The Blue Workhorse

In 1991, the Atlanta Braves did the unfathomable.

After having the worst record in Major League Baseball in 1990 and three straight seasons finishing at the bottom of the NL West, a young group of developing stars chased down Tommy Lasorda and his Los Angeles Dodgers to win the pennant during the last week of the season.

Those young upstarts, who virtually came out of nowhere, then continued their improbable season by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 in the NLCS, including the final two games of the series at Pittsburgh, to advance to the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1958.

The Braves twice fell one run short of claiming the World Series title against the Minnesota Twins in that memorable 1991 World Series but eventually went on to win the 1995 World Series title amidst their dominant run in their division in the ’90s and early ’00s.

Why does it matter what the Atlanta Braves did at the end of the last century? Because what they did is now being replicated by a young group of developing stars in the toughest division of the American League.

The Tampa Bay (no longer Devil) Rays are following the design Atlanta’s John Schuerholz so masterfully created after taking over as the general manager for the Braves and are now doing the unfathomable by leading the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the remainder of the AL East while having the best record in baseball.

The Rays have used each of their high draft picks to build their organization from the farm system up much the same way the Atlanta Braves have been renowned for doing. Tampa Bay also has focused on building around a talented young pitching staff (their starting rotation is aged 24-26) just as Schuerholz did with Atlanta.

How similar are this year’s Rays to the Atlanta squads from the early ’90s? We’ve compared this year’s squad of the AL East leading Rays, who are coming off a sweep of perennial power Boston, to the Atlanta squads from their early 1990s heydays:

C - Young Hispanic Catcher

• Atlanta: Javy Lopez was took over as the Braves catcher in 1994, but didn’t really take off (due to the strike) until his first full season in 1995. At the age of 24, the Dominican-born Lopez hit .315 and hit 14 home runs for the eventual World Series Champions, but didn’t always get along with his starters. Greg Maddux basically refused to have Lopez catch for him.
• Tampa Bay: Dioner Navarro has bounced around early in his career but appears to have found a home in Tampa. At the age of 24 this season, Navarro has hit .314 thus far. The Venezuelan catcher also had a rift with starter Matt Garza during a mound visit and the subsequent return to the dugout.

1B - Tall, Lanky Lefty With K Issues

• Atlanta: Fred McGriff came over from the Padres in a trade at the deadline in 1993 and became the power threat in the middle of the Braves lineup for five seasons before moving on to Tampa Bay. However, McGriff was almost a sure 100+ strikeout guy (13 times over 100 strikeouts in 15 full seasons).
• Tampa Bay: Like McGriff, Carlos Pena is a tall lefty, who often lunges across the plate, but strikes out with a regularity. In the four seasons he has at least 397 at bats, he has averaged 130 strikeouts. However, he is the Rays’ major power threat in the middle of the lineup (46 HR & 121 RBI last season).

2B & SS - Light Hitting, Slick Fielding Middle Infielders

• Atlanta: The combination of Mark Lemke at second base and the duo of Rafael Belliard and Jeff Blauser were essential pieces to the Braves’ early success. However, it wasn’t due to their offensive prowess. In fact, the trio combined for a .248 career batting average. Nonetheless, their defensive abilities helped to make their starting pitchers look that much better. They didn’t often make the spectacular plays, but they seemingly made every single routine play.
• Tampa Bay: Akinori Iwamura and Jason Bartlett are hitting a combined .267 with 44 RBI this season — nothing to write home about, but they have been solid on defense. In fact, Iwamura made only his second error Wednesday night. Bartlett has made some errors, but the additional range and few Web Gems he has given over the defensive play of Brendan Harris last season have been more than enough for Tampa Bay fans. Bartlett has also added 18 SB when he has been able to get on base.

3B - The Young Stud

• Atlanta: In 1990, the Braves selected a skinny high school shortstop out of Florida with the #1 pick in the amateur draft. Almost two decades later and Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones has been the most consistent and significant Atlanta hitter since Hank Aaron. He sprung on to the scene in 1995 when he finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 23 HR and 86 RBI.
• Tampa Bay: Evan Longoria was selected third overall by the Rays in the 2006 amateur draft, and since that time, everyone in the Tampa organization has been salivating at the prospects of having him in the middle of the lineup. Longoria finally got the call up this season, and he has done everything but disappoint. He has hit 15 HR, 50 RBI, and stolen 5 bases half way through the season. He is expected to be a mainstay on the left side of the diamond and could be in the running for Rookie of the Year this season.

OF - Two All-Stars with a Veteran Influence

• Atlanta: Throughout their run of 13 division titles, the Braves consistently had strong outfielders, whether it was Andruw Jones, Kenny Lofton, Brian Jordan, Gary Sheffield, J.D. Drew, Reggie Sanders, B.J. Surhoff, Jermaine Dye, or even Chipper Jones roaming the outfield. However, there was a trend set by the historic 1991 and 1995 seasons — two (future) All-Stars with a veteran influence. In 1991, the future All-Stars were budding stars Ron Gant and David Justice. Gant and Justice were mentored by two veteran outfielders, who helped make Bobby Cox’s four man rotation a huge success. The combination of Lonnie Smith and Otis Nixon supplied the Braves with leadership, speed, and defense. In 1995, it was Justice along with young power hitter Ryan Klesko and veteran Marquis Grissom that led Atlanta to a World Series victory over Cleveland.
• Tampa Bay: Carl Crawford has solidified himself as one of the premier outfielders in the American League already being named to two All-Star contests and young centerfielder B.J. Upton isn’t far behind. In the outfield with the two (future) All-Stars is the veteran combination of Gabe Gross, Eric Hinske, and Jonny Gomes. Hinske has been the surprise of the group hitting 13 HR and 44 RBI in only 109 at bats. The outfield is also boosted by the presence of former All-Star Cliff Floyd, who has served as the Rays’ designated hitter.

SP - Slight Lefty Ace

• Atlanta: In 1991, Tom Glavine won his first Cy Young Award with a 20-11 and a 2.55 ERA. The unimposing left-hander only allowed 69 free passes in nearly 250 innings pitched leading him to an impressive 1.09 WHIP.
• Tampa Bay: After starting the season on the DL, Scott Kazmir has come back to lead the Rays’ pitching staff. For the first time in his career, the 170 pounder is limiting the number of base on balls (28 in 72 IP), and that has led to some of his best numbers in his career: 2.63 ERA & 1.12 WHIP.

SP - Power Righty with Facial Hair

• Atlanta: Atlanta picked up a young, power pitching right hander with a hard fastball and an electic slider from the Tigers in exchange for Doyle Alexander in 1987. Four years later, the dividends had begun to manifest themselves when John Smoltz completed his second consecutive season with 14 wins and showed just how dominant he could be in big games with a 2-0 record and a 1.52 ERA in 4 postseason starts.
• Tampa Bay: James Shields may not throw as hard as Smoltz, but he does have an above-average slider and a changeup that seems to avoid opponent’s bats. Like Smoltz’s 1991 season, Shields’ record is just barely above .500, but all while he has put up good numbers — 1991 Smoltz: 14-13, 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP; 2008 Shields: 6-5, 3.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP. Shields has produced these numbers while only facing one team with a sub-.500 record.

SP - Crafty Soft Thrower

• Atlanta: Charlie Liebrandt was all arms and legs and Brian McNamee has probably thrown 90 mph as many times as Liebrandt, but Liebrandt managed to transform his wirey frame into a 14-year career by painting corners, changing speeds, and keeping hitters off-balance. He is one of the quintessential soft lefties that seem to be able to pitch late in their careers despite without being able to get the ball into the mid-80s (Glavine circa 2008).
• Tampa Bay: Andy Sonnanstine has accomplished the rare feat of making it to the big leagues as a right handed pitcher who doesn’t throw 90+ mph. Sonnanstine mixes his cutter, curveball, slider, and fastball that is often slower than his slider. He sometimes even changes his arm slot (ala Orlando Hernandez) to throw off hitters, and while his 4.60 ERA is nothing to write home about, Sonnanstine has been successful because he has only allowed 19 walks in over 100 innings. The low walk total has kept his WHIP ratio down (1.39) and a strong offense has helped him to a 9-3 record.

