25 Atlanta Braves

Braves manager Chuck Tanner is becoming the patron saint of lousy baseball teams. For all of his optimism and good intentions, he has had three last-place clinkers in a row—two in Pittsburgh, one in Atlanta—and he could become the first manager since Connie Mack ( Philadelphia A's, 1940-43) to finish last four straight years.

Tanner's not worried. "We finished 1� games out of fourth place last year with a rebuilt pitching staff," he says. "We came a long way from the year before. Besides, nobody thought the Astros would win last year."

The loss of free-agent Bob Horner (who could conceivably return after May 1) leaves the team with just one proven power hitter, Dale Murphy. Atlanta is hoping new first baseman Gerald Perry will bring his minor league slugging to the big show. As for his fielding, well, Perry has been called the Claw because his style reminds people of a bear going after a fish in a stream.

NL batters hit .301 last season off No. 1 starter Rick Mahler, who led the majors in losses (18). Behind him is a fragile David Palmer, an untested Randy O'Neal and newly muscled and newlywed Zane Smith. Gene Garber ably took up Bruce Sutter's slack in the pen, but he is 39.

Atlanta fans should, however, see a more exciting brand of baseball. New faces in the lineup include fleet centerfielder Dion James, brought in from Milwaukee, and second baseman Damaso Garcia, rescued from unhappiness in Toronto. "There's so much talent here, it's hard to imagine this club finishing last," says Garcia. "I am such a lucky guy." Sounds like he's been talking to Tanner.

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