Dec 27 2008
Johnson looks to get over dropped pop-up, guide Braves to wins in 2009
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — Whether fair or not, Kelly Johnson’s 2008 season forever will be linked to one play the Atlanta Braves second baseman didn’t make.
It came in early June, the Braves ahead of the division-leading Phillies by one run with two outs in the top of the ninth at Turner Field. Chris Coste lofted a pop-up down the right-field line. Johnson raced to the spot, camped under what would be the final out of a game that would pull the Braves within 2 ½ games of first place …
And the ball plopped out of his glove, falling inches inside the foul line. The Phillies tied the game, won it in extra innings, and went on to win the World Series.
The Braves lost the game, lost their next five in a row, kissed .500 goodbye and tail-spun their way to a 90-loss season.
Surely, you can’t put all of that on Johnson’s shoulders. He made a horrific play in a season chock-full of them. But again, fair or not, that’s what we think of when we consider KJ’s 2008 campaign.
In his second full season as a second baseman, Johnson committed the same number of errors (11) in 11 more games. Not the smoothest of second sackers, there was enough progress made from 2007 to 2008 to show he’s making strides and becoming a better fielder.
It’s the inconsistency at the plate that really dogged at Johnson. As the Braves’ one-run losses mounted, KJ became a target for fans’ criticism, even though he finished the season hitting .287 with 12 homers, 69 RBIS, 39 doubles, six triples and 11 stolen bases. Very solid offensive numbers.
But the manner in which those numbers were compiled frustrated the good people of Braves Nation. His May (.355, 11 doubles, 14 RBIs) and September (.398, three homers, 19 RBIs) were very, very good. The other four months? Not so much: .241 in April, .250 in June, .224 in July, .237 in August.
There is no denying consistency at the dish is a focal point for improvement. Continued refining of his defense, particularly the backhand plays and starting double plays, also need to be in his sights. But Johnson, despite that horrid drop against the Phils, is a big part of this team, and while his name has been tossed around in trade discussions this winter, has enough upside and development left to merit the Braves keeping him.
And he’s resilient, if nothing else. Remember, this is a kid who started his major-league career in 2005 by going 1-for-30. He finished that campaign hitting .241. Johnson then missed all of 2006 with an elbow injury, but returned and learned to play second base, making the move from left field.
He’s a tough one, and a good one, that one dropped pop-up notwithstanding.
—30—
