original)
September 27th, 2012
10:55 am
It is going to be hilarious to watch the reaction of Mark and the folks so stoked over this playin game, if we lose the one game playoff. All the “good feelings” will have lasted as long as liquid nitrogen sprayed in the air.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2012
11:04 am
Where exactly was I trying to “stick it to” Fredi this season? I recall criticizing one bit of ninth-inning strategy,that after a Sunday afternoon loss to the Orioles in June. I also remember including Fredi’s rationale for not pinch-hitting. Indeed, here is what I wrote:
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/06/17/after-a-wasted-homestand-the-braves-are-in-trouble/
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
11:04 am
@Dawgdad (The Original): Yeah, I really don’t understand all of the grab-a$$ing that is going on over this “playoff” berth.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
11:42 am
I remember that article, and yeah, I still think it reads like you’re calling Gonzalez out. You tiptoe around actually calling him out, but you were clearly bringing up a specific instance where Gonzalez had made a boneheaded decision. So, if that article wasn’t a “call out” what was the point of it? Surely it wasn’t just to criticize that single decision. I would think that you, like most of us fans, were growing tired of seeing the same old sh*t. You point out Fredi’s passive motto, “Gotta tip your cap…” in a manner that certainly doesn’t come across as praise.
Dave
September 27th, 2012
11:46 am
Braves??? Pffftt………it’s football season! Go Falcons and Dawgs! UGA pounds Tennessee and the Birds beat the Panthers into submission. Gonna be a special year!
reckingball
September 27th, 2012
11:49 am
ButterMilk @10:48………….May I suggest that you, read the boxscores and play-play for the Braves games for the month of September, in regards as to what Uggla is doing at this point in the season.
It may help you to understand what you are talking about, and assist you in your quest, to make an intelligent observation.
P Rose
September 27th, 2012
12:05 pm
“Braves??? Pffftt………it’s football season!”
It’s football AND baseball season at the same time — my favorite time of year. I like football, too, but what’s wrong with baseball?
My wife doesn’t care much for baseball, either. I guess it’s a man thing.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
12:27 pm
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ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
12:33 pm
y7ytue65d
WhoCares?
September 27th, 2012
12:36 pm
Wow, Buttermilk quotes Wikipedia, uses mental telepathy to know what another manager would do in specific circumstances and still doesn’t know player stats. It’s good to have opinions unbuttressed by facts, isn’t it? Whatever you think, FG has does a good job this season — maybe not a great one — but he’s earned respect from those who know the game.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
12:38 pm
@reckingball: Please don’t bring up Uggla’s mediocre September and act as if the man is carrying the team on his back. He’s hitting .257 with 2 homers, and 10 runs batted in. That’s hardly impressive considering where he hits in the lineup and who he’s hitting behind.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
12:38 pm
And last night’s play-by-play:
Jose Constanza walks.
With Martin Prado batting, Jose Constanza steals (5) 2nd base.
2.Martin Prado singles on a line drive to right fielder Greg Dobbs. Jose Constanza scores.
3.Jason Heyward singles on a ground ball to right fielder Greg Dobbs. Martin Prado to 3rd.
4.Chipper Jones flies out to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Jason Heyward to 2nd on the throw.
5.Josh Johnson intentionally walks Freddie Freeman.
Coaching visit to mound.
6.Dan Uggla strikes out on a foul tip.
7.Brian McCann strikes out swinging.
ButterMilk Tuesdays
September 27th, 2012
1:07 pm
@WhoCares?: Really don’t see why quoting Wikipedia bothers you seeing how it perfectly articulates what a five and six spot hitter is there to do. But if you prefer to use that against me, so be it. As to you claiming that I know nothing of a player’s stats, it’s nothing more than that, a claim. You know nothing about me, and you have no idea whether I pick apart a player’s stats, splits, monthly production, etc, etc. Whatever YOU think, there are others that continue to see Fredi Gonzalez as an incompetent manager, one that is in over his head, and one that will never possess the ability to lead a team to a championship.
Tree
September 27th, 2012
2:53 pm
It is called a play in game.
The playoffs start after the AL and NL play in games. They must win the play in game in order to make the playoffs.
AGTFan
September 27th, 2012
3:49 pm
I knew this blog would bring out all the Fredi haters. Too funny, how these guys show their total baseball ignorance combined with personal arrogance.
reckingball
September 27th, 2012
4:02 pm
The WC game is a play-off game.
Growler
September 27th, 2012
4:02 pm
Hey AGTFan, I happened to use examples (not hate) to support my argument on Fredi. You fly-by and accuse posters of “total baseball ignorance” and arrogance and then don’t support your own points? That’s the most worthless type of post imaginable.
Dum-Bass
September 27th, 2012
4:42 pm
The wildcard game is technically a “play-in” game to see who the official one wildcard team actually is. Use a little logic and common sense please! It’s so simple! The Braves don’t need to be celebrating anything until they win that one game, then they are OFFICIALLY in! How dense can people, including sportswriters, be?
Dum-Bass
September 27th, 2012
4:46 pm
MB use to have some credibility with me until he wrote this article. The Braves are where they are in spite of inept managing from FG. With 5-6 more wins, which could have been, ATL would be sitting on top of the division with the Gnats, instead of a 50-50 chance at a wildcard slot. Some of you people settle to easily for second place! “Demand success and you usually get it. Accept mediocrity and it’s normally yours”. Enjoy it !!!
flagger
September 27th, 2012
4:57 pm
Lets face it, he has gotten a lot better at managing this team, for a while there i had my doubts, but his use of the bullpen has been much better and his willingness to sit some of the higher paid players a little has helped focus their attitude a little better. With what he has i would give him an A this year.
