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DEL.ICIO.USReitsma will be just fine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
That mighty sigh of relief you heard Friday night from the direction of 755 Hank Aaron Drive was created by the choppers and the chanters after John Smoltz, the Hall of Fame starter, also performed his former role of John Smoltz, the Hall of Fame closer. In case you haven’t figured it out by now, that means he threw every inning of the Braves’ 6-2 victory over the absolutely wretched Nationals.
Three up, three down for the visitors from Washington in the top of a ninth inning that lasted about as long as it took for the first burst of fireworks at Turner Field to brighten the dark sky in the aftermath.
Translated: No Chris Reitsma, no meltdown, no reason to wonder if Smoltz can pitch every game the rest of the season in this dual role for the Braves.
Not to worry if you’re among those choppers and chanters, though. Sometimes, I get these hunches. For instance: You might have to choose between filling your gas tank and paying the mortgage this summer, and Reitsma will be just fine as the Braves’ closer. Presumably the latter will happen in this century. Well, that and before the New York Mets (or the Philadelphia Phillies, for that matter) get such a ridiculous lead in the National League East by then that it won’t matter.
Thus the question: Exactly when during this century will Reitsma make the transformation from great to brutal to great again after he consistently takes the mound during the clutch?
Don’t know. This is what we do know about Reitsma in the midst of his horrific struggles that have produced a 7.43 ERA, opponents ripping his pitches for a .351 batting average and seven blown saves in his past 13 opportunities.
We know that he’s no Dan Kolb, and that is pretty good. For one, Reitsma doesn’t have to sink (literally, since Kolb is a sinkerball pitcher) or swim with a single pitch. His wonderful change-up and decent curveball get even better during his appearances, courtesy of the flames around his fastball. For another, when it comes to Reitsma as the anti-Kolb, he actually is giving himself a chance these days to recover from his woes sooner than later. That’s because Reitsma is doing something that Kolb foolishly refused to do last year during his first and only season with the Braves.
Reitsma is hugging the greatness that is Smoltz in the Braves’ clubhouse instead of ignoring it.
“I talk to John almost every day, if not every day,” said Reitsma, nodding across the way toward Smoltz’s locker that hasn’t moved forever. It might as well have been located on the other side of Mars when Kolb was around, because his pride wouldn’t allow him to walk the four or five giant steps in that direction. Kolb needed to make that trip often after arriving from Milwaukee as Smoltz’s designated successor as closer and failing miserably from the start. Instead of huddling with the highly approachable Smoltz — who, among other things, is either 1a or 1b as the smartest player in the game and became just the sixth pitcher ever to post three consecutive 40-save seasons — Kolb said he preferred to struggle alone.
Whatever. Before long, Kolb lost his closer’s job to Reitsma and then to Kyle Farnsworth, and then he was back in Milwaukee.
Reitsma doesn’t plan to go anywhere but back to prominence as a closer — you know, when he isn’t seeking advice from Smoltz about everything.
“Whenever you have the opportunity to work with somebody who has that kind of a track record, you want to pick his brain,” Reitsma said. “It’s foolish not to take advantage of that situation, and John and I already are good buddies, so things sort of just come up whenever we’re eating dinner or whatever it might be.”
Said Smoltz, “It’s just a matter of him getting those weapons of his in the right sequence. Chris’ deal is going to come down to the mental adjustment of how do I become successful in a negative environment? That’s really what he deals with more than anything else, because right away — before he’s taken the role — people are saying, ‘Oh, man. The bullpen is horrible.’”
Unfortunately, those people have been correct so far. Now it’s time for Reitsma to prove them wrong. Smoltz says he will, and whatever Smoltz says is fine with me.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By uga4ever
May 13, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this
I honestly do not understand how Reitsma struggles so much. He does have good stuff. I guess it is his location. Anyways, I still fully expect for the Braves to be on top towards the end. If Reitsma doesn’t get it together soon, we are in trouble. I don’t doubt Bobby and never will. His track record speaks for itself. I trust he will make the right decisions.
