A special Braves’ season is unfolding before our very eyes
Win, win, win: It's not exactly boring this time around. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
You felt it first on Opening Day, and again in the back-from-the-dead rally against the Phillies in April, and again and again in the last-at-bat victories since. And you felt it Monday night, when a big crowd showed up to behold Stephen Strasburg and saw the home side win again. You felt, for want of a better word, electricity.
Electricity at Turner Field. Electricity at a Braves’ game. Electricity not felt at this venue this millennium. Electricity for a Braves’ club unlike the Braves we’d come to know and take pretty much for granted.
Larger gatherings. Tougher-minded players. And — oh, yeah; this, too — more victories.
It began with Jason Heyward hitting a three-run homer on his first big-league swing, but it has become a roster-wide thing. From Martin Prado hitting everything to Troy Glaus crushing everything to Tim Hudson re-inventing himself to Derek Lowe finding himself to Eric Hinske becoming more than just a pinch-hitter. From Kris Medlen to Brooks Conrad to Johnny Venters. From a team that had fallen on mediocrity to a club that keeps clinging to first place.
For 15 seasons the Braves won so much we got bored with the winning, but there’s no tedium to this bunch. This feels closer to the worst-to-first crew of 1991 than its more lordly successors. This team feels like an underdog, which it was when the season commenced and surely still is. This is a collection of old and young, of the unsung and the unassuming. You wouldn’t take this everyday eight over Philadelphia’s, but this everyday eight leads the Phillies by 3 1/2 games.
For 15 seasons the Braves came to own first place, and then, in 2006, they lapsed into mediocrity. They’re not mediocrities any longer. They’re in first place, and they’re fun to watch, and this has already been the most exhilarating season since the old ballpark was demolished. And it’s not yet the Fourth of July.
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164 comments Add your comment
Minimalist in counsel to bfred
June 29th, 2010
11:00 am
Patience. Peace.
JEM
June 29th, 2010
11:01 am
Oh really Tim? The article states that Monday night’s game was Strasburg’s first national TV game. Not true. TBS aired one of his first outings against Cleveland a few weekends ago.
Curious George
June 29th, 2010
11:03 am
Recalling the 1993 season, will the Chick-fil-a on the lower concourse at Turner Field need to catch on fire in order for us to rally in the second half of the season?
Don
June 29th, 2010
11:05 am
I don’t disagree with your basic points. However, the Braves lead could and should be at least 5 games more. How many more games do you think that the Braves would have won in the early part of the season had Bobby Cox not kept playing two outfielders for 1/4 of the season and through the 9 game losing streak who (at that point) were producing nothing – refusing to give Hinske or Infante any playing time in the outfield – when it was obvious to everyone that they should be playing instead of McLouth and Melky who were producing nothing at that point. And how many more games do you think that the Braves would have won if Cox had not kept Chipper in the 3rd spot in the batting order for about 1/3 of the season with him hitting in the .220s most of the time with terrible RBI production? (Not saying that he should not have been in the lineup, but not in 3rd spot in the order). Unfortunately having done these things, and the resulting losses, will probably come back to haunt us in the final standings.
Herschel Talker
June 29th, 2010
11:05 am
There’s still a long way to go. The dreaded Bradley jinx may now be upon us.
Curious George
June 29th, 2010
11:07 am
Wouldn’t it be better if the back hair of Jeff Schultz, or the average female Mets fan, catches on fire in order for us to rally in the second half of the season?
space monkey
June 29th, 2010
11:09 am
You gotta love a team that keeps laying down squeeze bunts. That’s aggressive and exciting.
Delbert D.
June 29th, 2010
11:10 am
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – “The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions.”
SimpleDawg
June 29th, 2010
11:11 am
Chemistry is a very powerful thing…..
Chemistry makes the sum of the ingredients greater than the individual ingredients in another potion.
This team has great chemistry…..and the master alchemist himself….Ol’ Bobby Cox.
Craig
June 29th, 2010
11:16 am
I am not sure if we have a team that can compete in the NLCS or the World Series for that matter. However, this team is fun to watch and I think it has everything to do with the veterans like Chipper and Coach Cox on their way out and the mix of the young guys who we hope are our future. It is fun again watching the Braves and I think the journey is going to be one heck of a roller coaster all the way to October.
GO BRAVES!!!
Go Braves!
June 29th, 2010
11:17 am
Why such an upbeat article Mr. Mark (these Braves won’t win anything) Bradley?
Mark Bradley
June 29th, 2010
11:18 am
Temporary insanity on my part, Go Braves!
