Proposed 2017 Atlanta Braves New Years Resolutions

No Leo No Streak

Without Leo there would have been no streak. Ask his pitchers and check the various independent analysis of his effectiveness as a pitching coach; the proof is overwhelming. He was rocking at Bobby’s side throughout the streak and in 2004 Rob Neyer writing for ESPN concluded he was one of the greatest pitching coaches in baseball history.

". . . it seems likely that the very best pitching coaches really do have a significant impact on their teams’ fortunes. If they do, shouldn’t they be considered for the Hall of Fame? If they are . . . seems reasonable to start with Johnny Sain and his No. 1 pupil, Leo Mazzone. If not necessarily in that order."

In 2011 Terrence Moore writing for MLB.com wondered why Leo wasn’t back in the dugout.

". . . during 12 of those 14 years, the Braves finished with the best or second-best team ERA in the Major Leagues. It also wasn’t coincidental that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz spent that stretch using Mazzone’s methods to become Cy Maddux, Cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz . . . his starting pitchers were noted for throwing more than 200 innings each regular season before adding a bunch more in the postseason . . . And they rarely got hurt."

So why haven’t the Atlanta Braves added him to their Hall? The only possible answer – the only one that makes sense – is that Leo really made someone mad and that person  – or persons – aren’t willing to swallow their pride/ego/anger and give the man his due.

No Reasons Just Petty Ego

I know Leo left after 2005 but he was keeping a promise to an old friend – Sam Perlozzo – and wanted to live near his aging parents in Maryland. Even then the Orioles had to double his salary to get him to go, something the Braves didn’t offer to do. If that’s criteria for keeping him out then Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz shouldn’t be there either and that’s just stupid.

Mazzone was/is blunt; he has no idea what diplomacy means and that rubs people the wrong way. There’s nothing wrong with telling the truth, HoF manager Tommy Lasorda famously told the truth using very blunt terminology, including continuous and loud repetition of one of George Carlin’s seven words. No one suggest Tommy isn’t worthy of his spot in baseball history.

I don’t care if he opened the door and let your pet parakeet fly away, spilled red wine on your new white sofa or ran over your kid’s bike with his car. It’s past time to let bygones be bygones; get over it or outgrow it and induct Leo into the Braves Hall this year.