by Phillip Murray
At 75 years of age, John Schuerholz will be stepping down as team President for the Atlanta Braves on Friday. It was a surprise to many as one of the most well respected and revered men Brave’s history will be closing the page on a historic chapter. This news is one of the many sad news bits Braves fans have had to endure all off season.
This is happening just a few short days away from the season opener. Schuerholz is regarded as one of the greatest GMs ever in MLB.
Fresh from coming from the Kansas City Royals, in one year along with former manager Bobby Cox propelled a team that went from worst to first and nearly won the World Series. While we all know about the incredible young pitching staff with Glavine and Smoltz and Avery, it was Schuerholz who assembled the pieces around them that helped make the team successful.
Four of those pieces were the likes of Terry Pendleton, Sid Beam, Rafeal Belliad, and Otis Nixon. Schuerholz had an eye for talent, since out of the four people mentioned one became the 1991 National League MVP. One would score the most famous run in Braves history. One would make an over the shoulder catch near the end of the game that made the Braves World Series Champion. Finally One would make the greatest catch anybody has ever seen.
When we as fans think of historic front office leaders in Braves history, names like Turner and Cox come to mind but also… Schuerholz. While it is unfortunate that under his watch the Braves only won one World Series, many fans like myself also remember the astonishing 14 division titles. That span of greatness along with the World Championship is the reason why the Braves are the number one franchise in Atlanta. You don’t see greatness like that.. ever and you may never will again.
That was largely in part of Schuerholz. While the team and fans prepare to enter into its final season at Turner Field, we now have to look and accept the realization that this team will truly never be the same again. The Braves are no doubt moving the team to an entirely different direction and in alot of ways, a new identity. Many fans such as myself are asking “Are they done? Who’s next? Will this team ever ascend back to greatness and nationwide prominence that it once was under Schuerholz?”
While Schuerholz is stepping down as team president, Braves CEO and Chairman Terry McGuirk stated in an interview that he would be appointed Vice Chairman, mainly being an advisory role. McGuirk aso stated that Schuerholz along with other former Braves players and Staff would be honored throughout the season for their great contributions to the Braves at Turner Field. An honor that is very well deserved.
