Spring Hopes Eternal

by A.J. Coltrane

Last year, the HomeTown Nine made an improbable late run at the _____ League Wild Card and stayed in contention for the spot until the final few games.

The remarkable turn of events had fans and the media buzzing about the “return” of the HomeTown Nine.

After an offseason in which the club decided to re-sign _____ and trade _____, add _____ and _____ to the back end of the bullpen, sign _____ to serve as the team’s new first baseman while penciling in No. 1 prospect _____ in right field, the pre-season hype about the Nine seems legitimate.

_____ believes this Nine club could win 90 games, if they stay healthy.

And it is easy to see why.

Despite the loss of _____, HomeTown’s returning starting rotation comprised of _____, _____, _____, _____ and _____ still figures to be one of baseball’s best.

The Nine’s additions of _____, _____ and _____ this off-season— along with the emergence of _____— gives HomeTown a more well-rounded and deep batting corps than last year’s group.

The team still lacks a prototypical “big bopper” on paper, but with _____ serving as the team’s clean-up hitter, protecting both _____ and _____, the pieces are in place for a solid middle unit.

That is, of course, if all prove to stay healthy.

The key to HomeTown’s success will be if _____, _____ and _____, who are all overcoming past health concerns, can stay on the field and out of the trainer’s room.

_____, a future Hall of Famer, is expected to rebound from his career-worst season at the plate in _____.

I can’t help but think that _____ could be that legend and that any number of heroes could stand up to help cement the greatest storyline of the year— sending _____ out as a winner.

Oh, the beauty of Opening Day…where no dream is too big.

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It’s actually excerpts from a 2010 Atlanta Braves season preview at bleacherreport. Top prospect Jason Heyward led the team in OPS+, the team won 91 games and the Wild Card. Chipper Jones was right in predicting 90 wins. And Bobby Cox went out a winner.

I never read these things — even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.