AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSchuerholz is far from done
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Frankly (no play on words here), I don’t see what all the fuss is about. So Frank Wren has the same office with a new title on the door. So Terry McGuirk donates one of his titles to John Schuerholz. Schuerholz then becomes the president the Braves haven’t had since Stan Kasten was here. Instead of transferring, Schuerholz gains power, and instead of the end of an era, it’s the beginning of another one with a four-year contract.
How’s that for putting a spin on non-retirement?
This is known in the business world as a game of musical chairs. In the long run, nothing changes. Frank Wren continues doing what he has been doing, only now he doesn’t have to check with Schuerholz first. Or so it would seem.
Schuerholz has been saddled with a two-horse title all these years, executive vice president and general manager. Put all the titles you want to on a guy, it doesn’t change his daily chores. What he will now be doing that he hasn’t been doing, none of us knows. Nobody seems to know. Just so long as it doesn’t inflict any discomfort on Bobby Cox, that’s mainly what concerns most of us.
Terry McGuirk says that Wren will continue to report to Schuerholz. He says Schuerholz will continue to be his “right-hand man” in all aspects of the baseball business. So, anything new there? Then why all the big, black headlines on page one, as if the world has tilted another quarter-inch? Schuerholz isn’t leaving the building, and more important, Cox remains the solid face of the Braves.
So there is no ending of an era. Eras end when some executive announces that he’s checking out “to spend more time with his family,” or travel the world, or something that hasn’t occurred to him yet. There is nothing more restless than an executive with time on his hands. There is no retirement on Schuerholz’s agenda. He only moves into a position of added power. He expects to be consulted. Don’t all presidents? He expects to be in a power situation. What we all would like to have seen these past 17 years is a few more World Series pennants to go with all those division pennants.
You don’t give Schuerholz all the credit for the cast of players the Braves have put on the field; you give him credit for hiring the guys who mined the playing ore the Braves have given Cox to manage. The scouts who found Jeff Francoeur, who found Brian McCann; the guy who turned Greg McMichael from “non-roster invitee” into one of the Braves’ best relief pitchers; the guy who made the perilous trade of Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz, and others long since woven into the historical fabric of this team. Most of all, don’t ever, ever lose track of what Paul Snyder has meant to this organization.
And by no means, don’t let those guys who gave us Albie Lopez and Russ Ortiz and Dan Kolb and Bob Wickman and a cast of losers off the hook. That doesn’t look good on any man’s dossier.
As it stands, seems that little has changed in the makeup of the Braves. A few titles have been shifted or re-created, the ownership is the same — and when do we begin to feel the presence of Liberty Media, and in what manner? — and are we to expect a surge of prosperity with all this inner-office activity? That’s what fans are looking for. Titles don’t impress the ticket-holder. Standings do. These autumns are mighty dreary sitting outside the action, while out in the wild, wild West they’re having all the fun. Think it over.
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By bruce
October 13, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, Great column. Your first paragraph describes exactly what I believe has happened. I also believe it was also an employee-retention move to keep Frank Wren from being hired away by another organization, which would have happened if Mr. Schuerholz had signed another contract of any significant duration. thanks, Bruce
By Bravesfan4life
October 13, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Of course he’s not done. Inept McKirk is stupid but not dumb. He needs someone to MAKE SOUND AND TIMELY DECISIONS. What is McKirk’s role now? Breathing air and gathering a paycheck from Liberty? get gone Mckirk, let the professionals run the show.
By Russ Mirmelstein
October 13, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
The only thing that has changed is Frank Wren now has to show up at all the night home games and John Schuerholz get to go home at a reasonable hour to have dinner with the family. Other than that…..”Same as it ever was” and that’s a good thing!
By JC FROM UT
October 13, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
My sentiments exactly. No real change at all, except maye Frank Wren will negotiate with Scott Boras in the Teixeira contract situation.
By Insider Knowledge
October 13, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
The preliminary word in the chain of command is that JC will still be the architect of the deal as far as idea and form is concerned. Wren will be the nuts and bolts like always. And we also just got word that the payroll will be about 100mil for next year. Liberty wants to step up and make a good impression on Atlanta fans and distance themselves from AOL’s blunders.
