Joggin' G.A.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Maybe it's just me but it seems to me that Garrett Anderson has one speed, that being coasting speed. He never seems to be running all out on a hit or in the field. I know he's had some problems with his pins but it's ridiculous. He reminds me of Joggin' George Hendrick back in the late 70s and 80s. I haven't seen him get dirty nor attempt to throw out any baserunner. All of his throws back to the infield seem like lobs, and I think he possibly allowed a run to score today by not attempting a throw to the plate. He seems disinterested. Maybe it's because he isn't happy with the team he signed with since he realizes they're going nowhere. I do think he owes the team a legitimate effort and I don't feel he's giving them that.
Anyone else agree?

[BraveFan]

Your right with that said however I don't think its a big deal b/c he has done that his whole career I don't think its lazyness.

GA is also starting to hit the ball and is no longer a liability at the plate.

[absintheofmalaise]

JD Drew doesn't care either!! You're seriously judging about whether a player cares or not by how dirty he gets? Maybe if he led some cheers from the bench when he's not hitting.

[Wahoo]

When you have a chance to beat out a groundout, and still pull up before you hit the bag (i.e. in yesterday's game), then yeah, you're a lazy bastard, and have no right taking a spot from some other deserving youngster.

[BigWorm]

It was nice seeing poo poo get a little frustrated when Matt Diaz of all people came in to pinch run for him in the eighth inning yesterday afternoon. Looked like poo poo wasn't too happy when Burrrrrito Cadihia yanked him.

I felt bad for poo poo. I wanted to change his diaper and give him a bottle.

[IkeWagner]

He might be one of those guys who doesn't look like they are trying when they really are.

We really have no idea what he's thinking, in terms of whether he likes it in Atlanta. Bear in mind that some people are just reserved; they could be having the time of their lives and you'd never know it.

[luvdembravos]

Garrett Anderson epitomizes everything that is wrong with this current crop of Braves players: Lack of hustle, nonchalant attitude, no speed, little power etc. He’s the perfect statue to be standing in left field to pay tribute to OUR 2009 Atlanta Braves.

The best part is that Wren was able to purchase this fantastic piece of art at a bargain price of $2.5M. Rumor has it that the Braves are planning on having a “Garrett Anderson Night” in late August to officially unveil the statue. The first 5,000 fans will get a GA bobble head (BTW, kids should not be upset if their GA doll doesn’t bobble – it was intentionally designed that way to imitate every Anderson "non-move").

Although most Braves fans are as apathetic as Anderson about this special night, word has it that pigeons in the Atlanta metro area are pretty excited.

[CharlotteBrave]

He might be one of those guys who doesn't look like they are trying when they really are.

We really have no idea what he's thinking, in terms of whether he likes it in Atlanta. Bear in mind that some people are just reserved; they could be having the time of their lives and you'd never know it.


His double last night should have been a triple, but he was jogging.

[Middle Man]

First, I think GA is slow even when he wants to be fast.

Second, I think he's the kind of guy that doesn't want to needlessly exert any more effort than necessary. If he knows a hitter is gonna get to second base with a double, he adjusts his effort accordingly - no need to hustle and make a hard throw if it won't make any difference, you know? If he (GA) knows that he can make it to second with a double, he adjusts his running speed so that he doesn't get there too early. The problem with this, of course, is that you can't always predict what will happen. A fielder could bobble a ball, an outfielder could cut off the ball and make a stronger than expected throw, etc.

[slowride]

He is very lazy and a Huge liability defensively. You are absolutely right. I was at the series in Boston. Both my Dad and me are SICK of his attitude. Anderson was running at one point and my dad just yells "SCORE YOU LAZY SON OF A BITCH."

With that said, he's not the only one. Yunel needs to pull his head out of his rear. His cockiness was once a virtue, but now he just acts like he's entitled to be where he is. He's loafing and making very poor decisions. His baseball IQ must be in the gutter.

