Braves with 14th straight division title

[Easy Mac]

Say what you will about their failures in the playoffs, but I don't know if that will be done in sports again. Have I been disappointed through the years? Sure. But would I trade it for a team that has a great season every 5-10 years... no.

[Huckleberry]

1994

[digamma]

Unfortunately
October is upon us
Our Braves stop hitting.

(But, this season has been a fun ride to this point.)

[SackAttack]

I think they deserve major props for the way they did it this season, TBH.

Didn't they have 3 or 4 rookies playing major roles?

[Easy Mac]

1994 1066

[Easy Mac]

I think they deserve major props for the way they did it this season, TBH.

Didn't they have 3 or 4 rookies playing major roles? yeah, thats what makes this year so much fun and hopefully different.

Francoeur (start RF)
McCann (start C)
Davies (start P/long relief)
Johnson (start LF)
Betemit (reserve/started while Chipper was hurt)
Langerhans (Started RF til Francoeur/platoon with Johnson)
Orr
Boyer (#2-3 out of pen)
McBride
Lerew
Marte
Pena
James
Devine

(listed in relative merit) am i missing any rooks?

[RendeR]

Oh but there is of course nothing wrong with the baseball system.....talk about complete and utter boredom.

[Easy Mac]

**cough***Patriots***cough***Colts***cough***Eagles***cough

[Draft Dodger]

I think it's pretty incredible, and doesn't get enough press, IMO. John Schulerholz and Bobby Cox (Schulerholz especially) deserve a lot of respect for the job they've done. The roster has completely turned over numerous times (Smoltz is the only guy left from 1991 and Smoltz and the Joneses are, I think, the only ones left from 1999). They do it with trades, they do it with free agency, and they do it with terrific scouting and a great farm system.

yes, they spend money, but they (usually) seem to do so more wisely than many other teams.

in my opinion, they should be the model that other MLB teams follow in the way that the Patriots are the team other NFL teams should follow

[Buccaneer]

It is very impressive.

[SackAttack]

Oh but there is of course nothing wrong with the baseball system.....talk about complete and utter boredom.

I'm sure you're being ironic here.

The Marlins, Phillies, and Nationals all spent the bulk of the season in contention for the division title, and it really wasn't until September that the Braves put it away.Mazzone and Cox did a fantastic job working around the injuries and working the rookies in.

If Jim Tracy and Jim Colborn did their jobs half so well, the Dodgers wouldn't be a distant fading memory in the NL West this season.

[VPI97]

I love Octobers in Atlanta....it finally cools down, college football on the tube, the Braves choking in the playoffs. It's like clockwork.

[JeeberD]

Can't wait to meet y'all in the first round again... :)

[Easy Mac]

win 1 out of 6 times and the texans are all of a sudden cocky.

[RendeR]

I'm sure you're being ironic here.

The Marlins, Phillies, and Nationals all spent the bulk of the season in contention for the division title, and it really wasn't until September that the Braves put it away.Mazzone and Cox did a fantastic job working around the injuries and working the rookies in.

If Jim Tracy and Jim Colborn did their jobs half so well, the Dodgers wouldn't be a distant fading memory in the NL West this season.


How the season unfolded is completely irrelevent, the fact that the other 4 teams in that division have had ZERO division winners in 14 years is pathetic and boring. baseball is doomed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Now we just need a nice Astros collapse combined with a Philly streak.

[Young Drachma]

Oh but there is of course nothing wrong with the baseball system.....talk about complete and utter boredom.

No, it's horrible and has been for a while. But really, the types of changes that would be necessary will never happen.

Same reason we'll never see a college football playoff.

[Young Drachma]

14 out of 15 years (Go Expos!) is pretty impressive

[Crapshoot]

How the season unfolded is completely irrelevent, the fact that the other 4 teams in that division have had ZERO division winners in 14 years is pathetic and boring. baseball is doomed.

