AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 28
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Braves still believe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Until Ken Ray gave up a monstrous, game-tying home run to Jason Giambi on the first pitch he threw him a few minutes ago in the eighth inning, this Braves road trip was shaping up every bit as encouraging as the 0-6 homestand and 10-game losing streak had been discouraging for the Braves.
Even though Ray blew a save and and another potential Smoltz win at Yankee Stadium, the trip still had to be considered a positive for the Braves, who at least showed they aren’t ready to throw in the towel on the season. In winning two of three at Tampa Bay and playing tough the past two days at Yankee Stadium (a 5-2 win Tuesday, a 2-1 lead through seven innings today before Ray’s gopher ball), the Braves showed some mettle and gave their fans a reason to believe the second half of the season won’t be some sort of extended funeral procession over the death of the division title streak.
They aren’t going to win the divison — sorry, Braves Nation, the powerful Mets just aren’t going to fold to that degree, if they fold at all — but the Braves still believe they have a legit shot at winning the wild card.
Hey, it would take a wholly improbable run of stunning baseball for them to pass all the teams currently sitting ahead of them in the wild-card picture, but the Braves have made up bigger deficits in the second half than 9-10 games. While you and I and most everyone else knows it’s extremely unlikely, the Braves still believe it’s possible. And if they believe, then, hey, have at it, boys.
Hearing Chipper say before the game describe how there’s no two-team tandem in an NL division running away like the White Sox and Tigers in the AL Central, thus making the NL wild-card race a far more open race, it told me the Braves have talked about this stuff among themselves. Seeing the improved mood in the clubhouse the past week said the same thing, that they genuinely believe they are still in the postseason picture because of the wild-card opportunity, if not the division.
Trust me, everyone on that team and in the organization wouldn’t hesitate if you gave them two choices: Win the wild card and take your chances in the postseason, or call it a season and make moves designed to shed the team of some veteran payroll. Everyone connected with the team wants to go to the postseason now and keep their streak of postseason appearances alive, if not their division title run.
That’s just how they see it. I’m just telling you what I’m seeing and hearing, and it’s competitive guys who are playing for the here and now, not thinking about two years down the line.
However, Chipper also said something else both telling and encouraging. He said the Braves know they need to play the second half hard, do everything they can to get in the postseason, and if they don’t make it, then at least make sure they take momentum and a positive attitude forward to next spring by finishing the season out with hard work and not showing a loser’s mentality.
Bobby Cox hasn’t given up. His players haven’t. And that leads me to the last point: The front office needs to show it hasn’t given up. Not say it, show it.
The Braves have several million bucks set aside from their failed pursuit of a closer last winter. It would send a terrible signal to their players if they don’t make a signficant move or three in the next couple of weeks to try to shore up a couple of weaknesses.
They could get a big spark by somehow acquiring a potent leadoff hitter for the second half. They could use another veteran reliever or two.
The work of young lefties Chuck James and Horacio Ramirez this week was a huge boost for the Braves’ confidence, and Smoltz reminded everyone Wednesday that he’s still an elite pitcher with seven innings of one-run ball in another potential win the bullpen blew for him.
If Tim Hudson could put together another run like he did late last season — his struggles are unpredictable and maddening — the Braves would have a potentially potent rotation the rest of the way, with either John Thomson or Kyle Davies (when he’s back in late July or August) filling it out.
It’s late, and it’s a long shot. But it’s not too late. Not yet. And if the Braves believe, then so should the front office, and by showing it with actions instead of words.