I don't care who you are, if you don't hustle I don't want you playing for me.

[luvdembravos]

I think he's the kind of guy that doesn't want to needlessly exert any more effort than necessary. If he knows a hitter is gonna get to second base with a double, he adjusts his effort accordingly - no need to hustle and make a hard throw if it won't make any difference, you know? If he (GA) knows that he can make it to second with a double, he adjusts his running speed so that he doesn't get there too early.

You just described 95% of the guys who play in my masters softball league. I'm guessing GA doesn't slide either.

[jamminHANES]

As long as he's hitting and catching the balls he is supposed to I'm fine with his attitude. You don't need to be David Eckstein to be a solid major leaguer, plenty of players exert the necessary amount of energy and are quality players. I.E. Manny Ramirez.

[absintheofmalaise]

He is very lazy and a Huge liability defensively. You are absolutely right. I was at the series in Boston. Both my Dad and me are SICK of his attitude. Anderson was running at one point and my dad just yells "SCORE YOU LAZY SON OF A BITCH."

With that said, he's not the only one. Yunel needs to pull his head out of his rear. His cockiness was once a virtue, but now he just acts like he's entitled to be where he is. He's loafing and making very poor decisions. His baseball IQ must be in the gutter.

I don't care who you are, if you don't hustle I don't want you playing for me.
How in the hell do you know if he's hustling or not? Since he was mentioned, do you want a team of Eckstiens out there because they get dirty and look like they are hustling? You know just because you don't see them grimacing with effort doesn't mean they aren't trying.
And yes, Escobar has lost points off his baseball IQ.
And they aren't playing for you.

[luvdembravos]

I didn't realize Garrett Anderson had so many supporters. Looks like some Braves' fans are O.K. with mediocrity.

[Chris_Moderato]

Looks like some Braves' fans are O.K. with mediocrity.

Hey, if you aren't at least tolerant of mediocrity these days, these Braves are liable to drive you crazy.

[slowride]

How in the hell do you know if he's hustling or not? Since he was mentioned, do you want a team of Eckstiens out there because they get dirty and look like they are hustling? You know just because you don't see them grimacing with effort doesn't mean they aren't trying.
And yes, Escobar has lost points off his baseball IQ.
And they aren't playing for you.

A. I think your attitude is a little over the top.

That aside, I can tell he's not hustling by watching him play. He jogs to balls in the outfield. If he has to run to make a catch, chances are he won't do it. He also loafs around on the basepads. These are my observations. If you don't like them then I welcome you to a healthy debate, but I'm not going to demean your intelligence over Garret friggin Anderson. I don't care how dirty he gets, or if he grimaces. I really don't see what that even has to do with anything.

We agree on Escobar....moving on.

I know they don't play for me. I guess I should have prefaced with "In a fantasy world where I am the manager of a major league team....."

Or perhaps this would better suit you: I don't want players, playing for a team of which I am a fan of, who do not hustle.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

The insinuation about "not getting dirty" is a reference to his lack of effort. He's not going to do much more than jog to where a ball is hit or jog on the bases. He breaks one of Cox's "rules," he doesn't play hard. I laughed last night when I heard the radio announcer say, "Anderson jogs into second base."
Unlike Andruw Jones, whose skill aloowed him to appear to be gliding rather than busting it, Anderson doesn't have that type of skill to cover his lack of hustle.

[BigWorm]

Lifetime .322 hitter against the Yanks though...gotta appreciate that.

[Chris_Moderato]

Lifetime .322 hitter against the Yanks though...gotta appreciate that.

Nah, because he doesn't conform to the standards of "go-get-em-ness" of the members of CN. Performance doesn't matter if you don't look like you're trying.

[jlcct]

How in the hell do you know if he's hustling or not? Since he was mentioned, do you want a team of Eckstiens out there because they get dirty and look like they are hustling? You know just because you don't see them grimacing with effort doesn't mean they aren't trying.
And yes, Escobar has lost points off his baseball IQ.
And they aren't playing for you.