By Joe Roman
May 13, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this
Thanks to Bobby Cox, the one thing that separates the Braves from the rest is their mental make-up. Look around. You’ll see virtually every other team has a dugout that looks like a funeral in search of a dearly departed. Meanwhile, the Braves are having fun and treating each other as friends. Reitsma is smart enough to pick up on that. Kolb wasn’t. Terance is right. Hanging out with Smoltz might not get Reitsma right, but it sure won’t hurt. There’s a lot more to baseball than talent. It really is men playing a boy’s game. Cox fosters the atmosphere that makes it easier for the Braves to remember the most important thing about the game. Baseball is supposed to be fun. The odds are pretty good the Mets will crack under the pressure, the Phils too. The Braves may not make it, but pressure won’t be the reason.
By Adel Purvis
May 13, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Reitsma may be suffering from trying too hard at time to be perfect…I remember Smoltz’ first save opportunity not exactly spectacular. Reitsma will have his opportunity until the All-star break. I believe we would be better served to try and land another starter and work Sosa into a mean closer’s role. His struggles this year usually have occurred in the 6th inning, maybe Rameriez will return to shore up our starting rotation and Sosa will be allowed to transcend his role. At any rate there are no reasons to panic or worry about the Braves. If they fail this year so what, they have been good for a long time!
By br
May 13, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this
Uh, Mr. Moore, respectfully you are one delusional man!
By cooper
May 13, 2006 02:06 AM | Link to this
Rietsma’s nice guy, canadian demeanor isn’t ever going to strike fear into any opposing batters. He needs to grow a moustache and look and act meaner. Batters need to know that he might just put a 94mph fastball under their chin and would kick their a**es too if they thought about rushing the mound. In the last inning or two, hitters have more pressure on them to start a rally with time running out. They have a lot of anxiety about making the last out and letting the fans down, but instead of taking advantage of that, Riestsma looks like he’s the one who’s afraid (that he’s going to blow the save). He needs to be having dinner more often with Bob Gibson or Nolan Ryan…add a knockdown pitch to that changeup and curveball. I seem to remember Smoltz working with a phychologist in the 90’s to help get a more unshakeable mentality. I think that might be helpful for his friend Chris, too.
By Kent Nelson
May 13, 2006 06:21 AM | Link to this
Terence, you do know dont you that Reitsma is white?
By HEAD COACH
May 13, 2006 06:37 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore , your a funny guy. I agree Reitsma is a superb talent , but so are 500 other pitchers in the majors. It takes more than talent and God given athletic ability. A truly great closer has the guts of a burgler and demeanor of a bulldog along with the ability to forget the game pitched the night before regardless of the outcome. Reitsma doesnt have the mental and emotional make up for a closer and never will. He is a solid middle inning guy , nothing more. You say he has three pitches , maybe somebody could convert him to a starter ?
By Bookie
May 13, 2006 07:26 AM | Link to this
Put Wilson Betemit at first and trade Laroach for a closer and we get number 15.
By Mark Waters
May 13, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
Terence: Are you ok? Could I have actually read this article correctly. Come on Terence GET REAL! Chris Reitsma could not close a game for the Pulaski Braves. You did make one correct comment by saying that Reitsma is “no Dan Kolb”. That is correct he is Chris Reitsma and once you get out of your fantasy world you will see that Reitsma is just as bad or worse than Kolb. Having a closer like Retisma is a serious problem for the Braves that needs to be fixed soon. FYI: Reitsma talking to Smoltz about his pitching problems does not help. Reitsma had 1-1/2 good months for the Braves. All of the other months have been dreadful. The Braves cannont wait until the July 31st deadline to pick up a closer or it may be too late. Although most Atlanta fans consider winning the Division title each year as successful, I don’t. The goal is to win the World Series and with Reitsma as the closer that will not happen again this year.
