A.J. Minter: 'Hey, this is World Series or bust'
The Atlanta Braves aren't messing around in 2024.
It's painfully obvious that the way the last two seasons have ended, with successive eliminations in the National League Divisional Series at the hands of division rival Philadelphia Phillies, have changed things somewhat for this Braves. The goodwill of winning 100+ games in the regular season and setting offensive records is gone.
And A.J. Minter, reporting to the Braves spring training facility in North Port, FL, summed the coming season up directly and succinctly:
"This is World Series or bust."
Minter, talking to the AJC's Sarah Spencer, was unequivocal in his feelings about the last two playoff exits:
"Looking back, man we were the best team in baseball. And for us to go out like that, in the first round: We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We're obviously looking to get back to the World Series and play for another title."
Minter explained that while what the team did accomplish was noteworthy and should be recognized, it wasn't the ultimate goal.
"We take pride in winning the division and we've done that consistently. It's hard to do, it's really hard to do. A lot of positives coming off of last year, but the ultimate goal is to win a World Series."
Minter's comments echo those made by starter Spencer Strider at last month's BravesFest, when he said that there's should be "no acceptance of anything less than winning a World Series."
And several of the team's moves, most notably the accumulation of velocity in the bullpen and the team's trading for Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox, were made with the postseason in mind.
Sale is one of the more accomplished pitchers in MLB today, with six top six finishes in Cy Young voting and the highest career strikeout rate per nine innings in MLB history (minimum 1000 innings). Sale led the Boston Red Sox to the 2018 World Series practically through sheer force of will, taking the ball on short rest in relief to close Game Five and secure the championship, Boston's second in a six year span.
Sale's competitive spirit and fire have been cited by many Braves players as a needed element in the clubhouse as Atlanta looks to advance in the postseason for the first time since winning the entire thing in 2021.
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