AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > December > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlank owning Braves would be too much
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
So I was just wondering about Bobby Cox’s reaction the first time Arthur Blank comes down to the dugout to watch the last two innings of a Braves game. (Arthur: Duck.)
Since the Journal-Constitution blared, “Braves for sale” in a headline Wednesday, responses have overwhelmingly fit into two categories:
— Those who equate Time Warner’s exit with having a moon-size mole removed from the middle of your forehead;
— Those who would rejoice if Arthur Blank buys the team. And run the government. And helps Earth fulfill its potential.
None of the above makes any sense.
Let’s start with the easy one: Blank. Despite paying $545 million for the Falcons and claiming he personally will finance $150 million in Georgia Dome upgrades, I’m assuming he could leverage another some-$300 million for a baseball team. He has a high credit score. You know those come-ons you get in the mail for high-limit credit cards? Blank gets those all the time.
The problem is Blank, the man. This is no silent owner. This is someone who invests himself not only financially but also emotionally in everything he does. He not only attends Falcons games, he goes to practices and meetings. He goes to sleep thinking, “sponsorships.” He wakes up thinking, “Pass rush.” Inhale. Exhale.
These aren’t toys. This is the NFL and Major League Baseball. Running two franchises the way Blank runs things would require 48-hour days and double the body parts. It would turn an energetic, 63-year-old to mush.
Stan Kasten, who went from president of one team (Braves) to three (add Thrashers and Hawks), said Blank is a “superior talent who loves baseball.” He said, “I know he toyed with the idea” of buying the Braves two years ago, when they were for sale, and speculates he could do it.
But when asked how his own life changed when his responsibilities tripled, Kasten said: “It wasn’t the hours. It’s the emotional and mental rigors of there being a final exam every day. Your career, your livelihood hinges on a score every single night. There’s a rhythm of the year. There’s a time to play games, a time to draft, a time to sign free agents, a time to trade. But when you’re running more than one team, that’s every time of the year.”
Secondly, sports are about competition. Four pro sports teams in one city should have four owners. Franchises should not only be competitive within their league but also within their city for fan investment. It’s no different than Burger King and McDonald’s being under the same corporate roof. Sometimes, it works. But overlapping ownerships increase the possibility of conflicts and diminished competition. In Detroit, Mike Ilitch has been named among both the best and worst owners in sports. Why? Because he feeds the Red Wings prime rib and the Tigers Spam.
Now, about Time Warner. Corporate sports owners generally get bashed, presumably because most of us relate better to a face than a stock report. But there are as many bad “face” owners as there are good ones, and as many success stories as failures on the corporate side.
We have seen the Braves have cut their payroll by $20 million. It’s not that Time Warner can’t absorb the losses — $20 million to them is a Ho-Ho to us. But losses don’t look good on quarterly reports and there are stockholders to answer to. That’s what led to Time Warner selling two of their “non-core assets,” the Thrashers and Hawks.
But do you really believe a local owner would not have cut payroll? Rising salaries and declining attendance is a losing formula, regardless of who’s writing the checks.
At the risk of painting Time Warner as blemish-free, certain facts are undeniable: The Braves win. They have a nice stadium. They generally are considered a blueprint for other organizations and, with John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox, have been a model of stability.
Time Warner hasn’t been all that bad. Before you go celebrating its exit, realize that there are no guarantees with the Braves’ next owner.
The priority shouldn’t be having a face to complain to. The priority should be not having a complaint.
Permalink | Comments (79) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
Comments
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By LeTwan Anthony
December 14, 2005 06:49 PM | Link to this
Four Sports teams should have 4 owners? LeTwan feels that way about a city’s newspaper, television, and radio stations.
“But overlapping ownerships increase the possibility of conflicts and diminished competition.”
By Eric
December 14, 2005 07:11 PM | Link to this
I sort of agree. Whats to keep Blank (If he buys) from cutting payroll in half? There are no guarantees. I admit I am hopeful, and think right away that a new owner would mean and inflated payroll, but
By Eric
December 14, 2005 07:12 PM | Link to this
I know that is not necessarliy the case. Any potential buyer who is wanting to buy the team, shouldnt plan on wanting to cut payroll. Then we will see how badly attendance falls…….
By TennesseePaul
December 14, 2005 07:44 PM | Link to this
Private ownership verses corporate ownership of a sports team is almost universally desired by fans. Not only for the face to cheer with and yell at, but because sports requires more emotion. Emotion that gets caught up in the game and tries to win at all costs. This has it’s pluses and minuses. The new owner could take the Braves to the top by doubling payroll and stocking every position with All Stars, or straight to the bottom by doubling payroll and stocking every position with All Stars. Either way the passion for the game and for winning would be evident more so than the rally killing headlines of the sort: Braves make trade, lower payroll.
Atlanta, of all the Baseball cities in America, is probably the most spoiled city there is. The team has won for the past decade and a half and until last year, saw steadily declining attendance. A new owner might actually stir the blood of all the relocated snow birds and social elites who turn their noses up at divisional perfection because they have become accustomed to consistent winning so much so they believe it is their right. A private owner might put more fans in the seat with wild deals and fluctuating finishes.
Also, Braves TV ads could use a serious upgrade and a private owner is more likely to push ads which could actually spark the fire of American Spirit for Baseball in the city and rally the whole town into the field. A corporate owner takes the more timid, focus group approved, ad campaign which lacks inspiration and feigns any thought or image that could be construed as detrimental to the over-all company.
The other positive is a private owner might be more interested in developing the land around the stadium. Aside from the Bull Pen Bar outside the stadium the only other place of entertainment is the maze of slum housing and parking lots surrounding the park. The place could use more bars and restaurants a-la Wrigley-ville. Anything would be an improvement.
