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Maybe It’s Time For Bobby To Call It A HOF Career
Written by Kent on June 15, 2009 – 1:52 pmI love Bobby Cox, so it is hard for me to say this… but I would like for this to be his last season.
There are two facets to being a big league manager: Leadership, and strategy.
As a leader, there isn’t a better one anywhere in baseball. Players love playing for Bobby Cox, and respond to him. The Braves have even been able to attract or retain certain players in large part because of their desire to play for Bobby. How often do you hear of infighting or soap opera-like drama in a Bobby Cox clubhouse? The leadership facet being a manager is often overlooked by fans. It shouldn’t be. It’s hard to quantify how leadership translates into wins, but it does.
On the other hand, as a strategist, Bobby is NOT the best in the business. Far from it. He CONTINUALLY leaves pitchers in the game entirely too long. Case in point: Saturday night, when Eric O’Flaherty allowed the first two runners to reach, and obviously didn’t have his best stuff/control that evening, with a right-handed hitter at the plate… it was time to bring the hook. But he waited 2 hitters too long, and by the time he made his way to the mound, Atlanta’s 4-2 lead had been squandered. Then he stuck with Peter Moylan longer than he should have as well, which resulted in the Orioles putting the game all but out of reach.
He did the very same thing in the first game of the recent home series vs. the Pirates. He stayed with Moylan WAY too long in the late innings of that game. I’ve wondered if he was simply trying to save the bullpen by leaving a pitcher on the mound a little longer than many feel he should. But in the particular game I just mentioned against Pittsburgh, the result was 15-inning marathon contest. I don’t think that did much to help the bullpen.
Another for-instance is Bobby’s handling of starter, Javier Vazquez. When he arrived in Atlanta, I heard several commentators say “One thing about Vazquez… when he loses it, he loses it quickly. You have to recognize that point and bring the hook immediately!” Apparently, the Braves announcers received a memo that Bobby never saw. Several times this season, he continued to ride Vazquez after it was painfully clear that he had lost his edge. And the results weren’t good.
Then you have Cox’s mind-boggling decision to use Rafael Soriano (and Mike Gonzalez) Friday night WITH A 5-RUN LEAD for the second consecutive night; the 4th time in 5 days (including a 2-inning outing); and the 6th time in 8 days. Again, WITH A FIVE $%^&*# RUN LEAD!!!
I’m not second-guessing these decisions, I FIRST-guessed them. I was yelling at the TV each time at that very moment. “Bring the hook, damnit!!!!” But time after time, he would wait until the lead had been surrendered, or the opposing team had put the game out of reach. It’s been maddening to watch, to say the least.
Bobby Cox is one of most well loved and respected men in baseball. As well he should be. When his number is deservedly retired at Turner Field, I’ll be on my feet with every other Braves fan to applaud all that he has meant to the city of Atlanta and the game of baseball. He’s as great a leader as the game has ever known. But… in my very humble opinion, he’s a substandard strategist. And I can’t help but wonder how many wins his mishandling of the pitching staff has cost the Braves this year.
Maybe I’m wrong. I have to admit, my own words sound pretentious to me. Who the hell am I to act like I have a better handle on how to use a pitching staff than a Hall Of Fame manager. But I tend to think that other HOF managers (take Tony Larussa, for example) wouldn’t be so patient to a fault. They would bring the hook as soon as it became apparent that a pitcher doesn’t have what takes to get the necessary outs that day (assuming there are better options in the ‘pen).
I love Bobby, but I think it might be in the best interest of the Atlanta Braves if he calls it a Hall Of Fame career this winter, and hangs ‘em up. Like I said, maybe I’m wrong, but that’s honestly the way I feel, with all due respect to truly great man.
The thought of Greg Maddux as Braves skipper intrigues me when BC retires. Whaddya think?
Posted in General | 16 Comments »
By Jeremy on Jun 15, 2009 | Reply
I have been saying this for the last few years…Bobby time has passed and its time for him to step hang it up…Thanks for everything Bobby………
By Jose Cerrato on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
Bobby is the Braves' manager before I was even born so as you said I'm nobody to think I can handle the bullpen better than him, but I do think if Bobby keeps using Gonzo and Soriano the same way he's been using them so far they're gonna be burned out by September.
By Jose Cerrato on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
Bobby is the Braves' manager before I was even born so as you said I'm nobody to think I can handle the bullpen better than him, but I do think if Bobby keeps using Gonzo and Soriano the same way he's been using them so far they're gonna be burned out by September.
