Falconsfan567 Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 Words of wisdom for Atlanta: Patience, Fredi, patiencePosted on 29 February 2012.Written by: Joseph LawskySo, it’s officially begun. Middle Florida is a hotbed of activity, and the stories are already coming in. But in between the stories about Chipper Jones‘ weight, Freddie Freeman‘s knee and Tommy Hanson‘s head, there’s a story that hasn’t been addressed that I think deserves some conversation before the season starts. That conversation is all about Fredi Gonzalez. Obviously, the players put in the work and suffer the consequences of what happens on the field, but the manager plays a serious role out there.If you read my last article, you know I’m an unabashed Braves fan, and it goes without saying that I’m an unabashed Bobby Cox fan. I’ll keep the discussion about him brief, since, like all Braves fans, it is time to look forward to the future of this team. But what I truly appreciated about Cox’ approach to managing was his patience. He put a lot of trust in his players to not only get the job done, but to face their mistakes head on and find their own ways out of tough situations. This served many purposes; most importantly, that players learn from their mistakes and build confidence in themselves.For the rest of this article, you are going to have to trust me. There aren’t many articles that I could find, but as someone who watched, listened or went to 95 percent (unofficial number) of the Braves’ games last season, I feel quite confident moving forward here.Fredi Gonzalez was, in my opinion, the obvious choice to replace Cox when the position opened up. I say that because he had handled young talent in Florida with the Marlins, but more importantly, he had shared the bench with Bobby for a few years and was a good candidate to bring that same approach to the game.I can’t say for sure that he was the best choice, but it certainly made sense. Last year, however, I wasn’t impressed with Fredi’s handling of a few things, most significantly the pitching staff.I will admit his back was up against a rough and uncomfortable wall last season — dealing with Dan Uggla‘s hitting struggles, trying to get Jason Heyward back on track and the bevy of injuries that sidelined some of the Braves’ strongest players. That said, he still went about those tasks like someone was breathing over his shoulder. His adjustments in the batting order to try and spark the right combination were inventive, but they never had time to gel and start producing the way he wanted to because as soon as he changed it, he would change it again.But this article is more about the pitching staff, especially considering that some of the go-to pitchers down the stretch started failing in situations that used to be right in their wheelhouses. Jonny Venters, also known to some as “Everyday Jonny,” struggled through September, after having a dominant season until then. Gonzalez expressed concerns that he had thrown Jonny too much and it had taken its toll. But his response was to start giving Venters days off, when Jonny thrived throwing at least five days a week. Being a breaking ball pitcher, his ball broke more with more work, so his having three days off in a row hurt more than helped.In addition, when pitchers found themselves in a jam while on the mound, after the requisite visit from Roger McDowell, Gonzalez didn’t give them much of a chance to dig their way out. I remember more than one game when Tim Hudson, a contact pitcher, would find himself later in the game with a growing pitch count and two men on base, but still with a handle on the game. He would record an out, starting to dig himself out and Gonzalez would make his way to the mound, much to Hudson’s dismay. Actually, it could have even been called downright anger. Huddy’s a veteran, and as a veteran, it is important to him to prove himself every time he takes the mound.Obviously, this is the manager’s dilemma; knowing when the time is right to change pitchers, switch a batting order and put in a pinch-hitter, among many other decisions game in and game out. As I said, this is solely my opinion. But I do think that Fredi has to begin making better decisions this season. He needs to put more trust in his players on the field and have their backs at all times. Especially this year, with veterans trying to show their worth through their age, and young players trying to prove themselves not just to their teammates and their city, but to the rest of major league baseball as well. There is a plethora of talent in Atlanta this year, and they are going to need a true figurehead to lead them to October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 I agree with everything said here. I'll never understand why Fredi thought it was a good idea to publicly call out Freddie Freeman early last season after Freeman took a called 3rd strike to end a game on a pitch that should have been called a ball. Bobby would have never done that especially with a rookie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Fredi wasnt ready to announce the rest of his pitching plans yet but he may tomorrowFredi did say the other starters for the first week of action will come out of a pool of Jurrjens, Beachy, Teheran, Delgado and Medlen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 There is a really good video on Braves.com where Freddie Freeman is talking about his knee and he said that he's not worried about it and has a brace for it that he's going to start wearing now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Braves announced the Spring rotationMinorJurrjensDelgado/TeheranMedlenBeachyHanson is slated to take Medlens spot once hes up to speed and ready to start a spring gameAlso the Tigers will throw Fister and Scherzer in the 2 game set against the Braves to start spring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.C. Collins Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yay Baseball! