From P.Gammons article on MLB.com
The question put to the Braves' Jason Heyward was whether being the new "new" thing of the 2010 season was at all uncomfortable -- with his veteran teammates or his fellow Minor Leaguers or his manager, Bobby Cox.
Or with comparisons, as the phenom has been likened to Willie McCovey. And Willie Stargell.
"The [Darryl] Strawberry comparison isn't right. I'd say Fred McGriff," Cox chimed in.
Astros manager Brad Mills asked Cox, "When did you get Cliff Floyd?" Mills later added, "In five years he's Dave Parker."
Mills went on about the line drive off the bat of Heyward that his second baseman reached for -- only to see it rocket off the right-center-field fence.
"Not only is he the real deal," said veteran teammate Brian McCann, "but he's the real deal off the field. Everyone loves him. Man, does he play hard."
"This kid," said Eric "Mr. October" Hinske, "isn't real. He might be the best 20-year-old ever."
"A lot of scouts came in [to see Heyward play], and he got walked so much, many of them thought he wasn't aggressive enough swinging the bat," said Bridges.
But that discipline is one of the things that will make Heyward's jump to the big leagues easier. Through Monday he had five walks, one homer, five hits and one strikeout in 12 plate appearances, and Cox says thst one strikeout came on two bad calls.
Heyward is quickly becoming part of Atlanta's baseball lore, so unlike the situation with Tommy Hanson last spring, it is going to be very difficult for the Braves to send him to the Minors to start the season, especially given their need for outfield power.
"He plays defense," said Cox. "He throws. He is a great baserunner. ... He does everything, and he does it fundamentally sound."
This is starting to become the stuff of Glenn Close / Robert De Niro my man love is starting to become a problem. After reading P Gammons article I'm ready to adopt the kid!
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)