Johnny Estrada Saturday at Turner Field.
While I was at the Braves Foundation Holiday Party for the Troops at Turner Field today I had a chance to speak at length with one of the Braves alumni who was in attendance, catcher Johnny Estrada. He was released in 2008 by the Nationals, and hasn't played since then. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, and just opened up a pizzeria off of exit 47. He told me that he wants to try to come back and play again, "I do miss playing. I mean I'm 34, but I still feel like I'm one of the best catchers and hitters in the big leagues, from what I've seen on TV."
I didn't want to mention that he looked like he was carrying a few extra pounds, but he admitted, "The first thing I'd have to do is get in shape, but I'm not far from being where I could be competitive. This has been just the last week having these thoughts."
Most Braves fans remember Estrada as the catcher who got bowled over unnecessarily by Darin Erstad in 2005. Estrada came back after that and was still an effective player, but come to find out after he did some research and visited the doctor to have his head checked that he has been suffering from post-concussion syndrome for the past few years."I had all the symptoms of it, but I didn't know what it was; the nausea, not being able to get your heart rate up, the deliriousness."
Johnny doesn't feel any ill will towards the team, saying that they have only recently learned how these types of injuries can have lingering effects. I could tell that this has really been something that has bothered him and continues to be a cause for concern.
Estrada came off as a real laid back, but serious guy. I could see why he was one of the more popular players among his teammates when he played in Atlanta. Even speaking to him the first time as I did today, he still came across as if he had known me for a long time. He makes you feel very at ease when you're speaking to him. Similar in nature to Mike Gonzalez.
I hope Estrada decides that he does want to come back to baseball and try to play again. The game needs more good guys like him.
1 recs | 31 comments
I remember that hit
it was brutal and unnecessary. A by product of protecting the plate but it looked like a football hit.
Richie Grogan - December 11, 2010
If I remember correctly
The Braves were livid at Erstad because Estrada was giving up the plate and fielding the throw on the first base side of the plate, but Erstad trucked him anyways. I mainly remember Eddie being really pissed about it in the dugout.
Torgo's Executive Powder - December 11, 2010
I remember Chip or whoever was announcing that night
saying Eddie had to be careful because he could have been fined and/or suspended for laying into Erstad
Richie Grogan - December 11, 2010
I agree
I was at that game, right behind the plate & remember Johnny barely getting the ball, not really even sure what was going on, when Erstad plowed into him like it was the UFC or something. I’ve despised him since & never understood why he wasn’t universally booed thereafter. That’s not baseball azzhol!
bloodgimp - December 11, 2010
Johnny really is a wonderful guy. I first met him when he was in A ball with the Phillies and was really excited when the Braves picked him up. It’s a shame that his career was derailed by something so unnecessary. I will say, last time I saw him, in 08 when he was rehabbing with the Nats’ A ball team, he looked really out of shape. Still, teams always need catchers and Johnny knows is baseball.
cbwilk - December 11, 2010
Head problems are tricky. I hope Estrada can get over the concussion problem eventually.
LEastCoastBears - December 11, 2010 via mobile
Oh baseball logic
A runner is going from 2B to 3B, the fielder picks up the ball and throws it to the 3B. The runner doesn’t slow down, instead he lowers his shoulder and hits the 3B as hard as he can, dislodging the ball. The runner is probably ejected from the game, suspended, and fined; the press and fans probably label him a violent thug.
A runner is going from 3B to Home, a fielder throws the ball to the Catcher, the runner doesn’t slow down, instead he lowers his shoulder and hits the Catcher as hard as he can, dislodging the ball. The runner is lauded by the press and fans for his tough, hard nose play, MLB takes no action against him.
What a difference 90 feet make.
Lennox - December 11, 2010
Yeah, look at Robert Fick’s last play as a Brave. He made a half assed attempt to slap the ball out of the first baseman’s glove and the Braves were like, “He’ll never play for us again.” It’s a good point, your actions are viewed completely differently around the basepaths.
cbwilk - December 11, 2010
The difference is you are allowed to run through the base at home, but not at 3rd. It would be completely unnecessary and clearly a dirty play if someone ran over the 3rd baseman.
alxn - December 13, 2010
Three words
F**K DARIN ERSTAD
alligatorimpersonator - December 11, 2010
+1 for rage
kbertling353 - December 11, 2010
Not to mention his family.
MichaelProcton - December 12, 2010
I didn't know he was still with the team
southman - December 11, 2010
That play still makes me angry.
If the catcher is blocking the plate, fine, plow into him—he knows what he’s getting into. But Johnny was giving up the back half of the plate and Erstad could have easily made a clean slide. What a jacksass. I try not to call players names, but he deserves it for that play.
I’m glad Johnny is still in good spirits after all that’s happened to him. I always liked him.
