Bravesworld.com | Atlanta Braves News, braves Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> The Braves' early throwing program at Turner Field from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6 wasn't the same this year. No veterans, lots of kids. Not as business-like. No sense, really, of the nearness of the season, despite the tagged and plastic-wrapped boxes on pallets in the middle of the clubhouse.</div>The altered atmosphere had nothing to do with pitching coach Roger McDowell. The annual get-the-kinks-out gathering of pitchers used to be called Camp Leo, after former pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who left for Baltimore and an eventual pink slip. (It doesn't always pay to be the manager's childhood pal.) Manager Bobby Cox and the Braves moved on, immediately hiring McDowell. The former reliever has been terrific, patiently teaching and breaking down video for veterans and minor-leaguers alike. This year, however, it was only minor-leaguers or young pitchers who showed up regularly for the sessions in the indoor cages. Right-hander Tim Hudson came every other day for his turns, lightly tossing as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery; he might be able to return to the rotation in August. And left-hander Mike Gonzalez made an appearance on the first day, excited about how good he feels, primed to show what he can do now that he's healthy. Some starters were in their home countries or taking care of visas -- right-handers Kenshin Kawakami and Javier Vazquez. Right-hander Derek Lowe lives in Florida and figured there was no point in making the trek to Atlanta to do what he was doing already. That's no big deal; former Braves right-hander Greg Maddux traditionally got ready for the season on his own at home in Las Vegas. The difference in the atmosphere at the ballpark this year was the absence of Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. They were the ones who doggedly led the way -- Smoltz with his competitiveness, Glavine with his determination. As Maddux said in his retirement press conference, it was Glavine who showed him that no matter how you feel, you take the ball when it's your turn. You go out there and pitch. Some of the pitchers who showed up at the park this year were on the team last season, because the expected starters were injured. None is certain to make the team out of spring training. They most likely will pitch in Atlanta this season only if another epidemic of Tommy John surgery breaks out. That group includes left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, right-hander James Parr and right-hander Charlie Morton. Potential, yes. There was potential and promise in the clubhouse. But there used to be professionals destined for the Hall of Fame. They weren't there. WHERE, WHEN: Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The first exhibition game against a major league opponent is Feb. 25 against the Tigers. TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 2B Kelly Johnson poured so much effort into becoming a bona fide second baseman the past two seasons that there wasn't time or energy to work on anything else. But late last season, with his fielding becoming second nature, Johnson was able to relax, and that showed up in his hitting. Manager Bobby Cox has always marveled at Johnson's beautiful swing, and now that it's flowing free and easy, Johnson is ready to deliver. TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Rafael Soriano should be the ideal setup man for LHP Mike Gonzalez, and he should also be able to close when the need arises. But he is guarded about how his arm feels in the best of times, which last season was not. How realistic is it, then, to expect anything different this season as he attempts to come back from right ulnar nerve transposition surgery last August? AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bobby Cox is entering his 28th season as a major league manager, and his 20th consecutive season with the Braves. Cox also managed the Braves from 1978-81 and the Toronto Blue Jays from 1983-85. He has a career mark of 2,248-1,771 and is 1,972-1,561 with the Braves. Cox had the plastic parts of both artificial knees replaced in October, and while his gait appears to be the same, he says the knees feel better -- notwithstanding the physical and hydrotherapy he's been subjected to. His entire staff returns: bench coach Chino Cadahia, pitching coach Roger McDowell, hitting coach Terry Pendleton, first base coach Glenn Hubbard, third base coach Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Eddie Perez, a former Braves catcher.<div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

The Braves' early throwing program at Turner Field from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6 wasn't the same this year. No veterans, lots of kids. Not as business-like. No sense, really, of the nearness of the season, despite the tagged and plastic-wrapped boxes on pallets in the middle of the clubhouse.

The altered atmosphere had nothing to do with pitching coach Roger McDowell. The annual get-the-kinks-out gathering of pitchers used to be called Camp Leo, after former pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who left for Baltimore and an eventual pink slip. (It doesn't always pay to be the manager's childhood pal.)

Manager Bobby Cox and the Braves moved on, immediately hiring McDowell. The former reliever has been terrific, patiently teaching and breaking down video for veterans and minor-leaguers alike.

This year, however, it was only minor-leaguers or young pitchers who showed up regularly for the sessions in the indoor cages. Right-hander Tim Hudson came every other day for his turns, lightly tossing as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery; he might be able to return to the rotation in August. And left-hander Mike Gonzalez made an appearance on the first day, excited about how good he feels, primed to show what he can do now that he's healthy.

Some starters were in their home countries or taking care of visas -- right-handers Kenshin Kawakami and Javier Vazquez. Right-hander Derek Lowe lives in Florida and figured there was no point in making the trek to Atlanta to do what he was doing already. That's no big deal; former Braves right-hander Greg Maddux traditionally got ready for the season on his own at home in Las Vegas.

The difference in the atmosphere at the ballpark this year was the absence of Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. They were the ones who doggedly led the way -- Smoltz with his competitiveness, Glavine with his determination. As Maddux said in his retirement press conference, it was Glavine who showed him that no matter how you feel, you take the ball when it's your turn. You go out there and pitch.

Some of the pitchers who showed up at the park this year were on the team last season, because the expected starters were injured. None is certain to make the team out of spring training. They most likely will pitch in Atlanta this season only if another epidemic of Tommy John surgery breaks out.

That group includes left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, right-hander James Parr and right-hander Charlie Morton. Potential, yes. There was potential and promise in the clubhouse. But there used to be professionals destined for the Hall of Fame. They weren't there.

WHERE, WHEN: Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The first exhibition game against a major league opponent is Feb. 25 against the Tigers.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 2B Kelly Johnson poured so much effort into becoming a bona fide second baseman the past two seasons that there wasn't time or energy to work on anything else. But late last season, with his fielding becoming second nature, Johnson was able to relax, and that showed up in his hitting. Manager Bobby Cox has always marveled at Johnson's beautiful swing, and now that it's flowing free and easy, Johnson is ready to deliver.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Rafael Soriano should be the ideal setup man for LHP Mike Gonzalez, and he should also be able to close when the need arises. But he is guarded about how his arm feels in the best of times, which last season was not. How realistic is it, then, to expect anything different this season as he attempts to come back from right ulnar nerve transposition surgery last August?

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bobby Cox is entering his 28th season as a major league manager, and his 20th consecutive season with the Braves. Cox also managed the Braves from 1978-81 and the Toronto Blue Jays from 1983-85. He has a career mark of 2,248-1,771 and is 1,972-1,561 with the Braves.

Cox had the plastic parts of both artificial knees replaced in October, and while his gait appears to be the same, he says the knees feel better -- notwithstanding the physical and hydrotherapy he's been subjected to.

His entire staff returns: bench coach Chino Cadahia, pitching coach Roger McDowell, hitting coach Terry Pendleton, first base coach Glenn Hubbard, third base coach Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Eddie Perez, a former Braves catcher.

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