By Wim
October 13, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Wow, how times have changed in this town. When an Atlanta sportswriter can write nostalgically about missing the playoff action (“These autumns are mighty dreary sitting outside the action…”) it’s worth reflecting on how far this Losersville has really come. Even if all the other sports still warrant the depressing label, just that we can think of the autumn as missing something in itself shows what those guys really accomplished when they swept in here almost 2 decades ago and built a real franchise in this town for the first time (a feat that sadly may not be repeated again any time soon).
By David
October 13, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Great column Mr. Bisher. Your insight would make even Paul Bryant proud.
By Bill
October 13, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
I’m with Bisher. The Braves biggest loss was Ted Turner. Everyone else is only interested in the money. If the present owners are really sincere about helping The Atlanta Braves build a solid team with a goal of being winners they will get a less egotistical self motivated GM/President That will leave baseball matters to Bobby Cox. Bobby doesn’t need the interferance. Bill Fossett
By Steve
October 13, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, nice job of breaking things down. What John Schuerholz is to the front office you are to Sports Section.
By Niekro35
October 13, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Schuerholz didn’t have anything to do with the Smoltz trade in ‘87 — three years before he arrived. Cox was the GM then.
By A-ville Ranger
October 13, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
I think Boras may have been in JS’s thinking.He loaths the man and couldn’t have been looking forward to having to deal with him concerning Teixeira next year.Now that duty is passed to Wren, at least I think it will.
By King Nick Saban
October 13, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
bisher, are you still as stupid as you were when you libeled wally butts and Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant as a scribe for the Saturday Evening Post? you have zero credibility with anyone with a brain.
…maybe that explains why you now write for the atlanta urinal and constipation. not many brains among THAT readership…
By Braves Fan 79
October 13, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
King Nick Saban: Anyone with that retarted of a headline name gets no credibility in my book. Saban is nothing more than a mediocre football coach who cant hack it in the pros…and has no loyalties when it comes to a team/program.
And the AJC is the best newspaper in the south!…keep reading your alabama local paper thou about how the cows and chickens are doing.
And as far as the Braves go…the era isnt over till Smoltz and Chipper retire. Until then we have 1 or 2 more exciting seasons left! Go Braves!!
By King Nick Saban
October 13, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
you should learn to spell ‘retarded’ and ‘though’.
and i’m gonna show you morons who is mediocre over the next few years…
By Maine Braves fan
October 13, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
i have a questtion. Do you think the braves will bring back leo mazzone
By Braves Fan 79
October 13, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
I actually grew up a AL fan as both my parents went there in the 70’s…but i dont care for saban 2 much. And who cares if i miss a comma or misspell here and there….im not proofreading what i type…its just a freakin blog. Saban cant stand in Gene Stallings shadow…now THAT was a damn good football coach!
By Overlord
October 13, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
I dont think Braves are bringing Leo back. they have already started their project with Roger.
By Matt the Brave
October 13, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
Does Bisher ever have a bad column? I swear, going at it still at his age…
Of course, as Lewis Grizzard used to say, Bisher was right more than he was wrong, and this is yet another case of that. The Braves don’t need to panic one bit in with JS moving to Prez. Everything more or less stays the same except that JS doesn’t make the business trips anymore.
By Matt the Brave
October 13, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
One more thing. I doubt that the Braves will bring back Mazzone in the capacity of pitching coach, but I could see him working as a special assistant to Frank Wren. (IE: Francona for JS) I could also see him working with the Rome Braves as a possibility. I also can see the Braves making room somewhere for Joe Torre if he ends up getting axed (but odds-on bet, he ends up in St. Louis after LaRussa leaves)
By Anthony
October 13, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
To king saban, if you know how to spell why can’t you put capitol letters where they need to go? Like at the beginning of sentences. That Alabama grammar coming through I see.
By don
October 13, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Good article. It is past time for Paul snyder and the scouts to get some of the credit. Schuerholz always got far more credit than he deserved.
By Bravesfaninmetsland
October 13, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Am I the only on who’s sick of someone who should have been retired already telling me how to feel about 60 year olds younger then he is? Mr. Furman, you are a great, respected journalist. All of the games have passed you by. And clearly so have their players.
