Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Braves Name Gonzalez New Manager

Less than 48 hours after Bobby Cox ended his managerial career, the Atlanta Braves have named former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez as his successor. Gonzalez managed the Marlins from 2007 to the middle of the 2010 season.

Prior to his tenure with the Marlins, Gonzalez worked under Cox as his third base coach from 2003 to 2006. So I'm sure Gonzalez was personally recommended to Frank Wren by Cox himself.

Still, Gonzalez has some very big shoes to fill and I'm not sure he's up to the task. Gonzalez was fired mid-season by the Marlins after he lost control of the team. The biggest difference between Cox and Gonzalez is that Cox would never rip a player in public. Sure he might take a player out of a game and read him the riot act behind closed doors but he wouldn't air out dirty laundry. Cox would never have ripped Hanley Ramirez to a reporter. Now maybe Gonzalez has learned his lesson. But I have a feeling the Braves don't return to the post-season in 2011.

No comments: