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DEL.ICIO.USBraves find a winner in moving Johnson to second
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
These are not the best of times for the Braves, once they get past Smoltz and Hudson. There’s no more comfort in looking ahead to the appointed closer, but closing has been more a “crashing” of late. Thus, turning elsewhere to find something to cheer about, let’s settle on Kelly Johnson, solid, clean-cut, a day-in, day-out player, more a station wagon than a sports-car kind of guy.
The first time John Schuerholz saw Kelly Johnson, he knew the Braves had something there. He was barely out of a Texas high school, but there was a calm about him you didn’t find in teenagers. Not only that, but he could handle a bat. Here was an infielder who could hit, and so the story was off and running.
It came to a sudden halt last season when he had to have the kind of surgery usually reserved for pitchers, and bears the name of one, Tommy John. A cold, hard winter lay ahead, but Schuerholz didn’t allow it to go to waste. He took upon himself two gambles: (1) he handed first base to a raw rookie, Scott Thorman, and (2) he made Kelly Johnson a project. Not one who has to be tailed by a detective after hours.
“I looked out my office window on cold, gray days and there he was, out there working with Glenn Hubbard, one of the best second baseman I ever saw at turning a double play,” the Braves general manager said. “Day after day he and Kelly were going at it, hundreds and hundreds of ground balls.”
Marcus Giles was about to be de-chaired, not only saving the Braves a substantial payroll hit, but inventing a new model second baseman. Johnson had played shortstop but never second base, and there is a difference, especially making the double play. That’s the drill Hubbard put him through mainly.
“It’s different. It’s like looking at in a mirror. At shortstop, you’re coming across the bag looking to the ball. From second, you run into the ball and you have to turn to make the relay,” Johnson said. “It’s just the opposite of everything I’d done before. I wasn’t so sure how it was going to turn out, but I’ve begun to get comfortable.”
Drill, drill, drill, day after day, come rain, shine or chill. “I’ll tell you this,” Bobby Cox said, “he’s as good as Lemke or Hubbard now, and this is just his first year,” speaking of Mark Lemke, second baseman on the Braves’ pennant winner and team MVP of the World Series of ‘91.
If the contest is open for Most Valuable Surprise of the season, the nomination is made: It’s Johnson. At the end of April, he was hitting .321, five home runs and 15 runs batted in. Schuerholz held his breath. He was batting .500 himself, for as it turned out, Thorman wasn’t ready for front-line duty. Second base is not an “out” position when it comes to bat production. Some of the game’s great hitters have been second basemen: Rogers Hornsby, Frankie Frisch, Charley Gehringer, and, to throw in a present-day batsman, Jeff Kent. There is no “banjo” in Johnson’s bat. He hits doubles in clusters, has 13 home runs, and drives in runs, and he goes about it with quiet confidence.
He doesn’t waste words, and he doesn’t deal in acrobatics. His transformation into a second baseman is complete, and if you’re looking for noise in the clubhouse, it won’t be Johnson. He comes, he goes, he speaks in mild tones, and you might call him the All-Texan Kid. A clubhouse full of Kelly Johnsons would be a manager’s dream.
“He’s just a great kid,” Cox said, “just look at the way he has handled all this. He gets a job and he does it. He’s as good as anybody in the league,” which is pretty strong stuff for a guy who had to be given an escort to second base.
“Bright, athletic, all those intelligent elements,” Schuerholz said. “He’s light years ahead of Giles [who happens to be hitting in the .220s at San Diego],” spoken with the pride of a father.
And don’t forget the patience of Glenn Hubbard. “He gave me all that time,” Kelly said, “day after day, ground balls by the hundreds.”
The “project” has turned out well. Scott Thorman, well, that’s another case that’ll have to wait until another day.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By Ken Stallings
August 25, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson is everything you say he is. A quality player.
However, the Braves have their solution at first base. Mark Texiera should be the Braves top signing priority — even above Andruw Jones.
And wouldn’t it be nice for the ownership group to cough up a few bucks and put the Braves in the top 10 in payroll for next year! Then, the Braves have a legit shot at re-signing Mark and Andruw and perhaps also get a quality starter.
The Braves don’t have much time left. Smoltz has perhaps two years left. Hudson isn’t young. And who knows what happens with Hampton.
It would be shame to see the core of the Joneses, Smoltz, and Hudson walk away without the ownership group putting the relatively small amount of money it would take to put a World Series contending club on the field again.
By Matt R
August 25, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
The interesting this is that he put in all this work at 2B and they might just move him back to LF next year. That would make room for everyday play from Renteria, Johnson, and Escobar - probably the better infielder.