I disagree. They are playing for me and I think they should always feel like they are playing for me. :rolleyes:

[Andy G.]

First, I think GA is slow even when he wants to be fast.

Second, I think he's the kind of guy that doesn't want to needlessly exert any more effort than necessary. If he knows a hitter is gonna get to second base with a double, he adjusts his effort accordingly - no need to hustle and make a hard throw if it won't make any difference, you know? If he (GA) knows that he can make it to second with a double, he adjusts his running speed so that he doesn't get there too early. The problem with this, of course, is that you can't always predict what will happen. A fielder could bobble a ball, an outfielder could cut off the ball and make a stronger than expected throw, etc.
That's exactly right, and it probably doesn't come back to bite him as often as it would seem to most fans. I can understand being frustrated by this approach, but I don't that it's as big of a deal as some make it out to be.

My issue with him is his lack of speed. He seems to be moving a little better lately, though. I know he had the calf injury in ST, and it obviously lingered into the start of the season, but I think there's also something else that's bothering him more than he's letting on. He's been swinging a hot bat lately. He's starting to hit for more power. I've changed my stance on him. I was wrong to jump on him so early without giving him a chance to get hot and actually have a decent season. I don't think his numbers will be nearly as bad as they are now when the season is over.

[bravos4evr]

he still sucks for a corner outfielder. He only appears to be playing well when compared with his prior sucktitude and with Frenchy the wonder monkey!

[Andy G.]

Since May 13th, Anderson has posted an OPS of .804. That doesn't "suck" in for any position. Sure, it might not be enough to give the Braves what they would like, due to the lack of power from first base and the overall lack of production from right field. That doesn't mean Garret Anderson sucks. I've been hard on him too, even as recently as the past couple of days, but looking at what he's done this season I've decided he's not getting a fair shake from Braves fans.

I really think he's going to end up with nice numbers, and I think our offense(really the team in general) is going to surprise a lot of the naysayers on this board. Just wait until Kelly and Casey start hitting to their capabilities. Neither are miraculous but they're both way better than they've been so far.

[luvdembravos]

It's great to have a positive attitude and hope that KJ, Kotchman and GA have a great second half but chances are slim to none that everyone will be working on all cyinders at the same time. If the aforementioned guys get hot, some others will go cold or get injured. That seems to be our fate. Maybe we'll start hitting this summer but then something else will go wrong like starting pitching or the bullpen. Let's face it, the Braves are a .500 team and we've been that way since the summer of 2005. Our longest winning streak this year has been 3 games and we rarely take 2 out of 3 in a series which was the Braves standard during the 14 year streak. Call me a naysayer but we are what we are: Just an average team that isn't going to the playoffs this year.

[Agent-X-]

I'm actually comfortable with GA at this point. We haven't had great defense in LF for a while, and it's a position you typically don't worry about.

Now if only we could get decent production out of 2B and RF... we could seriously win a lot of games if those two positions were league average.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

The question still persists, how much better could GA be if he was busting it out there? Hey, I'm glad to see him heating up at the plate but when I see him loaf to get a flyball he let bounce, soft-toss the ball back to the infield every time and jog on the bases, I'll be put off by it. The traits MiddleMan described involving measuring one's pace to fit the situation describes half the people I work around who absolutely will not do anything more than the very least they can get by with, and I don't appreciate it from them, either. If it takes two more steps to do the job the best it could be done, but they don't have to take those two steps, they won't. This makes one at the least, shiftless, more likely indolent. GA strikes me as indolent, by his inaction, much like some of my fellow employees.

[Wahoo]

It's great to have a positive attitude and hope that KJ, Kotchman and GA have a great second half but chances are slim to none that everyone will be working on all cyinders at the same time. If the aforementioned guys get hot, some others will go cold or get injured. That seems to be our fate. Maybe we'll start hitting this summer but then something else will go wrong like starting pitching or the bullpen. Let's face it, the Braves are a .500 team and we've been that way since the summer of 2005. Our longest winning streak this year has been 3 games and we rarely take 2 out of 3 in a series which was the Braves standard during the 14 year streak. Call me a naysayer but we are what we are: Just an average team that isn't going to the playoffs this year.

