- Clutch Recollections from the 2007 Baseball Season-

The 2007 Baseball Season was a positive one for the Atlanta Braves.... Well, for the most part. As we are all aware, they did not make the play-offs, but the team made a lot of progress on the field and off. With sports writers writing the Braves off in Spring Training, everyone expected the Phils and the Mets to dominate the NL East. Though, as true loyalists know, we know what the Braves were capable of and gave it their best shot all the way to the end. In fact, they were three games away from the wild-card position at one point. So close! The reporters underestimated the ability of the Braves roster and probably assumed that once the NL Division streak was broken, they would be in a hole for many years to come. Towards the end of the season, the Braves won 14 of their next 20 games between the months of August and September to pull within three games of the NL Wild Card. Unfortunately, what would follow after the winning streak is 4 heartbreakers that eliminated them from play-off contention. To combat the struggles and criticizm of the bull-pen's performance in 2006, the Braves made multiple moves. They re-signed Wickman, traded for Rafael Soriano and acquired Mike Gonzalez for Adam LaRoche. They cut loose Chris Reitsma, which was A-OK in my book. He wa a huge burden for the team in 2006 and John Smoltz got a first hand look of what he did to the team and himself personally. You wonder why Smoltz had such a wonderful ERA and K amount without the wins? You can ask Reitsma and figure out why. These were all big steps in the hopeful turn-around of relievers for the new year. Even though the Braves struglgled in the second half, they were still able to finish the year with a respectable above .500 record.

August 5th, 2007 10th inning Clutcher Yu-Nelly Yu-Nelly: "Pitch-Eater:" I'm not sure if anyone laughed or understood the cute name I just gave him, but wow. What a stud this guy is. How wonderful of a feeling it is having a young prospect grow up in the farm system and now show his signs... shortly after letting Rafael Furball go. I was happy to see Furball go, but obviously, it left a void in the SS position. One I was fearing would take a couple years to replace. Though, we can now be assured that this guy will anchor our SS position with grace and talent. Thats if we don't trade him away. On this day he went 2-4 with 2 RBI's. He came through once again in the clutch with an RBI single in extra innings against Taylor Buchholz. This is sure the beginning of a promising career and I'm glad he's a part of the Braves organization. With an excess amount of All-Star Short Stops in the NL East, (Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins) it's a good feeling we have one comparable to these big names. There is no doubt Yunel will be an integral part to the Braves success moving forward.

August 11th, 2007 The Miracle of Andruw Jones. After 10+ years as the Gold Glove Center Fielder for the Braves, it is upsetting that I have to joke about one good game. Though, but if you looked at what he did (or didn't do in '07) it wouldn't come as a suprise. Andurw was awful for just about 80% of the season and the yearly numbers were there to prove it. Though as expected, there was a team naive enough to believe he is worthy of 18 million dollars and signed him to lucrative deal. For the Dodgers, they will get a first-hand look at how he kills rallies, does not hit in the clutch, and is constantly fooled by the change-up. Though, on Saturday August 11th, it was a bright moment for Jones., He was not worthless nor detrimental to the team. In fact, he had two hits and drove in 2 runs... bringing us back to the good old days when he was integral part to the team's hitting.

July 5th, 2007 372 Home Runs for Chipper Chipper Jones is the ultimate ball-player. He has the natural swing, gold-glove arm and leadership in the dug-out that can only be appreciated on rare occurences in the major leagues. For years to come, hitters will continue to study his successes in discovering the requirements to be a successful player. If only the injuries were a little more forgiving on his body, we could all be standing here and talking about being on the list for most Home Runs ever. Either way, his career has been beyond spectacular and even 16 years into the league, continues to amaze fans with his natural swing on both sides of the plate. On this day, Jones surpassed Dale Murphy for the Atlanta club record of 372 home runs by belting 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

August 19, 2007: Smoltzy-K: I'll admit, I was never the true John Smoltz fan like most Braves fans are, but there is no denying the numbers he posts year in and year out. Even though everyone won't stop mentioning his age, there is no stopping in sight. He continues to dazzle batters and put up numbers comparable to young studs in the league. With the like of Jake Peavy and Johan Santana being tossed around every year as the CY Young victor, Smoltz is found not too far behind. He is a dead lock for the Hall of Fame and has almost ever Atlanta Braves record under his belt. On August 19, 2007, Smoltz set the new Atlanta Braves strikeout record by striking out Mark Reynolds. It was his 2,913th strikeout and he passed Phil Niekro on the Braves all-time list; striking out a season-high 12 in the game.

	Atlanta's V.I.P of 2007 After a year of monitoring each and every breathe out of each Brave,statistic, this is my 2007 VIP list. Before the ESPN Analysts draw their conclusions, they need to do their research and consult me regarding the team. It's been an up-and-down season for the Braves, but for these performers contributed towards the upward progression of the team. (click on diamond to view)

July 30th, 2004 Kazmanian Devil: I know what you're thinking. This has nothing to do with the Atlanta Braves or the 2007 Season. In fact, I am referring all the way back to 2004 with this once. Though, which one would you rather have? Well in 2004, it was obvious for the Mets. This trade will eventually be one of the worst in baseball history (besides Nolan Ryan). Next step, please come to Atlanta. What I would do to have you wear the chop and continually shutdown the Mets in every NL East rival game.

April 25th, 2007 Hudson is back: What a comeback year for Tim Hudson. After posting career highs in losses (12) and ERA (4.86) in 2006, everyone seemed to close the chapter. To our delight, he left the year behind him and posted a 16-10 record with a 3.33 ERA. He not only dominated each and every hitter, but in the midst of his nine game winning streak, he struck out a career-high 12 batters on April 25th. I am looking forward to a complementary year in 2008 when he partners up with Smoltz once again in anchoring the rotation. We will need him to provide the veteran leadership to the next generation of starters in JoJo Reyes, Jair Jurrgens, Phil Stockman and help the team reclaim the Division title that was solely theirs for 14 years.

August 22nd, 2007 Super-Salty: I know, Salty was traded at this point and had nothing to do with the team. Oh well. I am still a fan of Salty and will continue to be so through-out his career. Why not support a guy who started out with your favorite team. As they say, once a Brave, always a Braves. It also helps being in the American League, far away from hurting the Braves with his bat. 4-6, two home runs and 7 Ribbies. The continuation of a very promising career. Good Luck Salty !!!

July 31st, 2007: Santa Schuerholz around the Baseball World and back in one day: How many deadline deals did John Schuerholz make this year? A whole bunch. For the most part, he improved our ball-club and helped set the tone for the rest of the season. The Braves acquired Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals for Kyle Davies and also traded LHP Wilfredo Ledezma and RHP Will Startup to the San Diego Padres for Royce Ring. With these acquisitions, you can say a lot of presents were delivered to the Braves Organization that day.Ho Ho Happy Holidays on the Trade Deadline.

In the final weeks of the 2007 Baseball season, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Delgado and others were caught making the comments: "We're so good, sometimes we get bored of winning." While my heart went out to the Atlanta Braves making a miraculous comeback in the final days, who would you have rather seen win the Division. The Mets fans thought they were so set... worrying about which 5,6 starters will start in the play-offs and who will be put in the Bull-pen. The Met fans thought they had everything in place..... but as it turned out, no post-season in 2007. (Click on Mets photos to the left to enlarge))

	Mark Teixeira/Atlanta Braves '08

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