Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 1/21
By Jeff Schafer
I have a dream
Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones) in “Field of Dreams”
“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”
This quote succinctly articulates why baseball pumps through the veins of its fans.
Jackie Robinson did as much for the Civil Rights movement in America as any other American. Not only did he integrate the game, he integrated our society’s family rooms. Huddled around their radio, families listed to and rooted for a black man to succeed, because he was representing them.
Think about the cancellation of the 1994 World Series and the Steroid era that followed. Think about baseball’s own hypocritical and inconsistent war on drugs.. The fool’s gold baseball was minting in the 90′s and early 2000s was a mirror. The mirror reflected the ramifications of excess and greed. Yes, baseball still show us the face of America. More and more, baseball and America’s face is a Latino one.
Are the NL East Champion Braves Playing It Too Safely This Offseason?
After a 96-win season that included the NL East crown and the best home record (56-25) in baseball, the Atlanta Braves should be exhausting all resources in pursuit of a World Series run this year.
Sep 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Members of the Atlanta Braves celebrate on the field after the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Braves defeated the Cubs 5-2 and clinched the National League eastern division championship. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
With spring training rapidly approaching, that’s far from the case. As the Braves front office plays it safe this offseason, fans and media members have watched as other contenders have made significant moves to bolster their rosters. Unfortunately for this organization, the winter plight isn’t a choice, but rather a fact of life for a team with financial constraints.
The TV money flowing into the game is, in many ways, a boon to all, with the new national deal adding $26 million to every team’s top line in 2014. Unfortunately, the league failed to anticipate the massive gulf that would develop between the have and have-not teams once the wealthiest clubs signed their new local deals.
Atlanta Braves Rumors: Jeff Samardzija still a trade option?
One player rumored on the move since the end of last season is 28-year-old Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija and with the salary restrictions the Braves have in place, making a deal to acquire the hard throwing right hander makes sense.
David O’Brien reported last month that the organization was looking at making a deal before the start of the 2014 MLB season and with no chance of signing a big name free agent, this franchise could use some of its young prospects to add the pitching help they need.
Atlanta has used its farm system to become one of the most consistent teams in baseball, but unless they want to throw away the upcoming baseball season by giving their young pitchers some experience, look for the front office to make a trade in the coming weeks, giving the Braves their best chance to repeat as NL East Champions and possibly a shot at wining a World Series title.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training Returns to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
The current NL East Division Champion Atlanta Braves will return to theESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for Spring Training from late February through March, marking their 17th consecutive year at theWalt Disney World® Resort.
Your Clients can enjoy the thrill of Major League Baseball combined with a family friendly Disney atmosphere as they watch the Braves take on top teams, such as the Yankees, Red Sox and Cardinals.
Tickets start as low as $12, and parking is free. To purchase tickets in advance of your Client’s vacation, visit espnwwos.com. Or, your Clients may purchase tickets at the ESPN Wide World of Sports ComplexBox Office.