A Bit Of Everything Sports

How do they do it time and again?


Over the past 14 years the Atlanta Braves have been the cream of the crop of the baseball world. Sure many will bring up the fact that they have only won 1 World Series title during the unbelievable run of consecutive Division titles from 1990-Present, but at least they won one....No Buffalo Bills syndrome here.
All the credit has to go to three men:
1) John Schuerholz General Manager - has done what can only be deemed amazing. Year after year there is always a good degree of player movement (as with most clubs). Where Schuerholtz differs from other GM's is that it seems every year he will replace a star player with a less proven commodity, and it always seems to work out. Ether the player leaving has an off year, or the replacement in-turn has a break-out year.
2) Bobby Cox Manager - just look at what he has been able to accomplish in his time not only with the braves organization but also with the Toronto Blue Jays, not only as a coach but also and a GM. He seems to have a knack for motivating players, both veterans and rookies. By far one of the most under-appreciated managers in the game...Bobby always seems to get knocked for always having good pitching and good players to work with. How this lessens what he has been able to do is mind blowing. In professional sports it is usually harder to get a consistent effort from quality or star players then journeymen just trying to hang on.
3) Leo Mazonne Pitching Coach- Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz et al...Sure it is a luxury that most pitching coaches do not enjoy, and true Schuerholtz does continually make pitching priority 1, but to do what he has dome with the ever evolving staff is very impressive. Every young arm that comes in has the benefit of his teaching and has made them a better major league pitcher even after they move on (like Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood). Kyle Davies is no exception this year.

With these 3 pieces still in place you have to like the chances for another division title. Even with the high percentage of rookies on the roster ( with the recent call up of Jeff Francoeur) which now sits at 10.