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The Atlanta Braves are looking to add to their ever-growing collection of pennants in 2004, hopefully 13 in a row at the end of this season. Reaching these lofty goals won’t be as easy this season as it has been in the past though. The Braves realize they don’t have the talent of the early 1990’s, but don’t even think they’re considering this a rebuilding year. They expect to compete and battle all the way to the end of the season.
The Atlanta Braves are led by Bobby Cox, entering his 23rd year as skipper. Cox is best known for his fiery temper and strategic game plans, but he still has the ability to make his players believe they can win it all year in and year out. This year might be his biggest challenge after losing key players Greg Maddux, Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez, and Vinny Castilla On the mound, the days of the “four aces” are long gone, with only one of those great Braves starting pitchers on the roster, the closer, John Smoltz. Smoltz is coming off arm troubles late last year, but is still expected to dominate late game situations.
The Braves do have a young batch of starters that look quite promising over the years. In the box, the Braves will once again be led by all-star outfielders Chipper and Andruw Jones and second baseman Marcus Giles. The oft-injured J.D. Drew has also been added to replace Sheffield in right field.
The Braves will once again play their home games at Turner Field, a.k.a. “The Ted” named after Braves owner Ted Turner. This beautiful facility with capacity 50,000+ was opened in 1996, and actually played host to the Olympics before its opening as a major league ballpark. The old ballpark, Fulton County Stadium, was imploded a year later and turned into a parking lot for Turner Field.
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