Green is a hit in fill-in role for Braves

<p>So much for the good-field, no-hit tag on Nick Green.</p><p>Green's reputation for strong defense was known before the former Duluth High School and Georgia Perimeter College star was called up by the Atlanta Braves last month.</p><p>Nothing in that advance billing from Triple-A Richmond prepared Braves fans for Green's flair for the big hit _ especially the big home run.</p><p>Green went a long way toward obliterating that no-hit reputation when he delivered clutch three-run homers in back-to-back Braves wins Monday and Tuesday. The three-run homer Monday sparked the Braves to an 8-2 win over Montreal while earning the rookie a curtain call from Braves fans.</p><p>Only one day after that first career home run, Green provided an encore the following night by hitting another three-run homer _ this time in the ninth inning to bring the Braves back from a 6-3 deficit. Green's shot set the stage for the game-winning long ball by J.D. Drew one pitch later, giving the Braves a 7-6 win.</p><p>Drew had the game-winning homer Tuesday night, but Green was the star of the game.</p><p>"It's unbelievable, the kid stepped up and did it again," Drew said.</p><p>The kid doesn't feel like a kid, and for Green, that helps to explain why he is making headlines with his bat.</p><p>Green was only a .256 career hitter in five minor league seasons before this year, but he was leading the International League with a .377 average when he was called up to Atlanta on May 14.</p><p>"A lot of it is maturity," Green said. "Sometimes it takes guys longer to find out what is best. I'm more mature at 25. I've got five and a half years of pro ball behind me. I've taken a little bit from each year, from each coach."</p><p>Green's high school coach, Lou Llerandi, says he saw the big-league potential in Green and his twin brother, Kevin, in the mid-1990s.</p><p>"I said when I saw Nick Green at age of 16 that I thought he had major league potential," said Llerandi, who coached at Norcross High this year. "I saw a lot of class in him, just the way he presented himself on the field. He was very mature."</p><p>The Green twins played together at Georgia Perimeter College. Each was drafted by the Braves _ Nick in the 32nd round in 1998 and Kevin in the 16th round in 1999.</p><p>"He was always a clutch hitter," Llerandi said. "Nick led the (Duluth High) team in home runs for a couple of years. This is nothing unusual."</p><p>Kevin Green was with the Braves organization for three years but now is out of baseball and is close to graduating from Georgia State with a degree in biology.</p><p>"He wants me to do better than him," Nick said. "I want him to do better than me. We get a thrill out of seeing each other succeed."</p><p>Green hit only .248 for Richmond last year and .239 for Double-A Greenville in 2002, so even some of his Atlanta teammates are surprised to see the rookie hitting around .300 in the major leagues.</p><p>"I'm happy for him," said catcher Johnny Estrada, who played with Green in Richmond last year. "I think everybody is a little surprised. He had a rough go last year."</p><p>Braves manager Bobby Cox says "You never know when it's going to turn around."</p><p>Green knew it was a bereavement leave for Atlanta utility infielder Jesse Garcia, not his strong hitting in Richmond, that was mainly responsible for the call-up. Green didn't expect to be in Atlanta as long as a week.</p><p>"I thought it was going to be three days," Green said. "I was hoping to maybe get an at-bat or a pinch-hit."</p><p>On Green's second day with Atlanta, starting second baseman Marcus Giles suffered a broken collarbone in a collision with center fielder Andruw Jones and was lost for six to eight weeks. Suddenly, Green was the Braves' second baseman.</p><p>"They didn't have much of a choice, and I didn't have much of a choice," Green said.</p><p>Three weeks later, Green already has Cox thinking about what he will do when Giles returns from the disabled list. Giles, voted as the starter on the 2003 All-Star team, is a crucial part of the Braves' lineup. Giles' bat is needed, but Green also has proved his value.</p><p>If Green can stick in Atlanta as a utility player, he wouldn't complain. He has experience at shortstop and second base and spent time at third base in spring training this year.</p><p>"The way the game is, I know the quickest way to the big leagues is being able to play other positions, especially when there is an All-Star ahead of you," he said. "I'll play third, short, outfield, whatever."</p><p>Braves general manager John Schuerholz said Wednesday there will be a role for Green.</p><p>"Not only can I not imagine, but I don't think anyone can imagine that he won't be a contributing factor to our team," Schuerholz said. "It all takes care of itself."</p><p>For now, Green is relishing each day in the major leagues as he plays while friends and family members watch from the Turner Field stands.</p><p>"The only way is to take every game like it's the last one," Green said. "I don't want to take every game for granted."</p><p>Added Green: "My family's having fun, my friends are having fun, I'm having fun. I don't want it to stop."</p>

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