Braves’ Culture Should Shift Regarding Off Days

Professional athletes have long been praised for their toughness, specifically their willingness and ability to play every time the coach calls their number.

Baseball is no different, as past legends like Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Gehrig are most fondly remembered for playing more than 2,000 consecutive games. And that is quite an accomplishment. Perhaps, though, baseball should look at the importance of regular rest days even more than any other sport.

While baseball has the least regular physical contact of any sport, it has the longest schedule. And due to the relatively low success rate of baseball hitters compared to other athletes – the best hitters reach base well less than half the time…