John Donovan: Braves enduring rare lost summer

The Braves' streak of 14 straight division titles now seems like a distant memory They are on pace for their worst record since 1990, when they lost 97 games Bobby Cox is as combative as ever, but his team is headed for its worst finish since he returned as manager in 1990. The Braves had it so good for so long that, if you believe in the law of averages and baseball's cyclic and somewhat cosmic nature, their current predicament should come as no surprise. The one-time champion Braves -- boastful winners of 14 straight division titles (if you don't count that strike year in there) -- officially have crapped out. At 52-61, the Braves sit in fourth place in the NL East they won so often it seemed they might never stop winning it. They are busted for this season, the third straight year that they won't be in the playoffs. What... [read full story]