AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USForgive Wren if he’s not worried
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
He was 21 years old and a rising prospect. One night, driving home from a doubleheader, he became ill. Nausea, headaches, stiff neck. He lost 27 pounds over the next three weeks. Doctors thought he had meningitis. Two years later he learned that he had a tumor in the third ventricle of his brain.
He was 23 years old and still hoping for a baseball career. Surgery saved his life but left him with double vision. He wore an eye patch during rehab but coached rookies, often switching the patch from one eye to the other, as if some confused pirate. Eventually the double vision subsided. He tried to play again, but the reactions were gone and so, strangely, was the fun.
Frank Wren was 39 years old. Now he wore a suit. He had coached and scouted and sold program ads and negotiated contracts. He had done fine work for the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins — a rising prospect again. The Baltimore Orioles hired him as general manager.
Now he was in a car on the way to the news conference, and team officials are telling him what to say when he is asked about owner Peter Angelos. Misery followed. He was fired one year into a three-year contract.
Now 49, Frank Wren has been asked to replace John Schuerholz as Braves general manager.
Funny. That challenge suddenly doesn’t seem too intimidating.
“It’s all given me great perspective,” Wren said the other day, sitting in his Turner Field office. “The Lord blessed me, just by getting me through the tumor. It changed my perspective on life. I feel blessed every day. The way I look at it, if not for the tumor ending my playing career, I might never have left being on the field and I wouldn’t be the general manager of the Braves today.”
This is like his second first chance at the top job. Baltimore almost doesn’t count. Angelos, a trial lawyer by day and windbag owner by night, made his life miserable in 1999. He interfered in trades, signings and day-to-day life. Wren tried to rebuild the organization, but Angelos ranted on. Even the firing turned into a clown act, with the Orioles putting out a bizarrely detailed news release that distorted an incident from during the season when the team charter left without Cal Ripken Jr., claiming it was because of Wren’s “unreasonable, authoritarian manner.”
There are a lot of ways to describe Wren’s manner. Unreasonable, authoritarian — not so much. He is easygoing and far less formal than Schuerholz. But the Orioles’ situation wore on him.
“It was difficult from day one,” he said. “But by the end of the year we were able to make some trades for players who are part of their foundation. Their two best players [Brian Roberts and pitcher Erik Bedard] are players we acquired. It was a learning experience.”
A short one. His tenure here will be longer. He ran the Braves’ organizational meetings a few weeks back — and that was two days before Schuerholz told him of his promotion. He just returned this past week from executive meetings.
“A plan is in place,” he said of fixing the Braves. And now he calmly awaits the frenzy of winter.
“This feels seamless, because for the last eight years with John, I always had a voice. I always felt like I was a partner.”
If not for the tumor, he would’ve kept playing and speculates he could’ve had a career as a utility player. He should’ve known early that wasn’t his path. While in the Montreal organization, he spent a week teaching signs, and the ropes, to a top prospect named Terry Francona. Yes, that one.
The Expos asked him to help coach rookies, then to run a farm team. He didn’t think he would want a front-office job, but it turned out he liked dealing with people. Unreasonable, authoritarian — right.
The Braves are coming off two non-playoff seasons. But Wren said the pressure wouldn’t be any greater if they were still winning divisions.
“I thought about that a lot in eight years: What would I want if I take over?” he said. “You want to win every year, so I wish we were still winning. But we’re still regarded as one of the top organizations in baseball.”
The Braves need more starting pitching. The bullpen needs to be rebuilt again. Andruw Jones is gone. Bobby Cox could be one and done. So many issues.
But Wren isn’t fazed. He has been waiting for this, for so long, through so much. “It’s all been part of a plan,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Biologist
October 20, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Brains have ventricles?
By Lew
October 20, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
We need to rebuild the bullpen again? Did it last year. We were the number two pen in the NL this year.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
October 20, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Frank Wren is in a great position and the 2008 season looks to be a competitive one. I have high hopes as a fan , with the expected return of Tom Glavine. However , one has to wonder how the water situation in Atlanta will inpact the upcoming season.
By John Schuerholz
October 20, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Schultz for you to write that the bullpen needs to be rebuilt again proves that you know absolutely nothing about the Atlanta Braves.
Rafael Soriano is taking over as the closer. Peter Moylan was outstanding as a rookie in 2007. Royce Ring will probably take over for Ron Mahay as the main lefty reliever, at least until Mike Gonzalez returns at midseason.
Tyler Yates will return, as will Oscar Villarreal, Lance Cormier, and Chad Paronto (unless they are non-tendered).
Joey Devine has nothing else to prove in the minors, so he and Blaine Boyer (out of options) should get good looks and they are two talented pitchers.
Manny Acosta and Jose Ascanio both impressed Bobby Cox a great deal late in the season. Both will get a strong look.
So even if the Braves do not bring back Mahay or Octavio Dotel or any bring in any other veteran reliever, the bullpen looks to be in good shape for next season.
The starting rotation, at least the bottom half, needs rebuilding. But the bullpen is fine.
You’re usually good Schultz, but don’t write something like that when you don’t know what the hell is going on.
Next thing you’re going to do is write that the Hawks needs a power forward.
How much do you guys get paid for screwing up like this?
By Lew
October 20, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
Coach-It just means that now they can charge as much for Dasani or Aquafina at the ballpark as they do for beer. Maybe more. It’s a Lemonade out of lemons situation.
By AJ 25
October 20, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
Stop hating on my man Jeffy. He is going to throw some stats together to prove that I was the NL MVP this year.
By TheSouthernJackAss
October 20, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
I doubt if John Schuerholz’s grammer is that poor…to say the least…
By Gil in Mechanicsville
October 20, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
Biologist Yes they do, although your’s might not…..