Jacob Peterson - December 11, 2010
I wouldn't have thought it possible, but...
I actually hate Erstad even more now than when I woke up today. He ran past the plate to make that hit. I love Don Sutton but that night wasn’t one of his bright spots as a Braves announcer.
I’ve also never forgotten that then-Angels bench coach Joe Maddon spent a lot of time yelling at the Braves dugout after they got on Erstad. I like the Rays’ roster but his presence keeps me from actively hoping for good things to happen to that team.
Sam Jethroe - December 11, 2010
Gutless Punk...
What Erstad was not only wrong but it was a cheap hit when the catcher had his back basically turned to him. This could have turned out even worse and the effects of head injuries are truly known for many years.
There’s nothing “tough” about taking out someone who has decided to not challenge you. You could cause it stupidity but the fact remains that Erstad got off on taking out Estrada… He’s a chump and a gutless punk!
Gjmoody - December 11, 2010 via mobile
Gutless Punk...
What Erstad was not only wrong but it was a cheap hit when the catcher had his back basically turned to him. This could have turned out even worse and the effects of head injuries are truly known for many years.
There’s nothing “tough” about taking out someone who has decided to not challenge you. You could cause it stupidity but the fact remains that Erstad got off on taking out Estrada… He’s a chump and a gutless punk!
Gjmoody - December 11, 2010 via mobile
Anyone happen to have a video of it? I looked but couldn’t find one.
blitzerlover - December 11, 2010
A Shame A True Shame
A great up and coming young stud of a catcher to cut down so quickly for a totally crazy hit like that is nuts. Just a true shame, while Big Mac came up and took his place Johnny was a great young player for us I wish him the best and I would like to see him in the big leagues again; I mean Johnny was a doubles machine but after that hit he was never the same type player but still he is easily a good veteran backup just so crazy that he could not catch on somewhere.
Hey if he was willing to sign a minor league deal I would give him a shot I mean ya never know. D. Ross is a great backup or really a starter on about every MLB team at the moment but if Big Mac was to get injuried who would the backup be ? C. Sammons umm one word no I would rather have a slightly overweight J. Estrada then him, Boscon doesn’t have it and other farm hands are not ready to make the jump to the MLB level.
So would you take Mr. Estrada on a minor league deal or at least let him try out in Spring training and see how it goes, I mean it is goes great their it is never a bad idea to make an already strong position that much stronger.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - December 12, 2010
I hope he makes it back only if his head is right...
concussions can have very serious effects long term, especially if Estrada is still feeling one this far after the fact. I’d assume C’s have quite a few head injuries, from collisions to foul tips, to most just aren’t right in the head to begin with.
Mr. Sanchez - December 12, 2010
Estrada
biggentleben - December 12, 2010
Post fail
Estrada’s legacy will forever be linked to two guys: Darrin Erstad and Greg Maddux. Greg accepting arbitration forced the Braves to make the very unpopular choice to let Javy go and trade Kevin Millwood for Estrada. Turns out that Javy was not anywhere near the player anymore, and Millwood had some more solid seasons, but he was never the true ace that many thought he’d be for the Braves. Estrada never got the love he deserved from Braves fans because of that, sadly.
biggentleben - December 12, 2010
ATL Folks
Seems like anyone within 50 miles of this needs to swing by, drop some coin, and get Johnny’s place into the win column.
Yakker - December 12, 2010
sounds like a plan, he was a solid guy, maybe he’d give out a sig or two. Atlanta was very fortunate to get him so quickly after losing Javy and then McCann quickly after losing Estrada.
MWhitexx - December 12, 2010
Johnny's New York Style Pizza?
I have no clue if this it, found it by googling Newnan, just off I-85 on Fayetteville Rd in Newnan. Anybody have a clue what the name of the place is?
bighop - December 12, 2010
That’s a chain, so the Johnny is unrelated. It might be his franchise though, I don’t know.
tcstew - December 12, 2010
haha
Thats funny
Slinkyjoe - December 12, 2010
Newnan is almost
50 miles away from the actual city of Atlanta, or at least feels like it, but I’d be willing to give it a shot if I only knew where it actually was.
Sorta unrelated, I found out that Lee Hyde lives remotely near Tim Hudson and Frank Wren, who both live on the south side too.
royhobbs - December 13, 2010
Hmm
Think this is it:
http://newnancowetachamber.chambermaster.com/list/Member/me-n-eds-pizzeria-2782.htm
If this is the case, I was bowling right next door a few weeks ago.
royhobbs - December 13, 2010
Quit stalking Lee Hyde.
cbwilk - December 14, 2010
Man, I Loved this guy.
While he was playing on the Braves he was my idol. I went to the allstar game in 2004 when he made it and even got him to autograph a bat. Great Guy. I hope he comes back
BravosFanatic - December 12, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.