Acuna Blah Blah Blah

Long weekend for the Braves. In three games they out-hit and out-scored one of the best teams in baseball, but only came away with one win. Sunday they knocked one of the best pitchers in baseball out of the game Chris Sale). After two games filled with bad calls, Braves catcher Tyler Flowers had to get in the veteran umpire’s face and demand his pitcher get the same calls Sale was getting.

I could understand Brian Snitker’s decision to put Markakis in left field, to better field balls off the green monster. As usual, the veteran handled the assignment with grace and efficiency. With his speed, athletic ability, and strong arm, young Ronald Acuna shouldn’t have had any problem patrolling right field. Many all-knowing fans had been clammering for the switch ever since Acuna had been called up. Well they were wrong again.

So many of Boston’s runs came on pokes into the right field corner, which Acuna failed to master. Sometimes the kid failed to hustle. He seems to have trouble figuring out where the batted ball is going. Some times he was able to make up for poor jumps with his speed, but several times the ball got away from him in the corner.

I was reminded of Bob Uecker’s method of catching a knuckleball: wait till it stops rolling, then pick it up. Acuna was almost that bad. When Acuna was finally able to chase down the ball, his lobs back to the infield could’ve used more mustard. For someone who’s supposed to have a superior arm, he sure doesn’t show it off.

I know the kid is young. He’s got a lot to learn. He has a long way to go. I know all that. But Acuna doesn’t look like he’s studying the game. You’d think the son of a former major league player would be more schooled in the basics of game. It’s only been a month, but I haven’t seen much improvement. He’s making the same mental errors. Sure it’s refreshing to see his excitement and hugs in the dugout. I’d just like to see a little more excitement and hustle and effort on the field.

Bob Horner and Andruw Jones were great players who never seemed to be trying. Perhaps young Ronald is like them. The difference? Both Horner and Andruw entered the league as much more polished players than Acuna. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, a Baby Boomer / Generation X / millennial thing.

As a rookie Chipper Jones tore up his knee hitting first base awkwardly. Not Acuna has done something similar. According to reports Acuna has been luck his knee wasn’t hurt much worse. The difference between Chipper and Acuna? Chipper was running straight ahead, straight through the bag, and injured his knee when he hit the bag.

But Acuna did not do this. The rookie ran through the bag then turned his body to face the umpire, waving his arms to signal safe – throwing off his balance and causing him to land awkwardly on his feet, and therefore injuring his knee. Rookie mistake. Let’s hope he learns from this. But I doubt that lesson will come any time soon.

Most years the Braves minor league team in Danville Virginia comes up with excellent bobbleheads. They created the classic El Oso Blanco Evan Gattis bobbles based off the iconic Sports Illustrated photo (or was that Kinston?). Anyway, last week Danville unveiled one of the best bobbleheads of 2018: Ronald Acuna being held up by Andruw Jones in a Lion King “Acuna Mattada” style pose. With Acuna’s injury, perhaps it’s prophetic that he has to be held up.

After wearing my new Acuna jersey to several games, methinks I’ll keep it in the closet until he’s able to mature a little. Time to bring back Hank Aaron or Dale Murphy – or Bob Uecker.

NOTES: I heard game two didn’t get over until like 1:30. Neither team wanted to have it rescheduled. Keith Hernandez wasn’t happy about the long day and blamed the Braves, though the Mets were just as culpable. The Braves told the fans in the upper deck they could move down to better seats.

For the most part most of the starters have having more good games than bad. Newcomb. McCarthy. Max Fried. Folty took a no hitter into the sixth at Fenway against Chris Sale. Sanchez and his sub-2.000 ERA returns tonight. Even Teheran has shown improvement and more consistency. Golharra should be returning from emergency leave soon. He seems to be destined for the bullpen, which is in severe need of reinforcements.

Those poor relievers seem like they have to pitch every game. No wonder they can’t pitch well. Snit needs to let the starters go deeper into games. Fried only threw 80 pitches in game one, but Snit pinch hit for him with two out and nobody on – even though his bench was shorthanded due to the Acuna injury.