While painful now, Atlanta Braves may have light at end of tunnel

A year that has simply flown by at a furious rate, it comes as no surprise this summer has done the same.

Typically renowned for its “dog days,” the summer of 2016 is somewhat of an anomaly, a narrow month-long stretch separating the NBA Finals and soccer’s European Championship from the Olympic Games.

As a youth, even those didn’t matter as much, though. Just as long as I have easy access to my Atlanta Braves.

My utter spoilage, along with that of others in the fan base, as a result of the club’s success during the ’90s and early 2000s can best be described as an understatement. Much like the Buffalo Bills’ streak of four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl, the Braves’ run of 14 straight division titles is one of those – despite their marked inability to finish – is unforgettable, no matter if one loves or loathes the team.

For all the joy experienced during that stretch, the club’s more recent failures are certainly all the more painful.

Maybe it is me coming to grips with the notion the Braves are truly in “rebuild” mode. Or is it simply that I cannot accept it no longer holds a spot at the table as one of baseball’s model franchises, instead having to find peace with the team being a cellar dweller for the next few years.

Patience has never been a strong suit of mine. This especially holds true when one sees how clubs like the St. Louis Cardinals, who in spite of not adopting the “go for broke” mentality in free agency, finds itself in contention on an annual basis.

It’s a copycat league … maybe the Braves’ brass has taken notes. The club has restocked its farm system, and rid itself of crippling contracts – some many fans couldn’t wait to see gone (Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton), others that were more painful for us to see going elsewhere (Jason Heyward).

Inevitably, however, there is no “one size-fits-all” for any rebuild project, particularly at the major league level.

If there is one thing in the Braves’ favor, though, it’s that the man overseeing a large share of the club’s day-to-day activities – president of baseball operations John Hart – was around for a similar demolition, and a brick-by-brick building of the Braves into a dynasty.

In June 1990 when the club fired manager Russ Nixon, no one could have expected that in a little more than a year’s time it would be playing in the World Series.

In Hart’s mind, he has the right man in place to complete a job similar to the one he began and completed more than two decades ago in John Coppolella. It may take more time, but somewhere there is a glimmer of hope for this club.

Over the past couple of weeks, despite still having one of the worst records in baseball there has been steady progression, seen particularly in the Braves’ winning three of four games from the Chicago Cubs and White Sox during a pre-mid season break swing through the Midwest.

One weekend of brilliance in the “Windy City” is akin to putting lipstick on a pig, though, doing little to change the fact this season may rank as one of the worst in franchise history. On the other hand, pain only lasts for a short time; glory on the other hand, alters lives forever.

Coppolella and Hart are looking beyond this season and its ugliness. Sure, closing out Turner Field on a good note would have been more advantageous for all, but is one year of greatness worth several mediocre ones – or worse – in the future?

The Braves’ brass is banking on “wave after wave” of talent to flood the club’s roster in coming years, ensuring that the future will glimmer with hope of pennants and titles for all who root for the team.

One can only hope, because losing is a hard thing to accept.

Of note …

The state Junior American Legion baseball tournament is being held at the Socastee High baseball field this week, allowing the stars of tomorrow to showcase their wares while playing the game they love. The tournament will run through Wednesday. … After finishing a four-game set at Winston-Salem, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans return home for a seven-game home stand beginning Thursday against Wilmington.

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "While painful now, Atlanta Braves may have light at end of tunnel."