By Ken
December 14, 2005 07:45 PM | Link to this
How do we know that the new owner will be better? Because a new owner will have wanted to own the Braves and have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire them. Time-Warner picked up the team as a throw-in when it sought Turner Broadcasting. TW never wanted to be in the baseball business; any new owner most certainly will want to be in the business.
By WMFDawg
December 14, 2005 08:35 PM | Link to this
Ask Nascar how owning more than one “team” works.
By tractorhaul
December 14, 2005 08:46 PM | Link to this
This is all precipitated by the fact that Bobby Cox and his staff are leaving Atlanta after 2006. They are retiring.That is why Leo Mazzone got out when he did.
By HBG
December 14, 2005 09:02 PM | Link to this
tractorhaul:
JS’s and Bobby Cox’s contracts are up in 2006. This doesn’t mean that they are retiring. I’ve not seen anywhere that Bobby Cox has said he’s retiring. Bobby will have a job with the Braves as long as he wants it. He may yet decide to retire after next season.. who knows? But don’t go putting the donkey before the tractor.
By Tommy
December 14, 2005 09:48 PM | Link to this
New owner that would invest 20 million in a flashy superstar player would bring in the money. Look how much a healthy Barry Bonds brings to SF. When McGwire was chasing Maris’s record I am sure his bat more than paid his salary. People have got bored with the current line-up, not that I want to see either Jones leave. People also want to see atleast a Shef like player back in the lineup.
By Jerry
December 14, 2005 09:49 PM | Link to this
I hope Cox and JS do leave soon. I would prefer to cheer for a team like the Marlins that win World Series more than once a century.
Blanks as Braves owner would be a plus. I liked it when Ted owned the team, it gave the Braves a personality. That personality died when Turner left. Maybe Blank’s could return some of the luster to the team.
By Tommy
December 14, 2005 09:52 PM | Link to this
I would like for Turner Field to be renamed “Home Depot field”. Atleast that will bring in some $$$.
By Tomas Mogollon
December 14, 2005 10:23 PM | Link to this
Whoever becomes the new owner, dont reduce the teams budget.
By TonyC
December 14, 2005 10:24 PM | Link to this
NO. It should be Turner field dammnit! He brought them up from ultra-suckiness into the annual chokers of renown they are now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Braves fan(still have my Dale murphy “power Alley” poster), but what I’d like to see from a new owner is a hard line dictum: win or get replaced. As remarkable as the string of regular-season dominance is (and let’s face it, Bobby is the best Mgr. in baseball year in and year out for like the past 10yrs), it really really hurts when my team is equated as the baseball version of the Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills.
It hurst because it’s true. I’d like to see a private owner just to “light a fire” under the orginization as a whole.
By Daybed Wagmoe
December 14, 2005 10:37 PM | Link to this
DOB - thanks very much for that insightful article. i didn’t really know the details behind all this, and i’m one of those that instantly thought that arthur blank would be the answer to any problems.
By Del Young
December 14, 2005 11:06 PM | Link to this
Be careful what you wish for!! If you want to see what an individual pre-occupied owner can do to a major league sports team I refer you to Bill Ford and the NFL Detroit Lions. I wouldn’t wish that situation on my worst enemy.
By zack
December 14, 2005 11:19 PM | Link to this
look at how arthur blank has turned the falcons around, there struggling a little this year, but… he still has every home game sold out for the year, because he cut ticket prices several years ago, i have an idea that you can charge to much for tickets and have not many people come because they cant afford it, or lower your prices and include many more people that can afford to come to games, it almost takes a $100 dollars to go to take a family to a braves game to get seats where you can actually see whats going on, and im not talking about behind the dugout, up in the stands, and get a meal at the game to, hot dogs cost $7 dollars, cokes cost $4, how do they expect you to come to but maybe 1 game a year, you hafta work to hard for your money when you can sit on the couch and watch it just as good at home for free!!! if mr. blank bought the braves perhaps he would lower ticket prices to reasoable amounts to come to games, thats the reason the teams up for sale right? because they cant feel seats? john and bobby are doing great!!! with what they have now, but think if they could spend a little bit more money on that key player that got us all the way, brought the world series trophy to atlanta??? wouldnt we all love that???? thanks for readin, i have 5 final words….. PLEASE MR.BLANK BUY THE BRAVES!!!
By patrick
December 14, 2005 11:32 PM | Link to this
What about Hank Aaron? He has always been a great ambassador to the game of baseball and the city of Atlanta. Couldn’t he put together a great buying group?
By Bryan D
December 14, 2005 11:39 PM | Link to this
I think its been said over and over and over again but the bottom line here is ATTENDANCE. We, as fans, have the opportunity to fill those seats night after night and ownership-whomever that may be-would not have to cut payroll. Sure, Arthur Blank may well become the new owner and increase the payroll, say up to $100 mill, but if attendance would be in 2006 what it was in 2005 (even though it was a slight increase over previous years) he would be silly to keep it that high in 2007. Atlanta needs not worry about some guy or buisness taking care of the team, Atlanta (the fans) needs to worry about the Atlanta Braves. If the city takes in this team the way they did years ago, everything will take care of itself.
By mbunch181
December 14, 2005 11:48 PM | Link to this
listen, Blank isn’t buying a franchise in disarray, he’s buying the Atlanta Braves, not the Tampa Bay Devel Rays. In case Schultz forgot there is a Schuerholz in Atl’s front office and he doesn’t need Blank to worry about the day to day. In fact all Blank really needs to do is set a competive budget and get the owner’s box at the Ted redesigned to his specification. Maybe a nice persian rug with Home Depot’s logo on it? Oh, by the way, the Ted is now the Home Depot, but I’m sure u guys knew that already! I mean how hard would it be to one day having rich McKay call and the other John Schuerholz. Really Schultz, are these guys really looking for direction from blank? Of course not, they r runing the show while Blank is writing the checks. And as far as I’m concerned Bobby might like some company in the dugout after the departure of Mazzone!
By Ian
December 15, 2005 12:29 AM | Link to this
I disagree with this whole blog article
By Steven MD
December 15, 2005 02:31 AM | Link to this
I am unsure about what I think about all of this, but I am sure that Blank would do wonders for this organization. First, I know that Time Warner has no face and that they have instructed JS to put together a team of 80 million. But if we get bought up by some random owner, even one that loves to spend money, where does that lead us when Bobby and JS retire? Rich, unexperienced owners can make mistakes that cripple a franchise, mistakes that the big spenders make all the time (Mo Vaughn for the mets, Kevin Brown and tons others for the Yankees, A-Rod for the Rangers, Beltre for the Mariners, etc.) I don’t want to see some one come in like Steinbrenner and ruin our organization. Time Warner at least does upgrade the stadium and practice facilities, guarantee a national network deal, and keep our payroll competitive. Plus they leave the running of the organization to people that know what they are doing.
But lets look at Blank here. What did he do when he bought the Falcons? He brought in tons of people who know football, from Joe Gibbs before he went to washington, to McKay who built up a super bowl defense in Tampa, to guys who knew how to run a salary cap (can’t remember the gm we kept for that’s name). If Blank comes in can’t you see a real smooth changing of the guard? Yes Bobby and JS probably are close to retiring, they can’t go on forever. Then we just let Pendelton coach the team, who better to take Bobby’s place then the man who has been his understudy. Then we bring in Epstein to be our GM and watch another JS grow before our eyes. Blank would bring enthusiasm, a desire to win, new marketing, and yes money. Money to add that free agent, money to keep that young player or favorite veteran to stay. There is no way that Blank buying the Braves wouldn’t mean at least one championship in the next 5 years.
By Mark
December 15, 2005 03:59 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the insight DOB. As to who buy’s the Braves is anyone’s guess right now. As to the assertion that the braves are losing money , don’t believe it. A professional sports franchise is usually a cash cow. The accountant’s alway’s cook the book’s before the I.R.S. get’s to see what the real profit is. The Bravos do need an owner who will have an emotional and personal vested interest in the team’s success. I am a Georgia native and love the state , but Iv’e heard it said before and say it again agreeing with some of the previous post’s on this blog. Atlanta is the ARMPIT OF THE SPORTS WORLD. Inspite of the success of the Braves , the fan’s simply dont support this franchise nearly enough. I’m not blaming the local fan’s in general , I just want to know why they don’t have the same fan support like St.Louis , Chicago and Boston ? The Braves are the best Damn Franchise in the game of baseball. It need’s another Ted Turner who can light a fire under Atlanta and inspire loyalty , tradition and a love for America’s game in this city.
By Tracey
December 15, 2005 04:21 AM | Link to this
You gotta give it to him - Arthur Blank is the Best Marketing Machine in town.
He knows how to fill the seats!!!
How about this group as owners of the Braves:
Arthur Blank, Michael Jordan, Hank Aaron, Shaquille O’Neal, Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson.
By Bryan D
December 15, 2005 04:31 AM | Link to this
I personally would like a Steinbrenner type take over in Atlanta. To say he ruins the Yankees is overboard (sorry Steven) I am anything BUT a Yankees fan but he is an owner that will go out and address the teams needs at whatever cost, all in order to win the world series. Does it always work? Well obviously not since they havent won it all since 2000. But like the Braves, they are always there competing every year. Not to mention attendance for the Yankees was over 4 million this year. The Braves need an owner that will put the team first and make them competitive every year. It seemed as if Time Warner was doing its best to try and bring down the Braves by cutting the budget but it took guys like Bobby and Schuerholtz to defy the odds and do the best with what they had. It just would be nice to go out an get that big bat, closer, etc. that will get them over the hump and signing them long term instead of 1 year rentals.
By Scott
December 15, 2005 04:47 AM | Link to this
All the Braves have to do is win another World Series and all of that “Atlanta fans are awful” would go away immediately. You would see attendance go back up to the early 90s level of drawing over 3.5 million a year every year. The team hasn’t won a world series title in 10 years and just getting to the playoffs isn’t cutting it. Getting your heart torn out every October is hard to take. Forget the Cubs and Red Sox as “suffering” fans. Braves fans have their hearts torn out every year, not once every 6 or 7 years.
By Willis
December 15, 2005 06:05 AM | Link to this
Ted Turner should buy the Braves. He is the man.
By Willis
December 15, 2005 06:10 AM | Link to this
“We have seen the Braves have cut their payroll by $20 million.”
Is this sports grammar or what?
By glennbo
December 15, 2005 06:37 AM | Link to this
How about an ownership group headed by Kasten and Schuerholz? Blank is still a work in progress until the Falcons reach the playoffs for 14 straight years, so he’s not in.
None of the current Hawks/Trashers group can play - They can’t win or play nice with each other. Bernie Marcus, though not interested, might chip in if his very worthy causes - The Georgia Aquarium and the Marcus Institute for Autistic Children - were tied in promotionally with the Braves. Swim with a Shark day where a Braves player and you, the fan, get to swim with a shark in a transported tank in the parking lot. A lawyer could substitute for the shark if PITA objected. And Ted Turner was never a great owner. He became a good owner only when he became too busy to be involved with the day to day ops and handed things over to Cox, Kasten, and Schuerholz. The reason he was too busy to run the Braves is that he was strung out on Lithium and was Chasing Jane Fonda at the time. Hank Aarron would be a good addition. The Braves could give away Jags and Range Rovers as promotions. “First 10,000 fans get a Jaguar XJS”. Or “Look under your seat and see if you have the keys to a Brand New Range Rover”. I’d drive to the Stadium for that. And Elton John can be part of the group. He could give concerts to benefit autism and AIDS research after each game that didn’t have a whale or Jaguar. And he would also get to ogle the ballplayers in the locker room. And Kim Bansinger. She’s a Georgia native and used to own a small town. She could help with civic issues. She was also way hot in 9 1/2 Weeks and I, for one, would not mind if they showed highlights of her in that movie on that giant Jumbotron HD Video thingy at the TED.
By Get Real
December 15, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this
Tennessee Paul: I completely agree about the area surrounding Turner Field. It’s an absolute embarrasement to the team, the fans, the city. Those low-lifes, thugs and panhandlers should not be allowed to tie up in perpetuity what should be some of the most valuable, popular land in the state. Think about owning a condo or house right outside the stadium (like around Wrigley Field), and being able to walk to the game every night. Unfortunatley, this is not a possibility in Atlanta because good people value their lives too much. One of two things needs to happen: either the city of Atlanta needs to look into Community Redevelopment and immenent domain OR we need our little Katrina to come through and clean house.
By Arnold
December 15, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this
What you talkin ‘bout, Willis!!?
By ron
December 15, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this
LaTwan, that is the best response on here. LMAO
By Carroll
December 15, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this
So much for us getting Orlando El Duque Hernandez. Man those ChiSox are gonna be hell on wheels!
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this
I understand what Schultz is saying about Time-Warner but what I know to be true is that “corporate owners” don’t have to see a loss to slash payroll. All they have to see is that they only lined their individual pockets with 4 more mil than the previous year instead of 8 mil. That’s it. THe Braves make money and they make a lot more money if expenses are cut down. Its that simple. And, yes fan support sucks! It is ridiculous to not sell out a playoff game but the attendance is enough to make money and combine that with tv and merchandise and the Braves are rich. I’ve always said this. Everyone always complains about how much the players make but you can bet the owners are making more or they would never shell out that type of money. That’s that!
By carman563
December 15, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this
does it really matter, who owns the braves ?, all i do is turn on the t.v., and they are there, no one has ever ask me about anything, i dont see what the big commotion is all about !!
By Ron Roberts
December 15, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this
High Five for LeTwan. GREAT comment about group ownership - period!
Schultz, I think, doesn’t account for what I think is a large divide between the Braves’ fan base and it’s current ownership. The ‘sense’ that the “shareholders” don’t value their company owning the Braves is evident, and certainly gives off the impression that the “corporation” as a whole could care LESS whether the franchise succeeds or fails.
Give the fanbase an owner who’s passionate, follows the team on the edge of their seat like fans actually do, and I think you’d see more fan interest, even at the turnstiles.
One of the smart things Blank did early on when he bought the Falcons was slash ticket prices in sections of the Georgia Dome they weren’t selling anyhow. Selling a seat for LESS still brings in more revenue then having the seat go unsold,anyhow, right?
I’m not saying the Braves have to slash ticket prices, per se, but some more creative marketing enticements would certainly help. And having an owner at as many games as he/she could be at, being shown on the televised games, sweating out a 9th inning nail-biter would do much to bring some loyalty back to the team. I believe this, wholeheartedly.
Right now we get Schuerholz, with his “been there, done (or not) that” business attire perception. That’s not a bad thing… heck, it’s his job to be level-headed and to not freak over bumps in the road. But we haven’t seen a vested interest, visually or personally, from Braves ownership since Ted & Jane were freezing their butts off in a distant October.
Hard to believe, I actually miss that.
By Doggonegadawg
December 15, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this
Filling the stadium in Atlanta, in particular, is relative to whether or not the fan base perceives and observes the organization’s pursuit of a World Series Champion. If you don’t believe it, then go talk to Jim Donnan. Georgians will not tolerate anything less than this goal. Just to be competitive and playoff bound will just not cut it! Do this and you will operate in the black regardless of the payroll.
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
I’m not making excuses. but….I have to say if I were a player who was on the field in games 1 and 2 of the NLDS it would have been very hard to be all jacked up when I looked around and saw all of those empty seats. I realize there have been numerous playoff failures, but true fans stay true no matter what. I mean look at the White Sox. They had trouble with attendance all year, but when it counted (the playoffs) that stadium was filled. Look at the fans in Houston, Anaheim, and St. Louis and Boston for that matter. The fan support gives you that extra something. That crap about you’re in the playoffs so you should be motivated already doesn’t mean crap. All teams have that motivation but the crowds play a part. Look at how Boston never quit fighting and then look at how the Yankees and Braves seem to be just going through the motions. You don’t think a fan base means something. Watch the NCAA basketball tournament (both mens’ and women’s).
By Brendan
December 15, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this
I have to believe Arthur Blank would be an improvement, even if he does tend to commandeer press conferences while acting like Vinnie Boberino, from “Welcome Back Kotter.”
Look, I suspect Blank would increase payroll, not cut it. And the increase would bring in a “better product” that would “raise attendance.” And win Championships. 1995 was a good decade ago.
I agree that Blank would probably fire Cox, as well. I’d be surprised if he moved Schuerholz, though.
So far, those sound like good moves. Ax Bobby, raise payroll, raise attendance, and win Championships.
The down side? All the press conferences. He’s still Arthur Blank, “merchandizing genius.” And sometimes, it’s just down right “agonizing.”
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this
I’ll be the first to criticize Cox for his playoff managing, but tell me this. How many playoff appearances would this team had had without him. I can’t think of one manager who could have managed a roster with 18 rookies and won a divisional title. Be honest. Torre, LaRussa, Sciosica, nor Leyalnd could have done it. The only two guys I could think of that may have been able to do it are: Guillen and Gardenhire.