What idiocy. This constant desire for change and a lack of an attention span is perhaps why the NFL and NASCAR, the made for TV sports, are where they are in popularity. Appreciate a good 14 years as a sign of why baseball is class - where the playoff teams aren't jumbled every year through scheduling, which isnt completely reliant on gimmicks.

That being said, Braves fans choose to ignore 1994, when the streak would have almost certainly ended. :D

[bronconick]

How the season unfolded is completely irrelevent, the fact that the other 4 teams in that division have had ZERO division winners in 14 years is pathetic and boring. baseball is doomed.
Damn those Marlins for skipping the proper winning of the division and going right to winning the World Series.

Crap- I don't really know if a 6 game lead after 114 games is "certainty" that the streak would have ended, and I don't even like the Braves. It's almost as possible to say that the Expos would have wilted under the strain of holding the lead and collapsed like the White Sox almost have this year with a 12 game lead or whatever they had in August.

[Crapshoot]

Damn those Marlins for skipping the proper winning of the division and going right to winning the World Series.

Crap- I don't really know if a 6 game lead after 114 games is "certainty" that the streak would have ended, and I don't even like the Braves. It's almost as possible to say that the Expos would have wilted under the strain of holding the lead and collapsed like the White Sox almost have this year with a 12 game lead or whatever they had in August.

Fair enough- wishfull thinking on my part, since that Expo team looked as good as any.. what talent it had. :D

[cthomer5000]

It's incredibly impressive.

[Draft Dodger]

How the season unfolded is completely irrelevent, the fact that the other 4 teams in that division have had ZERO division winners in 14 years is pathetic and boring. baseball is doomed.

Philadelphia won the division in 1993.
but thanks for playing.


:p

[Draft Dodger]

That being said, Braves fans choose to ignore 1994, when the streak would have almost certainly ended. :D

August 11, 1994 GB: 6. season cancelled.
August 11, 1993 GB: 9. won the division.

but then, I KNOW you knew that.


:p

[colt45]

guys, you all might be missing the point. this here is about the braves. the clubhouse that includes my great great grand pappy julio. a little respect would be appreciated. thanks much.

[stevew]

I hate the Phillies. That is all :(

[ThunderingHERD]

After so many disappointments, I haven't actually believed that the Braves were going to make it past the first round for about 5 years now. But for some reason, I just got a feelin' this year.

[colt45]

well, great great grand pappy ju-dawg HAS been taking his ensure. he's a real inspiration to all those young bucks on the team.

[SackAttack]

How the season unfolded is completely irrelevent

Don't be an idiot.

the fact that the other 4 teams in that division have had ZERO division winners in 14 years is pathetic and boring. baseball is doomed.

Oh, so baseball wasn't doomed when the Yankees won the World Series in 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953, but 14 straight division titles is too much for the sport to bear?

[RendeR]

Don't be an idiot.

Fuck you very much too. not even close to a necessary comment.


Oh, so baseball wasn't doomed when the Yankees won the World Series in 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953, but 14 straight division titles is too much for the sport to bear?

Honestly? yes, way back when there was only baseball. the NFL wasn't that big nor was it that popular. There was nothing to compete with baseball in those days so yes, it too much for the sport to bear now in a cllimate where its at best the 3rd most popular game going right now.

Baseball has more weaknesses than the Bears Offense right now. it has a few stars and half a dozen Large market teams that always succeed. That creates one big stampede to the playoffs by those teams on the plus side.

Who's out there again this season...Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Angels, White Sox, Indians, Padres, Astros

Not a single Small Market team in the group. And even those teams on the outside looking in are in big market areas, Florida, Baltimore, San Francisco.

Yes indeed the Braves have done something special, they've proven that Baseball is still the single most fucked up professional sport in the United States.

I am not Impressed.

[Young Drachma]

A salary cap in baseball? Is that the solution?

Not that it'd happen. But..I just don't think - given the complexity of the way it works - that could be done really. Not that there is a hard cap in any sport, but...I just wonder what the solution is to increase competition. Obviously, this current system is a joke.