By Ty
May 13, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this
Terrence, Chris is white. That is why he can’t get the job done.
By TD
May 13, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this
there is no way I would want Reitsma on the line in a game that really matters protecting a one run lead. Rarely, have I seen him get 3 outs in a row. And I have never seen him as “great.” When, exactly, was he “great?” or maybe we are using two entirely different standards for defining the word.
By DrBert
May 13, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I would have to say that former Brave Greg Maddux would be at the top of the list as the smartest pitcher in the game.
By mountain_jim
May 13, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
Reitsma ie. Reeksma and will not get better.
Time for plan B.
mj
By cd
May 13, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Hey Bookie, trade LaRoche for a closer??? What…do you want Kolb back? That’s the quality closer we would get for LaRoche, and that might be stretching it too. We’d have to put him in a package with the likes of Andruw to get somebody to take him off our hands.
By Ben T. Wood
May 13, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Well let’s get something straight here about the Reeksma thing…
Leo couldn’t fix him…. so if Leo could not fix a Reeksma was he really the pitching coach God he was hailed to be?
So far Roger hasn’t fixed him….
Maybe he needs Smoltzies pschrink to wear his red shirt and spend much time with him? Worked for John boy now didn’t it?
Off Topic here but seems like I heard last week that Baltimore had the worst pitching stats in the American League… funny thing happened on the way to Baltimore… Leo’s considerable resume did not instantly transform that bunch…
Maybe if I had been the pitching coach rockin’ next to Bobby from ‘91 on with the likes of Glavine, Smoltz, Maddox and the supporting cast… maybe I would be making 1/2 a Mil this year instead of Leo?
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
May 13, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry Reitsma is not the answer. Some guys have the makeup for being a closer and some don’t. Reitsma doesn’t. Its nothing against him personally. It is just the way it is. You have to have a certain fire and confidence to be closer. That is why eventually Joey Devine will be an excellent closer and Smoltz was so good. Look at Curt Schilling. He was horrible as closer. Why? It just isn’t in his makeup. Closers are intimidating. When hitters looked out at Smoltz and saw that glare, it scared them a little. They would never admit it but it did. If you don’t have the look, then you have to have the pitch. Insert Mariano Rivera. That cutter of Rivera’s causes hitters to have nightmares. The fact is Reitsma is not intimidating looking nor does he have that one pitch that makes you shiver a bit. If our hopes rely on Reitsma, when the Mets have Wagner then we are in trouble. I still say Sosa is the guy from within. His fastball intimidates hitters. Watch tonight and see. The problem is by the 3rd and 4th inning that fastball loses it steam and he is just another Triple A pitcher forced to be a starter.
By gobraves06
May 13, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Reeksmuch sucks. He is not a closer.
By gobraves06
May 13, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
Reeksmuch sucks. He is not a closer.
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
May 13, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this
Leo is a great pitching coach but lets not forget that Bobby had something to do with his success and he had talented pitchers. Leo was good at making them better by best utilizing their talents. In Baltimore Leo has little to work with. I think pitching and hitting coaches sometimes can be overrated. They can’t make untalented people better. They can take talented hitters and teach them how to be better. You want a case in point. Francoeur, Andruw, and Langerhans all had holes in their game and TP has made them better. LaRoche, on the other hand, can’t make contact no matter how pretty that swing is and not the Babe himself could change that.
By Alex
May 13, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
So Chris should grow a beard, his hair and then what? I don’t see Mariano Rivera as a “bada**” on the mound, but he’s one of the best closers of all time. It’s not your physical appearance that counts…it’s your stuff and mental toughness. That’s what makes a good pitcher a solid closer.
Chris needs to learn to locate his fastball better it doesn’t have movement on it and MLB hitters can hit that no matter what speed it comes at you and use his other pitches smarter and more frequently.