By Randall
August 25, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher thank you for so many good articles over your career. You probably don’t remember me, but I’m the guy about 20 years ago that got lost under the Omni trying to get home after a Hawks game. I run into my favorite sports writer of all time and all I say is you look older than your picture on your column. You told me that they take that picture when you begin a writing career. I’ve never forgot meeting you and you did shake my hand.
By Yars
August 26, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this
I hope we see Kelly in a Braves uniform for a long time. He’s young & will only get better. I get the feeling Renteria will be traded after the season. Escobar is ready to play everyday & his natural position is SS. I’m not giving up just yet on this season with 32 games to go & only 4 out of the NL Wildcard race, but looking ahead to 2008, an infield of Chipper at 3B, Escobar at SS, Kelly at 2B, Tex at 1B, & McCann at catcher looks really good.
By Gene
August 26, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Now that Atlanta is forever linked to the criminal, Mike Vick, it is nice to see something about a good guy in sports. Usually experiments like this one don’t work. It is getting a little late for this season, but getting rid of Wickman was a good move. Maybe Cox should try Johnson at pitcher.
By gastr1
August 26, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately it is becoming more and more apparent that the Braves are not very close to contending for a Series title despite the pleasant developments with position players. There is no way they will win much of anything without at least two top line starters, reliable 3 and 4 starters, right-left set-up men, and a serious closer.
So with all the hitting and transformation into a good mix of vets and youngsters in the field, that pitching staff is nowhere near…and as another noted, Smoltz and Hudson don’t have much time left.
How will they sign Tex and still get another starter and a real (expensive) closer?
I remain frustrated by recent teams like Arizona and Florida that have better records with what looks like less. How can a bunch of rooks like the D-backs so manhandle the Braves in the middle of a pennant race? Somethin’ ain’t right just yet.
By becky
August 26, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
hi. thank you for all the buzz. i really like kelly johnson so much.im from the philippines and im not so into baseball,but after i first saw the braves home game during tax’ introduction,i was kinda addicted to it and now im starting learning more of the game. its really so amazing how a 25 yo guy who got the skills,and looks could be as humble as kelly..i wish him all the best.may he be more successful and drill and exceedl beyond what is expected. more power braves.thanx for keeping me updated on whats latest with the braves. god bless.
By Larry
August 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Ken,
Re-sign Andruw Jones?
You’re as dumb as Bobby Cox!
By Geoff
August 27, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
It’s about time people with clout in the baseball bix recognize Kelly Johnson’s efforts. And ‘Bish’ doesnt mention the fact that Johnson did what he had to do when in the platoon situation. His abilityto work the count is amazing, but the fact that this guy can hit 20 HR’s and 80+ RBI’s in a full season is a complete value added. While I know that he has several years of arbitration available, it would not be a bad idea for Schuerholz to think about a “McCann-like” contract for Kelly where Atlanta would b paying less for his multi-tool ability now than going through arbitration.
By ck
August 27, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Tex, Torii Hunter, SP and RP…hsould be the prioties for the offseason… Let andruw go… I would love to see johan but we all know that ain’t happening.
By Andy J
August 27, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Andruw is dead to me. But I’d much rather have him than Hunter.
Let’s sign Aaron Rowand (FA at the end of the year). He’s younger, just as good, cheaper, and oh yeah- we would take him from the phils.
By dack jerrick
August 27, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Remember, Kelly learned the second base position at the major league level under the spotlight night in and night out. Amazing job! He’ll only get better. Thanks Glenn, thanks Kelly.
By doobird
August 28, 2007 6:26 AM | Link to this
Kelly J, you’re a fresh drink of water when it comes to a gifted athlete. You amaze me in the fact you can hit so well in any spot in the order and you have deceptive speed to go with it. Keep up the work man and only good things will come for my favorite Brave!!!!!
By Bud Shelton
August 28, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Could you please get word to ESPN that while the announcers were carrying on a three hour Michael Vick program last night that there was actually a football game going on. Thank goodness for the mute button.
By Zo
August 28, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
It would be a mistake to move KJ back to the outfield next season. He’s probably got a lot more value (even as trade bait) as a power-hitting 2B than as a decent-hitting LF with an average arm.
By Jake Bogartis
August 28, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Great piece Furman…
By falcon80
August 30, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this
Kinda sentimental and would like to keep AJ, but the heck with sentimentality if we could get Rowand in the off-season. Not likely though, Philly would be foolish not to resign him.