Dec 05 2008
Braves get insurance behind the plate with signing of Ross
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — The newest member of the Atlanta Braves will without a doubt have his thoughts focused on a sporting venue in Georgia’s capital city Saturday.
But forgive David Ross if he’s not thinking about Turner Field, where he will be employed in 2009 and 2010 after signing a two-year, $3 million contract with the Braves. Instead, the University of Florida product definitely will be watching the Georgia Dome, where his Gators take on Alabama in the SEC championship game.
Ross has the connection to Atlanta’s big event this weekend, and he has the connection to the Peach State, having been born in Bainbridge, down in the southwest portion of the state. He also has a stick with some pop, and a good arm behind the plate.
It’s a tremendous upgrade over what the Braves have employed as a backup to Brian McCann in the past two years. We all know the struggles of Todd Pratt and Corky Miller. You’ve seen me call Miller – on more than one occasion – the worst player in Major League Baseball.
Ross isn’t an All-Star, and if he starts more than 35 games, it’s a sign of trouble for the Braves – in other words, McCann will get hurt and the team will suffer as a result. But when it comes to bringing somebody in to catch day games after a night game, Ross isn’t bad at all.
His career .222 batting average won’t stop the presses, but dude does have three seasons of double-digit homers. Granted, two of those came in Cincinnati, where I think your humble beat writer could yank out a couple down the left-field line … OK, maybe if the ball was put on a tee, and maybe if I stood in short left field, but I digress.
Ross threw out 10 of 26 would-be basestealers last season, and in his career has gunned down 87 of 228 stealers. Darn fine numbers, indeed. And while he won’t hit for a high average, he does possess power that has to be respected.
The Braves could’ve done worse with their No. 2 catcher spot. Clint Sammons whiffed in 12 of 53 big-league at-bats last season, and the Braves would like for the former Parkview High and University of Georgia standout to get a full season in at Triple-A. What Ross provides is a veteran safety net in case McCann gets hurt and misses extended time, without having to throw Sammons – who has 25 games of major-league experience – into full-time duty at the major-league level if Mac gets hurt.
A good insurance policy, one that – unlike the Corkster – actually can play effectively in the majors.
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