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BravesNation blog, July 17, 2021
H & H: bright spots in a dismal year
OK, I admit it. We're spoiled.
We're used to seeing the Braves in first place, or close to it. We're used to rooting for champions and contenders.
I was born in 1988. When I was two years old, the Braves finished the season sixth in a six-team division. That's the last time the Braves finished in last place.
Up and down the lineup and across the pitching staff, we've watched key players get hurt, slump, or both. You're familiar with the injuries already. Edward Shaw has been healthy all year, but he's hitting .229. Brian Nolan hasn't missed a turn, but he's got an ERA close to five runs a game. Mat Gamel is hitting for power, but his BA is in the .230s and his OBP is .300 on the nose. All three were All-Stars last year, and you can argue Nolan was the best pitcher in baseball the past two seasons.
It's not all gloom and doom. Andre Bryant has been a very pleasant surprise, on pace to hit 30 homers and drive in 90-odd runs. He's slugging almost .550, which is what you pay your first baseman to do. Everth Cabrera has an OBP that's pushing .400, and he's playing terrific shortstop. Nick Noonan, whom everybody in the game had given up on two years ago, is hitting .275 or so, getting on base, getting his uniform dirty, and earning every dollar he's paid and then some.
And then there are the two players who are, once again, delivering championship-level performance, like they've done throughout their time in Atlanta: Jason Heyward and Tom Haley.
Heyward has been banged up a lot this year, but in the 45 games he's played, he's smacked 12 homers, driven in 33 runs, and put up a 1.059 OPS. Although last-place teams don't usually allow their closers many opportunities to shine, Haley has come through when he's given the chance: a 4-1 record, 17 saves, and a 1.80 ERA.
Jason and Tom will represent the Braves in this year's All-Star Game. For Tom, it will be his fifth All-Star selection. For Jason, it will be his eleventh. They will represent their team well, as each of them has done since he first put on his Braves uniform.
Congratulations, and good luck.
Jason entered the All-Star Game in the fifth inning and went 0-2 at the plate. Tom did not pitch. The National League won, 5-3.
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