Braves, Yankees Sign Off Decade

This has been the New York Yankees’ century, beginning when Babe Ruth donned pinstripes during the roaring ‘20s and ending with their recent record-setting resurgence.

They established the major league standard for excellence while becoming those “Damn Yankees,” dominating opponents during several decade-long runs. Potentially being crowned the team of this decade doesn’t do much for the been-there-done-that American League champions, who simply seek another jewel for their crown.

The National League champion Atlanta Braves are focused on the present too, though making history also colors their agenda.

The Braves reluctantly acknowledge they must defeat the tradition-rich Yankees to complete a decade of achievement, capping their unparalleled ride.

The 10-year race finally approaches the finish line tonight in Game 1 of the 95th World Series at Turner Field.

The Yankees and Braves end the ‘90s on a familiar stage--each hoping to be the best closing act.

“This is good for the Yankees and Braves, and it’s great for baseball,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said. “I guess if we beat them, we’re the team of the decade, but I don’t know. Really, it’s year to year for me. But I understand the interest in all of this.

“I’m proud our organization is compared in that light, and it’s kind of neat because there is so much being said about that. The table has been set, so to speak, and it’s pretty good it ended up that way. There were long odds on something like that happening.”

Actually, both teams were favored to get here.

The defending World Series champion Yankees have outdistanced the pack, setting records with 24 championships in their previous 35 appearances.

They swept the San Diego Padres last season en route to their second title in three seasons, and set the all-time single-season record with 125 victories.

The Braves also have pushed the bar high, setting a new standard with eight consecutive division championships. They won five pennants and the 1995 Series title against Cleveland. . They also lost to the Yankees in ’96.

“Obviously, we want to be the team of the ‘90s,” said Greg Maddux, the four-time Cy Young Award winner scheduled to start Game 2. “Whatever the arguments are that go back and forth, we’d like to be remembered as that team.

“But getting another ring is the main thing. To [be the team of the decade], we have to win. I mean, there’s enough pressure just to be in the World Series.”

Getting here has been how the Braves define success.

From their depressing last-place finish to start this decade, they are now expected to appear in the Series annually.

“I think in the late ‘80s and in 1990, we envisioned a club that was on the verge of being competitive and, hopefully, at some point in time, being where we are now,” said Tom Glavine, the Game 1 starter. “But it happened a lot quicker than any of us anticipated.

“I don’t think you can foresee the kind of success we’ve had. I mean, we’ve won eight straight division titles. If somebody told us this in the late ‘80s, we probably would have had you committed, or given you a urine test or something.”

Not surprisingly, the Yankees and Braves have been bombarded by questions about the significance of the moment.

“I don’t know if too much is being made about this,” said Yankee Manager Joe Torre, who battled prostate cancer in March. “It’s something you look back on and are very proud of, no question.

“When I was talking about the team of the decade, I was saying the Braves, Braves, Braves. They’re there every single year. To me, that’s emblematic of a very successful franchise.”

The Braves had the major leagues’ best regular-season record during the decade, 925-629 (.595). The Yankees were second at 851-702 (.548).

“It’s pretty fitting, and it lends itself naturally, to have the two winningest teams at the end of the century facing each other in the last World Series,” said Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz, co-architect of the Braves’ success with Cox.

“If it creates an environment where people can make judgments about which has been the best team, or who deserves this title or that designation, then so be it. It’s probably a natural kind of development. I understand that.”

Regardless of the outcome, an argument can be made that the Yankees are the team of the decade because of their two titles and all-time victory mark last season. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only other two-time World Series winner this decade--having won titles in 1992 and ’93.

The Braves can’t lay claim to decade supremacy unless they win this title. It’s as simple as that.

“Everyone knows that we haven’t won as many World Series as we would have liked,” third baseman Chipper Jones said. “But it’s not like this team hasn’t always battled, we just didn’t always get the breaks.

“It’s something that’s going to be talked about, but you can’t let that enter your mind. You just have to stay focused on what you’re trying to accomplish right now. Thinking about what happened when we were in the World Series in the past won’t do anything for us now.”

The Yankees overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Braves in six games in ‘96, their first title since ’78.

The Braves also will make history if they lose the rematch, joining the New York Giants as the only franchises to lose four Series during a decade (1911, ‘12, ’13 and ‘17).

Apparently, the Braves are somewhat sensitive about the subject.

“That’s not what this organization should be judged on,” said Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz, along with Glavine the only member of every pennant-winning team this decade. “You look at the consistency we’ve had, that’s the significant thing. We’ve been able to establish a very high standard and maintain it through changes, injuries, whatever.

“Look at all the teams that don’t get to this point. Year after year, the people in this organization have built on something incredible. People are going to judge you, but we can’t help but feel good about what we’ve done. How could we not?”

The Yankees also feel good about what they’ve done, but failing to earn the decade distinction outright won’t bother them as much.

“It’s not that it’s not important or that too much is being made of it, it’s just that we know what we have to do to maybe be in the running for that,” Torre said. “We still have to win the World Series, and then let other people decide on who’s the team of the decade.”

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ROSS NEWHAN

Steve Sax can relate to the problems Chuck Knoblauch is having in the field. Page 8

* SOJO’S FATHER DIES

The father of Yankee utility player Luis Sojo died from a burst blood vessel. Page 9