F*D-WADE
June 29th, 2010
11:20 am
Electricity was the perfect word for the way Turner Field felt last night. I think last night is the first time since maybe 95 that the Tomahawk Chop went on well past the sound played over the PA. Last night was my 9th game of the season and it’s fun to be at Turner Field again….The crowd participation is ELECTRIC. Let’s give Bobby a season long send off and keep Turner Field rocking like it was last night when Heyward hit that BOMB on opening day ….He damn sure deserves it…
mario
June 29th, 2010
11:20 am
Braves-Yankees Workd Series
Bradleyisalwayswrong
June 29th, 2010
11:25 am
Now that other teams know how to pitch the new kid, even when he comes off the disabled list the Braves will still not have a pennant-worthy outfield. When was the last time any team won the World Series with such a rag-tag outfield? Can the infield and catcher’s spots carry them all the way? Don’t think so. Anyway, the other comments are right in that Bradley has probably jinxed them with this blog.
Ted M
June 29th, 2010
11:27 am
extremus – That second half spark is Matt Diaz.
This is really amazing after that utterly hopeless first month.
GTSteve
June 29th, 2010
11:28 am
Mark Bradley
June 29th, 2010
9:56 am
Sorry, Bruce Mac. But you’ll note I still haven’t picked the Braves to win anything.
Please don’t either Mark….we all know that would be the kiss of death…lol
BravesLover
June 29th, 2010
11:33 am
Don’t get overexcited here folks. The Braves will break your heart. They cannot compete with the best pitchers of the American League and cannot bash enough to win a slug feast. I’m enjoying the nice run here in our own league but will no longer give them my heart.
GTSteve
June 29th, 2010
11:34 am
Mark, at least you know that everybody reads your articles
Sioux Brave
June 29th, 2010
11:39 am
Hey Mark, I miss Skip very much, when the Braves win the World Series in dramantic fashion, then the angels will hear, Braves Win, Braves Win, in baseball Heaven
BRAVESFAN1979
June 29th, 2010
11:40 am
ABSOLUTELY GREAT ARTICLE MARK!!
I AGREE, I LOVE WATCHING THIS TEAM, WIN OR LOSE.
Just Me
June 29th, 2010
11:42 am
Bradleyisalwayswrong, Heyward is hurt and when he gets back his swing will be just as sweet as it was. I agree we need another outfielder but it needs to be in left or center. We do need one more bat though.
Tami
June 29th, 2010
11:49 am
I totally agree, Mark. Just when this team seems to be slipping (like the debacle versus the ChiSox) and you feel you might be justified in being a little less attentive to what’s going on with the 2010 Braves, they revive themselves & snap your attention back. They’ve managed to pull out miracles to win and to get to, cling to and stay in first place — and all this is going on with several key players on the DL. How important that winning as they’re doing is, knowing that they’re not only facing a division rival now, but will be facing all of their division rivals in the next month! I’m very proud of them for not flinching or shrinking back one bit with the national media spotlight on them last night in facing a phenom rookie, and showing him that while he is and will be a very special player, he is first of all a rookie; and secondly, human.
I was equally thrilled to see all the fans down at Turner Field last night! I wanted to go so badly, but can’t afford it right now. It felt like a World Series night in late June. What a fun season this is! And, yes…it does remind me a LOT of 1991. Great article, Mark!
The Devil Wears Prado Jerseys
June 29th, 2010
11:50 am
The Phillies, at full strength, might have a slightly better everyday lineup (although the gap is considerably smaller than it’s been the last few years), but their rotation and bullpen aren’t in the same league as the Braves’. I also think we have the best bench in baseball.
It’s time for people to stop looking at the Braves as an underdog. We have the most balanced team in the division and while I understand that the Phillies are going to get the benefit of the doubt because they’ve earned it on the field the last few years, 2010 is a new season. There’s no reason to think the Braves can’t continue to play at this pace and make the Phillies come catch us. I don’t think they can.
Tami
June 29th, 2010
11:53 am
@ Just Me: Diaz is being reactivated off the DL today, I believe. So, he can come in and help out in the outfield while Jason’s on the DL. I doubt Bobby will permanently replace Jason or Eric Hinske in the OF with the way their bats have been. And, Infante has done a pretty good job playing in place of McLouth. I’m wondering if Nate will make it back. Some players are done for good with concussions, even on their first. And, some can snap back okay. I guess we’ll see.
