Rosenthal: Chipper on Escobar

Chipper on Escobar: "Do not give up on this kid"

On June 14, Braves manager Bobby Cox removed shortstop Yunel Escobar from a game due to a lack of focus. His attitude was infuriating not only Cox, but also opponents and teammates. But Escobar led the NL in OPS in July, and seemingly has turned an emotional corner.

Ask Chipper Jones.

"Escobar, I feel, is one more notch mentally from being the best shortstop in the National League," the Braves' third baseman says. "He's got the defensive game, the offensive game. Mentally, he's not quite there yet. But he's about to elevate himself into one of the top one or two shortstops in the league.

"That's when sometimes reading news clippings might help you. It will piss you off. He got hacked off at what people were saying about him. Maybe that's what it takes to get the message through. Nobody appreciates being bad-mouthed in the press. And he was getting it.

"Anytime Bobby Cox pulls you off the field in the middle of a game, it's bad. He wanted to make a point. He made that point. But I harp on the people of Atlanta: Do not give up on this kid. He's the best shortstop I've ever played with.

"He's young, hungry, a good player, a good kid. We just need to tone him down just a little bit, get him not to make mental mistakes."

7 months ago PWHjort 5 comments 0 recs |

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Chipper....

is managerial material. No doubt whatsoever.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Aug 18, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good call

This really does demonstrate that

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Aug 20, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Let’s just keep him till he’s older then Bobby and let him make the switch when he’s done playing. It’s been what, since Pete Rose that there was a player/manager? Seems like a good way to save a couple million bucks.

"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Aug 21, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Funny, because to me that relationship (Chipper and Esco) seemed strained.I really hope Escobar sees what Chipper says and takes it in the positive light he should,because this kid has so much natural baseball ability.

by mikie baseball on Aug 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs