BJ's New Stance
- Thread starter Hawk
- Start date
AUTiger7222
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Well his wRC+ in 2007 was 101. He was only at 84 in 2006. His fWAR in 2007 was 3.4 compared to only 0.9 in 2006. That's why I say 2007 was his best full season, at least with the Braves. But his peak was 2005 and that half season. Then 2011 being his 2nd best season.
In a Rough First Season in Atlanta, Upton Suffered in Silence
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — B. J. Upton was having the most dreadful season of his career and his brother Justin was in the same Atlanta clubhouse, a perfect shoulder to lean on as he navigated through the unfathomable time.
But he did not seek comfort from him.
In fact, he did not reach out to anyone for help.
“It was difficult, but I’m kind of a loner,” Upton said, his gaze fixed skyward as he sat in the dugout on a recent dreary day in training camp. “I handle things my own way. That’s just kind of the way it is.”
Justin is three years B. J.’s junior, shorter and stockier, but in his face and the timbre of his voice, the resemblance is unmistakable.
The younger Upton shook his head when asked if it surprised him that B. J. did not ask for his support when he dealt with hitting .184 and being benched in his first year with the Braves, after signing a five-year, $75.25 million contract.
“Nobody’s going to help you fix yourself,” Justin said. “People take that a little too far, I think. Until something clicks with you in your mind, things won’t go the right direction. You have to fix yourself before anyone else can.”
But surely B. J. talked to his parents, with whom he is close, about his problems? No.
Not his mother and not even his father, Manny Upton, who is known as Bossman, and the reason his son Melvin Emanuel is known as Bossman Junior, or simply B. J.
“What could anyone really say to me?” he said. “None of them had gone through what I had gone through last year. Nobody could relate, so I dealt with it on my own.”
But scores of people offered unsolicited advice.
“And that’s the problem,” Upton said, “everybody wants to throw in their two cents all the time, and you start trying to listen to everybody and before you know it you’ve got 100 people in your head. And you’re trying to play with him telling you something and him telling you something, and you just kind of take it with you to the field.”
Upton, who was the second overall pick in the 2002 draft by Tampa Bay and made his major league debut at 19, does not fault those who reached out to him. Now almost 30, he feels he should be able to handle his problems alone.
Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez is comfortable with not putting too much pressure on Upton. Asked what would he consider a successful season after Upton’s disastrous debut with the Braves, Gonzalez said: “Just a good, solid year. Something that he would have on the back of his baseball card, something that he’s done prior to last year. Those numbers are pretty good.”
In eight seasons with the Rays, Upton hit .255 with a .336 on-base percentage, and piled up 232 stolen bases with 118 homers.
When Upton discusses 2013, he does it with a dismissive tone, certain it was an aberration. He said he let the negativity of last year go as the Braves took the field for the National League division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“When I started sitting the bench in the playoffs,” he said, “I went from starting to a defensive replacement.”
Then he made a vow to himself: “This won’t happen again. I know it won’t happen again.”
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — B. J. Upton was having the most dreadful season of his career and his brother Justin was in the same Atlanta clubhouse, a perfect shoulder to lean on as he navigated through the unfathomable time.
But he did not seek comfort from him.
In fact, he did not reach out to anyone for help.
“It was difficult, but I’m kind of a loner,” Upton said, his gaze fixed skyward as he sat in the dugout on a recent dreary day in training camp. “I handle things my own way. That’s just kind of the way it is.”
Justin is three years B. J.’s junior, shorter and stockier, but in his face and the timbre of his voice, the resemblance is unmistakable.
The younger Upton shook his head when asked if it surprised him that B. J. did not ask for his support when he dealt with hitting .184 and being benched in his first year with the Braves, after signing a five-year, $75.25 million contract.
“Nobody’s going to help you fix yourself,” Justin said. “People take that a little too far, I think. Until something clicks with you in your mind, things won’t go the right direction. You have to fix yourself before anyone else can.”
But surely B. J. talked to his parents, with whom he is close, about his problems? No.
Not his mother and not even his father, Manny Upton, who is known as Bossman, and the reason his son Melvin Emanuel is known as Bossman Junior, or simply B. J.
“What could anyone really say to me?” he said. “None of them had gone through what I had gone through last year. Nobody could relate, so I dealt with it on my own.”
But scores of people offered unsolicited advice.
“And that’s the problem,” Upton said, “everybody wants to throw in their two cents all the time, and you start trying to listen to everybody and before you know it you’ve got 100 people in your head. And you’re trying to play with him telling you something and him telling you something, and you just kind of take it with you to the field.”
Upton, who was the second overall pick in the 2002 draft by Tampa Bay and made his major league debut at 19, does not fault those who reached out to him. Now almost 30, he feels he should be able to handle his problems alone.
Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez is comfortable with not putting too much pressure on Upton. Asked what would he consider a successful season after Upton’s disastrous debut with the Braves, Gonzalez said: “Just a good, solid year. Something that he would have on the back of his baseball card, something that he’s done prior to last year. Those numbers are pretty good.”
In eight seasons with the Rays, Upton hit .255 with a .336 on-base percentage, and piled up 232 stolen bases with 118 homers.
When Upton discusses 2013, he does it with a dismissive tone, certain it was an aberration. He said he let the negativity of last year go as the Braves took the field for the National League division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“When I started sitting the bench in the playoffs,” he said, “I went from starting to a defensive replacement.”
Then he made a vow to himself: “This won’t happen again. I know it won’t happen again.”
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
Or a BJ.
jsebe10
Well-known member
He dropped that little toe tap hitch he did right before loading up. I like this swing right here. He's getting that front foot down and looking to he right side. The new foot work is allowing him to stay lower in the box and longer on the ball. You can tell he's been working hard this off season. Little new found respect for him.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
Cant wait for next years "No way it happens 3 years in a row, not gonna happen" line.
To be fair that's due to Upton sucking then anything Bourn did last year.
Reminds you of Uggla last year....