It's late June in the biggest city of the South, and the Atlanta Braves find themselves in 1st place in the National League East.
They have returned home to the friendly confines of Turner Field, on the Southside of Atlanta, after losing a 3 game series to the boys from the Southside of Chicago, The Chicago White Sox. There's nothing in the game that can normally get rid of the bad taste of a 3 game series loss, than coming back to Atlanta for a 9 game home stand. The Braves have played very well at home this year, and this coming weekend's "Alumni Festivities" should fire up the 25 man roster to get back on track
The Braves find themselves with a half game led over the New York Mets, and now launching another inter-league match up against the Detroit Tigers.
Knowing that the 2010 season would be Bobby Cox's final campaign of his 'Hall of Fame' career, the Braves appear to be playing at a level that just could make Cox's final year as the Bravo's Skipper, one to remember and sort of 'the impossible dream.'
Working daily in the 'heart of Buckhead,' a vibrant and upbeat section of Atlanta, I see and hear an exciting 'buzz' among Brave Fans almost on a daily basis. There is a level of enthusiasm that hasn't existed for several years since the Brave's 14 year run in winning the National League East Pennant. Not since 2005 have the Braves played as well and generated the excitement that appears to be growing with each additional win.
Winning records and divisional races can certainly turn up the heat, but for this Braves Squad, there are several key reasons that are certainly adding to the fan support and excitement. Here are just some of the elements driving the buzz.
Jason Heyward, the Braves outstanding, 20 year old rookie sensation is amazing experts and local fans alike, as he positions himself possibly as an All Star participant in his first year in the majors. Although he is currently going through a bit of a slump offensively, his continues to excel with his defense and the speed at which he runs the base pads. By the way, I had the pleasure of seeing him hit his first big league home run during his first time at bat at Turner Field in April. No doubt, the buzz started back on opening day.
The Braves pitching staff, both starters and relievers, have performed well most of the season. Going into the season, baseball experts were touting the Braves pitching staff to be among the best in the National League. One week into summer, the entire staff continues to keep the Braves in most games.
Troy Glaus, Atlanta's new 1st baseman, normally hitting in the clean up position, struggled throughout most of the early season, but over the past month or so, Glaus is delivering on every expectation that the Brave's management and ownership expected when they signed him. Currently, he is among the leaders in home runs and runs batted in. His contribution over the past six weeks has had a major effect on Atlanta's movement into 1st place in the Eastern Division.
The experience and knowledge of a senior, tenured Manager such as Bobby Cox appears to win more games than not. With a very deep bench of substitute and utility players, it has appeared that Bobby is hitting all the right buttons, playing the right hunch or making the right calls in most cases. As he makes his farewell visits to baseball parks all across the country, there's no doubt that he is certainly receiving the admiration and respect from fans, players and managers alike. Bobby Cox is well liked and respected throughout Major League Baseball.
So, couple all the various elements that are required to produce a winning record in the majors, then add the individual performances by a hand full of super stars, as well as journeyman like results from just about every other member of this squad; bingo, you have a growing level of excitement that could very well produce 'the impossible dream' for Bobby Cox and every Braves fan across the country.
A little too early to start thinking of a Divisional Title, National League Pennant or even a World Series, absolutely. However, there just seems to be something magical or special about this Braves team this year.
Finally, let's never say never. Maybe, just because Cox has announced his retirement, this team comes to the ball park every day or every night, playing with just a bit more focus and a bit more spark and fun, simply because they want to give another title to the skipper, Bobby Cox.
It really could be 'that impossible dream,' just one more time . . . but after all, I'm just thinkin'.
They have returned home to the friendly confines of Turner Field, on the Southside of Atlanta, after losing a 3 game series to the boys from the Southside of Chicago, The Chicago White Sox. There's nothing in the game that can normally get rid of the bad taste of a 3 game series loss, than coming back to Atlanta for a 9 game home stand. The Braves have played very well at home this year, and this coming weekend's "Alumni Festivities" should fire up the 25 man roster to get back on track
The Braves find themselves with a half game led over the New York Mets, and now launching another inter-league match up against the Detroit Tigers.
Knowing that the 2010 season would be Bobby Cox's final campaign of his 'Hall of Fame' career, the Braves appear to be playing at a level that just could make Cox's final year as the Bravo's Skipper, one to remember and sort of 'the impossible dream.'
Working daily in the 'heart of Buckhead,' a vibrant and upbeat section of Atlanta, I see and hear an exciting 'buzz' among Brave Fans almost on a daily basis. There is a level of enthusiasm that hasn't existed for several years since the Brave's 14 year run in winning the National League East Pennant. Not since 2005 have the Braves played as well and generated the excitement that appears to be growing with each additional win.
Winning records and divisional races can certainly turn up the heat, but for this Braves Squad, there are several key reasons that are certainly adding to the fan support and excitement. Here are just some of the elements driving the buzz.
Jason Heyward, the Braves outstanding, 20 year old rookie sensation is amazing experts and local fans alike, as he positions himself possibly as an All Star participant in his first year in the majors. Although he is currently going through a bit of a slump offensively, his continues to excel with his defense and the speed at which he runs the base pads. By the way, I had the pleasure of seeing him hit his first big league home run during his first time at bat at Turner Field in April. No doubt, the buzz started back on opening day.
The Braves pitching staff, both starters and relievers, have performed well most of the season. Going into the season, baseball experts were touting the Braves pitching staff to be among the best in the National League. One week into summer, the entire staff continues to keep the Braves in most games.
Troy Glaus, Atlanta's new 1st baseman, normally hitting in the clean up position, struggled throughout most of the early season, but over the past month or so, Glaus is delivering on every expectation that the Brave's management and ownership expected when they signed him. Currently, he is among the leaders in home runs and runs batted in. His contribution over the past six weeks has had a major effect on Atlanta's movement into 1st place in the Eastern Division.
The experience and knowledge of a senior, tenured Manager such as Bobby Cox appears to win more games than not. With a very deep bench of substitute and utility players, it has appeared that Bobby is hitting all the right buttons, playing the right hunch or making the right calls in most cases. As he makes his farewell visits to baseball parks all across the country, there's no doubt that he is certainly receiving the admiration and respect from fans, players and managers alike. Bobby Cox is well liked and respected throughout Major League Baseball.
So, couple all the various elements that are required to produce a winning record in the majors, then add the individual performances by a hand full of super stars, as well as journeyman like results from just about every other member of this squad; bingo, you have a growing level of excitement that could very well produce 'the impossible dream' for Bobby Cox and every Braves fan across the country.
A little too early to start thinking of a Divisional Title, National League Pennant or even a World Series, absolutely. However, there just seems to be something magical or special about this Braves team this year.
Finally, let's never say never. Maybe, just because Cox has announced his retirement, this team comes to the ball park every day or every night, playing with just a bit more focus and a bit more spark and fun, simply because they want to give another title to the skipper, Bobby Cox.
It really could be 'that impossible dream,' just one more time . . . but after all, I'm just thinkin'.
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