Word. I'll take the odds on this one, and historically speaking, you'd have about the same odds as being hit by lightning as a team below .500 at this point in the season has at making the playoffs.

[Andy G.]

Word. I'll take the odds on this one, and historically speaking, you'd have about the same odds as being hit by lightning as a team below .500 at this point in the season has at making the playoffs.
Do you have any proof of that? I seriously doubt that odds are that low of a team hovering just below .500 on June 24th, then putting it together and making the playoffs.

Every year there are a handful of teams that have things happen in their favor. Players get hot, their cornerstones stay healthy and productive, and the strong points of their team don't crumble when their weaknesses strengthen. Those teams make the playoffs. Everybody needs things to work in their favor. It's not a far fetched idea in any way.

[Wahoo]

Do you have any proof of that? I seriously doubt that odds are that low of a team hovering just below .500 on June 24th, then putting it together and making the playoffs.

Every year there are a handful of teams that have things happen in their favor. Players get hot, their cornerstones stay healthy and productive, and the strong points of their team don't crumble when their weaknesses strengthen. Those teams make the playoffs. Everybody needs things to work in their favor. It's not a far fetched idea in any way.

Let me get back to you, Tim Kurkjan has done a few pieces on this subject, but I guarantee you the odds are 5% or less. You only think they are higher because you remember the exception to the rule, the Astros, but it's not that common. Teams just don't magically go from sucking to being a good team in the middle of the season like this.

Check that: I found someone to do the math for me.

http://www.coolstandings.com/baseball_standings.asp?i=1

If I read it right, our chances are currently 14.8% at making the playoffs. So clearly, I exaggerated, but I stand by my thoughts. Those odds still aren't favorable.

[Andy G.]

I love Kurkjan. You're probably right, but that really doesn't mean much at all. If you're talking about the percentage of teams that go from below .500 at this point to making the playofs, you're including teams like the Nationals. The Braves are just under .500 and have not performed to their capabilities yet. They're also in a bad division. Telling me the number of sub .500 teams that have gone on to make the playoffs doesn't tell me anything about the Braves' chances of making the playoffs this year.

[Wahoo]

Yeah, I see your point, which is why I looked up our specific chances. See my prior post.

[Agent-X-]

Being only 4 games out with a potentially dangerous rotation and an offense that has plenty of room for improvement even as it currently stands... makes for a lot of uncertainty in the NL East playoff picture.

We're anything but out. And we have a much greater than 15% chance of making the playoffs.

Note that I'm not saying we're probable winners. I still don't think the odds are in our favor. They're just not nearly as bad as you make them out to be, Wahoo.

[luvdembravos]

At last check, the Braves' record is only better than 9 other teams in MLB so don't get your hopes up too much that we'll make the playoffs. ;)

[Agent-X-]

And the teams ahead of us are only slightly better too... last I checked, the winner of the NL East made it to the playoffs!

The question is: are we better than those who are ahead of us? I actually think it's close, and it really depends on our production from 2B and RF. If those two spots aren't black holes the rest of the season (and the odds are against both of them being that way), we have a chance to be really tough to beat.

Just saying, for what it's worth, we have some things in our favor. One can make a convincing case for us as NL East champs, especially if Kelly Johnson makes up for lost productivity, which his past suggests will happen. Not saying it will, but baseball is a numbers game of projections and reality. Somewhere, they tend to cross paths.

[Wahoo]

Being only 4 games out with a potentially dangerous rotation and an offense that has plenty of room for improvement even as it currently stands... makes for a lot of uncertainty in the NL East playoff picture.

We're anything but out. And we have a much greater than 15% chance of making the playoffs.

