Atlanta Braves Baseball: Crow Doesn't Taste Half—Bad!

I'm sure you have all heard of the term, "eating crow". For those of you who have not it simply means having been proven wrong after taking a strong position.

This week I have found out just how to do that. I must admit, in this case, it's actually not tasting too bad.

On Saturday, I continued my season—long diatribe on Yunel Escobar. On Sunday, Escobar almost single handedly defeated the Mets.
 
On Monday, the enigmatic short stop won the National League Player of the Week award.
 
Tuesday, He made two spectacular plays at short—both of which achieved “Web Gem” status on baseball tonight.
 
Wednesday morning, Escobar went with teammates to the Children’s Hospital and handed out toys to some very sick children and that night he hit a three—run HR that ended up being the gamewinner.
 
Finally, today he accounted for the Braves lone run, a second—inning HR, in their 5—1 loss to the Giants.
 
Sometime earlier in the week Escobar also sat down with Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution and attempted to “clear the air” about his relationship with the media, his supposed cockiness, and his seemingly rocky relationship with Bobby Cox.
 
What came out of that story was a clear picture of a young man who has been clearly misunderstood, painted into a corner by his own actions and others interpretations of those actions, and has been vilified by many fans, writers, and commentators because of those misunderstandings and actions. 
 
I personally have gone after Escobar non—stop for most of this season. While I’ve always respected his game, I’ve been less than thrilled with his attitude, supposed work ethic, and lack of baseball IQ.
 
I have called for the Braves to trade him on multiple occasions. I have hoped that Bobby would sit him out to teach him a few lessons.
 
Recent production aside, the person I have seen emerge over the last few days is a mature young man who can handle the press, do his job, and be touched by the sight of some very dear children. 
 
Seeing an athlete of his caliber taking time out to go see those children with terminal illnesses touched my heart. Seeing that athlete’s heart being touched by those children placed Yunel in a new light for me.

Escobar told Adam Rosenberg of mlb.com, "I never expected what I was going to encounter when I stepped into the building."

To further illustrate his experience Yunel said, "It was an awakening for me. From this moment on, I will be more appreciative of the blessings God has given me. My girlfriend has a little boy. From now on, I'm going to look on him even better. From this moment on, I'm open to do whatever needs to be done to shine in other people's lives and make this a better world for them."
 
Pretty good for a guy that many opponents and some teammates reportedly cannot stand because of his cockiness. Pretty good for a guy that allegedly cannot stand his own manager, and has been accused of faking injuries to get out of a game.

Escobar went on to say, "From this day on, I'll play even harder," Escobar said. "I met kids that watch the Braves play all the time. From this moment on, they know that they met Yunel Escobar. And I'll do whatever it takes to not let those kids down so they feel proud of having a friend like me." 
 
I believe that Yunel Escobar has grown up a lot just in the past few days.

Saturday night after clearly missing the hit—and—run sign from third base coach Brian Snitker, Escobar told the AJC’s David O’Brien, through an interpreter, to “Come talk to me when I have three hits.” Apparently from Yunel’s frustration at not being talked to after his three—hit performance the night before.
 
The next day O’Brien and others chimed in on how Escobar no longer treated the media with respect and that he could be dealt in the offseason because of his overall attitude.
 
In less than 24 hours Escobar showed us all just what he thought about it. Then shortly after that performance on Sunday he talked to the media and allowed us into his world. He allowed us to see a side of him that many of us didn’t know existed.
 
He continued to do that throughout the week, on top of showing us all exactly how valuable a player he is to the Atlanta Braves.
 
Escobar is currently on pace to take his second consecutive NL Player of the Week award, depending on his performance this weekend in Milwaukee.
 
Since the All—Star break Yunel is hitting .464 with 4 HR’s and 13 RBI’s. His recent production in the five—hole has made the Braves need for a right—handed power bat in the middle of the lineup virtually unnecessary.
 
Most importantly though we have seen a young, hot—shot grow tremendously in just a week. 
 
I normally don’t like to eat crow, but this time it sure tastes good.