Frank Wren …don’t pay mega bucks for Brian or Bourne and saddle us with inflated payroll and subpar
performance…ie Uggla
heartofdarkness
September 27th, 2012
5:55 pm
Good job on a well deserved acknowledgement for Fredi and the entire Braves coaching staff. The team appears to enjoy playing for Fredi and his staff, and the team appears to enjoy playing the game. I often think that accomplishment is under-appreciated by many baseball fans. The team has competed from opening day and they deserve to be applauded as the winners they are. Chipper Jones has finished his career as a player in fine style. I hope the pitching and hitting remains strong into November.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
September 27th, 2012
6:20 pm
They’re not “playoff bound” yet, as they haven’t won the wildcard.
In any case, the Braves’ pathetic offense will catch up with them sooner or later. If they should make it to the World Series, they will be going up against a big-boy baseball team that scores runs.
Vic Mackey
September 27th, 2012
7:39 pm
The Braves need to make the following moves in the off season:
1. Trade Brian McCann in the off season to an American League team that has legit prospects…or a Major League player who would be a good fit for our team. McCann would be more valuable to an AL team where he can DH on days he needs resting from behind the plate. Braves fans may not want to hear this..but Brian McCann is not worth $12 mil a year as a National League catcher. His struggles with injuries have made this painfully clear. Trading him in the off season would ensure the Braves got some value from him..as well as free up $12 mil in 2013 payroll.
2. Resign David Ross (three year/$7 mil contract). If the Braves trade McCann in the off season, Ross would be in a position to start the majority of the games in 2013…..making him deserving of the pay raise.
3. Give Christian Bethancourt a serious look in Spring Training of 2013. He wouldnt have to be counted on to carry a full load. He can share the position with David Ross and learn from a classy professional. If Bethancourt needs a year in Triple A….there are other serviceable options out there who can fill in for a year, sharing the job with Ross.
4. Seriously consider packaging a trade that sends Tommy Hanson and Dan Uggla to a team like the Dodgers (or Red Sox). The Dodgers have a gaping hole at 2nd..and need starting pitching. Uggla is going to cost us $13 mil in each of the next 3 years. Tommy Hanson is in line for a HUGE raise via arbitration (he will cost easily $5 mil in 2013)….even though I feel his best days are behind him (mechanics are terrible, takes 100 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings, etc.). That said, the Dodgers are under pressure to win in 2013…and making a move like this would give them hope they are shoring up their lineup and starting rotation…while freeing up $18 mil (Uggla’s and Hanson’s combined salary) from our 2013 payroll.
5. Non-tender Jair Jurrjens. No brainer. Saves $5.5 mil (his 2012 salary).
6. Let Michael Bourn walk. I know, he’s our lead-off. However I feel that he’s not going to be worth the over $10 mil a year plus he is surely to command in free agency.
7, Go after both Josh Hamilton in free agency. Sure, Hamilton is a risk due to his past off the field issues. However, dude is a flat out beast on the field. Plugging him into the #3 slot of the order would take a lot of pressure off of Heyward and Freeman. I’d like to see the Braves offer him somewhere along the lines of a 6 year/$140 mil contract ($24 mil a year).
8. Go after Cody Ross to be our left fielder and provide some right handed power. After making only $3 mil in 2012 for a losing Boston team….he will surely be open to leaving and getting paid to play for a winning team. 21 homers and 77 RBIs would look good in our lineup. I’m sure that a contract along the lines of 3 years/$24 mil would put him in a Braves uniform in 2013.
9. Find someone to play 3rd or 2nd base (depending on whether the Braves want Prado to play 2nd or 3rd). Given the trade options…..the Braves should be able to find someone to fill the hole.
10. Let both Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz walk. Both couldnt hit their way out of a paper bag at this point in their careers.
Projected Braves 2013 lineup:
1. Martin Prado (2nd or 3rd)
2. Jason Heyward (RF)
3. Josh Hamilton (CF)
4. Freddie Freeman (1st)
5. Cody Ross (LF)
6. ———(whoever they get to play 2nd or 3rd)
7. Andrelton Simmons (SS)
8. David Ross/Christian Betantcourt (C)
9. Kris Medlen
If the Braves decide to keep Dan Uggla…then pencil him in the #6 slot (making the line-up a foregone conclusion).
Chop Chop
September 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
I’ll give the bulk of the credit to Heyward, Freeman, Chipper, Prado, Medlen, and Kimbrel. Fredi deserves some, but he shouldn’t have been bawling after making the playoffs unless what we’ve been saying on the Internet really has gotten to him that much.
Vic Mackey
September 27th, 2012
8:57 pm
92 pitches through 5 1/3 innings for Tommy Hanson. Time to tax the bullpen once again, Tommy.
man and dog
September 28th, 2012
7:34 am
OK – Let’s win the World Series and then fire Fredi.
Don Sutton's wine glass
September 28th, 2012
7:40 am
not a big fan of Fredi Gonzalez but give the man some credit. especially after last year’s ending. It could be worse just asked the Red Sox fans about Bobby V.
Hiawassee
September 28th, 2012
8:27 am
AMEN! FInally, credit is given where credit is due. Go Braves!
What
September 28th, 2012
10:30 am
Credit steady Fredi…lol!
Someone been smoking the stuff?
What
September 28th, 2012
10:32 am
Before play-off is over everyone will be after Fredi’s head.
But I pray not..hope he gets lucky.