By Aaron
December 15, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it the Braves run is over unless, as fans, we persuade (beg) Mr. Arthur Blank to invest his money, attitude, vision and fresh blood into the Braves (No, I did not stutter). It will take an Arthur Blank-General Patten-Caliber personality and owner to upgrade and give life to the Braves organization and fan base. Time Warner is smart to get out now especially since every baseball-minded individual know that Corporation, Ownership and Baseball don’t mix well (See example: Chicago Cubs and Wrigley). Yes, the 14-year run produced many great individuals (Chipper, Andrew, Mad Dog, Pendleton, Shef, Schuerholz, Leo and Cox to name a few) and team memories including the 13 or 14 division championships, 4 pennants (including the slide heard around the world), 1 World Series victory, a new stadium and good but sometimes questionable fan base. However, with all the individuals and team accomplishments, only one championship in fourteen years, departed and aged superstars, increased payroll and constant going concerns within the organization, disinterested and spoiled fan base, and dwindled attendance in recent years, including the PLAYOFFS. Like it or not, the Braves Blueprint is stale and need a true makeover. Masterminds, like Leo is gone with John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox to follow. Smoltz and the Jones’ Boys are aging with little left in the tank. Neither quality free agents are on the market nor if they were are they interested in playing in Atlanta with sub-par fan support. Hudson and the rest of last year’s rookies are facing sophomore jinx, and the fan base (did I mention already without stuttering) is still inconsistent and spoiled. Now the elite baseball teams (Yanks, Mets, Cards, Astros, Dodgers, Giants, White/Red Sox to name a few) have the New Blue Print: a supportive and excited fan base ($3m+ attendance), an ownership with a personality committed to winning, and money to buy or trade for talent. What next owner, whether corporation or individual, is willing to make changes in management’s philosophy, add his charisma, invest $100 Plus million into an annual payroll, attract and retain superstars, market and increase fan interest locally and nationally? Only Arthur Blank. Baseball is both entertainment and business, which Blank enjoys the spotlight. The Braves and the Fans need his swagger. In Professional sports, whether Football, Basketball, Hockey or Baseball (Chicago Cubs need not apply), the bottom-line each year is to win a championship (Team), gain national bragging rights (Fans) and make money (ROI-Ownership). Like you, as a fan, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of watching the Braves lose in the first round each year to Wild Card Teams (Astros, Marlins, etc) using the same old team philosophy: inferior 3-man (no dominate ace pitching rotation versus the opponent’s elite 3-man) rotation, lack of fundamental offense and defense, limited bullpen strength and questionable coaching decisions. Schuerholz and Cox had a great run in Atlanta but will go down rightfully so in baseball history as nice guys who won divisions but not championships (Remember the Buffalo Bills?). The objective of baseball each year is to win Championship; second place is for losers. All true Champions understand this objective. For example, during the past five years the Braves did not match up against the elite teams with pitching rotation, offense (speed and execution) and fundamental defense, and did little or nothing to upgrade specific troubled areas that caused their exit from playoff in the previous year. We need changes not only at ownership level but also at operation/field management. No longer should we, as fan, accept average expectation especially when we are paying ($100 for a family) for quality entertainment but be blamed for the field performance and team failure. In my opinion, only Mr. Blank has the passion, charisma, business wit, power and money to challenge the elite teams and their New Blue Print and re-build the Braves into a respectable Championship-Caliber Baseball team. Yes, like the Falcons, we would all pay to see Mr. Blank in his black suit and red tie rallying and supporting our Braves Team during the hot summer days and nights in Atlanta. Let’s all support Mr. Blank to purchase the Braves, field a championship team and Pack Ted’s House again. Just image the 2006 World Series Headlines - the Atlanta Braves versus the New York Yankees, Jones’ Boys Vs. Jeter/A-Rod, American’s Team Vs. The Evil Emperor, and Arthur Blank Versus George Steinbrenner. Sounds great to me. Who wouldn’t pay to see that….Let’s Go Braves!
By Curt
December 15, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this
Let’s not forget what a ‘terrible’ owner Ted Turner was through the ’70s and ’80s when the Braves were the worst franchise in sport. As a fan I want a change because change is good for sports franchises. Arthur Blank has done amazing things with the Falcons since he bought them from the Smiffs. Hopefully, that same energy will be brought back to the Braves.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that attendance has declined in the years since Turner vacated the owner’s box. There is no sense that anyone really cares about the team and fielding a “championship” calibre team. It is just the same old, same old - don’t rock the boat. As long as David Glass or Donald Sterling don’t have ideas about the Braves we should enjoy it for a while.
First thing for the new owner, stop raising ticket prices until you win another championship or at least get past the first round of the playoffs.
By Daniel
December 15, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul and Get Real: I don’t think anyone has the right to do anything with the lower income housing around Turner Field. Those people were there long before Turner Field was, and just because a few of the wealthy want to come in and make money off condos or bars or whatever doesn’t give them the right to do it. I have been to plenty of Braves games and never bothered by anyone in the vicinity of the stadium. Low income housing is just part of being in an urban area.
By BraveMarion
December 15, 2005 12:33 PM | Link to this
The main trouble with the Atlanta Braves are THE FANS!! I believe the reason for the so-called “fan apathy” is that there seem to be more fans of teams of other cities in this city…because of all the transplants in this city….than there are native Atlantan Braves fans. Over the last 24 years (the length of time this former New Yorker has been in this city), there have been more and more transplants from other cities, rooting for their hometown teams (no…not me!), than there are Braves fans. I am painfully aware of this condition every time I visit a Sports bar here. In some bars, I can’t even get them to put the Braves game on the tv.
Aside from the lack of Braves fans here, the next major problem with the Braves, as I see it, is Bobby Cox’s inability to change strategy in the post season. Every year he does the same darn thing….platoons lefties and righties in the line up, when he should be playing the hot players at that time of the season. (remember the first game of this past post season…when he put in Jordan and Estrada, in place of Langerhans and McCann?)Almost every team who has won the World Series, and almost every manager who gets to the post season, knows instintively that the hotest players should be put into the game, especially in the first round which is only a 5 games series. (It is always the hotest team at the end of the season who wins the World series, isn’t it?) And year after year, Bobby Cox does the same darn thing….platoons lefties and righties instead of hot players.
