Dan Uggla: Persistence Personified

If there is one true feel-good story in the 2011 season, it has to be the turnaround by Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. 

Uggla signed a hefty contract in the offseason, giving the Braves a power-hitting second baseman who could solidify the club as a legitimate threat to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

A five-year, $62-million deal will turn a few heads these days, but when that player hits .185 before the All-Star break with a .257 OBP and 84 strikeouts, fans and teammates alike might begin to wonder if the right deal was actually made. 

Throughout his struggles, you never heard any complaints, although he did admit to feeling the pressure to live up to the contract; 

"You take it upon yourself, because you want to live up to everything and do everything for your team and keep doing things you've always done in the past to help win ball games," Uggla said. "It's part of the game, and it's an adjustment that I'm going to have to make." 

With support from his coach and his teammates, Uggla literally took it one day at a time and one at-bat at a time.

With the struggles he faced—and has now overcome—it really becomes a mental roadblock when everything you have been comfortable doing your whole life no longer works.

Still, through all the O-fers and non-productive games, his effort and hard work has translated into a 30-game-and-counting hitting streak.

The home runs and RBI are creeping up to normalcy, and the bat the Braves thought they acquired has finally arrived. 

Post All-Star break Uggla is batting a blistering .352, has belted nine big fly balls, has driven in 22 and has a .670 slugging percentage.

Uggla truly epitomizes perseverance and proves that if you put your mind to it, success is achievable. 

Best of luck to Dan Uggla the rest of the way.

This is one story that should not go unmentioned when the Braves and MLB season comes to an end.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals& Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.