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Atlanta Braves Managerial Candidates

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (35) and second baseman Brian Dozier (2) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (35) and second baseman Brian Dozier (2) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2014; Atlanta Braves bullpen coach Eddie Perez (12) has this uncanny ability to levitate baseballs. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2014; Atlanta Braves bullpen coach Eddie Perez (12) has this uncanny ability to levitate baseballs. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Eddie Pérez

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  • Eduardo Rafael “Eddie” Pérez
  • AGE:  48 on May 4th
  • BORN:  Zulia, Venezuela
  • MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE:
    • Catcher, 1995-2005 (Braves, Indians, Brewers).  .253, .687 OPS, 40 HR, 172 RBI in 564 games.  Was never a ‘full-time’ catcher as such, appearing in a maximum of 107 games/375 PAs in 2003.  Caddied for Greg Maddux during most of his Braves’ career.  Occasionally played first base.
    • Was member of the 1995 World Series Champion Braves as rostered player; saw no action.
  • MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE:
    • Player coach for Mississippi Braves (2006).  Hired as bullpen coach under Bobby Cox, 2007.
    • Managed Aguilas del Zulia (Venezuelan Winter League), 2008-10 (2 seasons), and also for 2014-15 season.
    • Managed Tigres de Aragua in 2015-16 season, winning the VZ WL title.
    • Managed Venezuela in the Caribbean Series, 2015, finishing second to Mexico.
    • Currently bullpen coach for the Atlanta Braves (2007-present).

PROS:  Catchers are better managers overall, in theory.  Has added plus of working with directly with pitchers for 11 seasons.  Bi-lingual (many of the other candidates certainly could be – references are sketchy here).  Bud Black, for example, apparently has picked up Spanish along the way.

CONS:  No direct managerial experience beyond Winter League play.

A theme could be developing here:  Bud Black and Eddie Perez would both know pitchers very well.  While separate pitching coaches would need to be hired, if your major concern with Gonzalez involves his handling of pitchers, then either of these guys could represent some sort of improvement in that area.

Major League Baseball would certainly approve of Perez’ hiring given his ethnicity, and there are definitely advantages to having bi-ligual speakers in this job – one big advantage that Fredi enjoys.

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