Another critical mistake he makes (in my opinion) is that he insists on taking out a hot starting pitcher in the eigth inning…replacing him with a shaky bullpen..when that pitcher gets to a certain number of pitches. Ridiculous post season strategy!! And he does it over and over again, every post season. It gets a die hard fan pretty discouraged, ya know?
Why is it that everyone is so willing to give Cox credit for getting us into the post season, but when it comes time to put “blame” on why we lose…it is always the players who get blamed? I love Cox as much as any fan. He is a great manager most of the season. But he absolutely STINKS in the post season.
It won’t matter a whit who owns the team if Bobby Cox can’t think outside the box when it gets to the post season.
But, getting back to the fans….the fans in this city are “fair weather fans” and always have been. It thoroughly amazes me when fans who have never been to a game in the regular season, or don’t even follow baseball, will all pay big money to scalpers in the post season to get into a game. Then, the fans who do attend games in the regular season, won’t pay big bucks to attend the post season games simply because “they will probably choke again this year”. Well…I’ll say it again: it is manager Bobby Cox who “chokes” every post season by “choking” on his stubborn philosphy of “I’ll manage in the post season as I’ve managed in the LONG HAUL regular season”. He will never recognize his own mistakes.
If the fans don’t “step up” ALL season, why would a potential owner give a damn about buying this team? End of rant!!
By falcon guy
December 15, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this
Okay, that’s it. I’ve had it with all the bashing of Blank for going down on the field. Here’s a little newflash for you: THERE ARE PEOPLE ON A FOOTBALL SIDELINE THAT ARE MOVIE STARS, ATHLETES OF OTHER SPORTS, CELEBRITIES, REPORTERS, CHEERLEADERS, ETC. None of these people are criticized for encroaching on a football game. So why does the one guy signing the checks have to apologize for wanting to experience the game from the sidelines. Blank isn’t whispering in Jim Mora’s ear what play to call next. In fact, the only time they have been seen next to each other were in the 4th quarter of games that were already in hand, and that one time there was an issue with the clock in which Mora sought out Blank, not the other way round. The media have made way too much of this and I’m fed up with it. If that’s your feeling, Jeff, then you should never set foot on the sidelines yourself. You’re certainly not paying everyone on the sideline. And he’d make a fine owner for the Braves. Who made you an expert on ownership qualities anyway?
By JC
December 15, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this
Blank owning the Braves would be to much? I don’t remember anyone complaining when Turner owned 3 teams plus a major broadcasting network not to mention his other land holdings and business endeavors….
By SouthernJackassradiopersonalitygonehaywire
December 15, 2005 12:51 PM | Link to this
Blank buy the Braves, Blank fire Booger Cox, Blank hire Sweet Lou, Blank televise the games nationwide, Blank if you don’t really want to win it all, every year, then don’t even think about buying the Braves, Blank emphasize pitching above all else, bullpen, closer, starters with stuff, Blank play NL style baseball, Blank bring back Erin Andrews, Atlanta Journal CONSTIPATION please report some news before it’s 3 days old and common knowledge to even 3rd. world countries!…I’m out
By TennesseePaul
December 15, 2005 12:57 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox retiring is laughable. After Ozzie Guillen won the world series, Bobby Called him to congratulate him. He told Ozzie, “don’t leave the game until they force you out.” Bobby isn’t leaving until he can’t hardly move, or a new owner fires him. And, no one who runs a business would fire a man who consistantly manages his team into the post season.
Epstein will not work for the Braves and this is a good thing. They guy spent big and built teams on power. This is the national league. You need defense and pitching. The next GM will be Moore. That’s why he turned down the job in Boston. He’s been groomed to take over by JS and he will continue the winning tradition.
The only thing a new owner needs to know is, everyone in the organization has been working in a winning environment. Everyone in the organization knows how it works and it would be best to promote from within. Except for the call to give Terry Pendelton the managers job. The work TP has yet to do with the batting order should be enough to disqualify him for the job. Either every single scout and player development personal was wrong about LaRoche, or TP just can’t coach a guy to hit. I think the records show that previous Hitting Coaches actually got this team to hit the ball. TP has turned them all into sub .300 hitters.
By Juiced
December 15, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this
Las Vegas Braves!—has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?…Merv Griffin…More than Talk…
By Jeff Schultz
December 15, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this
Good comments everybody. A couple of comebacks: 1) To LeTwan and others: Hey, I’m with you on multi-media comglomerates. I also would prefer if Cox didn’t own TV and radio stations in this city. But, and I know this will shock you, that’s not my department. Congrats. Now I’m probably going to get fired. 2)Some seem to be of the belief that owning the Braves would be relatively easy for Blank since the organization is not a mess. Clearly, you don’t know the man. I’m not suggesting he would rip it apart and start over. But Arthur pours himself into everything and likes to put his stamp on things. He has done a remarkable job with the Falcons and could do a great job with the Braves. I just don’t see how he could do both franchises at once, given the way he does things.
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this
Aaron, the Jones’ boys have little in the tank. Excuse me, but isn’t Andruw only 28. I think he is far from washed up. And, yes, Chipper has been hurt but ask any manager in the NL and they will tell you that Chipper is stil one of the most feared hitters. As long as things are done smartly, this orginization is long from done.
By FriedTaters
December 15, 2005 01:26 PM | Link to this
Sure doesn’t look like Jeff Schitz has as much faith in Mr. Blank’s ability to handle the Braves as pretty much everyone else in the universe…
By Ron Roberts
December 15, 2005 01:42 PM | Link to this
A couple of points….
