Fans and writers alike have been blowing up social media for weeks begging the Atlanta Braves to fire Fredi Gonzalez. But, would firing Fredi be the ‘Braves Way’?
In a recent piece I wrote, I explained why I thought Fredi might lose his job and why he perhaps should lose his job. I’m not one of these hot-headed ‘fire Fredi!’ guys, but like I explained in said column, I believe the Atlanta Braves can do better in a manager. And, I think they will. But, it may not happen this year.
I think the Atlanta Braves might actually let Fredi Gonzalez ride out the remainder of this season – as terrible as the season may be, and as loud as this media frenzy against Fredi may be. I’m not saying that I agree with this – I’m just saying don’t be surprised if Fredi Gonzalez rides this year out.
I think the Atlanta Braves committed to Fredi Gonzalez coming into this season. Now, did the front office expect the team to be this bad? Of course not. Nobody did. I think that while fans are calling for his termination (and even writers like myself are making cases for his exit), the organization feels that, while Fredi Gonzalez hasn’t been perfect, he is not to blame for much of the team’s bad start to the 2016 campaign.
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This may change. The guy still might get fired. Coppy and Hart are known to be sneaky. But, despite Fredi Gonzalez’s imperfections, it wouldn’t be the ‘Braves Way’ to fire a guy who’s been given such a bad hand.
National writers have attempted to bring their two cents on the matter, but unless you watch Atlanta Braves games from start to finish every day (and I would venture to say that many national writers don’t), it’s hard to explain Braves fans frustration with Fredi Gonzalez. To fans, it’s not just his questionable decision making, and it’s not just his personality, it’s not just the bad team on the field, it’s more than that. It’s how Fredi Gonzalez is. Fans feel like he’s not passionate, doesn’t fight for players, and doesn’t have the personality to motivate players in the way a winning manager should.
I can understand the front office’s reasons for allowing Fredi Gonzalez to ride it out. While I do not agree with some of Fredi’s decisions, the guy has been dealt a terribly bad hand. We must admit this. There is not denying this.
Now, would he still make bad decisions if he had really good players? In my opinion – Yes. But, you can’t blame Fredi Gonzalez for what’s happened to Aybar, A.J., Freeman’s cold start, Folty’s debut, Inciarte’s injury, etc. And, guys who the front office have put too much stock in, like Jace Peterson, whom I’ve predicted to not work out, have indeed not worked out. Again – Not Fredi’s fault.
I get it. As a Braves fan, I’m not crazy about Fredi Gonzalez. Google it. I lost complete faith in him when he pulled Aaron Harang during a no-hitter. But, as a writer, given this strange season in which all the Braves are truly doing is waiting for some of these young guys to get ready, firing Fredi Gonzalez might do more damage than good.
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Moving forward, towards this grand future, I will say this – I don’t think Fredi Gonzalez is the worst manager in baseball. But, if the Atlanta Braves are going to tout that they are the best organization in baseball year after year, they need to have the best manager in baseball.