I'm stealing an idea from the Braves' radio broadcast last night. Don Sutton and Jim Powell were discussing the embarrassing situation in Los Angeles with the MLB taking over the franchise from the dysfunctional McCourt family. Sutton was especially rankled by the situation and how McCourt had almost single-handedly ruined one of sports' greatest franchises. Sutton was talking about how the Dodgers were the model for so many years when Powell chimed in:
"Like the Braves have become."
And he is right. The Braves are the new Dodgers. Look at the similarities:
Managing - Our Bobby Cox was their Tommy Lasorda. A face of the franchise in the dugout. Stability. Professionalism. High standards. Winning baseball.
Pitching - the Dodgers always had a starting staff of 3-4 aces and the Braves' dynasty was built the same way. Both teams were competitive every night because they always have a professional arm to start the game.
Spring training - the Disney set-up isn't Dodgertown, but it is packed, family-friendly and unique. There are not many unique spring training site (Tampa for the Yankees...I can't name another).
Player evaluation - the Dodgers found guys like Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez. The Braves minor league accomplishments are legendary. Good baseball people making good baseball decisions.
Fans - the Dodgers fans got a bad rap for showing up late, but they were good fans when they got there. The Braves fans get a bad rap for not showing up, but they are great when they are there. Both cities are full of transplants, but both have bonded with their franchises.
The old Dodgers were and current Braves are the cream of the crop in terms of baseball operations. Someday the Braves won't be run this well and we will look back at the past 20 years as the glory days not only on the field, but off it as well. Looking at what is happening L.A. makes me appreciate what we've got in Atlanta right now.
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