Note that I'm not saying we're probable winners. I still don't think the odds are in our favor. They're just not nearly as bad as you make them out to be, Wahoo.


A.) I didn't calculate the odds.

B.) That website is pretty reputable, and apparently fairly accurate with their projections.

So given that this team has not won more than 3 games in a row all year, is still sitting 2 games below .500 nearly halfway through the season, yeah...I think 15% is a pretty accurate number. You're asking a team to go from being mediocre (which it has been for 3 years now) to suddenly consistent and competitive. Color me a pessimist or what have you, but I think 15% is a pretty accurate assessment of our chances of competing this year, especially in the absence of any significant addition to our roster.

[wordslayer©]

Four games out is nothing to make up when you are only in June.

Of course we could win the division. The real question is: are we a good team? As of yet, we aren't. It doesn't mean that we can't be, but up to this point, we've been a pretty lousy team.

We are in a bad division, so that helps some. We've been moderately lucky in the fact that we've really had no good players hurt for any extended amount of time. Also, our pitchers have been healthy. But.......

We will have some injuries, and some of the players that have been hot so far will cool off, and hopefully, some of the players that have been dreadful will get better.

The downside is, we've had some great pitching performances and we still suck this bad. The good news is, our pitching is still pretty decent.

My gut tells me, if nothing changes, then we will continue to chug along in the manner we have been. I think we've been about as good as we can hope to be. No major injuries, good pitching, and we are still under .500.

If we were in the NL west, we'd probably be 14 games or so out and the season would be a joke. But,,,,,the good news is, we aren't in the NL west, and we are only 4 games out. Do I think we will make the playoffs? No. Do I think we have a shot at it? Of course.

[Agent-X-]

Four games out is nothing to make up when you are only in June.

Of course we could win the division. The real question is: are we a good team? As of yet, we aren't. It doesn't mean that we can't be, but up to this point, we've been a pretty lousy team.

We are in a bad division, so that helps some. We've been moderately lucky in the fact that we've really had no good players hurt for any extended amount of time. Also, our pitchers have been healthy. But.......

We will have some injuries, and some of the players that have been hot so far will cool off, and hopefully, some of the players that have been dreadful will get better.

The downside is, we've had some great pitching performances and we still suck this bad. The good news is, our pitching is still pretty decent.

My gut tells me, if nothing changes, then we will continue to chug along in the manner we have been. I think we've been about as good as we can hope to be. No major injuries, good pitching, and we are still under .500.

If we were in the NL west, we'd probably be 14 games or so out and the season would be a joke. But,,,,,the good news is, we aren't in the NL west, and we are only 4 games out. Do I think we will make the playoffs? No. Do I think we have a shot at it? Of course.

Which players have been hot so far? Last I checked, our best players have been playing up to our expectations. I can't think of anyone on offense who has surpassed reasonable expectations to this point. In fact, I'm still waiting for some people to break out and be on a hot streak.

[wordslayer©]

Which players have been hot so far? Last I checked, our best players have been playing up to our expectations. I can't think of anyone on offense who has surpassed reasonable expectations to this point. In fact, I'm still waiting for some people to break out and be on a hot streak.

Even as much as I like him, I think Vasquez has been a little over his head, and I think that Jurrjens won't be as good as he has been thus far.

I think KJ could improve. I think that Chipper and Brian are about where they will end up being. I think that Kotchman and Escobar are going to finish up about like they are. I *guess* Francoeur could improve some, but overall, I just don't see the offense doing a great deal more than they are doing.

I wish I could see serveral players breaking out offensively, but really, I just think most of them are doing about what they are capable of doing.

[Agent-X-]

Wasn't sure you were including pitchers in there. I think some of them are due to come back to Earth while others could even step it up a notch. I don't think pitching is going to be a problem...

I think since GA began hitting, we've seen our hitting woes lessen a little. We should expect substantially more production from 2B and even RF. Where do you see us if those positions change from black holes to near league average?

