A "Grave" New World

From 1991 to 2005.......

The Atlanta Braves were the most successful team in all of Major League Baseball, winning an unprecedented 14 consecutive Division titles. Throw in 4 World Series appearances, 1 World Championship, and one could argue......this was the team of the '90s.....and part of the 2000's.

From 1991's "worst to first" season.....to the championship in 1995......to extending their Eastern Division dominance through 2005.....The road to the NL pennant....always went through Atlanta.

Professionalism..........It was taught and practiced in the farm system. From the Braves rookie leagues, to A , AA , and AAA clubs. How to throw.....how to catch....fundamentals....

Player development was a high priority and a major key to success.

But time changes.....people change.......the world around us changes.

The 2008 Atlanta Braves.....well, they are just an average franchise. For the 3rd year in a row........the road to the NL pennant.......will not be going through the ATL.

And .....as is always the case.....it starts at the top.

First, there is the ownership. No longer are the Braves owned by one individual.....Ted Turner sold his majority stake to AOL-Time Warner..........who sold it to a conglomerate , Liberty Media in 2007......

General Manager , John Schuerholz has stepped down.......long time pitching coach Leo Mazzone left.....and Manager, Bobby Cox is only signing one year contracts these days.

The "darlings of the nineties"........that pitching staff of John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddox.......well ........2 of the 3 still are trying to pitch for the Braves (Maddox is with the San Diego Padres).....but both are on the disable list.......and both are now over 40 years old.

Prospects from the minors?

Who knows........with all the injuries this year......and all the call ups from the AA and AAA teams........No one has stepped up.....to become the next Chipper Jones or Brian McCann.

Trades?

Without 5 ........or even 4 star prospects........they can't get a front line player in return.

Solution?

Blow this team up and start over. This is not New York.....Atlanta will be patient....but it has to be done right. Development of the farm system has to be tops .......again. The focus must continue to be on the development of young arms......

Hire a successor to Cox........Nobody lives forever.......get a young, hungry manager, who knows the game of baseball.

Get back to basics........bunting.....stealing a base every now and then?

But the reality of it all is simple......

Instead of a "Brave New World"..........

2008 has given us ....a "Grave New World"