SP - Young and Talented but Inconsistent

• Atlanta: Braves’ fans knew every start when Steve Avery took the mound they were liable to get a gem or blown out. Avery just never could find the consistency to make him a Cy Young candidate year in and year out. He went 18-8 in 1991; fell to 11-11 in 1992; went 18-6 in 1993; but after the strike in 1994, he only had a winning record once in 6 seasons.
• Tampa Bay: Both Edwin Jackson and Matt Garza fit into this category (which works well since the 1991 Atlanta squad went with a 4-man rotation for the majority of the season). Everyone has gotten sneak peeks at the talent Jackson has. For example, in his first two starts of the season, he gave up one run in 14 IP. However, in his next two starts? 11 earned runs. Later 20.1 IP and only 1 ER followed shortly after by four consecutive starts with 4 ER or more. He just hasn’t been able to be a consistent starter. Luckily, he is only 24 and still has the opportunity to mature. Garza is similar in that he has shown flashes of greatness but at times has been blown up. Garza, however, hasn’t been nearly as streaky, and in his last four starts, he has only allowed 5 ER.

SU - Late Season Addition Bullpen Bolsterer

• Atlanta: Knowing they were in the hunt for the pennant late in the season, the Braves went out and acquired Alejandro Pena at the end of August from the New York Mets (who were not division rivals at the time). Pena was everything the Braves could have asked for. After a rough debut outing, he was nearly unhittable going 2-0 with 11 saves and allowing only 1 earned run in his final 14 appearances. He also saved 3 of the Braves’ NLCS victories.
• Tampa Bay: Out of the pennant race last season, Tampa Bay sent Ty Wigginton to Houston in exchange for Dan Wheeler in a move that garnered little fanfare but has paid huge dividends this season. Wheeler has been one of the best setup men in the league and quite possibly the Rays’ best pitcher. He currently has a 1.82 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, 20 holds, and has filled in at closer (3 saves) when Troy Percival has been on the disabled list.

CL - Twilight Closer

• Atlanta: In 1991, the Braves signed 36-year old Juan Berenguer to be the veteran leader in a relatively inexperienced bullpen. In the twilight of his career, Berenguer had the best statistical season of his career. He led the Braves with 17 saves while posting a 2.24 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He would begin the season with the Braves in 1992 but was traded away and retired at the end of the year.
• Tampa Bay: After a year and a half hiatus, Troy Percival resurrected his career last season with the Cardinals and translated a successful season into a free agent contract with Tampa Bay. The Rays needed the 38-year old Percival to come in and be the anchor of the bullpen (something he hadn’t done since 2005), and despite a couple of trips to the DL, Percival has done what has been asked of him. Percival has saved 19 of 21 save chances and would have 20 of 22 if it wasn’t for the catwalk at the Trop on Monday. Percival is undoubtedly nearing the end of his career, but the Rays’ hope Percival can continue to be the veteran leader in the pen and stopper in the ninth inning.

Fan Rallying Paraphernalia

• Atlanta: In the summer of 1991, the city of Atlanta rallied behind the Braves. Not only were the Braves winning, but the fans had a piece of paraphernalia that became a part of the tradition of Atlanta Braves’ home games — the foam tomahawk and the tomahawk chop.
• Tampa Bay: After working with one of Tampa Bay’s minor league teams last summer, I never thought I would be subjected to as much cowbell ever again unless I was to go to a Mississippi State football game, but the fans in Tampa have adopted the cowbell as their paraphernalia object of choice. Even on national telecasts, the cowbell can be heard vibrating through Tropicana Field.

So with this many similarities, the question to be answered: Can the Rays make the playoffs like the Braves did? And if the Rays do make the playoffs can they make it to the World Series like the Braves or will they possibly even best the Braves and do what it took the Braves five years to do?

What do you think the rest of the season has in store for the Tampa Bay (no longer Devil) Rays?

Shotgun Spratling

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