Valdosta_Braves_Fan
June 29th, 2010
11:57 am
Nice article. For our anniversary this year, I took my wife to her first and second braves game. She got to experience her first win, loss, and no hitter. It was the Colorado series if you haven’t figured it out by now. It was incredible. She loved it. Since then, the Braves have been on a roll. Its something special brewing up there with this being Bobby Cox’s last season. I have but only one concern though!!! In recent past, the Braves have not been the best second half team in MLB. Its great at how well we are doing now but when it counts in the second half, are they going to be able to continue their run. Its not a matter of jynxing them, its just what they have been known to do in the past. Will they be able to continue the run and keep everyone healthy (we aren’t the youngest bunch out there)? Heyward on the DL is hopefully not a sign of the Shaffer disease. There are so many what if’s out there as to how the season will finish up. Too tough to call! Personally I wouldn’t bet anything in Vegas on it but it is going to be interesting to find out. See you all hopefully in late October!
Johnny3Steps
June 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
The Chipper has thrown anway the stinkin’ rockin chair and help lead this team.
Minimalist
June 29th, 2010
12:02 pm
See second half, 2009.
jon
June 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
Mark, living in NJ (livingston) I hear all mets stuff and I love when people call the WFAN and are so frustrated that the Braves are still on top of division, I can’t wait til Brovos come to citi field, i will as usual be chopping away! Go BROVOS! BTW BIG MISTAKE IF JOE COMES TO NY.
AppalachiaBrave
June 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
Mark – I hope the Braves run away with this division this year! But I am so mad at MLB for their blackouts!! I live in VA and they blacked out the game with the Nats last night! What GREED! Did you know MLB even took the Braves off of the internet…..Of course unless you pay $99. GO BRAVES!
Bruce Mac
June 29th, 2010
12:13 pm
I still say Chipper needs to change his song to that George Jones hit Johnny. That would be more than cool.
AppalachiaBrave
June 29th, 2010
12:16 pm
Mark – GO BRAVES. I love the Braves but hate MLB! I live in VA. and they blacked out the game last night with the NATS. Ya know there are a lot of elderly fans out there that watch or listen to the games. When MLB blacks out the games they are just hurting themselves….Out of sight, out of mind! You even have to pay to listen on the internet..GREED!!
Talmadge from MN
June 29th, 2010
12:16 pm
I moved to Atlanta in ‘72. 1991 was a looooong time coming. I endured ostrich races and wet t-shirt contests (OK, endured might be to strong about the wet t-shirt thing). I was in the stands at the end of games when I could nearly count the remaining faithful between pitches.
I so miss being in the stands or at home watching TBS…living up here, as I am. Congrats to the Braves and to Bobby. Even with mistakes made from the dugout, he was ALWAYS involved in the game and regularly made tough calls to win. This is a fitting end to a great career, regardless of his detractors.
Keep fighting, guys. The elder statesmen can encourage the younger. And youth can often break the lethargy of the staid.
I’m so proud of MY BRAVES! And I do miss Skip so much!
BravestotheSeries
June 29th, 2010
12:17 pm
I LOVE this team and the chemistry we have, but agree with most of you that one more bat is needed to be among the truly elite, who are some good reasonably priced options that could be had while not having to break the bank or chemistry of our team up to get? Maybe David DeJesus?
Skeezix
June 29th, 2010
12:18 pm
Mark: Agree 100%. This team is fun to watch. The electricity started for me with Heyward’s first at bat. We had that miserable 9 game hitting slump, but since then this has become a gritty team. They seemed to have adopted a never say die attitude which the 2006-2009 teams lacked. My doubt and concern at the start of the year was never the rotation, but the offense. On paper they aren’t as talented offensively as other teams, but some guys like Prado, Hinske, Glaus, and at times Infante and Brooks, have really provided a surprising and sustained spark. Prado is having a remarkable year-it may turn out to be historic if he keeps it going. Now with Chipper, Yunel and McCann’s bats finally coming to life I am starting to believe in this team. Hudson has been outstanding! Lowe has been very good, Medlen a nice surprise and hopefully Hanson will return to form soon (I think he’s tipping his pitches). I predicted a second place finish in the NL East, but if the Braves do pull this off and win the Division, I will gladly admit my error in judgement. Also, I am really happy for Bobby Cox.
….And then there are even better things to come, like when Bobby adds J.J. back to the rotation and we get a healthy Jason Heyward back.
Anti-Homer
June 29th, 2010
12:26 pm
Funny and Sad …. Losers following losers …… Atlanta sports fans are always going to be lemmings (brainless followers).
