Atlanta Braves “Learning From Leo” Mazzone Series Finale: Scandals

Leo Mazzone – It’s Still Just Baseball

Don’t get him wrong, though. Mazzone’s passion for the game remains strong.

When the game doesn’t allow for analytics to get in the way, there are certain facets he still relishes.

“My biggest thrill in today’s game is when I see someone like Freddie Freeman take advantage of the shift and hits a base hit to left,” he said.

He also disclosed that he enjoys watching Mike Soroka on the mound, moving the ball around and changing speeds.

“It looks like he’s hardly working when he’s out there pitching,” Mazzone said.

But despite all the changes to the game, Mazzone still thinks it’s a silly question to be asked how the Braves mid-90s rotation would fair in today’s era: “We’d never give up a run,” Mazzone said.

Still, he believes the more methodical aspects of the new game, like calling pitches from the dugout, is ludicrous.

“That’s when analytics go too far,” Mazzone said. “You have to have a feel for the game. That should have been taken care of in your team meetings prior to the game.”

And don’t get him started on pitch counts.