Saying winning is "everything," Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella expressed frustration over the team's 0-9 start this season.
"The Braves are a gold-standard organization, and to start out the season in this manner is embarrassing and unacceptable," Coppolella told MLB.com on Friday. "... We have so many other great things going on in other areas of our organization, but we do need to start playing better and winning more games."
"We aren't going to make excuses for our terrible start ... we just haven't done the job. We have made a commitment. We are committed to playing better in 2016." John Coppolella, Braves GM, to MLB.com
The Braves and the Minnesota Twins are the first major league teams to lose nine in a row to start a season since Detroit in 2003, according to STATS. Atlanta's worst start came in 1988, when it went 0-10.
Coppolella wouldn't say that manager Fredi Gonzalez is in any danger of losing his job, but he did say that he's disappointed that the Braves haven't played up to their abilities.
"We care about Fredi," Coppolella told MLB.com. "We all hope we can turn things around and start winning games. That will take the pressure off everybody."
He later said: "We know we are better than our record indicates. More importantly, we know there are better days ahead for our organization and our fans. Nothing productive comes from panic."
Coppolella pointed out that the Braves have been competitive -- surrendering leads in five of the first seven games -- and injuries to Ender Inciarte, Dan Winkler, Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson haven't helped.
"We aren't going to make excuses for our terrible start -- close games, tough schedule, injuries -- we just haven't done the job," Coppolella told MLB.com. "We have made a commitment. We are committed to playing better in 2016."