[SackAttack]

Fuck you very much too. not even close to a necessary comment.

Don't say idiotic things, and it won't be necessary. I mean, c'mon. It would be one thing if the Braves' division were made up of, like, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Montreal (when they were still IN Montreal) and, like, Pittsburgh. Okay. Sure, you'd expect them to win the division every year, and that wouldn't be good for anybody.

But face the facts here. During the Braves' run, the Marlins have won two World Series, the Phillies and Mets have each made it to a World Series, and even the Expos threatened to end their streak before the strike destroyed their competitive abilities.

None of these things are the Braves' fault.

Hell, in the last three years, the Braves have had to slash payroll and bid adieu to players who wanted too much to stay in a Braves uniform - Gary Sheffield, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, just to name a few - and plug in rookies to fill those gaps...and they've been successful.

They've got Julio Freakin' Franco playing first base on an everyday basis, okay?

They're probably in the middle of the pack, payroll-wise, in a division where two competitors - the Mets and the Phillies - have been spending money pretty freely in recent years to try and overtake the Braves. Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Jim Thome, Billy Wagner...these moves didn't happen in a vaccum.

The fact is, in the last several years, the Braves have had to compete on a reduced level relative both to the resources they've had in the past, and the resources their main rivals currently have. And despite it all, they haven't lost an official division title in the wild card era. I think that's a pretty damn impressive piece of work by John Scheuerholz, Bobby Cox, and Leo Mazzone.

Boring? Pathetic? Sure, if those are homonyms for "sustained excellence."

Honestly? yes, way back when there was only baseball. the NFL wasn't that big nor was it that popular. There was nothing to compete with baseball in those days so yes, it too much for the sport to bear now in a cllimate where its at best the 3rd most popular game going right now.

Strangely, despite the "pathetic, boring" dominance of the Braves, attendance has climbed year over year since the strike. But that's irrelevant, too, just like the circumstances under which they won this year's division title, right? Couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that the division title, while it makes for excellent bragging rights, is no longer the sole conduit into the playoffs, and as such, isn't going to turn fans off if their team can still make it in via the wild card.

Or are the '97 and '03 Marlins, the '02 Giants, '02 Angels, '04 Red Sox, and '00 Mets - all wild card teams that reached and/or won the World Series - somehow irrelevant, too?

Baseball has more weaknesses than the Bears Offense right now. it has a few stars and half a dozen Large market teams that always succeed. That creates one big stampede to the playoffs by those teams on the plus side.

Who's out there again this season...Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Angels, White Sox, Indians, Padres, Astros

Not a single Small Market team in the group. And even those teams on the outside looking in are in big market areas, Florida, Baltimore, San Francisco.

Yes indeed the Braves have done something special, they've proven that Baseball is still the single most fucked up professional sport in the United States.

Okay, a few things here:

1) if the circumstances under which the Braves won the division this year are irrelevant, so are this year's playoff entrants. Why not look at the fact that since the wild card era began, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington/Montreal, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Pittsburgh are the only teams not to have made the playoffs? 8 teams out of 30 haven't made the playoffs since 1994.

One of them is an expansion team, two of them have been horribly mismanaged, one of them got torpedoed by the strike and never really recovered, one of them won consecutive World Series titles the year before the strike, and one of them (Milwaukee) is on the way back to respectability.

The only repeat World Series champion we've had in the last ten years is the New York Yankees, and they haven't won a World Series since 2000.

2) Your definition of "small market" departs pretty radically from the conventional wisdom. So radically, in fact, that I'm forced to speculate that the only teams that might possibly fit that label under your definition are Kansas City and possibly Minnesota, since you're extrapolating from the size of the city and determining whether or not a club is generating sufficient competitive resources based upon the size of the city, rather than the economic reality.

3) 15 of the league's 30 teams have made the playoffs just in the last four years. 18 of 30 in the last six years. 60% of the league has made the playoffs in the last six years in the only professional sport in North America without a salary cap. Two-thirds of the league since 1997, 26 of 30 since 1990, and that's *with* the NL East champion being the Atlanta Braves every year since 1995 (they were in the West in 1993).

