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

Leo’s Not Down for the Count

In the age of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, pitch count wasn’t as important as maxing out effort. The number of pitches never dictated how long a pitcher would last in a game.

In a comical tale, Mazzone talks about the time he used to cheat with his pitch counter. If say Glavine would throw a first-pitch changeup resulting in a pop-out, Mazzone would simply not count it toward his overall tally.

“It got to be joke in the dugout with Bobby (Cox),” Mazzone said. “He would say ‘How many (pitches) does he got?’ I would tell him, and he would say ‘Is that the real number or is that yours?’”

Among countless other golden nuggets throughout the finale, Mazzone’s mention in J.C. Bradbury’s 2008 book “The Baseball Economist,” is exceedingly compelling. A section of the work is dedicated to scientific evidence that is plotted out to prove the pitching coach’s methods work across the board.

Mazzone, of course, was known for simplifying the game, controlling effort and keeping his pitchers on the mound, which was a characteristic that those on his staff embraced—and was proven from both a personal and data perspective.

“At some point in time, you’re going to face some adversity,” Mazzone said. “If you resort to super power or you resort to super control, you’re not going to have any damage control. You’re going to get knocked out.”

Creating deceptive quickness is principal as it relates to location rather than high velocity without it, he said. To illustrate this, he used the example of Glavine’s changeup, in which there is hardly any difference in arm speed compared to his fastball.

These lessons were the foundation for Mazzone’s prolonged career in both the minors and big leagues. From pitching in Mexico to coaching at nearly every level of the game to cultivating one of the greatest rotations of all time, Mazzone’s accomplishments are unparalleled.

“People ask ‘How could you stand being in the minor leagues for 24 years?’” Mazzone said. “I tell them because I loved it.  I loved every minute of it. I coached with as much passion to the kids in A-ball as I did in the Big Leagues.”