Andruw Has An Answer For Everything

by Velcro Vernacular on May 21, 2007 8:46 AM EDT Comment 15 comments

After being demoted to the number six spot in the lineup and sitting out with a sore back in our game two rout of the Red Sox, then returning only to strike out five times, some beat reporters apparently thought Andruw had a lot of explaining to do.

Don't they know who they're dealing with??

Andruw on striking out five times:

"I've struck out six, seven times in a row [over two games] before, so it ain't no big deal," Jones said.

Andruw on getting dropped to sixth in the order:

"It's really no big deal," said the center fielder, who hit .262 with 92 homers and 257 RBIs during the 2005-06 seasons. "If the team is playing better without me batting fourth, that's the way you have to go."

Andruw on his looming free agency:

"It ain't no big deal. Free agent, no free agent, I just go out and play the same way that I play always," he said. "I've struggled before, before I busted out, the year I hit 50-something [homers]. So it's really not a big thing."

I like how he changed it up a little bit there at the end: smooth! But why did the reporter stop there? I would have kept going until he decked me: How does Andruw feel about the designated hitter? Our interleague schedule? Global warming? Let's really get to the bottom of things that aren't big deals, while he's being so candid.

I don't blame Andruw for shrugging off the press, even if he does sound like a five year old who is responding to his parents' threats by screaming "I DON'T CARE!!" over and over again. Huddy's more thoughtful quotes about not making his pitches and having bad outings against the Sox throughout his career didn't make me feel any better about that game. Maybe if Andruw puts up a front of confidence, it will help him eventually turn things around. The one explanation he does semi-offer -- that he usually does well in May -- isn't much of a comfort. There are only ten days left in May, and two of them are off days.

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well said.

It makes you wonder what Andruw really does care about. Everything they ask him lately seems to conjure up a "I don't care" answer. He doesn't even care about his own birthday. You have to care about something, you can't be that carefree.

by mccannfan on May 21, 2007 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I wouldn't say he sounds like a kid...

I would actually say he sounds like me in college when I would give some...controlled substances...a shot.

"I don't care, man," I would say. "Shave the dog if you want to."

Oops.

by Dreamscape on May 21, 2007 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Good point.

by Velcro Vernacular on May 21, 2007 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Care

Andruw has never had a good relationship with the press. And now that he's in his worst slump since his rookie year, I'm not surprise he's essentially telling them to go to hell. If I were struggling in my walk year, I would want cameras shoved in my face all the time either.

by mhsiegel14 on May 21, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wake up Andruw!

Well I hope Andruw likes batting 8th because that's next. It will be a exciting team next year when he's gone. The new owners will want to put their stamp on this team and signing a big free agent or two will show the fans they want to win. AJ has been a major disappointment not only this year but in the past as well. AJ has a chance to show some other team he may be worth the money but we need to let him walk or strike out on his own.

by los angeles braves fan on May 21, 2007 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

This is my first post on here although I have been lurking around the website for a while. I think its interesting that people are so willing to sell Andruw off so quickly, making comments like "AJ has been a major disappointment not only this year but in the past as well." As a die hard Braves fan for many years I would have to disagree (with this year as an exception because he has been struggling) and say that Andruw Jones has been a great player for the Braves for a number of years winning multiple golden gloves and compiling career numbers that are not that much different than Barry Bonds' in his first years with the Pirates (with the exception of all of the stolen bases that Barry had). I still have faith in Andruw because of all that he has done for us in the past 11+ years and I think that by the end of this season he will end up with an average of around .260 with 30+ homeruns yet again.

by mvandonsel on May 22, 2007 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

aj

The Braves have needed a clean up hitter that is more than a .250-.260 performer. Jones is not clutch and has taken an attitude of who gives a shit. The Braves are going in a different direction and believe it is without him.

by los angeles braves fan on May 22, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...

The Braves seemed to have been winning before the recent spell with Andruw batting cleanup. Andruw is a great as a run producer, there is no such thing as clutch, and he's going to once again get back to his normal levels.

What Andruw actually suffers from is people's expectations. Too many still expect Andruw to be a Godsend and the next Willie Mays, both in the field and at the plate, instead of accepting what he was and is.

by Dreamscape on May 22, 2007 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

What Andruw actually suffers from is people's expectations

My boss was talking about this yesterday, blaming his struggles on pressure related to the upcoming free agency . . . I have a hard time imagining Andruw getting truly stressed out, but it could be prolonging his usual streaky spells.

by Velcro Vernacular on May 22, 2007 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

I just find the whole situation interesting/frustrating, because for years every time he would get to a 2-strike count you would always know where the pitcher was going...low and away with the off-speed junk and he would throw a half-assed swing at it. And it seemed in the last two years that he had finally learned to take that pitch, which resulted in his gaudy numbers.

This year he seems to have reverted back to it (be it free agency, the media, or just a lack of concentration). Watching those 5 K's against the Red Sox is a perfect example. The first four were all low and away and he was trying to pull every single one of them (I'll give him a break on the high 97 MPH from Paplebon). I understand that he may not classify himself as a pull hitter, but he needs to at least go back to either taking the ball, or fouling it off and getting another pitch to hit.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm sure you all feel the same way after watching him his entire career.

by Smoltzs Beard on May 22, 2007 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No rant, your right

When aj comes to the plate I get that anxious feeling that this guy is not going to deliver,I am so tired of shaking my head and cursing him out. I don't have that sinking feeling with Chipper, McCann, Renteria or even Francouer. It is like I forgot my homework and the teacher is calling on me next!

by los angeles braves fan on May 22, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, but ...

He certainly is not a clean up hitter. 6th seems right and maybe 8th at the right he's going now.

by los angeles braves fan on May 22, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate him

In two weeks i may love him, because that is the nature of Andruw Jones. But we are nearly two month s in and I don't think i have seen andruw have a good at bat. Sunday was just the pinnacle of his ineptitude. Even when his average was on the rise it seemed like he was just getting lucky and half the time he looked surprised when he got a hit. Sit him for a week so his back can heal and his swing can mend. You can see the disdain behind Pendleton's glasses some times lol

.....Matt

by yondaime4 on May 22, 2007 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cut Bait

Andruw has coasted on sheer talent. He is pushing 30; how much longer can he coast? A well conditioned athlete could probably go another 10 years but he doesnt appear to be the type to do the work required. He is a .265 career hitter who is historically lousy with RISP. Perhaps it's time for the Braves to cut bait (before he hits the downslope) on what will probably be an enormous contract demand. Perhaps a trade for a starting pitcher, Matt Diaz is a better hitter anyway.

by FloridaBrave on May 22, 2007 2:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs