AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > February > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSpring in the air, peace in the bullpen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
For the first time since 1991, the Braves are going into spring training like a ship going into dry dock. And there appears to be more truth than fiction in that analogy, considering the bustling scene at the underside of Turner Field. Bats and chests and training room apparatus stacked in mountainous piles waiting to be loaded for their trip to Lake Buena Vista, Disney World, Kissimmee or whatever address that place will be going by this spring. But that’s merely housekeeping, central damage control will be dealing with people.
“I could see we had trouble in the bullpen when the ‘05 season ended,” Bobby Cox was saying. “We tried everything but couldn’t get it fixed.”
It was a season that came to a convoluted end, a college rookie pitching against the overbearing Roger Clemens in the fourth game of the division series, on into the fifth hour and 18th inning. It would have been over after nine, and here we come to the missing ingredient that has bedeviled the Braves lately. One after one, Cox had danced from one closer to another, beginning with the ill-fated Dan Kolb. By the 9th inning of the fourth game in Houston, he had grown comfortable with Kyle Farnsworth, until Farnsworth threw a four-run pitch to Lance Bergman with two out. Nine innings later Joey Devine threw a pitch that Chris Burke hit into the stands and it was over. The Braves haven’t recovered since.
Now, I don’t care how you look at baseball, what your vintage, and how much you may long for a good ol’ nine-inning pitcher, it’s as old-fashioned as an Edsel. Sure, I love to see a guy pitch a complete game. “CG” is my favorite statistic. But face it, it’s as out of style as spats. If you don’t believe it, ask John Schuerholz.
Sad to see LaRoche go
To show you what I mean, Schuerholz traded Adam LaRoche, who was just moving into stardom, home run and RBI man, to Pittsburgh for Mike Gonzalez, who pitched 54 innings last season. Fifty-four games, 54 innings, 24 saves, which means he saved the homestead. Gonzalez heals an open wound in Atlanta. LaRoche becomes the big Pirate in Pittsburgh, and the Pirates already have Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez, the league-leading hitter. It was crushing to see LaRoche take his sweet swing to Three Rivers, but that’s how it shakes out.
Scott Thorman is a tough competitor, not the fielder that LaRoche is, but he brings a different attitude to the game. LaRoche is milder mannered, unemotional. Cox and Schuerholz feel that Thorman is right on the threshold of filling in at about the pace LaRoche set two seasons ago.
“He has the same kind of power as LaRoche,” Schuerholz said. “He hit 20 home runs last year between Richmond and here, and he only played a few games here.”
“So you might have an all-Canadian side of the infield then,” it was suggested. Thorman is from Cambridge, Ontario, Pete Orr from Newmarket, Ontario.
“Pete Orr is going to get every chance to be our second baseman,” he said, but he’ll be a longshot behind Martin Prado and Willy Aybar, more the utility type, I’d suppose.
Get the story of the guy who might have had the job, had he and the Braves exercised patience. He was in the ballpark the other day, taking his swings with old teammates. Mark DeRosa and the Braves split two years ago and the one-time Penn quarterback found health, wealth and happiness in Texas, with emphasis on wealth. He was sort of on call for the Rangers.
“I never knew where I was going to play, but Buck Showalter always found a place for me,” DeRosa said. “I knew I was going to be playing.”
What DeRosa did was hit over .300 most of the season, with a few home runs sprinkled in, and after it was over, he found himself a high-level commodity. He brought $13 million on the open market, and next season he’ll be playing second base for the Cubs. “I’ll probably play other positions, too,” he said, “but right now I’m on second.”
That’s how this vexing game plays out now. Heroes don’t stay in the same place long. Not a lot of Chipper Joneses and John Smoltzes around. More Roger Clemenses and J.D. Drewses, who sometimes make you feel ashamed the way these mercenaries toy with the game. But that wasn’t what I started out to say. I just wanted to say that I’m making peace with life in the bullpen, and closers, and set-up men, and all that bozo-ism. I don’t promise that it’s permanent.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By Thedream21479
February 10, 2007 02:17 AM | Link to this
LOL, what a great great article Mr. Bisher. A wonderul blend of irony, cynicism, and begrudging acceptance. Keep up the good work!
By John Munford
February 10, 2007 04:21 AM | Link to this
Long-time readers of Mr. Bisher know his avid distaste for today’s era of specialist relievers in particular. For a man of his stature to “make peace” with the concept, even if temporary, is something significant.
Fortunately the CG isn’t totally dead yet, as some starters (Smoltz included) want to go all nine. They’re fewer and further between, but perhaps we can appreciate them all the more now.
Furman, you are one of the few true joys left at the AJC. Thanks for entertaining us while informing us.
By Gene
February 10, 2007 09:13 AM | Link to this
I just read about the death of Hank Bauer. He was just on of a large number of decorated combat veterans of WWII that include Ralph Houk, and Warren Spahn that symbolized an era. Ted Williams would certainly belong to this group although he didn’t see combat until Korea. Furman Bisher is the best writer around and himself a WWII veteran. I hope Mr. Bisher will give us a commentary on these men and their contribution to their country and to baseball.
By dexter dawg
February 10, 2007 02:46 PM | Link to this
Our Braves will be just fine. We are going to be settling in by June at the latest, and hitting our stride by Mid July…..Then we will start another stretch of division titles1 Go Braves
By Yars
February 10, 2007 07:20 PM | Link to this
Regarding Mark DeRosa, the Braves gave him a chance to prove he was capable of being an everyday player. I’m glad he found success with Texas and hope he continues to put up solid numbers with the Cubs. About Pete Orr, if only he was a better hitter. Martin Prado isn’t much of a hitter either. Willy Aybar can hit, but I think he would be more valuable filling in for Chipper. I guess it is Kelly Johnson’s job to lose. Pitchers & catchers report next week who else is counting down the days?
By WALKING BEAR
February 10, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Furman, did you forget about Kelly Johnson at second base or do you not follow the sports pages these days?
By MovieTall1
February 11, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this
I wanted LaRoche out, and thank goodness, he is gone. I can’t stand an athlete who won’t hustle, and his lack of emotion really p** me off. He can play for a loser now, because thats what he is….A LOSER!
By leviinalaska
February 11, 2007 01:41 AM | Link to this
WALKING BEAR Show Mr. Bisher some g**d respect. He is a great writer, who knows the game better than even the most rabid of fans. Let me guess…you’re from the deep South?