Images courtesy of Curtis Compton and the AJC
I understand Bobby Cox is looking to instill confidence in his players. That hasn't changed from day one and I doubt it will change on his last day, but now isn't the time to take the stand by your man mentality. Cox has said repeatedly, he will pitch to situations, he proved last night to hit to situations when he announced Glaus as a pinch hitter, only to pinch hit Hinske for Glaus which led to the should have been game tying home run. Why is he not taking the same mentality to the field? To say that the Braves don't have a capable replacement is absurd. Diory Hernandez is sitting on the bench and has been touted as one of the best gloves in the minor leagues. He's not going to do much damage offensively, but he's a lead off type hitter and he will make the plays at 2nd, SS, or 3rd.
Don't get me wrong, if Bobby plays Conrad, I will be cheering him on, just like I will the entire team. Tonight is make or break. Bobby has been at the helm and has a lot more knowledge of the game than anyone writing for this blog, but you would think after 3 errors last night and 4 errors, one in each of the last regular season games. I'm with the team in saying the Braves simply wouldn't be in the game without Conrad to this point, but they wouldn't have been here without Glaus who has been benched in favor of Derrek Lee and rookie Freddie Freeman throughout the end of the season. Tonight, Glaus needs to play 3rd or Hernandez needs to play 2nd. Something has to give. If it doesn't, we may be witnessing the end of Bobby Cox's illustrious career and saying a premature goodbye to a true legend.
Images courtesy of Curtis Compton and the AJC
Regardless of who plays, let's all at least turn on TBS today to support our team. Go BRAVES!!!