Blank wouldn’t fire Bobby Cox. Blank’s not a stupid businessman. If he invested in purchasing the team, firing Bobby Cox would be step one in dismantling a valuable franchise (letting Schuerholz go being the other….). And Blank’s not stupid enough to de-value something he just purchased.
Jeff Schultz, I think, is looking at this from a pragmatic standpoint… his owning the Falcons has been his LIFE. Is there enough time, energy, enthusiasm and passion in one man to own both? That’s, I believe, what Schultz is questioning. If Arthur Blank were most owners, he could do it, but he’s a hands-on guy, and hands-on guys usually can’t handle two large ventures like the Falcons and the Braves.
I hope Jeff’s wrong about him, though, and hope Blank realizes that Ted Turner, too, was a hands-on owner who finally hired “baseball people” to run his “baseball team.” Cox and Schuerholz were two such people and he couldn’t have picked any better duo.
By LaScott
December 15, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this
LaScott would like to meet the woman out there who names her child “LeTwan.”
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this
I think it is ridiculous to say that Blank, because he is hands on, can’t handle both franchises. I mean isn’t he the founder of Home Depot. IF he is such a hands on guy, isn’t he probably still involved with Home Depot?
By JohnBonRocker
December 15, 2005 02:11 PM | Link to this
Isn’t Blank the dude that owns the Atlanta Failcons?—I guess Schitz is right—it would be hard for one owner to have 2 losers!…
By Tomas Mogollon
December 15, 2005 02:26 PM | Link to this
do the falcons have a good team.
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this
Well, it depends on who you talk to. Most people would consider an 8-5 team pretty good but the folks in Atlanta have the Falcons one (and I mean one small) step about the Texans.
By Kudzu
December 15, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this
NO more “corporate owner groups” and no more “private owner groups”…please.
But I do hope we lose the “and this is my south” crap commercials.
Heck maybe the Atlanta Fans could by the team; maybe 1,000,000 stock holders at 500.00 per; that ought to cover the cost of the team and some improvements…
By Tomas Mogollon
December 15, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this
Let me redirect the question, do they get to the playoff and actually have an real good opportunity of winning. I dont know a thing about American Football, but if the falcons played the dolphins, who woul win.
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 02:42 PM | Link to this
Lord, I hope the Falcons would beat the Dolphins. The Falcons got the NFC championship game last year, but they did lose.
By Gabriel
December 15, 2005 02:44 PM | Link to this
No offense Jerry, but the Marlins have only won the World Series once a century (1 in 1997 (20th century) and 1 in 2003 (21st century). The Braves did it 3 times in the 20th century (1 in 1914 as the Boston Braves; 1 in 1957 as the Milwaukee Braves; 1 in 1995 as the Atlanta Braves).
By Tomas Mogollon
December 15, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this
The marlins have had a team since 1993 and have two world series and the braves are the oldest team in baseball 1871 and ha won 3 world series.
By BigGamer
December 15, 2005 03:44 PM | Link to this
Is it true that the Griffin Group is making a huge offer to purchase the Braves and bring them here to Las Vegas?…it was mentioned on the local news channel…
By Adam
December 15, 2005 03:45 PM | Link to this
Did LeTwan refer to himself in the third person? Maybe he should buy the team. He must have the ego for it.
By mbunch181
December 15, 2005 04:03 PM | Link to this
Is it just me are people in Atlanta just a little bit loopy when it comes to Blank. I know he looks good in those $2000 suits, but folks the falcons haven’t yet proved they can even have back to back playoff appearence seasons. I would argue the best thing Blank has done for the birds is convince McKay to leave Tampa and don’t forget that hasn’t proven anything yet i.e. Mora and his change Vick at all cost staff. Schultz, point taken on Blank being control crazy. I guess it really could be a problem if he wants to go into control mode. And for all this talk of local ownership, my vote is for Coke!
By Bo Bobo
December 15, 2005 04:15 PM | Link to this
Who ever the new owner is(if there will be one) needs to cut the payrol. Each player should get 1M. That means you play the eager beaver youngsters, which means, you would get desire, hustle, and have hunger.
Superstars are not the answer. Ck out the Yankees. No one player is more important than the other. Big money only brings lazyness and a lackadasial attitude-I got mine so it does not matter if we win or lose. Ck out the Jones boys for the last several seasons.
Also, the new owners should get rid of all the managers, coaches, and uper management. The organization needs a complete overhaul paying attention to new and up-to-date thinking.
Bring on the new owners, please.
Bo
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 04:23 PM | Link to this
Am I wrong or did highly paid Andurw Jones just come off his best year as a pro by far?
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this
I hear a lot of people calling for a complete overhaul of the team. Just remember be careful what you ask for. Don’t start crying and moaning when the streak of divisional titles end and the first couple of years are lean. I remember the 80’s. Who really wants to go back to that?
By bill lowry
December 15, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this
I think Mr. Blank would be an excellent owner. Judging by the way he takes care of business with the Falcons and his success in the business sector. Some people just have a knack at being successfull. Mr. Blank has proven that. I cannot envision his purchasing of the Braves being anything but a positive development for the city of Atlanta. If he does buy the team, I will purchase season tickets that very same day.
By Amber
December 15, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this
I’d really like to know where everyone gets off calling for Bobby Cox to be fired. I don’t see him failing to hit a pitch, make a pitch, or make a play in the postseason. And as far as his managing goes, it was universally agreed on that he out-managed Garner in the 04 playoffs.
I personally would be happy if Blank could own the Braves. No, money is not the answer to every baseball problem - yeah, see the Yankees for that one. But it wouldn’t hurt the Braves to see a little loosening of the budget so they could make more maneuvers in the offseason and be more competitive in the trade/free agent market. AOL/TW just saw the Braves as a possible way to make money, and honestly that’s not how a baseball team should be run.