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that this makes baseball "the single most fucked up professional sport in the United States."

The Braves have been consistently successful in virtually every scenario that's been thrown at them over the last 14 years, both competitively and financially. If being able to sustain that kind of excellence without throwing around nine digit contracts leaves you unimpressed, then your threshold for "impressive" is either ridiculously high, or you're being an idiot about this.

And this is coming from a guy who hates the Braves nearly as much (freaking 1991 gah) as he does the Giants. I don't like 'em. Never have. Never will.

But I'm damn sure going to tip my cap to their achievement because once it ends, we'll never see the like again.

[Young Drachma]

Well that was concise.

We will surely look back in 20 years and wonder how the hell they managed to do that. I mean, 14 straight. That's baseball lore for you, on par with excellence we don't see much anymore.

[Izulde]

Yankees=Large Market
Braves=Mid-Large Market
Cardinals=Mid-Market
Red Sox=Large-Market
Angels=Mid-Market
White Sox=Mid-Large Market
Indians=Mid-Market
Padres=Mid-Large Market
Astros=Largish Market

Not a single Small Market team in the group. And even those teams on the outside looking in are in big market areas, television and voting-wise, but not really baseballwise

Florida=Small Market,
Baltimore=Small-Mid Market
San Francisco=Mid-Large Market

Yes indeed the Braves have done something special.

I should be Impressed.

Fixed your errors for you.

[ThunderingHERD]

I didn't read in full the hater posts in this thread--but to play the money card is just ridiculous. Guess what: the Braves rank third in their division in payroll.

[Breeze]

Philadelphia won the division in 1993.
but thanks for playing.


:p


Braves were in the west in 1993.

[Draft Dodger]

Braves were in the west in 1993.

exactly

[Breeze]

Another interesting note: This is Cox's 15th straight division title.

[Izulde]

Another interesting note: This is Cox's 15th straight division title.

I guess Cox really knows how to slam it in when it's crunch time. :D

[panerd]

Fixed your errors for you.

Yankees=Large Market
Braves=Mid-Large Market
Cardinals=Mid-Market
Red Sox=Large-Market
Angels=Mid-Market
White Sox=Mid-Large Market
Indians=Mid-Market
Padres=Mid-Large Market
Astros=Largish Market

Not a single Small Market team in the group. And even those teams on the outside looking in are in big market areas, television and voting-wise, but not really baseballwise

Florida=Small Market,
Baltimore=Small-Mid Market
San Francisco=Mid-Large Market

Yes indeed the Braves have done something special.

I should be Impressed.

I don't agree at with Render about his views on baseball or the Braves. 14 in a row is also a very impressive accomplishment. But your markets?

Chicago, Baltimore, Miami, and Atlanta are major cities. Maybe their owners don't spend that way, but you cannot call any of those cities anything but large market.

Sorry, but I still can't get over Chicago being mid-large market. So only LA and New York are large market teams?

[Izulde]

I don't agree at with Render about his views on baseball or the Braves. 14 in a row is also a very impressive accomplishment. But your markets?

Chicago, Baltimore, Miami, and Atlanta are major cities. Maybe their owners don't spend that way, but you cannot call any of those cities anything but large market.

Sorry, but I still can't get over Chicago being mid-large market. So only LA and New York are large market teams?

Look at the team. It's the White Sox, not the Cubs. They don't have near the resources or the fan support as the Cubbies.

The Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Dodgers all definitely qualify as large market teams.

Baseball isn't doing so hot down in Florida if you'll pardon the pun, which is why I don't call Miami a large market.

Atlanta I'll grant you. Baltimore, I'll debate, especially with the Washington Nationals cutting into the O's market share, which is why Angelos was so pissed off about them.

[JeeberD]

win 1 out of 6 times and the texans are all of a sudden cocky.

Not cocky, just looking forward to a good series...

