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.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
Paul Goldschmidt hit three doubles, Eric Chavez drove in three runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Wednesday.
Paul Goldschmidt hit three doubles, Eric Chavez drove in three runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:33 AM EDT2013-05-15 09:33:31 GMT
Patrick Corbin allowed three hits in seven innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks turned an infield double into two runs to beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 Tuesday night.
Patrick Corbin allowed three hits in seven innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks turned an infield double into two runs to beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 4:28 AM EDT2013-05-14 08:28:30 GMT
Justin Upton snapped a 14-game homerless drought and had four hits to help the Atlanta Braves rout the Diamondbacks 10-1 on Monday night in his return to Arizona.
Justin Upton snapped a 14-game homerless drought and had four hits to help the Atlanta Braves rout the Diamondbacks 10-1 on Monday night in his return to Arizona.
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.
