Thank You, Brian McCann

All the way back in March, I thought the Braves would be a World Series team.  After last night's dust up in Atlanta, I like that choice even more.  Brian McCann, a solid catcher in over the past few seasons, took a step up last night by throwing down.

Carlos Gomez, holding a grudge for taking a pitch in the knee from Paul Maholm three months ago, felt no remorse in showing up the left hander after hitting one out of the ballpark.  Slow trot around the bases is disrespect to the opponent.  As someone coaching kids, I believe it is disrespect to the game.  When you take that trot, instead of a solid run, you are making it all about what you just did, not about the team.  Pitchers don't like it, and team leaders won't tolerate it.

Enter Brian McCann.  Supposedly, some pleasantries were exchanged over home plate, ending with McCann laying down the law: "Don't expect to touch home plate when you get back."

He was true to his word.  The scuffle that followed was a typical baseball fight, more testosterone than fight, but it set a tone for a team headed for the postseason.  The Braves still have an opportunity to get home field throughout the playoffs, only a half game behind the Cardinals.  They have been at the top of the East most of the season, and clinched the division early.  It would be easy to cruise the rest of the way through the season and see who you get to play in October.

I like the leadership shown by Brian McCann.  Recent winners have had a strong leadership out of the catcher's spot.  A.J. Pierzynski loud leadership over most of the last decade earned one Ring and two World Series appearances.  Yadier Molina has been a quiet leader in the Cardinals recent success.  Buster Posey has two NL MVP trophies to go with those World Series Rings, a great leadership accomplishment for a young player.

Might be the Braves year after all.

So...am I off base?