Leo Wells on Sports

When you think Chipper Jones, many descriptions come to mind.  Winner, determined, team, grinder, loyal, hitter, baseball, stubble … but first and foremost he’s thought of as an Atlanta Brave … tried and true!  More than once this all-timer has placed the team’s interests above his own … remember the left field he played for a time while Vinny Castilla manned the 3 bag … remember when he renegotiated his contract to save the Braves a dumpster full of cash so that the organization could gain some additional financial flex … remember when he signed with the Braves back in 1990 (more…)

This past 2010 the Braves shed themselves of a clubhouse blister and picked themselves up some clubhouse salve in place of the fester.  I’m talking Alex Gonzalez stepping in for the Braves at the shortstop position in place of the high tempered Yunel Escobar – full of talent, but never really fit the Brave popsicle mold.  These personas usually stick out like a porcupine quill in this franchise and it’s only a matter of time before it’s plucked and discarded. (more…)

Currently the new Braves 2nd bagger sits 423rd on the all time list of HR hitters, far behind his across the diamond teammate as Chipper currently holds down the 37th spot on that list.  Even so, Dan Uggla is expected to cause some leather to scream in 2011 and to be the Home Run guy on this Braves team which finished above only 5 National League teams in HR’s last year.  Dan Uggla was brought to Atlanta to bring change … and he will. (more…)

In my lifetime – which has spanned a few decades I’ll say – I have seen my share of guys wearing the Braves uni’s man the bag 90 feet to the right of home plate.  Calling this position a turnstile would not be serving it justice … think level 4 tornado … complete with barn animals and farm equipment!!  Let’s start in the 70′s with Orlando Cepada, who manned the bag in 1970 and was followed by Hammerin Hank, who took over from ’71 – ’72.  Since then we have had 22 different players don the Braves cap (more…)

Often I think about that glorious run the Braves had back in 2001.  I was at UGA and the social landscape of the day centered around this unusual fervor that was coming from Atlanta FulCo stadium when the home team was in town.  The city (heck, the country for that matter) found themselves completely enamored with the happenings (more…)

Well … the Braves pitchers and catchers reported last week and were all received by some pristine weather down at the Disney Complex in Orlando.  A surprise “guest” showed his face and shot it with the players and coaches.  He was just missing his #6 jersey, which will surely be retired by the organization at first opportunity.  I think all knew that Bobby Cox would be around.  (more…)

Well … it’s that time of year again.  Time for the smell of freshly cut GN-1 Bermuda grass wafting from the surface at Turner Field.  Time for the Chick-fil-a oversized bovine to begin its chop.  Time for … well, Braves baseball.   For some reason this time of year always feels exessively new and fresh to me.  Spring is knocking on the door and I’m ready to let it in, because I know when spring makes it way into the house, baseball follows.  (more…)

I have to be honest and report that I got choked up a few times over the final games of Bobby Cox’s career.  Watching him manage his last regular season game as members of the opposing team and the umpires – all of whom have had the honor to toss him a couple of times – said their final goodbyes, I tried to express to my wife the significance of this flagplanting moment in MLB history and a sound came out that sounded highly pubescent.  (more…)

It’s been a while since the Braves from Atlanta have been garnering any attention from the pundits at ESPN. I figured that this might be a year when some additional media attention might be thrown their way because of the retirement of the 1st ballot Hall of Famer Bobby Cox. (more…)