[Buccaneer]

Can someone post a list of the playoff/contending team's payrolls?

[Buzzbee]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=742 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">2005 MLB Team Payrolls

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%">Based Upon 2005 Season as of April 7, 2005

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE width=744><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=736><TABLE height=44 width=729 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=49 bgColor=#bcbcbc height=18>Rank</TD><TD width=327 bgColor=#bcbcbc height=18>Team</TD><TD width=339 bgColor=#bcbcbc height=18>Total Payroll </TD><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>1</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>New York Yankees</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$208,306,817</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>2</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Boston Red Sox</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$123,505,125</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>3</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>New York Mets</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$101,305,821</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>4</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Los Angeles Angels</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$97,725,322</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>5</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Philadelphia Phillies</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$95,522,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>6</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>St. Louis Cardinals</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$92,106,833</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>7</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>San Francisco Giants</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$90,199,500</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>8</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Seattle Mariners</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$87,754,334</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>9</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Chicago Cubs</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$87,032,933</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>10</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Atlanta Braves</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$86,457,302</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>11</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Los Angeles Dodgers</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$83,039,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>12</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Houston Astros</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$76,779,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>13</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Chicago White Sox</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$75,178,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>14</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Baltimore Orioles</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$73,914,333</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>15</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Detroit Tigers</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$69,092,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>16</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>San Diego Padres</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$63,290,833</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>17</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Arizona Diamondbacks</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$62,329,166</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>18</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Cincinnati Reds</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$61,892,583</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>19</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Florida Marlins</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$60,408,834</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>20</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Minnesota Twins</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$56,186,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>21</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Texas Rangers</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$55,849,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>22</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Oakland Athletics</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$55,425,762</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>23</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Washington Nationals</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$48,581,500</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>24</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Colorado Rockies</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$48,155,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>25</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Toronto Blue Jays</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$45,719,500</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>26</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Cleveland Indians</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$41,502,500</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>27</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Milwaukee Brewers</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$39,934,833</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>28</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Pittsburgh Pirates</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$38,133,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#f0f0f0><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>29</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Kansas City Royals</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$36,881,000</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=49 height=1 td>30</TD><TD vAlign=top width=327 height=1 td>Tampa Bay Devil Rays</TD><TD vAlign=top width=339 height=1 td>$29,363,067</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Chubby]

it will bring me great joy to watch the Braves choke in the playoffs in front of empty seats in Atlanta

[SackAttack]

So the #26 payroll could well make the playoffs, the #19, #20, #22 and #23 payrolls spent time in serious contention, the #16 is all but assured of being there. Nearly a third of the bottom half was competitive this year, and Milwaukee showed signs of great improvement and could be competitive soon.

But baseball is doomed because teams that can spend more, do?

Remember that before the Braves got good, they routinely had payrolls among the top five in baseball with literally nothing to show for it. Spending helps, but you have to spend wisely.

[SackAttack]

it will bring me great joy to watch the Braves choke in the playoffs in front of empty seats in Atlanta

Now, see, as much respect as I have for the accomplishment, this is maybe the only thing on which I can agree with you, Chubby. :D

[Buzzbee]

it will bring me great joy to watch the Braves choke in the playoffs in front of empty seats in Atlanta
I could be wrong, but I think this year might be a little different, as there is a little bit more excitement surrounding the Braves than in previous years. The fact that they did it with rookies playing such a big role, the emergence of local hero Jeff Francouer, the absence of Glavine and Maddux, and the lack of expectation going into the season have given this team a somewhat fresh look in Atlanta fans eyes.

While not quite like the early '90s when Atlanta was just giddy with being in the playoffs, there is a hint of renewed excitement. I think the youth that have contributed give the fans a feeling that this team isn't the 'business as usual, don't get excited over anything' Braves. Rather, there is a sense that the young players have brought back a hunger to win, and that coupled with the playoff experience of vets like Smoltz, Chipper, Andruw, Franco and Perez could end up with the Braves making some noise.


