Strange things are afoot at the Circle K. For years, I've been listening to sports columnists and opposing fans write off the Braves, saying their incredible run of division titles is going to come to an end. It's almost become an annual rite of spring -- let's name the reasons that the Braves won't win it this year!
But this spring, something very different is happening. It has apparently become trendy to do the exact opposite. Suddenly, people are saying that the Braves are not done just yet...yes they lost Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez and Greg Maddux, and no it's not obvious how they can possibly win with this ragtag bunch of players, but don't count Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzone out. They will find a way to get it done.
First of all, let me say that the simple fact that these statements are being made by non-Braves fans is shocking. Brave-hating is a national epidemic. The only reason that the Braves aren't right on par with the Yankees in terms of being hated is that they've only won one World Series (also, there's the small fact that they're not an insanely evil franchise run by a despotic owner and followed by the most irritating fans in the world, but I won't get into that right now). The fact is, people love to say the Braves don't have a chance. Which is part of why this rash of "Don't write off the Braves" sentiment is so bizarre.
The other reason it's quite bizarre is because the very people extolling the Braves' gritty virtues are supposed to be their biggest detractors. In the past two weeks, I've seen columns in both Philly and New York papers that are essentially paying their respects to the Braves and reminding their fans that it's way too early to write off Bobby Cox's squad.
Now, I'm not a superstitious person, but I have to say, this whole thing kind of makes me nervous. It's kind of like going to shake hands with the opposing team before the tipoff of a basketball team and, while they're being very friendly and cordial, you can see a look in their eye that says, We're going to whoop your ass (trust me, I've been losing a lot of basketball games lately).And just like an opposing team getting ready to tee off on my sorry rec league squad, I think that the Philly and New York writers are absolutely licking their chops right now, and these recent articles are their way of politely shaking hands before they take true delight in the Braves' demise.
Here's the thing, though: unlike my hoops team, the Braves have figured something out. It's not nearly as complex or innovative as the Oakland A's system of player scouting as shown in Moneyball, but in a way, the Braves' philosophy is just as ingenious. Quite simply, Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzone have a way of getting the most out of players you couldn't ever imagine being productive. There's a long track record going back to 1991 of the Braves getting something out of what people perceive to be nothing. You laughed when the Braves signed Terry Pendleton in 1991 (actually, back then you didn't even care enough to laugh). You might have thought they were getting desperate when they turned over their middle infield to some kid named Furcal in 2000 and an unproven midget named Giles in 2003. This year, there's some kid named LaRoche playing first, a castoff pitcher named John Thomson replacing Greg Maddux, and a perenially injured outfielder named J.D. Drew in right who has a world of talent but can't stay healthy. Think they won't pan out? Think the Braves won't once again win the NL East?
I know, it's hard to picture it happening, but you've been doubting it for the past 13 years, and you've been wrong all this time. There's really no reason to change your ways now.
