Who is going to emerge as the Braves team leader in the post-Chipper Jones era?
One of manager Freddie Gonzalez' top priorities is to find someone to assume the leadership role formerly occupied by Chipper Jones.
"I think as far as team leaders, that'll take of themselves. I think we've got a lot of guys in there that have a lot of hardware that can back it," Gonzalez said.
Fourteen-year veteran Tim Hudson remains the unquestioned leader of the pitching staff. Now his experience and intensity can influence the entire roster.
"I'm just going to continue doing what I'm doing. I feel like I've always tried to lead some of these young guys on the pitching staff, but there are some new guys coming in this year. I think they're going to help us out in that area, too," Hudson said.
Unlike some sports, baseball's leaders are often soft spoken on the surface but powerful forces in the clubhouse.
"Sometimes people get mistaken as, you know, the leader is Ray Lewis, you know, the guy that comes out of the tunnel and does his dance and pumps up the guys. In baseball, you can't do that 162 times," said Gonzalez.
Of course, Ray Lewis was more than just a dancer, winning two Super Bowl rings, but it's that same "lead by example" mentality Chipper leaves behind.
"I learned one thing from Chipper, or any of the guys before him, you lead by example. Take care of things you're supposed to take care of, and everything else will really fall into place. But in this clubhouse, we're family oriented so we all want to give the guy next to us 110 percent," said right-fielder Jason Heyward.
The Braves play their first Spring Training game on Feb. 22.
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Zack Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:56:53 GMT
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:03:51 GMT
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
Monday, April 1 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-04-01 22:45:00 GMT
Street vendors are no longer allowed to set up shop in front of Turner Field. An order from the mayor's office bans anyone without a city vending permit from selling on the sidewalks.
Street vendors are no longer allowed to set up shop in front of Turner Field. An order from the mayor's office bans anyone without a city vending permit from selling on the sidewalks.
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
Baseball is back, and the Atlanta Braves are already hard at work! Players reported to spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Florida this week, and FOX 5 Sports is right there with them.
Baseball is back, and the Atlanta Braves are already hard at work! Players reported to spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Florida this week, and FOX 5 Sports is right there with them.
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
Got Braves spring training fever already? Things are getting busy in Lake Buena Vista already! Check out photos from day two of workouts for pitchers and catchers-- plus some early position players-- right here!
Got Braves spring training fever already? Things are getting busy in Lake Buena Vista already! Check out photos from day two of workouts for pitchers and catchers-- plus some early position players-- right here!
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
The Atlanta Braves-- all of them-- are officially back in action! Thursday was the first spring training workout for the full squad, and you can see behind-the-scenes photos here!
The Atlanta Braves-- all of them-- are officially back in action! Thursday was the first spring training workout for the full squad, and you can see behind-the-scenes photos here!
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
A familiar face joined the Braves at spring training on Friday: our own Ron Gant!
A familiar face joined the Braves at spring training on Friday: our own Ron Gant! He made his way to Florida to join the FOX 5 Sports crew for a little workout at Disney's Wide World of Sports, and you can check out all the behind-the-scenes pics right here!
Tim Hudson pitched four innings in his final spring tuneup while Braves reliever Jonny Venters left early with a sprained elbow Tuesday in Atlanta's 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Tim Hudson pitched four innings in his final spring tuneup while Braves reliever Jonny Venters left early with a sprained elbow Tuesday in Atlanta's 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