By Jose Cerrato on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
Bobby is the Braves' manager before I was even born so as you said I'm nobody to think I can handle the bullpen better than him, but I do think if Bobby keeps using Gonzo and Soriano the same way he's been using them so far they're gonna be burned out by September.
By Darryl on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
I too have loved Bobby Cox but feel maybe it's time to admit that you may be right.
Personally, I believe that Chipper would make a great manager when he decides to hang it up. At the very least an excellent hitting coach.
But in the mean time, maybe Eddie Perez? I've also heard that TP is the heir apparent to manage after Bobby retires.
By Jeff on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
I have to disagree about Bobby Cox, I agree that he may not be the best when it comes to strategy decisions but I think that has been the case all along. It is just more noticeable when we aren't winning games. The reason we aren't winning games though is not because of Bobby its because of our horrible offense.
By bnix on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
He's a great. He's a hall of famer. He's a legend. But his time has passed. I want a manager who understands the value of knowing a players VORP in addition to trusting scouts. It's time to merge the old school with some new school. Also, I'd really like to see Manny Acta or someone like him over a TP.
By Mike on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
Something has to change. The club has no spark no drive. They look as if they know the game is lost before the first pitch. The only spark i've seen is when they come from behind (rare) to win a close game. Perhaps a new batting coach to replace TP might increase the OB% of this lackluster team.
By Kent on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
I'm not blaming Bobby for the lack off offense, or the games lost as a result of games lost because of the offensive deficiencies. I only hold him accountable for the poor decisions he's made with the bullpen, which HAVE resulted in losses this year. I get not joy from saying anything about Bobby Cox. I love the guy. But I think we'd be at or above .500 right now, even with the substandard offense, if not for poor decisions made with the Braves' pitching staff.
By josh on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
I think Bobby will hang it up this year or next and hand it over to Terry Pendelton. I think that is plan for now.
By josh on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
I think Bobby will hang it up this year or next and hand it over to Terry Pendelton. I think that is the plan for now.
By Braves fan forever on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
Ned Yost would make the Braves a great team,Bobby Cox is not the problem with the team,the Brave are being cheap,we need a gm and Ned Yost
By Kent on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
I respectfully disagree. The Braves are spending close to 100 million this year, which in this economy, not in a huge market, is pretty good. The ownership is not being cheap at all. And Frank Wren's acquisitions have generally been very, very good so far. Jurrjens and G.Hernandez for Renteria… one of the best trades in Braves history. He made a deal for Ohman and Infante that worked out quite nicely. And the consensus around baseball is that the McLouth trade was a VERY nice deal for Wren and the Braves. Not Wren's fault that KJ and Frenchy are killing the offense. Nor is it Bobby's fault. Bobby Cox is not THE problem here. I agree with that. But the fact remains that his handling of the pitching staff has been ONE of the problems with this team.
By bnix on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
Kent, I couldn't have said it better. Cox brought us some incredible baseball, but it's time to move on. Our GM is doing a good job, players are letting Cox down, but it's still time to move on and get a younger manager.
By Grant on Jun 18, 2009 | Reply
If the team were hitting better (or at least more consistently in terms of run production), this discussion about the pen wouldn't even be taking place. Managing a bullpen doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is available every single night:, this isn't a video game. Gonzo and Soriano have to get regular work which sometimes includes non-save situations. At least in the case of Gonzalez in the 6/12 game, he had not worked in 3 days which is about as many days as you'd want your "closer" going without seeing live hitters. When they or just about any other relief pitcher works 2-out-of-3 or even 3+ consecutive nights then you will often see them be given the night off or used only in extra-inning necessity. I find it hard to believe that you can pass off the offensive side long enough to find fault with the way Bobby is handling the pen as a chief reason the Braves don't have a better record.
By JAY on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
SURE BOBBY IS NOT TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING BUT HE'S THE ONE CALLING THE SHOTS. BOBBY NEEDS TO GO!! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GONE AT LEAST 3 YRS AGO…AND NO, TERRY SHOULD NOT BE THE MANAGER, HE'S NOT EVEN A GOOD BATTING COACH!! THE BRAVES NEED SOMEONE WITH BALLS, AGRESSIVE AND NEW IDEAS. THERE'S NO PASSION IN THAT DOGOUT EXCEPT FOR MCCAN AND PRADO. BESIDES THOSE TWO, NO ONE, I MEAN NO ONE SHOWS ANY DESIERE TO WIN