EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

No. 4 Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves may have the pitching depth to overcome the loss of John Smoltz. Matthew Stockman/Allsport

1999 Record: 103-59 (1st in NL East)

The Atlanta Braves won 100 or more games for the third sraight season last year, but they were swept by the Yankees in the World Series. Atlanta will have to solve two major problems to make it back to the Fall Classic in 2000.

The big question is how effective John Rocker will be after coming back from his suspension. He'll have to make things right with his teammates, take abuse from some fans and still have the mental energy left to close games.

The second problem is how to replace John Smoltz. He has been the Braves best big game pitcher, and when the playoffs start he becomes even better.

There is some good news in Atlanta. Quilvio Veras and Reggie Sanders both bring much needed speed to the lineup, and its a big reason why the Braves are my fourth best team in baseball.

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