Atlanta Braves
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2000 RECORD: 95-67 (1st IN NL EAST)
LOST DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF TO CARDINALS 3-0

REVIEW
In the words of Charles Dickens, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" for the Braves in 2000. The return of ANDRES GALARRAGA from cancer was the feel good story of the summer as the Braves ran off with their 9th straight East Division crown. The JONES boys, ANDRUW and CHIPPER, both slammed 36 home runs and drove in over 100 runs. And veteran starters GREG MADDUX and TOM GLAVINE combined to go 40-18. But elbow surgery cost them former Cy Young award winner JOHN SMOLTZ for the season. And the media wouldn't let the JOHN ROCKER saga die, so it was a year full of distractions, ending with them being swept by St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs. Nine straight trips to the post-season, but only one World Series title. Not a very good ratio.

LOOKAHEAD
Unaccustomed to being rejected, their failure to land MIKE HAMPTON and ALEX RODRIGUEZ forced them to settle on second-tier free agents like RICO BROGNA and DAVE MARTINEZ. But they have enough depth and money that they will be able to fix whatever ails them during the season. SMOLTZ's return to health will be key and they have to hope that KEVIN MILLWOOD can recapture his 1999 form. The loss of cleanup hitter GALARRAGA will force them to manufacture a few more runs. Rookie of the Year RAFAEL FURCAL came out of nowhere last season and must avoid a sophomore slump. This team will be one to catch, but they are not sure thing that they've been in the past.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Manager BOBBY COX turns 60 during the season, and despite all his success, still has only one World Championship to his credit. The text book "players" manager can still push the right buttons. But anything short of an appearance in the Fall Classic might cause Braves management to consider looking in another direction.

STATS MAN SAYS
Great pitching always wins > 1st