Piece of "Sheet" Cake

Sheets pitched for the Milwaukee
Brewers from 2001-2008

    Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ben Sheets is blazing the comeback trail. After missing two full season due to injury, Sheets thought that his career was over following his two year absence from the game. However, the 4-time All-Star and Olympic Gold medalist was not ready to call it quits. On July 1st, the Braves announce that they had signed Sheets to a minor league contract. Two weeks later, Sheets made his major league debut against the New York Mets-his first start in nearly two years. Sheets had successful completed his comeback. However, the Sheets of old was not quite the one who returned. In 8 seasons as the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff, Sheets was a strikeout pitcher, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, but had a less than impressive ERA over those 8 years: a collective 3.77.

    Since his debut with the Braves on July 15th, Sheets has made 5 starts. He is currently 4-1 with a 1.41 ERA and 23 strikeouts, only allowing 5 earn runs to this point. He has transformed in a pitcher who pitches to contact, averaging only 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings and making his living on ground balls and quick outs.

    Sheets has been very consistent for a Braves team that was searching for help in their starting rotation. His only loss was against the Miami Marlins, and even then, Sheets pitched fairly well. He allowed 4 runs in 6 and two-thirds innings with 8 strikeouts, but Atlanta's lack of offense left Sheets with his only loss of the season.

Sheets on the mound for the Braves in 2012

Sheets should have about 9 more starts this season, and the Braves are hoping that he can remain equally consistent over the next 2 months of the regular season. Sheets' performance has been one of the feel good story lines of the second half and he may just be the answer that the Braves have been looking for if they want to make it deep into the playoffs.

   Despite not pitching for almost two years, Sheets still stayed around the game. One year ago, he was coaching his son's team, and now he's back in a big league rotation and probably better than ever. From the big league mound to the little league clubhouse and back again, the continuing story of Ben Sheets proves that success can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.