\n
When Leo Mazzone<\/span><\/span> speaks about pitching, people inside baseball still listen.<\/p>\nHe didn\u2019t raise his voice.
He didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n
But when the longtime architect of the dominant 1990s Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span> rotation began dissecting the modern state of pitching, it landed like a thunderclap from another era \u2014 one built on durability, rhythm, and relentless repetition.<\/p>\nAnd his message was unmistakable.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s game, in his view, has drifted too far from what once made pitching sustainable.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cToo Much Max Effort\u201d<\/h2>\n
Mazzone\u2019s critique starts with intensity \u2014 not competitive intensity, but mechanical intensity.<\/p>\n
Modern pitchers, he argues, are throwing every pitch as if it\u2019s the last one of October. Radar guns dominate development. Triple-digit fastballs are celebrated. Spin rates are dissected frame by frame.<\/p>\n
But the cost?<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Increased strain on elbows and shoulders<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Shorter outings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Higher injury frequency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Less emphasis on efficiency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In Mazzone\u2019s era, pitchers weren\u2019t conditioned to chase velocity on every delivery. They were conditioned to pitch \u2014 to sequence, to adjust, to navigate lineups multiple times.<\/p>\n
The goal wasn\u2019t 101 mph.<\/p>\n
The goal was the ninth inning.<\/p>\n
\nThe Vanishing Workhorse<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTsZRQBeV0EYpPLS3u0kCu85vq8CC_AbPz0KA&s\")
<\/p>\n
During the Braves\u2019 golden stretch in the 1990s and early 2000s, complete games weren\u2019t mythical. They were attainable. Starters were expected to carry the bulk of the workload, not hand the game to a parade of relievers after five innings.<\/p>\n
Today, five-inning ceilings and strict pitch counts are common strategy. Bullpens are hyper-specialized. Openers, matchups, leverage charts \u2014 all part of the analytical revolution.<\/p>\n
Mazzone doesn\u2019t deny that the game evolves. But he questions whether something foundational has been lost.<\/p>\n
In his philosophy:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Starters build rhythm through repetition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
In-game adjustments are developed, not outsourced<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Efficiency beats raw force<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Command extends careers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
He suggests the obsession with velocity has compromised command \u2014 and ultimately, longevity.<\/p>\n
\nThe Braves Blueprint<\/h2>\n
When Mazzone oversaw pitching in Atlanta, the model was clear: trust your starters.<\/p>\n
That era of Braves baseball was defined by rotation stability. Year after year, the staff logged innings at a pace that feels foreign in today\u2019s environment. Durability wasn\u2019t an exception \u2014 it was the expectation.<\/p>\n
Bullpen sessions were structured to reinforce mechanics without overexertion. Tempo mattered. The repeatability of delivery mattered. Pitchers were taught to conserve energy within outings, not expend it in bursts.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t anti-science.<\/p>\n
It was pro-sustainability.<\/p>\n
\nAnalytics vs. Instinct<\/h2>\n
Modern baseball is deeply data-driven. Pitch design labs refine grips and release angles. Biomechanics specialists break down kinetic chains. Teams optimize everything from vertical break to spin efficiency.<\/p>\n
Velocity wins. Whiffs win.<\/p>\n
But Mazzone\u2019s frustration highlights an uncomfortable tension: has baseball optimized for peak explosiveness at the expense of long-term endurance?<\/p>\n
Some argue today\u2019s hitters are stronger, more disciplined, and better prepared. That may necessitate max-effort pitching.<\/p>\n
Others point to injury data and claim workloads must be carefully managed in an era of higher velocity and sharper breaking pitches.<\/p>\n
Mazzone doesn\u2019t dismiss evolution.<\/p>\n
He questions the mindset behind it.<\/p>\n
Pitchers once aimed to dominate for nine innings.<\/p>\n
Now many aim to dominate for 90 pitches.<\/p>\n
\nCommand Over Power<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.cooperstownexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Leo-Mazzone-Braves-e1620102812270.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
At the heart of his critique lies one core principle: command sustains careers.<\/p>\n
Throwing harder can shorten at-bats. But locating pitches extends outings. Pitching to contact early in counts keeps pitch totals manageable. Changing speeds disrupts timing more effectively than raw speed alone.<\/p>\n
Mazzone\u2019s generation emphasized:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Working both sides of the plate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Inducing weak contact<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Adjusting mid-game without panic<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Trusting preparation over adrenaline<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The modern pitcher often trains for peak output. The previous generation trained for repeatability.<\/p>\n
That distinction matters.<\/p>\n
\nInjury and the Modern Trade-Off<\/h2>\n
Tommy John surgeries have become common headlines. Elbow strain, shoulder fatigue, and workload debates dominate preseason narratives.<\/p>\n
Is velocity solely to blame? Not entirely.<\/p>\n
But max-effort mechanics increase stress per pitch. If every fastball is thrown at maximum capacity, the cumulative toll compounds quickly.<\/p>\n