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 Braves announced the Spring rotationMinorJurrjensDelgado/TeheranMedlenBeachyHanson is slated to take Medlens spot once hes up to speed and ready to start a spring gameAlso the Tigers will throw Fister and Scherzer in the 2 game set against the Braves to start springAccording to DOB this rotation sets it up to where JJ will be the opening day starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Lineup will feature most of the starters except of course Freeman, Fredi said today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 First lineup of the season1. Bourn2. Prado3. Chipper4. McCann5. Uggla6. Hinske7. Heyward8. Diaz DH9. Pastornicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 First lineup of the season1. Bourn2. Prado3. Chipper4. McCann5. Uggla6. Hinske7. Heyward8. Diaz DH9. PastornickyI'll post updates from MLB.com and Twitter in between watching the Yankees/Phillies game on MLB Network on tv and watching Nascar on my brother's laptop. Can't listen to the spring games here in Bama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 SATURDAY MARCH 3RDTIGERS LINEUP1. Austin Jackson - CF2. Brennan Boesch - RF3. Miguel Cabrera - 3B4. Prince Fielder - 1B5. Jhonny Peralta - SS6. Clete Thomas - LF [WAR EAGLE BABY!]7. Brandon Inge - 2B8. Gerald Laird - C9. Jerad Head - DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Fredi announced the rest of the pitchers today its Martinez, Varvaro, Vizcaino, Russell and Cordier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 For the first time ever the Braves are wearing their home white jerseys for home spring games. Well wear the blue spring jerseys for road games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 1ST INNINGMike Minor pitching for BravesAustin Jackson strikes out looking. 1 Out.Brennan Boesch strikes out swinging. 2 Outs.Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 1ST INNINGDoug Fister pitching for TigersMichael Bourn foul out to LF. 1 Out.Martin Prado groundout to 1-3. 2 Outs.Chipper Jones ground out 4-3. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 2ND INNINGPrince Fielder singles to center.Jhonny Peralta lines out to LF. 1 Out.Clete Thomas flies out to RF. 2 Outs.Brandon Inge walks. Fielder to 2B.Gerald Laird flies out to LF. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 2ND INNINGDoug Fister pitching for TigersBrian McCann grounds out to 2nd. 1 Out.Dan Uggla pops out to 2nd. 2 Outs.Eric Hinske walks.Jason Heyward lines out to 2nd. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 3RD INNINGAnthony Varvaro pitching for BravesJared Head homers to LF. 1-0 Tigers.Austin Jackson singles.Brennan Boesch lines into a 5-3 double play. 2 Outs.Miguel Cabrera fouls out to 1B. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 3RD INNINGJacob Turner pitching for the Tigers.Matt Diaz fouls out to LF. 1 Out.Tyler Pasornicky grounds out to SS. 2 Outs.Michael Bourn strikes out swinging. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 4TH INNINGArodys Vizcaino pitching for BravesPrince Fielder singles to RF.Jhonny Peralta singles to RF. Fielder forced out at 2B. 1 Out.Clete Thomas singles to RF. Peralta to 2B.Brandon Inge strikes out. 2 Outs.Gerald Laird grounds out to 3B. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 4TH INNINGDavid Pauley pitching for TigersMartin Prado pops out to 2B. 1 Out.Chipper Jones walks.Brian McCann walksDan Uggla flies out to RF. 2 Outs.Eric Hinske grounds out to 2B. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 5TH INNINGCristhian Martinez pitching for BravesBrandon Hicks playing 3BJ.C. Boscan playing CJosh Wilson playing 2BJared Head strikes out swinging. 1 Out.Austin Jackson strikes out swinging. 2 Outs.Brennan Boesch grounds out to Hinske. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 5TH INNINGDaniel Schlereth pitching for TigersJason Heyward grounds out to SS. 1 Out.Matt Diaz grounds out to 1B. 2 Outs.Tyler Pastornicky strikes out looking. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Its only spring but getting no-hit is not the way to start it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 6TH INNINGAdam Russell pitching for BravesErnesto Mejia playing 1BJordan Parraz playing RFMiguel Cabrera fouls out to Mejia. 1 Out.Prince Fielder walks.Ryan Strieby running for Fielder at 1B.Jhonny Peralta singles to LF. Strieby to 2B.Argenis Diaz running for Peralta at 1B.Clete Thomas called out on strikes. 2 Outs.Brandon Inge lines out to Mejia. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 6TH INNINGCollin Balester pitching for Tigers.Quintin Berry playing CF.Justin Henry playing RF.Audy Ciriaco playing 3B.Ryan Strieby playing 1B.Argenis Diaz playing SS.Matt Young playing LF.Danny Worth playing 2B.Rob Brantly playing C.Michael Bourn grounds out to SS. 1 Out.Martin Prado pops out to 2B. 2 Outs.Brandon Hicks grounds out. 3 Outs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Its only spring but getting no-hit is not the way to start itIt's downright depressing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 7TH INNINGDusty Hughes pitching for BravesLuis Durango playing CF.Jose Constanza playing LF.Drew Sutton playing SSRob Brantly singles.Jerad Head grounds in 6-4-3 double play. 2 Outs.Quintin Berry singles.Justin Henry flies out to Constanza. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 7TH INNINGPhil Coke pitching for TigersJ.C. Boscan walks.Josh Wilson grounds into 5-4-3 double play. 2 Outs.Ernesto Mejia flies out to CF. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young mr. grace Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Picking up where we left off last year. Couldn't score a run if it was gift wrapped and delivered on a silver platter. Can't even get a hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 TOP 8TH INNINGErik Cordier pitching for BravesAudy Ciriaco singles to LF.Ryan Strieby singles to RF. Ciriaco to 3B.Argenis Diaz hits sac fly to RF. Ciriaco scores. 1 Out. 2-0 TigersMatt Young lines out to Constanza. 2 Outs.Danny Worth walks. Strieby to 2B.Rob Brantly grounds out to 1B. 3 Outs.BOTTOM 8TH INNINGChris Bootcheck pitching for TigersJordan Parraz singles to RF.Matt Diaz grounds into 4-6-3 double play. 2 Outs.Drew Sutton grounds out to 2nd. 3 Outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Guy Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I know it's first spring training game, but seriously no hits through 7 innings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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