Road Trip: Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez

Atlanta Braves

Photos: The AJC's David O'Brien takes a motorcycle ride with new Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, Feb. 2011.

New Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (right) rode with AJC writer David O'Brien to the North Georgia mountains a few days before leaving for spring training.

After two decades with venerable Bobby Cox at the helm of the local nine, his protege (and former third-base coach) has taken the torch from retired No. 6 and seems prepared to run with it. Gonzalez (right) managed the Marlins for 3-1/2 seasons before he was fired in 2010. - David O'Brien, AJC

Of his relatively newfound passion for motorcycle riding, Gonzalez says, "It's an outlet. Because when you're riding, you can let other stuff that's going on in life into your brain. It's just riding. You can't let your mind wander." - David O'Brien, AJC

Gonzalez uses his riding time as personal time, too: "When I was in Florida, I could go in and sneak in some place and sneak out, get dinner some place and nobody recognize you. Here, there's very few places that I don't get recognized -- and I haven't even put the [Braves] uniform on yet." - David O'Brien, AJC

Regarding his legendary predecessor and mentor Bobby Cox, Gonzalez says: "He's going to go to the Hall of Fame whether we lose 100 this year or win 100. But he genuinely wants us to succeed. He wants this organization to succeed and keep getting those flags up there on the facade." - David O'Brien, AJC

So... will Gonzalez read the paper now? "I can honestly tell you that I don't read it. I've learned not to. But I do know what's going on. Because there's always a coach on the staff that likes to read it. I'll tell [that coach], let me know if somebody pops off in the paper, if they're not happy because they're not happy with their role or whatever. I tell the guys right off the get-go, if you've got something to say, tell me, don't go to the newspaper." - David O'Brien, AJC

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New Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (right) rode with AJC writer David O'Brien to the North Georgia mountains a few days before leaving for spring training.

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