Mazzone\u2019s argument isn\u2019t that pitchers shouldn\u2019t throw hard.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that they shouldn\u2019t have to \u2014 every single time.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a difference between capability and dependency.<\/p>\n
\nCultural Shift in Expectations<\/h2>\n
Perhaps the most powerful part of Mazzone\u2019s comments isn\u2019t mechanical \u2014 it\u2019s philosophical.<\/p>\n
He believes the expectation has shifted.<\/p>\n
In previous decades, pitchers took pride in finishing what they started. Going deep into games was a badge of honor. Efficiency wasn\u2019t conservative \u2014 it was competitive.<\/p>\n
Today, pulling a starter after five innings with a narrow lead is often seen as smart strategy. Bullpens are constructed for specialization. The game is segmented.<\/p>\n
Mazzone\u2019s era valued pillars.<\/p>\n
The modern era values systems.<\/p>\n
Neither is inherently wrong.<\/p>\n
But they are fundamentally different.<\/p>\n
\nReaction Around Baseball<\/h2>\n
His remarks have already ignited debate across baseball circles.<\/p>\n
Supporters of modern analytics argue:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Hitters are too advanced for reduced velocity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Data-driven development improves performance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Injury prevention requires controlled workloads<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Traditionalists counter:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Command and efficiency are undervalued<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Overemphasis on radar readings distorts development<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Durability is still achievable with proper conditioning<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The conversation isn\u2019t simply old school versus new school.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s sustainability versus specialization.<\/p>\n
\nIs the Modern Game Broken?<\/h2>\n
Not necessarily.<\/p>\n
The sport has evolved. Athletes are stronger. Technology is smarter. Strategy is more calculated than ever.<\/p>\n
But evolution always brings trade-offs.<\/p>\n
Higher velocity produces more strikeouts \u2014 and more strain. Specialized bullpens reduce late-game fatigue \u2014 but shorten starter development. Data optimizes matchups \u2014 but may reduce in-game adaptability.<\/p>\n
Mazzone\u2019s critique isn\u2019t about rejecting progress.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s about remembering balance.<\/p>\n
\nWhy His Voice Still Matters<\/h2>\n
When a pitching mind with decades of success questions the direction of the game, it resonates \u2014 especially in Atlanta, where his philosophy shaped a generation of baseball identity.<\/p>\n
His tone wasn\u2019t nostalgic.<\/p>\n
It was firm.<\/p>\n
He isn\u2019t arguing for a time machine.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s asking whether the pendulum has swung too far.<\/p>\n
Baseball thrives on cycles. Offense surges, pitching adapts. Strategy shifts, counter-strategy follows.<\/p>\n
Mazzone\u2019s warning may not reverse the velocity era. But it ensures the conversation includes more than just radar readings and spin metrics.<\/p>\n
It forces the sport to ask:<\/p>\n
Are we building pitchers for highlight reels \u2014 or for careers?<\/p>\n
And when a legendary architect of durability sounds the alarm, the echo is impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When Leo Mazzone speaks about pitching, people inside baseball still listen. He didn\u2019t raise his voice.He didn\u2019t need to. But when the longtime architect of the dominant… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":157378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Leo Mazzone speaks about pitching, people inside baseball still listen. He didn\u2019t raise his voice.He didn\u2019t need to. But when the longtime architect of the dominant...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\",\"name\":\"MsThao\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MsThao\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA","og_description":"When Leo Mazzone speaks about pitching, people inside baseball still listen. He didn\u2019t raise his voice.He didn\u2019t need to. But when the longtime architect of the dominant...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"MsThao","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MsThao","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372","name":"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless? - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png","datePublished":"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-27T07:58:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-61.png","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=157372#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udd25 HOT NEWS: Former Atlanta Braves mastermind Leo Mazzone is pushing back on baseball\u2019s velocity obsession \u2014 and his words are shaking up the conversation. \u26a1 As radar guns light up at 99+, Mazzone warns that command, movement, and durability are being sacrificed for highlight reels, sparking a fierce debate across the league. Is the modern game evolving the right way\u2026 or losing the art that once made pitching timeless?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731","name":"MsThao","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MsThao"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=157372"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157379,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157372\/revisions\/157379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/157378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=157372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=157372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=157372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,w_1200,ar_4:3,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/braves_today\/01khxz50rhgbcn2571ym.jpg\")
<\/p>\n