Hoping First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

Spring Training Glimpse of Braves Gives Reason for Optimism

ATLANTA, Georgia— Here’s hoping what the Braves showed during my visit to Orlando is what we’ll see throughout the 2012 season. The Braves defeated Steven Strasburg and the Washington Nationals on a day when just about everything went right for Atlanta. Chipper Jones played well at third. Dan Uggla hit a double and home run, Jason Heyward had his first hit, a home run no-less, and Julio Teheran looked ready for a starting role.

That was back on March 14, the first day of a two day visit to Florida that included seeing three games and five teams in two days. The other teams were the Tigers, who faced the Mets in Lakeland and the Yankees, who played Washington in Vierra.

Champion Stadium -Braves Spring Training Home

As for the Braves some things have changed since mid-March. Teharan’s performance deteriorated and he was assigned to Triple A Gwinnett. Juan Francisco was acquired from Cincinnati. A third-baseman, Francisco is expected to back-up Chipper, who since our visit, had surgery for a torn meniscus. The Francisco trade, which sent pitching prospect J.J. Hoover to the Reds, will allow Martin Prado to concentrate on left field, thus keeping him at his favorite position.

Tyler Pastornicky, who made a late run in spring training, will start at shortstop instead of Andrelton Simmons, who was also re-assigned.

With Prado in left, a solid Michael Bourne in center and a hopefully revitalized Jason Heyward in left, the outfield looks promising. If Francisco and Pastornicky both deliver, the infield will also be strong with a solid right side featuring Uggla and NL Rookie of the Year runner up Freddie Freeman. Freddie was runner-up to Braves closer Craig Kimbrell, who should come back as strong as ever. In fact the bullpen could even be stronger with Johnny Venters still there and Chris Medlen available for middle relief. The perennial All-Star Brian McCann, with the more than capable back-up David Ross, gives the Braves the best catching in the league. Starting pitchers Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson have both come on strong after injuries. If Tim Hudson’s rehab from a herniated disc continues to progress he may be ready within the month.

Here’s the rub with the Braves. They did not have enough hitting last year and that must improve. Also, while the Braves may be able to duplicate their 89 wins of 2011, Philadelphia is still better and Washington and Miami have improved. Everything has to break right or Sports Illustrated’s prediction of a fourth place finish is not too far-fetched. However, if March 14 is a precursor of the way things could look throughout 2012, the Braves should have a very interesting year.

Quick Takes...Sports lost one its most colorful figures last week when Bert Sugar died of cardiac arrest while also quietly waging a battle against cancer. Bert was never without story. I had run into him many times over the years and in 2010 interviewed him for the American Sportscasters Association website

The inimitable Bert Sugar

www.americansportscastersonline.com/bertsugaronsportscasting.html. He was, as usual, at his best. The author of more than 80 books, Bert told several stories during the course of that hour-long interview, including one about how he put down Howard Cosell, the boastful broadcaster, who was telling Sugar "there are fewer great broadcasters than you think." Said Bert, "There is one less than you think, Howard." Bert also spoke of Bill Stern, another legendary and controversial broadcaster, who didn’t always pay attention to what was happening on the field. According to Sugar, Stern called the wrong player on a touchdown run in the Army-Notre Dame game and had to fake a lateral to another player at the five yard line. Another broadcaster, Clem McCarthy, had a similar problem calling the wrong winner of the Kentucky Derby. Stern, quipped, "Too bad you can’t lateral a horse, Clem." Such was small sample of Bert being Bert. A fedora and a cigar were considered his trademarks. But his real trademarks were his sense of humor, his gift for spinning a yarn, his giving nature and his ability to make everyone around him feel better. What a legacy!