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
May 13, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
Alex, that is why I said if you don’t have the look then you need the pitch. The only reason Rivera has been so successful is that he has the cutter. If that cutter isn’t working, he is in trouble. Ask the Red Sox in ‘04 they will tell you. Reitsma fastball has no movement. I don’t care how hard you throw. Any decent hitter will time it and crush it. Reitsma doesn’t even have confidence in himself. When he walks out to the mound, he walks as if he is a 14 year old being dragged to church. He doesn’t inspire confidence in his teamates. I don’t care what they say. The Braves players have the same look on their face that the Bulls had when Pete Myers walked on the floor replacing Micheal Jordan. The look that says, “you have got to be kidding. this is who are hopes of winning are on.”
By Alex
May 13, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
True, I have noticed him on the mound, after he gives up a hit, or a walk, his confidence goes way down. It’s like he believes he has to throw a perfect pitch, or he’ll get crushed. That is not a closer’s mindset. You have to believe you have the stuff to get guys out, even when you aren’t at your best. That’s what made John Smoltz so successful as a closer, plus his never give up attitude and it doesn’t hurt to have 4-5 out pitches.
The Braves are definitely in trouble with this bullpen…it maybe the worst one I’ve seen in the last 10 years. They just seem to be “waiting” on something miraculous to happen, and for the pitchers to start pitching like all stars, but if they can’t, they never will.
Lets hope for our sake that our Starters continue to do well someone please do something with Sosa, he is single handedly putting this team in the whole every time he pitches and that John S. will make a trade soon to get us some much needed help.
By The Grinch
May 13, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
Good analogy, Robert. When I’m watching a game, whether alone or with a roomful of friends, every time the camera cuts to Reitsma warming up there’s a collective groan and forehead slap. You shouldn’t have to pop a xanax everytime you hear his name. Real closers (Wagner, Hoffman, Rivera) have the opposing team’s fans filing towards the exits when their theme music starts up. However, as long as the Braves are owned by a multi-conglomerate corporation there will be no signing of a real closer without having to give up one or more irreplaceable players at another position. True sailing appears to be dead. Hope this Colorado group proves me wrong.
By Steve
May 13, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
What I think would be genius is to get BRAD LIDGE when he is struggling like right now. All he needs is to go to a new place like Atlanta, settle down and he’ll do fine. He is amazing and he has had a little rough stretch and Phil “Moneterey Jack” Garner took him out of the closers role “temporarily” and for example….He put Lidge in last night when the Astros were winning 12-2!!!! Lidge is p** and is acting like he is cool about the whole temporary middle relief role but he is not cool with it at all. I know the Astros are nervous but if I were Schuerholz I would trade Salty and LaRoche for him in a second. Look up his numbers and we all know what he has done to the Braves the last 2 postseasons and other teams for that matter….What are the Braves gonna move McCann??!!! NEVER….He is here to stay for another 18 years and I LOVE it. That .350 BA and great eye look phenomenal!!! And the Astros need a 1rst baseman and Catcher as Ausmus wont cut it for too much longer. Lidge is only 29 and we can use him long term and with a closer the Braves will be a COMPLETE team for once!!!!! I would do that in a heartbeat. There is no room for Salty and the Astros would take LaRoche’s .260 25 and 80 RBI in a second and I say now is the time to stick Wilson in at 1rst and groom him as a 1rst baseman ASAP!
By Blake
May 13, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Steve,
I agree that Lidge is good, but I think you are overvaluing a closer.I dont think you move your top prospect and starting 1B for a closer, ever.
By Steve
May 13, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
What is ATL gonna do with Salty…There is NO room….Also should LaRoche be a starter?? C’mon now this is a steal in my eyes as a closer is invaluable when it comes to clutch situations!! Honestly, with Betemit at 1rst and Lidge coming out of the bullpen by next weekend…..Would you honestly complain?? The time is NOW….
