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Jonny Gomes: Veteran Leadership Key for Young Braves

By Adam Greene

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The Atlanta Braves are at a make it or break it point after the All-Star Break.

Their record sits at 6-12 after the Mid-Summer Classic — and while that number may look bad, it still hasn’t taken them out of the race for a Wild Card spot or even the NL East race. It is going to take a lot to get the Braves into the post-season this year, but not entirely out of reach. One of the key factors for the Atlanta Braves making the push will be the effort of their veterans stepping up. Having Jonny Gomes still on the roster will be a major advantage down the stretch.

– = Related: Atlanta Braves: 5 Key Veterans John Hart Didn’t Move = –

John Hart‘s vision for the Atlanta Braves has Jonny Gomes and others buying into the plan, and Hart’s decision to keep Gomes on the roster after the Trade Deadline have left some scratching their heads. Jonny Gomes is on a cheap contract and could have garnered some mid-level prospects in return; but what is exciting about Gomes extended stay in Atlanta is that he wants to win here. Despite playing for playoff bound teams in 5 of his past 4 seasons, he finds himself on a Braves team that is on the fringe or getting it together or packing it in for the winter.

Jonny Gomes has stated his wish to remain in Atlanta:

"“The places I’ve been, where I’ve played, one thing that’s a guarantee is I’ve never thrown in the towel.”"

Jonny Gomes has a penchant for rallying teams, as evidenced in his time with Oakland and the Red Sox.

Does it help to have veteran presence on a team that could make a quick turn-around and go for the playoffs? Absolutely. That’s why September is one of the most exciting times in sports: especially in Major League Baseball.

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Having Jonny Gomes’ willingness to stick around and to mentor brings more wealth to the Atlanta Braves clubhouse than what we’ve seen on the field. The Braves have that with multiple people, such as the veteran leadership provided by A.J. Pierzynski. Pierzynski’s game tying home run Monday night’s game was proof of his immense worth to the Atlanta Braves; but it will take the guidance of both Gomes and Pierzynski to make a potential run possible.

Most contending teams crave a player like Jonny Gomes. His mentality and understanding of his role are vital to the progress of the Braves in this transitional season. The decision to keep him here could pay extreme dividends for this year, and maybe even in the off-season if the Braves decide to bring him back.

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Many pundits speculate that  Jonny Gomes will be a managerial candidate almost immediately after he retires. Granted, his days of playing may not soon be up, but it certainly could not hurt to have a guy like him hang around for a few more years if that is the case.

Maybe that’s wishful thinking, maybe it could be an investment, maybe his time with the Braves now could be just a stopping point in his successful career — and of course maybe, just maybe it’ll be the spark that shows the rest of the league that the Braves team that Hart has envisioned down the road are here now, and that they are only going to get better.

Next: Freddie Freeman Returning to DL With Oblique Injury

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