I am new to this whole blog thing, so more than likely, you are probably not familiar with me. I am a HUGE Atlanta Braves baseball fan. I watch every single game on telivision and if I am unable to do so, I have a portable, hand-held radio that I listen to the game on. I am always aware of just about everything that is going on in their clubhouse.
In this blog, I want to introduce you to the fairly new component to the Braves team...SPEED! Speed is a very vital part to a baseball game. It can change the complection of the game in so many ways. A player can bunt for a hit, beat out an infield single, avoid getting doubled up, track down balls that have no business of being caught in the outfield, and steal a base whenever the time is right.
There is really no downside in having speed on a team. Having a speedster in the lineup puts a great amount of pressure on the opposing team. For example, when someone who is lightening quick puts a ball in play, the defense has less time to react because they know they have to hurry in order to get the runner out or when the player with wheels is already on base and the pitcher can't focus on the hitter because they are too worried about the baserunner stealing the base. They have no room for error and more times than none, that speedster creates mistakes by the other team. That is what newly aquired center fielder Michael Bourn and rookie Jose Constanza bring to the table for the Atlanta Braves; something that has been missing from a Braves team since Rafael Furcal back in 2005.
Jose Constanza was the first one to join the Braves team back in late July when injuries piled up. Then, when the trade deadline approached on July 31st, the Braves needed to make a move to better the team and that's when they aquired Michael Bourn who had led the National League the past three seasons in the stolen base category. Once again, he is leading the league again. However, like I said, the Braves were not a team that scared you for the past five-plus years. They had been near the bottom of the league in stolen bases. Having speed just makes it much easier to manufacture runs.
Since joining the team, they have added another weapon to the already well-rounded Atlanta Braves. They are catalyst to the team up and down the lineup. They say 'Speed never goes in a slump' and I am starting to understand it fully. I hope you begin to watch the Atlanta Braves more if you don't already as the season winds down and they approach the playoffs. As I am closing up, i want to leave you with this...Speed Kills and GO BRAVES!!!