And to the person who commented that the Jones boys & Smoltz were “washed up” and had nothing left in their tanks… I’m sure a lot of wannabe baseball players would love to be “washed up” like that, then. :-P
By Robert (Justice is the best)
December 15, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this
Amen, Amber. I’m sure a lot of teams would love to take “washed up guys” like Chipper and Andruw. Some of the comments on here completely defy logic.
By Rich Simpson
December 15, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this
If Arthur Blank buys the Braves, and insists on going down to the dugout to sit with Bobby Cox the last two innings, he should,at least, be required to sit there and rock back and forth.
By Voice of Reason
December 15, 2005 05:28 PM | Link to this
A thought to shake up the blog… Any sale of the Braves, if they in fact become for sale, would probably take between 1-2 years to close when you consider the total processes involved from bids to proposals to confirmations to votes. Bobby Cox, age 66 in May, and John Schuerholz, age 65, are both under contract only through 2006. We, the Braves Nation, could be in for alot of big changes in a short time.
By mbunch181
December 15, 2005 06:52 PM | Link to this
Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of like what the Time Warner/AOL Ownership has done for the Braves and baseball; for instance:
By giving John Schuerholz a payroll cap of around 80 million or so, this has restricted him from being able to drive up the price on overplayed players in the bidding war currently going on in the MLB. All you have to do is look at Todd Jones and his new two-year $11,000,000 contract from Detroit. This could have easily been the Braves, but John didn’t have that kind of payroll flexibility to overpay the overrated Jones.
With the payroll restrictions, the Braves have been forced to focus more on their Farm System for talent then other teams like the Yankees and Red-Sox’s. I think everybody living in Atlanta would agree Francoeur, Boyer and McCann have been a breath of fresh air. Could you imagine still having Javy Lopez, Gary Sheffield and Kyle Farnsworth at exaggerated prices. We could easily have a 200 million payroll like the Yankees and still not be winning anything more then just division titles.
Also, more importantly with Time Warner/AOL ownership being at the helm instead of a hands on individual/local owner like Blank, John Schuerholz has been promoted to the role of Executive Vice President which basically means he is calling all the shots with absolutely no micro managing from above. Time Warner/AOL has really just set a budget and challenged Bobby Cox & Schuerholz to build a great professional ball club. I think they have more than met that challenge.
And last, with all this consistent winning with a preset budget, the game of baseball has really been changed forever. I remember in the era of Ted Turner there was a preconceived notion in this town and really around the league that you had to bring in guys like Maddux every year through free agency in order to continue the winning tradition, “not true?� With smart decision making at the top and a consistent farm system any team in this league can win. Don’t believe me, just go ask ex brave Ozzie Guillen how it feels to be a world champ! And finally, do any of you believe that we would have had guys like Tim Hudson and Edgar Renteria at the discounts we have them for if Time Warner/AOL weren’t our owner. Of course not.
I’m going to miss you Time Warner/AOL, a whole lot, so don’t fret about what fans of the braves think of you, instead buy the Hawks with your money and hire Steve Belkin as their new GM; they need you!
By CES
December 15, 2005 07:35 PM | Link to this
Money brings flexibility but it adds no guarentee of success. All in all, TW hasn’t done a bad job with the Braves. If fact, they’ve done better with baseball than with some of their core busninesses. And as far as worrying about the Braves after BC and JS leave, I wouldn’t worry. They are very good at what they do and all good business people should groom replacements to carry on the corporate culture.
But it would be nice to be able to bring in that Randy Johnson or Albert Pujols caliber player if the opportunity was there to really make a difference in the run! That’s what an interested owner might bring.
I’m proud of how the Braves have done. I’ve coached quite a bit over the years and there’s no doubt that it really just has to be in the cards to go all the way. But this organization continually positions itself to have a chance.
As to attendance, I go to a number of games but one reason I don’t go to more is that in many aspects, they are better to watch on the tube (close-ups, replays, commentary, etc.). But there is nothing like being there either!
By andrew
December 15, 2005 09:34 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank would be a great owner for the braves. He is a very smart and passionate man. The problem is is that he did say he might not be able to afford the team in 2003, though this is 3 years later. So he might not be able to raise the slary, or even keep it the same. So lets get back to real baseball chatter now. GO BRAVES!!
By Stephen
December 15, 2005 10:52 PM | Link to this
Look what happened to the Falcons attendance since Blank has owned the team. They have sold out 45 games in a row. If the payroll was increased to $100 million, the Braves cold bring in a big name, and fill up the woes in the Bull pen. A new owner wouldn’t be to much. On the other hand, another blog like this would be.
By Stephen
December 15, 2005 10:53 PM | Link to this
woopsies *could
By Aaron
December 16, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this
Guys and Gurls,
Let’s not forget the facts here gents and ladies, the Braves have exited the first round playoff the last five years with the same excuses and superstars on the roster…Shef, Jones’ Boys, Smoltz, Mad Dog and Drew. Also, the playoff attendence during those years were dreadful averaging about 35,000, 15,000 below capacity for a playoff game (that’s sad!). In addition, the clutch play; defense, offense, pitching and coaching failed horribly during those short 5-game series, losing especially to wild card teams who had more desire to win. Furthermore, the organization leadership played it safe, putting restrictions on cap space, type of personnel to obtain, but still lost money. Finally, the organization’s blue print is in disarray and does not match up with the other elite baseball teams who are willing to the spend money on free agency and regain fan base in order to compete for a championship. In summary, this organization needs life, a flesh blood to re-energize the organization and fan base, otherwise this team will continue to suffer embarrassing first round playoff lost, low attendence, low fan interest and financial lost. Again, this is not rocket science but risk must be involved. A few good players (Smolts, Jones’ Boys) alone can’t win you a championship, you need more quality players as well as leadership at the top. Who else is better to support this organization? Only Arthur Blank can lead this organization back to Championship-Caliber. Peace out!