I think their bullpen sucks and they'll blow it eventually. However, I'm more excited about this team, that shouldn't have a chance, actually winning a series or two rather than the past where a team that should have won it all choked in the playoffs.

[Chubby]

I could be wrong, but I think this year might be a little different, as there is a little bit more excitement surrounding the Braves than in previous years. The fact that they did it with rookies playing such a big role, the emergence of local hero Jeff Francouer, the absence of Glavine and Maddux, and the lack of expectation going into the season have given this team a somewhat fresh look in Atlanta fans eyes.

While not quite like the early '90s when Atlanta was just giddy with being in the playoffs, there is a hint of renewed excitement. I think the youth that have contributed give the fans a feeling that this team isn't the 'business as usual, don't get excited over anything' Braves. Rather, there is a sense that the young players have brought back a hunger to win, and that coupled with the playoff experience of vets like Smoltz, Chipper, Andruw, Franco and Perez could end up with the Braves making some noise.


I think their bullpen sucks and they'll blow it eventually. However, I'm more excited about this team, that shouldn't have a chance, actually winning a series or two rather than the past where a team that should have won it all choked in the playoffs.
all the rookies will do is provide new and exciting ways to choke :D

hell, I'll even put Atlanta in the NLCS but that's as far as they are going (if they even get there)

[Ksyrup]

So the #26 payroll could well make the playoffs, the #19, #20, #22 and #23 payrolls spent time in serious contention, the #16 is all but assured of being there. Nearly a third of the bottom half was competitive this year, and Milwaukee showed signs of great improvement and could be competitive soon.
And don't forget that Tampa has actually been competitive since the all-star break. I think they're 8 games over .500 or something like that in their last 70 games.

[Buzzbee]

all the rookies will do is provide new and exciting ways to choke :D

hell, I'll even put Atlanta in the NLCS but that's as far as they are going (if they even get there)
I don't disagree with you there, but this year I think it wouldn't be so much a choke as it would be finishing where they were supposed to.

Many felt they wouldn't even make the playoffs, much less win the division. So, it is hard for me to say they choked when they weren't/aren't supposed to win anyway.

[braves31074]

I'm sorry but winning it all is overrated in this country. Sure championships are nice and as a Braves fan it would have been great to win a few more but sustained excellence is now boring? Whatever. I've listened to this for years concerning Dan Marino.

People say, yeah, he was great but he couldn't win the big one. So the hell what? Many of the teams he was on sucked and didn't have a running back worth a damn. Still, he was all-pro a lot of times and threw for more than 3,000 yards many times as well. But people continually use this ""no rings" talk to trash the guy. Using this logic, Trent Dilfer is better than Dan Marino.

Whatever. Same thing is happening right now to Peyton Manning. It also happened to Phil Mickelson for many years before he won a major. This is a bogus argument used by small-minded people (a lot of them in the media) to discredit the accomplishments of great teams and individuals.

Same story with the Braves. Fourteen years of nothing but winning and still people bitch and moan about their play in the playoffs. Please. You're bound to lose in the playoffs if you happen to get there every year. People who use this to discredit Atlanta are just bitter and/or uninformed.

Bottom line: Sustained excellence over a career or -- in the case of a team, over more than a decade -- is much more difficult than getting hot and winning one game in January or winning 11 games one October.

[Buzzbee]

So we should be happy that the Braves have lost 12 out of 13 times in the playoffs? We should celebrate that for 13 years the Braves have been good enough to make it to the playoffs, but in only one of those years were they good enough to win the whole thing?

I understand your sentiment, but think it is a little off base. The Braves have done an incredible job over past 14 years and that is something to be proud of. However, given that sustained run of excellence you would expect them to have translated that regular season excellence into post-season excellence. They haven't. Therefore they haven't lived up to expectation. That equals disappointment and criticism.

That's the knock. 14 years of regular season excellence has been turned into only one year of post-season excellence.

[ISiddiqui]

You're bound to lose in the playoffs if you happen to get there every year.
LOL!