JS has clearly bulit up a wall with Super agent Boras.. and we need him back on board to sigh Texeria. Frank Wren has already rpven to be someone ready for this job. We’ll be ok. Seriously, be happy for the incomming man and less love for the ot going
By GMAT
October 14, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Lumping Russ Ortiz in with the likes of Albie Lopez and Dan Kolb really makes no sense whatsoever. In two years with the Braves, Ortiz won 36 games with a cumulative ERA under 4.00 and helped the club win division titles in 2003 and 2004. Better still, the Braves obtained him for young left-hander Damian Moss, who quickly washed out after a promising rookie campaign in Atlanta in 2002, and pitching prospect Merkin Valdez, who never made an impact in the majors.
Even Bob Wickman represented a smart acquisition. Yes, he was selfish and his performance grew ragged in 2007 prior to his release, but in 2006, he was lights-out for the Braves and stabilized the worst Atlanta bullpen in recent memory.
By GMAT
October 14, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Lumping Russ Ortiz in with the likes of Albie Lopez and Dan Kolb really makes no sense whatsoever. In two years with the Braves, Ortiz won 36 games with a cumulative ERA under 4.00 and helped the club win division titles in 2003 and 2004. Better still, the Braves obtained him for young left-hander Damian Moss, who quickly washed out after a promising rookie campaign in Atlanta in 2002, and pitching prospect Merkin Valdez, who never made an impact in the majors.
Even Bob Wickman represented a smart acquisition. Yes, he was selfish and his performance grew ragged in 2007 prior to his release, but in 2006, he was lights-out for the Braves and stabilized the worst Atlanta bullpen in recent memory.
By BD Hypes-
October 14, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Great read Mr.Bisher!I agree with the gentleman regarding wrapping up Frank Wren so another club will not.Meddling,penny-pinching ownership aside,I do’nt forsee any major changes.
By Edward M Howard
October 14, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
I agee that nothing have change or will change with John Schuerholz. That’s why the Braves will remain the same.
By Billy
October 14, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Sabie Saban———Roll Tide Roll
By Tami
October 14, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Mr. Bisher, for voicing my very first thoughts on all of this. What I’d find to be of actual “headline news” is if Mr. McGuirk actually gives Frank enough money to work with in building, refining and fine-tuning the team. And, if John is able to bless off on all of Frank’s personnel movements without having to confer with Mr McGuirk as he’s had to do in the past. However, it’s as you’ve said and as my first impressions were: Nothing’s really changed.
By Muhammed
October 14, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
With McGuirk in the picture, you will have mediocrity. No forward thinking, poor reacting and timing is his forte. He is the weak link in the organization. What is his job? Collecting a paycheck? Liberty could use that paycheck to hire scouts. If Liberty is all about money…. then WHAT IS McGUIRK’S JOB? Another joke on Atlanta fans. 14 years of NO playoffs if McGuirk is in the picture!
By fasteddie
October 14, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Some good comments by the venters. Furman should be called out for lumping Ortiz and Wickman with the others. Likewise the critical Boras issue may have played a role. Has anyone thought about the possibility that some Braves (maybe one special Brave) may be implicated in the release of the Mitchell report?
By Dawg19
October 14, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Honestly fasteddie I am not worried about the steroid report at all. It is an issue that is so overblown for baseball that it is becoming obsured. Baseball players are being massacred in the media for performance enhancing drugs while other sports are being looked at like it is no big deal. Shawn Merriman for the San Diego Chargers is the biggest example I can think of. The guy tests positive, serves his suspension and again is a hero in his sport and still appearing in commercials while everybody seems to have forgotten about his indescretions. And all this in a sport where Bigger, Faster, Stronger is the cornerstone of the sport. So to George Mitchell and his report, all I have to say is WHO CARES!!??
By Ed Glennon
October 14, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
I enjoyed listening to you back in the 1950’s when you and my dad would talk baseball on the front porch of the Geogian-Terrace after a rainout of the Barons-Crackers games and I enjoy reading your columns now. You have been a great part of Atlanta baseball.