If the Glass Cleat Fits: 10 Reasons Why the Atlanta Braves Will Be Cinderellas This Year

At age 68, Bobby Cox has managed 14 consecutive division titles, five World Series appearances, and one World Series Championship, in 1995.

Cox has been ejected for more games than anyone in MLB history, showing how much he cares about his team.

Last week, the skipper announced that 2010 will be his final season managing Atlanta, ending an illustrious career.

The Braves owe it to Cox to make a run at a championship and take off the pressure to win in 2010.

Here's to you, Bobby—thanks for all the great years.

Better known as Chipper Jones, or to those on the third base line at Turner Field, simply "Chip."

By embodying the "classic" ballplayer, Chipper has solidified his status as the face of the Braves organization.

After extending his contract through 2012, Chipper will likely be with the Braves through the end of his career and, if the Mayans were correct, the end of time.

Let's win one for the Chipper.

Atlanta made a point of strengthening their pitching rotation this offseason. By acquiring Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, and Kenshin Kawakami, they accomplished just that.

All three have been, at least, reliable and consistent in complimenting carryover Jair Jurrjens.

Things only got better with the promotion of Tommy Hanson. Hanson has looked spectacular since being called up and is a favorite for NL Rookie of the Year. Atlanta, say hello to your ace of the future.

Tim Hudson has returned and has performed well in replacing Kawakami in the starting five.

Jordan Schafer started the year starting in center field. Schafer was supposed to fill the void left by Andruw Jones but struggled in the early part of the season and was sent back down to the AAA affiliate Gwinnett Braves.

Atlanta took advantage of the Pirates' fire sale and traded for center fielder Nate McLouth, an All-Star in his prime.

Hometown boy Jeff Francoeur was all the rage around Atlanta in 2005 and 2006. As his production started to die down, so did the high expectations.

Feeling it was time for a trade, the Braves traded "Frenchy" to the New York Mets for Ryan Church.

As the trade deadline approached, the Braves made a peculiar move, bringing in former Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche. Boston had acquired LaRoche from Pittsburgh and promptly traded him to Atlanta in exchange for Casey Kotchman.

All of these moves have had a positive impact, solidifying the Braves lineup for the long haul.

From lights out closer to staff ace, John Smoltz defined Braves pitching in the 1990s. He would have been immortalized in the ATL, that is, until he left for Boston in search of another championship.

After he struggled upon his return, the Red Sox cut Smoltz. He signed with the St. Louis Cardnals, a team Atlanta will hopefully take out in the NLCS.

Martin Prado started 2009 sharing the "utility" infield role with Omar Infante. Prado impressed many by taking the starting 2B position from Kelly Johnson and sliding into the second spot in the lineup.

Matt Diaz was the backup outfielder until Jeff Francoeur left town. By beating out Ryan Church for the RF job, Diaz has been more than efficient.

Both players have provided a much-needed spark to lift the Braves into contention.

Brian McCann remains the lone "hometown hero" after the departure of Jeff Francoeur.

McCann startled fans early this season by struggling at the plate. As it turned out, he suffered from blurry vision in his left eye.

After ineffective LASIK surgery to repair the eye, problematic contact lenses, and an awkward pair of glasses, McCann solved the problem with special, custom-made glasses made by Oakley.

Now things are back to normal, and the Braves have one of the best catchers in baseball again.

On Sept. 16, Derek Jeter secured his place in NY Yankees history by accumulating more hits as a Yank than the great Lou Gehrig. This was the lone bright spot in an otherwise uneventful baseball season.

The Braves coming from behind to make another World Series appearance would certainly add some much-needed excitement to the 2009 MLB season.

The last time we heard much from Hank Aaron, he was watching Barry Bonds break his 755 home run mark. The media has repeatedly asked Aaron to weigh in on steroid use, something he was never actually involved in.

It would be a huge relief for "Hammerin'" Hank to get a chance to change the subject and talk about an overachieving Braves team.

Bobby Cox has been rotating Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez in the closer spot, depending on strength of matchup. Both have been great at time and have adapted well to the timeshare.

Kenshin Kawakami has moved to a relief role, and Tim Hudson will likely join Kawakami in the bullpen in the postseason. This strengthens Atlanta's relief pitching, leaving very few holes.

Pitching flexibility is something the Braves haven't had in recent years.