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NL Rankings since '95
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|
Yr
|
Wins
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Runs
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ERA
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Result
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|
'01
|
88
|
13
|
1
|
L LCS
|
|
'00
|
95
|
6
|
1
|
L LDS
|
|
'99
|
103
|
7
|
1
|
L WS
|
|
'98
|
106
|
4
|
1
|
L LCS
|
|
'97
|
101
|
3
|
1
|
L LCS
|
|
'96
|
96
|
2
|
2
|
L WS
|
|
'95
|
90
|
9
|
1
|
W WS
|
2001 may well be remembered as the beginning of the end for the Braves, much like 1991 was the beginning of something great. The team heads into the offseason with 15 players eligible for free agency, more than any other team. There's also a certain weariness after 10 years of greatness but only one World Series title to show for it. There's still a core of players here, but it's an aging core, and one that has become increasingly pitching heavy. Only three NL teams scored fewer runs than the Braves, and that is a main reason the Braves finished the season with their fewest wins (not counting strike-shortened 1994) since 1990.
Best Pitcher: By the numbers, you'd have to argue that either Greg Maddux (17-11, 3.05 ERA) or John Burkett (12-12, 3.04 ERA) was the team's top pitcher. You wouldn't be wrong with either argument, but both were seriously flawed this season. As good as Maddux was early, he went 3-6 with a 4.28 ERA after Aug. 1, while the team was in the midst of a tight pennant race, and he seemed to self-destruct in the playoffs. Burkett resurrected his career with his finest season since he won 22 games for the Giants in 1993. Still, the name of the game is winning, and not only did he win just 12 games, but the team was only 18-16 when he started. That leaves our choice, Tom Glavine (16-7, 3.57 ERA). Glavine had severe strike zone issues early in the year, but when the team needed him down the stretch, he was there. Glavine went 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA after the All-Star break.
Best Position Player: Chipper Jones. Put him out in left field, no problem. The man doesn't care, so long as you let him hit in the middle of the order. And if Jones hadn't, the Braves might have finished in third place in the NL East. Never before had Jones received such poor protection in the lineup. He responded to sub-par seasons from Andruw Jones (.251-34-104) and Javy Lopez (.267-17-66) by hitting a career-high .330 with his requisite 38 homers an 102 RBI. He also played error-free ball in his eight games in left field. Look for more of that next year.
Grading The Manager: In the past, the Braves had some of the best talent in the league. This year, that wasn't so much the case. Still Bobby Cox got the most out of his players. Cox mixed and matched lineups all year long. He overcame a season-ending injury to Rafael Furcal by developing Mark DeRosa; he released an underachieving Quilvio Veras, replacing him with young Marcus Giles. His decision to make John Smoltz a closer turned out to be golden. Cox gets an A in our book.
Most Improved: Leo Mazzone worked his magic with Burkett. Once a promising young star with the Giants, the veteran had not had a sub-4.00 ERA since leaving the Bay Area in 1994. All he did, at age 36, is allow fewer hits than innings for the first time since 1990; set a new personal season high with 187 strikeouts, more than 30 more than he'd ever had in a season before; and held opponents to a .230 average, .217 with runners in scoring position. And what of DeRosa? Considered a utility player waiting for a shot in the majors, DeRosa saw much action at shortstop after Furcal's injury, and he did well, hitting .287 in 164 at-bats. His defense was solid, too.
Biggest Weakness: Offense. Chipper was great again, Andruw Jones had a tough year but still produced, Brian Jordan (.295-25-97) was more than serviceable, Giles had a promising start to his career, and Javy Lopez (.267-17-66) was fine when healthy. After that, the team has precious little to fall back on. B.J. Surhoff (.271-10-58) no longer scares people, if he ever did. Julio Franco? Maybe 10 years ago. If this team is to remain competitive, it's time to restock, and in a hurry.
Gaining Momentum: Jason Marquis really showed some ability, especially after joining the starting rotation, and especially later in the season. In his final nine starts, he compiled a 2.48 ERA. He looks like a future star. Giles made two huge errors in the NLCS, but overall had an excellent rookie campaign.
Kicked Off The Island: Rey Sanchez was probably a stopgap, with Furcal expected back, the emergence of DeRosa, and the hopes that Wilson Betemit will be ready soon. Don't expect to see him back. Ditto Ken Caminiti, who has a team option for 2002. Even if he appears healthy he has to be considered a huge injury risk at this point in his career. The team would probably love to re-sign Burkett, a free agent, but at what price? Don't expect free agent Javy Lopez to return, as his price will likely eclipse what the Braves believe he is worth.
Bill Konigsberg is an assistant editor at ESPN.com.
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