So far in our Baseball Bloodlines series, we have looked a how different generations have passed down their Baseball DNA to their youthful counterparts, specifically in what they themselves accomplished. Vladimir Guerrero and Dante Bichette passed down their power bats, Mariano Rivera passed down his abilities at the back of the bullpen, and Carl Crawford seems to have shared his “toolsiness” with his baby cousin.
What happens when your son doesn’t play your position?
Being the son of a Hall of Famer isn’t easy. It’s even more difficult when you are trying to etch out your own identity as your own unique ballplayer. Cavan Biggio has quietly been doing that, stepping out of his father’s spotlight.
I’m sure you have figured out that it has been Atlanta Braves week here at Wayniac Nation. In honor of the Braves moving out of Atlanta we have turned our attention to the oldest franchise in the game, who is once again on the move. Monday we took a look at my final memories from Turner Field and yesterday, we looked at why Brian Snitker should get to keep his job and be the 2017 skipper of the Atlanta Braves.
Today, we look at Freddie Freeman.
The concept of a last place team having the Most Valuable Player in baseball is a silly concept to me. I should say was. I didn’t understand how Andre Dawson took home the award in 1987 for a team that finished in sixth place. Was he the best player in the National League that year? I think so, but just how valuable was he for a last place team?
Enter 2016 and the Year of the Freddie Freeman. I now believe in the last place MVP.
So far in our fun little trip around the family affair that is Major League Baseball, we have looked at some of the games’ fathers who are getting to watch their sons climb the minor league ladder. We have also taken a look at some baseball DNA that was shared between cousins. Today, we turn our attention to some brotherly love.
Not every player is going to be a Hall of Famer. Not every player is even going to enjoy an All-Star season. Some players just bide their time, waiting for their moment to shine when their team needs them most.
Jose Vizcaino etched out an 18-year baseball career behind solid contact, sound defense and becoming one of the best utility players in baseball. He was well-traveled, playing for eight teams over the course of his career, picking up his lone World Series ring in 2000 as a pivotal member of the New York Yankees bench. That 2000 ALCS against the Seattle Mariners showed Vizcaino’s true value as a player. He came off the bench in four of the six games that series. Twice he delivered crucial RBI pinch-hits, and another, as a pinch-runner, he stole a base and scored. That’s who Vizcaino was.
The regular season is in the books. Tonight starts the MLB Playoffs, a playoff that went right down to the very last day to decide who would be playing. That means everyone is giving their predictions.
Who are we not to play along?
I have no problem admitting it. At the beginning of September, I was 100 percent against bringing Brian Snitker back for 2017. This organization was heading in a new direction, and that meant they needed a fresh voice at the helms. It was time for the Atlanta Braves to do something they don’t normally do and step outside of the organizational box and bring in a young, fresh voice to lead these young, fresh prospects.
Now in October, I feel like the Braves would be foolish to do anything but hand Snitker the reigns for 2017 and this new era of baseball.
Keep reading as to why Snitker is the right guy for the job.
It was a bit surreal this past Saturday night. I walked out of Turner Field, my eight month old daughter in my arms, and said goodbye for the last time. They would close their doors for good the following day, and in doing so, put to rest one of the greatest eras in the franchise’s long history.
They are heading to the suburbs outside the perimeter of the city, a feat no other baseball city has ever pondered. I didn’t like walking out of The TED Saturday night. Sure they won. But you see, anyone who has been there will tell you that Turner Field was always more than a baseball game.
Last week, we took a look at the eight undefeated teams and how they fared. Only five remain and in regards to the best of the bunch, I think the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings proved they have the cogs to make big runs this year. Heck, the Patriots keep winning with John Doe behind center, they may never lose a game.
Well what about the other side of the spectrum? Who is the worst team in the NFL?
Byes are here and this week has two significant teams off the board. The red hot Eagles may leave a few holes to fill and the Green Bay Packers are all starters. Who can you use to replace them?
We got you covered!
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