Braves

Two years ago the Atlanta Braves wished they were the Orioles. Now the Orioles wish they were the Braves.That's how quickly things change today in baseball, where thdevelopment of young stars, combined with the right free-agent signings, can result in dramatic improvement almost overnight.The Minnesota Twins are on the verge of completing the historiworst-to-first turnaround that the Orioles nearly accomplished in 1989. If there's any justice (Dave and otherwise), the Braves will do the same.

If respondents to "It's Your Call" are looking into an accurate crystal ball, Toronto and Atlanta will be representing their divisions in the baseball playoffs.Garnering 168 of the 260 votes (62 percent), the Blue Jays were an overwhelming pick to hold on and win the AL East over Boston (26 percent) and Detroit (12 percent).Over in the National League, respondents were loyal to the upstart Braves, with 146 of 252 callers (58 percent) saying Atlanta would successfully complete its last-place-to-first-place odyssey.

The Atlanta Braves are still America's baseball team, according to the Harris Poll. The Braves came out No. 1 for the sixth straight year when fans were asked to name their favorite baseball team.The New York Yankees were second, followed by the Chicago Cubs in a telephone poll of 1,007 adults between May 21 and 28.The Braves were designated as their favorite team by 16 percent of those surveyed, while the Yankees were picked by 12 percent. The Cubs were the favorites of seven percent.Interleague baseball again won overwhelming approval in the survey, even increasing its huge approval rating of the previous year.

The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran pitcher Dan Petry from the Atlanta Braves yesterday for a minor-league player to be named.The right-hander was 0-0 with a 5.55 ERA with the Braves. He was traded to Atlanta on June 25 by the Detroit Tigers for shortstop Victor Rosario. With Detroit this season, he was 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA in 17 games, including six starts."Getting Petry gives us some experience in the bullpen," Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman said. "We feel Petry knows the league very well, and he should help shore up things there."

ATLANTA -- When the Braves won their first title since moving to Atlanta last night, they shared the joy with the fans at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Many of those who attended remained for almost two hours after Game 6, clapping and singing along to Queen's "We Are The Champions."They roared when Chipper Jones came out and took a victory lap around the bases, finishing with a slide across home plate. They cheered as Jones jogged along the stands and reached up to shake hands and slap five.

ATLANTA -- Rookies are supposed to feel pressure. Rookies are supposed to act erratically in tough situations. Rookies are supposed to act like rookies, but that is something that Chipper Jones almost never does.The 23-year-old Braves third baseman has looked like a veteran throughout the postseason. He hit two home runs in the first game of the divisional series, including a two-out, game-winner in the ninth inning. He batted .389 against the Colorado Rockies and did not break stride in the National League Championship Series.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- National League Cy Young Award winne Greg Maddux became the richest pitcher in baseball history last night when he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the defending NL champion Atlanta Braves.The contract was a surprise, but only because it was for far less than had been expected and because it came from a pitching-rich team."It goes without saying that an organization like ours -- which for years has demonstrated its appreciation of great pitching -- has made an extra effort to add a pitcher of this caliber to an already formidable starting rotation," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The baseball gods reached down, touched him and gave him a chance to be a World Series hero, that rarest and most extraordinary of baseball creatures.And then Mike Bielecki's chance was swept away in the gathering tide that carried the New York Yankees to a victory over the Atlanta Braves in the World Series last fall."But how can I complain?" Bielecki said five months later, sitting in the Braves' spring training dugout the other day.It's a valid point. Bielecki, a 37-year-old native of Dundalk, now living in Crownsville, thought his major-league career was over a year ago. He grew his hair long, bought a Harley and started thinking about becoming a high school or college coach.

PHILADELPHIA -- Almost anyone this side of an NFL locker room would look puny next to the Philadelphia Phillies, but Atlanta Braves left-hander Steve Avery looks especially out of place.The Phillies, what with the hardscrabble Len Dykstra, the brawny Darren Daulton and the beefy John Kruk, look like barroom brawlers.Avery, a precocious 23-year-old, looks barely old enough to have a driver's license, which would keep him from getting carded in a bar.But behind Avery's baby face is a wealthof big game and postseason experience, which is something that most of the rough-and-tumble Phillies can't imagine going into tonight's first game of the National League Championship Series at Veterans Stadium.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Buffalo Bills of baseball. That's what Tom Glavine feared the Atlanta Braves would become, and now that they've lost the National League Championship Series, some will say that's what they are.Makes for a snappy sound bite.Too bad it's not the truth.The Bills earned their choker's label by dominating a weak AFC and then self-destructing in three straight Super Bowls. But even now, in their darkest hour, the Braves must be considered one of the best clutch teams in recent sports history.