By Steve
May 13, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Also look at all the “Top Prospects” we have unleashed over the last 10 years…The only guy that backfired on ATL was Jason Schmidt and they still got Neagle in return who won 21 games for ATL right off the bat, so that wasn’t all too bad for the immediate future for ATL. They have gotten rid of over 20 some “Top Prospects” and they have all became nothing pretty much. Again…The time is NOW and this is the time to get Lidge, a young great closer who has hit a little rough stretch and just needs a change of scenery and his team has hit the panick button and he is not happy about that at all. I think its his team giving up on him and rumblings on ESPN all that, that has shook his confidence. Get him in ATL and things will be sweet for once in the 9th.
By Rutuger
May 13, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
Reitsma is terrible. If you can’t throw strikes or get outs, then you have no business being a Major League reliever, much less a closer.
No reliever = no postseason. The equation really is that simple.
By Rutuger
May 13, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
If you honestly think the Astros would part with Brad Lidge just because he’s struggled a little lately, you have lost your mind.
Furthermore, if you actually believe they would trade him for a 1B who can’t hit and a minor league prospect, you must be living on a completely different planet.
By Chop Chop
May 13, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Terence, it’s nice to hear that Smoltz and Reitsma are “good buddies” and that Smoltz is giving him lots of advice. I guess the next step for Smoltz would be to go out and do Reitsma’s pitching for him, because Reitsma is decidedly average and certainly not closer material.
I can’t remember which Braves announcer said this, but the point was made about how Reitsma falls in love with his changeup. He apparently cannot grasp the concept of changing speeds, which requires you to use two or three different pitches of differing speeds. If you throw a change three or four times in an at-bat to a guy without throwing a fastball, there is no way a hitter will even pay attention to the fastball. Hitters come to the plate looking for changeups when Reitsma is in the game. They sit on them and pound them all over the park.
By Ed Glennon
May 13, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Ok let’s compromise. Reitsma is a nice guy and no one will want him this year anyway. So here is the compromise. Let him close for everybody but Smoltz. That way at least Smoltz can have a good season.
Ed in Eugene, Oregon
By 74 dog
May 13, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
…
By Eddie
May 13, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
Reitsma’s problems are mostly in his head. Whoever suggested the shrink is on the right track. Besides location and changeup obsession, Chris pitches in bad luck as well. He gets more dink and dunk hits against him than any other Brave. Some of you will say it is because he often throws so softly, the batter can be fooled and still get the bat on the ball, and you are partially right. But notice his demeanor when a dink/dunk hit or error occurs; or when he doesn’t get the critical call from the umpire. He needs to get tougher mentally. Is that possible/ Only the shrink can tell.
By nelson
May 13, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
reitsma good ? my god ! hahahahaa
trade langerhans & some prospect for a real closer ..
By john
May 13, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this
Reitsma is not a closer and never will be,he is a setup man at best,what the Braves needs to do right now is sign Danny Graves who just got designated for assignment,i know he fell off some but with a national league team and a team like the Braves,that just might be a good match,after all what could it hurt,you still have Reitsma as a backup to graves if he fails,he was a descent closer at one time and could be just what the Braves needs,nothing ventured nothing gained so what we got to lose but a bunch of games,so why not take a gamble on Graves,also earlier in the off season the Cubs were trying to trade Scott Sullivan,why not trade for him and see if he can close,i recall him saving 21 games a few years ago.both these guys couldn’t hurt and if would give the Braves a veteran who has been a closer,they might not be a 40 or 50 save guy but i feel they can help.you don’t know if you don’t take a chance,give them the chance at least til the July 31 deadline and if ain’t worked by then then try something different and realize the experiment didn’t work,look at this this way,if you get Graves or Sullivan and they fail you are gonna be out of the race anyway,what happens if you keep Reitsma and do nothing and you are out of the race anyway,it is a long shot but might work.
By Diese
May 13, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
TM, you’re flat out of your gord. I love Smoltzie, but nobody’s right all the time. Reitsma is no closer. He couldn’t close a refrigerator door. Seriously, when you can’t get three outs against the Triple-A Marlins without giving up four runs, something is terribly wrong. I believe Dave O’Brien used the term “alarmingly hittable”. With the game on the line, I don’t want this guy anywhere near the mound.