By Orlando Rivera
October 20, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
I saw what Wren can do when he was with the Orioles and that wretched Peter Angelos. He attempted to build an NL-type ballclub by obtaining speedsters and strong pitching. The O’s were on their way until Angelos did what he always does and that’s meddle to the point of frustration.
Now that Wren is here I suspect he’ll do the same thing. It will be interesting to see what they do with Texieria should he not want to re-sign. He could get Atlanta some depth to continue building their farm system.
I’m glad to have a GM who is in the mind of Schuerholz when it comes to making deals.
By stew
October 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
The number one priority is to sign Teixeira. If they didn’t sign Andruw, they have to sign Teixeira. Why did we trade for him last year if there weren’t indications that he would sign.
If Tex is out of our league, why didn’t we sign Andruw? Otherwise, we lose on three fronts (Tex, Andruw, and the prospects traded for Tex).It’s about time we stopped having our free agents walk on us.
By Hey Blank
October 20, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Yeah, this is a Braves blog, but I’d like to interest Schultz in this scenario. Since the Dolphins lost Trent Green, why don’t the Falcons do something nice for a classy guy and offer Harrington back to the Dolphins. He played pretty well for them last season and he doesn’t deserve to be benched.
By Me
October 20, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
SouthernJackAss said: “I doubt if John Schuerholz’s grammer is that poor…to say the least…”
Agreed, but I also bet he could spell grammar correctly, too.
By Navigator
October 20, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
I absolutely agree with Schultz, we still do not have a closer. Folks we lost the division last year because we had no closer. Secondly, the Braves had too many games that were over early, because the bull pen couldn’t stop an onslaught. Maybe over the season the stats were fine, but I watched too many runs scored by the good teams on the bull pen. Remember statistical averages don’t always tell what really happened. Ex: The braves are up by six runs, and bull pen gives up no runs. Ex: In close games against division contenders, the bull pen gives up a lot.
By King Nick Saban
October 20, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
Roll Tide, you losers…
By King Nick Saban
October 20, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
i hear you are having water shortage problems in atlanta. i guess it is a good thing none of you bathe, huh?
Roll freaking Tide to you all…
By King Nick Saban
October 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
grammer is on frazier, you moron…
By Kevin Foster
October 21, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
Hey there Braves Fans, We need Glavine back and another good starter to go along with Smoltz, Hudson and Hampton (If he can at last stay healthy for once) if not Hampton there can be another replacement for Hampton, The bull pen is fine for next yesr, they need to shape up better when facing the better divisional teams and have no more homerun leaks. The have to winthe close games as well, well 2008 will prove for them that they can do this as they would have a years experience behind them and will be much better. And in 2008 I expect the two year drought from the post season will be over. And lets get Texiara signed up to stay with the Braves far beyond the 2008 season, he is a player that needs to be kept for the Braves and not let another team have him in 2009.The Braves should also have good luck in replacing Andruw in CF. I want to see the Braves actually win a Wrold Series Title in 2008. So. lets go Braves and get that World Seires Title in 2008 and let nothing stand in the way of winning it all in 2008. No matter what it takes to win it all in 2008 lets do it and win it all in 2008.
By JM
October 21, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this
Navigator, we do have a closer, and a potentially great one, in Rafael Soriano. His only bugaboo in 2007 was serving up a few too many gopher balls. Aside from the home runs, his numbers across the board bordered on spectacular. He was 9-for-9 in saves opportunities combining his time in that role when Wickman was hurt and after he was released. I have no doubts he can and will be a lights-out closer for us.
By Marty
October 21, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
Interesting article, Jeff. Thanks.
Soriano has made and will make a fine closer.
The future for these Braves looks bright.
No one cares about substandard colleges in Alabama. Come back when you get a real franchise — or at least a real university.
By porksword
October 21, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
King Nick Saban is Mark Richt’s queen.
By porksword
October 21, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
And I’ve seen your showers in T-Town. They’re called outhouses.
By joebrave
October 21, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
King Nick I seem to recall Your Washing powdersTide lost to the Georgia Bull Dawgs!!! now Eat &hit and Crawl in a ole futhermucjker!!!!
By don
October 21, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
It may be off subject but it should be mentioned that the broadcast crews assembled by TBS for the playoffs are without a doubt the worst ever to appear on television. If possible, they are worse than the Braves’s usual crew.
Make whatever excuses you choose for the poor viewership. The broadcast crew is the main cause.
By Discovery Jones
October 21, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Over the summer and the travails of the Falcons, I, like all other fans of the franchise, wondered aloud “Is this surreal or what?” What has transpired since Mike Vick came to this town has gone from awe to shock. From man, can this guy play, to trade him and get something for him before he self destructs. I for one have spent the last three season wondering why Blank doesn’t do that. When the pigtails starting showing up under the do-rag it was obvious that he was doing some kind of chemical. The Miami thing was especially disconcerting. How stupid is he. A man with all that money flying commercially, knowing full well he was concealing. Doesn’t he know about Net Jets. And for Arthur Blank and the Falcons management to not come to that realization, man what a bunch of boobs. Trading Schaub as well. Hiring Harrington, Now to Leftkowitz or whatever his name is. Passing on all the Qbacks that were available.
Now watching the game and Lefkowitz gets hurt.
this text will be bolded=This town is in the middle of football heaven and we can’t filed a winner. Is it pure and simply that no one wants to play here?
I just want to scream. Bring back the Clampetts.
By Discovery Jones
October 21, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Oh, is this just a Braves blog? Oh well, is there a Falcon blog? Move it there please. I just think this Schultz guy is the best writer that the AJC has, so I like to get his opinions.
By mark
October 21, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
if the Braves could trade for a lefty like Johan Santanna to shore up the starting pitching, who would we be willing to part with?