Braves Fire Manager Fredi Gonzalez With Majors' Worst Record
CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves on Tuesday fired manager Fredi Gonzalez, who couldn't survive the worst record in the majors.
Braves general manager John Coppolella confirmed the firing of Gonzalez, in his sixth season. The Braves are in the midst of a dismal stretch: They have lost two straight and eight of 10, have baseball's worst record at 9-28 and already are 13 ½ games out of first place in the NL East.
The Braves are expected to discuss the move at a news conference later Tuesday.
There was no immediate announcement from the team on who will take over for Gonzalez either on an interim or full-time basis.
Gonzalez replaced Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, who retired following the 2010 season.
The Braves won the NL East with 96 wins in 2013 but fell to 79-83 the following season.
Since then, the Braves have shifted to rebuilding mode, seeking young pitchers in a series of moves that stripped the roster of such established veterans as Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, Andrelton Simmons, Craig Kimbrel and Shelby Miller.
Expectations were low this season as the Braves set their focus on moving into their new SunTrust Park in 2017. Even so, it was clear Coppolella and team president John Hart didn't expect to have the worst record in the majors.
The Braves lost their first nine games. They had a brief recovery with four straight wins but haven't been able to put together another winning streak.
Gonzalez was 434-413 in his sixth season with the Braves. He was 276-279 in four seasons with the Marlins.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
