I thought about writing about some off-the-wall political issue. Perhaps I could have plumbed the depths of my opinions on the necessity to close our southern border. Or, I could have opined about the fact that although I am what you would call a staunch conservative, I oppose the death penalty because it does not coincide with my firm pro-life stance. I could have cut loose with a treatise on the basic unfairness of a graduated scale of confiscatory tax rates. But, I have decided to write a bit about my Braves.

It is February which means several things to me; I'm working close to 60 hours a week already; the NFL combine is a few weeks away and pitchers and catchers in the MLB have reported to spring training. I like baseball because it requires highly specialized skill and strategic moves by either side, similar to chess but without the dorks.

My team is from Atlanta and their mascot is symbolized by a warrior of an unnamed Native American tribe. Their history is highlighted by the second greatest power hitter to ever play the game. Hank Aaron is currently the all-time homerun king but his class is what he should be remembered for. The Braves' recent history is much more impressive. A string of 14 straight division titles was snapped in 2006 by a NY Mets team that featured a team that carried a price tag that far outweighed Atlanta's meager 80 milliion dollar payroll. A trip to Turner Field (home of the Braves) will show you banners of the 14 division titles from 1991 to 2005 (with the exception of a MLBPA strike shortenned season in the 90s) and also features the largest high definition screen on the planet. A game at Turner Land, as Jared calls it, can only be hampered by the scorching heat of an Atlanta summer.

General Manager John Scheurholz is, without a doubt, one of the best in baseball. He has built team after championship team and he has done it working under payroll restrictions that would cripple other teams. He has done it again leading into the 2007 season.

2006 saw the Braves blow late inning leads in seven consecutive games in August. The bullpen dropped a total of 7 leads held by John Smoltz in the 6th inning or later. This and the absence of a bonified lead off man led to a sub par season from the Braves. Each move made by the Braves' front office this winter have strengthened the shaky bullpen. They traded an oft injured left handed started for one of the most impressive relief arms in the league (Soriano) and then they traded Adam LaRoche, an overrated "power hitting" first baseman (who can't hit left handed pitching by the way), for a lefty closer who happened to be flat perfect in the 2006 season. Good moves John. The 2007 Braves pitching staff will feature 3 former 20 game winners. This hasn't happened since that Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine rotation that was so dominant.

This is a very good team. The Mets, with their weak pitching and crappy stadium, don't stand a chance. The Phillies have a good shot at leading the division but they always find a way to screw things up.

As for the rest of the National League, the World Series title defenders from St. Louis are going to struggle. The Cubs have rebuilt their lineup and Derek Lee will return with another MVP-type season. I also hear Kerry Wood could be a closer. Maybe that'll save his glass elbow/shoulder/knee/back/pancreas... Watch out for that Colorado Rockies squad. Tons of young talent. They'll get some great players for Todd Helton if they want to trade him.

My picks for the 2007 season? Oakland Athletics over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 6.