By jg4smile
May 13, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
Well, I think I have read as much of this as I can take. Here are the REAL solutions:
Move Chipper to 1st base and Wilson to third. You may get 5-6 years out of Chipper and the knee instead of 2-3.
Groom Sosa for the closer role. He is a crazy person and can give you 6 outs on any given night (remember when closer gave you 2 1/3, 3 innings…check the definition of a save). Here are my arguments…his “road” record last year was great (9-0 w/1.81 ERA…can handle hostile environments), he WILL throw at you (intimidation), and that big wad of gum and smokeless chew is better than a beard any day ;).
Trade Laroche for an additional utility man/pinch hitter (Orr is only a slight upgrade from keith lockhart). Matt Diaz looks like a steal, but he needs to play every fews days from what I can tell (what is he 1-22 as a pinch hitter).
Keep your nerves under control until a certain pitcher who was 11-0 b4 going on the DL last year pulls onto Hank Aaron Drive. Ramirez had finally figured out how a lefty needs to nibble and the hammy went bad on him. The pitching stock is deep, we just have to find a person who wants the closer role. Unfortunately, everyone on the Braves thinks that the money here is only in the starters; but if i remember correctly, they broke Kolb, Wohlers, Smoltz, Pena, and Hernandez off a good little chunk to shut the door. Funny, the last guy that WANTED the role was Kerry Ligtenberg and he was pretty effective…for someone Hubbard found playing semi-pro ball with a bunch of beer drinking weekend warriors.
Now for Lidge…he is good, but Houston won’t give the guy up unless he has a complete meltdown. 98+ stuff with a slider and a curve that are NOT show pitches!? That’s too much gravy for any open-face sandwich. And the last time I checked, they have an MVP-numbers guy named Berkman who roams first. They have no need for a lefty first baseman with such a complicated swing that you would need Terry Pendelton, Tony Gwinn, Rod Carew, and video surveillance from the Matrix to get fixed during a slump. We can’t give up Salty unless it is for a front line pitcher like Willis or Zito. A catcher that can throw and hit for average…ask anyone the quickest person to the bigs and they will tell you its aa catcher that can throw and hit anywhere other than the 8 hole.
In conclusion, if you all want us to become the NY Yankees and trade the farm for a couple of years of good play then MOVE back to where you came from, but here we make smart, time honored investments. One more ring, and the world has to shut its trap…and it’s coming…when we can CLOSE A FRIGGIN’ GAME!
Jorge Sosa for Closer 2006.
By Jpro
May 14, 2006 03:58 AM | Link to this
Reitsma will be fine, for now. And some other thoughts.
The best bet for the Braves is for the Twins to keep losing. When that happens, say in another month or so, they can pick up Joe Nathan for, lets say Kelly Johnson (he should be healthy by then) and a couple mid-level pitching prospects. While we are at it, might as well send Giles along and bring Luis Castillo back to the NL East.(Giles will cost too much to keep next year) A trade like that fills two needs, A lead off hitter and closer, Pete Orr can go also, Martin Prado looked much better.
Does anyone remember another Braves’ first baseman named Sid Bream, he wasn’t a flashy player, but he did the job. Maybe if Adam would grow a mustache people would appreciate him a little more than they do. What has Betemit done, that people think he could play first? With Chipper’s shaky health Wilson is right where he needs to be, on the bench, ready when called upon, no Brave has been better this season at that.
Trading Salty would be a mistake. Sure the backstop is back-logged, but with another season in the minors and another spring training he could very well be starting at first next season. If the Braves are going to trade a catching prospect it will be Brayan Pena, since Bobby prefers to have a vet as the back up, and McCann isn’t going anywhere soon.
Good thoughts from jg4smile, I’m glad someone on this post has some ball sense.