In these proverbial dog days of summer, with the Braves stuck in third place, 10 games under .500 and not even on the fringes of the playoff race, it might be easy for energy to lag by now and for players to go through the motions in the last 50 games of a long, difficult season.
But a few thirtysomething veterans have helped assure that doesn’t happen: Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski, who’ve been the Braves’ best hitters for much of the season and especially the past two months, and Jonny Gomes, who’s not let his disappointing offensive production affect his unwavering intensity and leadership.
As coaches like to say, when your best performers are also your hardest workers, that’s gold in terms of setting an example for the others. Particularly for younger players who aren’t accustomed to the rigors of a long season.
When other Braves see 38-year-old Pierzynski, still catching about five days a week, and Markakis, who had major neck surgery last winter, excelling in July and August as teammates are getting injured or traded and the team’s postseason goal fades, it can have more of an impact on young players than any motivational message from others.
“It’s huge,” Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer said. “Absolutely huge. That’s been the biggest reason for the success we’ve had, is just the way guys grind at-bats and keep bringing it for 27 outs, as hard as they can go. And when you’ve got two veteran guys like that who are the role models leading the way, it’s a real good example for the younger guys.”
Markakis and Pierzynski are both hitting exactly .300 after having their hitting streaks snapped in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Marlins, the Braves’ only loss in a four-game series. Markakis had 25 hits and a .379 average in his 15-game streak, and Pierzynski had 22 hits and a .431 average during his 13-game streak.
For the season, Markakis has hit .311 with 11 extra-base hits (two homers), 17 RBIs and a .445 slugging percentage in his past 29 games, and leads the Braves in doubles (25), on-base percentage (.372) and games played (110).
“He’s the ultimate pro in the batter’s box,” Seitzer said. “One of the best breaking-ball hitters I’ve ever worked with. Just his ability to hit lefties, righties, hang in there (against lefties), stay with his approach. I think he went through periods where he was a little frustrated with not hitting homers and trying to pull a little bit too much, and that got him big and long (with his swing), but he would get it right back.”
Braves center fielder Cameron Maybin smiled when asked about Markakis, who had three three-hit games last week.
“I call him Ted Williams,” Maybin said. “The guy’s unbelievable. It seems like he can’t get out, and it seems like it doesn’t matter if the (pitcher) is righty, lefty…. He’s just your ultimate gamer, doesn’t do much talking but goes out and just leads by example. It’s been a pleasure playing with him this year.”
Pierzynski is defying all conventional wisdom about aging catchers and the wear-and-tear of position during the summer months. He’s hit a robust .389 (37-for-95) with eight extra-base hits and a .942 OPS in 25 games since July 4.
He’s amazed a lot of people, bouncing back from a career-worst year in 2014 to bat .300 with 26 extra-base hits (seven home runs), 37 RBIs and a .440 slugging percentage in 79 games – about 30 more games than many envisioned after he signing a one-year deal to serve as a backup and mentor to rookie Christian Bethancourt.
“He’s got great hands,” Seitzer said. “And his hand speed has really gotten better the second half. Just using his hands more and keeping his body out, taking his base hits the other way and staying in the middle of the field when he wants to. He likes to pull the ball; he’s good at it. But he knows that that’ll get him in trouble if he tries to do it too much.
“He went through a little funk after getting off to a hot start, and I think that’s been the big thing, just using his hands and not trying to do too much. He gets thrown a lot of secondary stuff; he’s a really good off-speed hitter, as Nick is. He’s real smart in the batter’s box, too. He has a real good feel for what the pitcher’s trying to do to him.”
Seitzer was asked about the difference in personalities between the stoic Markakis and Pierzynski, known to talk a lot of (mostly) good-natured trash.
“Oh, way different. Opposites,” Seitzer said, laughing. “Both professionals. It’s fun when you get guys like that who’ve been there, done it, had success, know what works and doesn’t work, talking through things. And then their ability to make adjustments quick – it’s good.”