Matt
June 29th, 2010
12:32 pm
I am new to the ajc blog. Can someone explain why it is so important to be the first one to comment.
Hoops Dawg
June 29th, 2010
12:34 pm
Whoever it weas that said that this Braves edition reminded him of the damn yankees was spot on. Those late 90s yankees teams didn’t hit a huge number of home runs but would single and double you to death, patiently waiting for hittable pitches and taking walks when they couldn’t get those pitches. I always had the feeling that they would find a way to get it done in the late innings and turn the game over to Rivera. We got Wags for the ninth, although I have to admit that Moylan and (lately) Saito can give me indigestion–even when they come through.
Bob Horner, Dale Murphy Brave
June 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
Mark, could you please do a article on Skip somewhere down the road, and mention PVW also. thanks
Bob Horner, Dale Murphy Brave
June 29th, 2010
12:39 pm
I too, remember the Ostrich race, that was funny. Those were the good old TBS days
Class of '98
June 29th, 2010
12:45 pm
Mark, why do you give Kudos to people who post “first”. You are just encouraging them.
I’ve never understood why it is necessary to brag about being first to reply to an online column. Like a bunch of six-year olds.
Oregon Brave
June 29th, 2010
12:49 pm
You touched on some good points Mark, but two things you didn’t mention is that Bobby is managing with pretty good success. Last night when he trotted Huddy out there in the 7th, he was waiting for the situation to dictate the call to the bullpen. Gonzo should have been pitch hit for, which would have brought Venters in. Didn’t happen and Huddy hangs around for the win. And Bobby and his squeeze calls are working too. The other thing working this year is a lot more calls going our way. Like that porch size strike zone on the last pitch to give KK his 1st win. Go Braves.
An Adult
June 29th, 2010
12:49 pm
To all you ‘Firsts’– you are the definition of ‘losers’ … get a life. Stop sniffing Bradley’s jock. Have your Mommy and Daddy send you to camp instead of hanging around on the computer waiting to be ‘first’. Wow, what an accomplishment. Maybe Mommy and Daddy will take you to McDonalds as a reward. Bradley: shame on you… you shouldn’t encourage little boys and girls hanging on the computer waiting for your words of wisdom
KC
June 29th, 2010
12:50 pm
Mark, not only do the Braves lead the Phillies by 3.5 games…
This starting 8 has outscored the Phillies’ starting 8, while playing in a pitcher’s park.
How long do we wait before we stop saying we’d take Phill’s starting 8 over the Braves’ starting 8? How long do they have to outscore nearly everyone else before we start giving this offense its due?
First
June 29th, 2010
12:52 pm
An Adult, Class of 98, you are first in my book.
Balderdash
June 29th, 2010
12:59 pm
An Adult knows she is inadequate and would only throw stones on an anonymous forum.
myra
June 29th, 2010
1:00 pm
WINNING solves all ills. However,a big bat acquisition could get us to the playoffs and beyond. Pray for Frank to be smart/players to get well(Santa Glaus,Heyward,JJ,all catchers, etc.) McOut is done.Please no more of him.
SEVERESTORM
June 29th, 2010
1:01 pm
So Mark, what moves (if any), do you feel we should make at the break? I hear Loney, DeJesus, Willingham rumors….. I wouldn’t mind any of those options, but it wouldn’t hurt us to leave things alone either…..Tough call….
DawgDad
June 29th, 2010
1:01 pm
I generally agree. Lately this team has been playing inspired baseball, focusing on getting the little things (small ball things) to work in their favor. There’s enough pitching here to keep them in the hunt (knock on wood. But if Heyward doesn’t come back to form the outfield isn’t going to be good enough, and even with him they need help in center. There’s an overall shortage of team speed and the middle of the order is .260 ordinary with very average (or below) power. This team has been fun to watch because of Heyward early and Glaus’ hot streak (since passed), but mainly because of the inspired play of the bench guys (Conrad, Infante, Ross, Hinske, and now Blanco). Pitching has been a near constant plus; the bullpen has been outstanding.
collegeballfan
June 29th, 2010
1:02 pm
Nice article Bradley. And I agree, nice season. But as Connie Mack allegedly said, you win in the dog days of August.
Here is what I find exciting about this club. The bench. Here are 5 benchwarmers with their batting ave and on base % – Infante, .306 & .339, Hinski, .302 & .361, Conrad, .277 & .329, Ross, .277 & .397 and Blanco, since his call up, .296 & .424.
Notice the high on base percentages. No more swinging from the hips for the fence. They are playing smart baseball.