I've never been one to call for the firing of any coach, mainly because I'm not that smart about that stuff. I let the big boys handle their business, and I accept my role as the simplistic fan who just wants to win. However, I need some counterargument for why Terry Pendleton should continue to be the Braves' hitting coach. Yes, there are other players and staff who seem the more obvious choice for being discharged, but I'm just thinking pratically here.
Wikipedia defines the hitting coach:
A hitting coach, as the name suggests, works with a team's players to improve their hitting techniques and form. He monitors players' swings during the game and over the course of the season, advising them when necessary between at-bats on adjustments to make. He also oversees their performance during practices, cage sessions, and pre-game batting practice.
From my view from the couch, it appears that TP isn't good at his job. And I'm not just talking about Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, and the other underachievers of the 2009 Braves. Think back to Andruw Jones and even Mark Teixeira, who really was just pretty good with us. Think about how Andruw and Francoeur went to work with the Rangers' hitting coach in the offseason. Now Andruw's hitting much better, and Francoeur's improvements dropped off after the first month or so. So, I say fire TP's lazy ass. What's the worst that can happen? Could the replacement hitting coach really make this team be anymore impatient at the plate?
*I googled "fire terry pendleton" and came upon this recent write-up at the AJC about the very same subject. Mark Bradley says that TP should not be fired, and argued that Francoeur's and Schafer's problems existed before they came to the big leagues. Then shouldn't it be the hitting coach's job to help fix those problems? What else is he expected to do?
5 comments:
I've heard rumors that they won't fire Terry because he is in line to take over for Bobby Cox. If true, I think it's a horrible way to go about this. If he can't even do a good job as a hitting instructor, why promote him? Firing Terry might not solve anything, but it wouldn't hurt either.
I rarely agree with Mark Bradley on anything, but firing Terry Pendleton isn't the answer. Go back and look at the stats he gave while Pendleton has been the hitting coach. The production has been there in the past, the players just aren't getting it done this year. I've always been a fan of Pendleton, so maybe I'm a little biased, but give the guy some more time.
I really disagree with your baseball knowledge. Frenchie and Kelly Johnson are just 2nd tier players in the league. Fire Pendleton, and I bet it does not change a damn thing...When they fire directors from movies when most of it has been filmed the movie still freaking sucks with the new director... same situation with these Atlanta Braves.
Right. Firing him might not change a thing, but my God, this team is so safe and complacent. Has been ever since I started following closely around 2003. I can understand very well those who think Bobby is loyal and patient to a fault. For once I'd like to see my team experience a shake-up of sorts.
C'mon... When Turner was the owner, the money was spent on Real talent in the coaching positions. Bobby Cox is one of the best managers in all of baseball history period. What's changed in the past few years? Rodger Mcdowell, instead of Leo Mazone, (and ever since Rodger has taken over, is it my imagination or do all our aces need surgery after every good season? not to mention, what looks like a lights out bullpen on paper, usually pans out to be shaky at best), and Terry Pendleton as hitting coach. Terry has overseen the fall from greatness of Andru Jones, who was one of the most dominant players in Baseball, ended up leaving the braves with his career in shambles... only to bounce around, end up with the Whitesox, and is now back on his way to dominating. Jeff Francour, who was dominant every where he went, until a few months after being called up to the bigs, had a great start, but after a few months with TP, started struggling mightily, ultimately ending up with the Mets, where he is once again making a name for himself. then there's Texiera, Adam Laroche, Jared Saltilamachia, Matt Diaz, who was a .400 hitter up till last year, & the list goes on and on and on. The front office has done a masterful job getting a good mix of strong power hitters, and consistent speed/utility guys over he past few years, but we fail, and i can't help but look at TP, who more often than not is leaning against the rails in the dugout, than conferencing with his sluggers. All I need to know, is that, in interviews, more of the braves bats tip their hat to Chipper Jones, than Terry Pendleton, and most of the pitchers credited Smoltz before he left, instead of McDowell. no i know both were veteran players with alot of influence in the lockeroom, but when the fellow players get more credit for coaching than the coaches, something is wrong. I know TP was a big part of the good old days of our championship runs, but his arrival as hitting coach seems to mark the end of our greatness... give him a job in the office, and put someone who can teach ppl how to swing a bat in the dugout... I'm a braves homer, will love them forever, but I say, in all honesty, we are the most underachieving team in baseball at this point in time. And there is no excuse for it, we have a dynamite line up, with players who produce everywhere, except under our coaching... i'm sad to see Cox leave, but i damn sure hope, the next guy: A. isn't Terry Pendleton. B. fires everyone and brings in a good coaching staff, that isn't figureheads from our glory filled past.
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