Braves started stressing pitching in the mid-1980s

For years, the belief was the Braves couldn't win with pitching in old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. It was known as "The Launching Pad," as home runs flew out of the circular facility with regularity.

Pitching had always been an Achilles' Heel for the Braves. They tried to bring in big-time free agents, like Don Sutton, Floyd Bannister and Rich Gossage. But pitchers didn't want to go to Atlanta. They thought they'd lose money and their stats would suffer.

After years of believing home run hitters would lead to success, general manager Bobby Cox decided to change things in 1985 when he came back to the Braves from Toronto. Cox and team president Stan Kasten, along with scouting director Paul Snyder, believed pitching should be the new focus.

So, every top draft pick became a pitcher. Cox acquired pitching prospects in every trade. The team stressed young arms, and they started giving them chances in 1987 when a left-hander from Billerica, Massachusetts named Tom Glavine made his debut in Houston.

Then it was Pete Smith. Then John Smoltz. Then Derek Lilliquist. Then Kent Mercker. Then Steve Avery.

Next thing you knew, the Braves became a pitching-first organization. And it's the main reason for the success the franchise had in the 1990s.

Thank goodness Bobby Cox came back from Toronto. If the Braves kept pushing for power hitters, they may still be cellar-dwellers to this very day.

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