[slowride]

Welp, joggin GA let a catchable home run go by (he shouldn't be bothered to jump) and let what could have been an out (he shouldn't be bothered to run) turn into a double (he shouldn't be bothered to care).

Thanks GA. You da man. I guess now that you get a couple hits here and there people will stop caring that your defense and attitude are both disrespectful to the Braves organization and it's fans, as well as costing us runs.

In conclusion. F U.

[jamminHANES]

15 percent is probably accurate.

[quick]

We like to say, when GA is at the plate, that FOG (Fear of Garrett) fills the ballpark. Pitchers get weak-kneed. Infielders guard their private parts. Outfielders get ready to get on their horses. And yes, I DO muchly exaggerate. FOG will end up between .280-300 and with a decent OPS, but some nice offensive numbers do not an outfielder make. Indeed, one friend of mine suggests FOG historically makes his numbers over a torrid 30 day period and is below average the rest of the year, i.e. he is not consistent.

But, this same FOG is even worse when the Garr-rat is in the field, as the FOG blocks his vision, saps his energy, and makes his arm just like jello. Is there an outfielder in the game with less range, less hustle, and less effort than the FOG-man? He can turn a routine single into a double for any of our opponents.

It was a hoot the other night when Nate streaked toward left center and make that great snag against the Yankees, as FOG trotted over in the general area of the play, watching what real effort and real fielding results look like....

[Middle Man]

The letters in Garrett Anderson's name can be rearranged to spell "Darn trot enrages."

This type of situation wouldn't happen with better scouting and the judicious use of anagrams.

[Hobbes]

Middle Man must be one of only two people in the world who sports a Dolley Madison quote. :p

[Chris_Moderato]

Middle Man must be one of only two people in the world who sports a Dolley Madison quote. :p

Not to mention avatar.

[RiknTN]

Mr Hustle caught asleep at the wheel in left on that play........geez..........he is worthless. BC would never bench him because he's a veteran....but dang...........get off your ass and at least TRY and do the routine things.........

[argentina brave]

Mr Hustle caught asleep at the wheel in left on that play........geez..........he is worthless. BC would never bench him because he's a veteran....but dang...........get off your ass and at least TRY and do the routine things.........

i'm converted...he's a piece of **** and needs to go. it'd be one thing if he was hitting taters and mashing, but he's just another line drive hitter that we can replace.

after seeing that play, i'd have replaced him right then and there. that play was worse than anything escobar has ever done. at least escobar is trying...

[RiknTN]

I've never been to any kind of game and heckled a player........but I don't think I could hold back if I were sitting in ATL this summer........he's worthless as far as I can see........

[Hobbes]

I don't care if he is really trying and it just doesn't show. At least make the effort to look like you are trying. I've never been as disgusted by a Braves defender as I am by the human mannequin. We've had poor defenders before, but at least they tried to be good.

[Middle Man]

I'm not sure I can ever remember a Braves outfielder about whom I so frequently said "well, that just cost us a run." And he does it without actually making errors. It's a rare talent.

[Hobbes]

I'm not sure I can ever remember a Braves outfielder about whom I so frequently said "well, that just cost us a run." And he does it without actually making errors. It's a rare talent.
He's a perfect example of how a lack of errors doesn't indicate the ability of a defender.

[argentina brave]

...and he swung at ball 4 and watched strike 3 when it mattered....

and really, i used to have a lot of respect for garret when he was with the angels....was he always this (a)pathetic?!

[Braves N 10]

IMO we would have been better off with Barry Bonds.

[Dreamscape]

I miss Klesko in left.

I would use Klesko as a defensive replacement still over Anderson.

[argentina brave]

I miss Klesko in left.

I would use Klesko as a defensive replacement still over Anderson.

never thought i'd say it, but i agree...

[quick]

I miss Klesko in left.

I would use Klesko as a defensive replacement still over Anderson.

That is really, really funny. I can only hope GA reads this site and sees this line. Maybe it would motivate him....well, probably not.