Welcome back to the national radar, Braves.
Their six-run ninth-inning comeback against the Marlins on Sunday further shifted them into the spotlight, a place they haven’t been in quite some time.
A National League-best 28-17 record will do that for you. The Braves were national darlings for so long: TBS showed them across the country, everyone knew Hall of Famers such as Chipper Jones, John Smoltz and the like. The unprecedented amount of winning sure didn’t hurt either.
But the rebuild ignited after the 2014 season knocked the Braves off the radar. The youthful duo of Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, along with excellent performances from veterans Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, has restored order.
It’s created a perfect storm that thrust the Braves into first place.
Sunday’s comeback was featured on Scott Van Pelt’s late-night “SportsCenter.” The Braves were oft-discussed on MLB Network throughout Monday.
They haven’t been featured on national television yet, but more national writers are lurking into the clubhouse. Intrigue is growing throughout the industry.
That’s a new experience for most of the current Braves.
“Whether it be on social media (or television), it’s all good stuff, it’s all been positive for the most part,” starter Sean Newcomb said. “So everyone’s just been rolling with it, not trying to do too much. It’s been cool. Nice that they’re recognizing us for what’s going on here. Some people putting some respect toward us, so that’s good.”
Freeman is the only position player remaining from the 2013 division champion team. He’s not interested in the headlines.
“It has zero interest in my book,” he said. “We don’t care about it at all. People can talk whatever they want to talk about us. We have a job to do at 7:05, and that’s all we care about.”
The attention will grow as long as the team’s winning. It’s going to force the young players to grow up quickly, even if they’re already well ahead of the curve mentally.
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised his veteran players for their leadership. In addition to Freeman, Tyler Flowers and Markakis have been among those vital in maintaining an inexperienced clubhouse.
Albies, Acuna, Mike Soroka and Luiz Gohara are 21 or younger. Dansby Swanson, 24, and Ender Inciarte, 27, are getting their first real taste of success in the bigs. Newcomb and Mike Foltynewicz, along with several bullpen arms, are in the same boat.
“It doesn’t matter,” Markakis said of the attention. “We have to do what we have to do and that’s win ballgames. That’s what we’re going to do. Go out there and try to win every ballgame. I know it’s not going to happen, but we’re going to do our (best) to try to win every ballgame.”
Such responses are expected from Markakis, who’s commonly applauded for media and teammate relations. If you’re going to go as young as the Braves have, the right veterans are all the more important.
Snitker has seen the value in his older players. They’ve made his job easier.
“There’s always going to be times where you have some needs, individually, with guys, and you talk about things,” he said. “I think that’s true of any team. There are going to be issues you have to address, but it’s a good group and mix of veterans on this team that handle a lot of that. When you have that happening, it’s a really good thing. It’s a really good team element.”
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