Episode 2 of Atlanta Braves “Learning From Leo” Series Focuses on Command
Legendary Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone centers on the importance of command, consistency, and communication in the second episode of a three-part interview series.
Iconic Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone was never a fan of ‘giving in’ to a hitter.
To this day, it’s simply not his style.
One telling moment, in particular, during the Braves historic run of 14 consecutive division titles, he paints a picture of then future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine starring down the barrel of Kevin Mitchell’s powerful bat with two outs in the first inning and the bases loaded with the Braves trailing the Reds 1-0.
In a prime sampling of his mulish mentality, Mazzone moseyed to the mound to send Glavine a rather mystifying message: “Tommy, I want you to pitch to Mitchell like there’s nobody on, because there’s a base open.”
A dumbfounded Glavine replied: “I don’t know what the hell game you’re looking at, because last I looked the bases were loaded. Would you mind telling me what’s open?”
Mazzone, knowing full well the proverbial pond was filled with ducks, gazed out at Glavine and cynically countered: “Yeah, home plate.”
Glavine didn’t need a clue to take the hint. He simply said “Don’t give in? Right, Leo.”
And the pitching coach stoically shook his head.
In prototypical Glavine fashion, the lefty answered the call, retiring the next 18 batters in a row. The Braves won the game 5-2.
In episode two of the three-part “Learning From Leo” series, Mazzone regales us with more of the same poignant tales of the Braves dynamic trio of Hall of Famers. The interview series, produced by FlatGround Founder and CEO Rob Freidman (of @PitchingNinja fame) and college baseball scout and FlatGround Content Provider Josh Rudd, examines the pitching philosophy of the legendary coach and his mentorship with Furman University baseball pitching coach Kaleb Davis.
(Note: Prior to the release of this episode, it was announced Furman would be eliminating its baseball program due to COVID-19-related budget cuts).