As foretold by Tom Emanski's instructional videos, Fred McGriff becomes Braves special instructor

Anyone around for the early '90s is more than a little familiar with the fundamental techniques implored by youth baseball instructor extraordinaire Tom Emanski. Emanski's "Nine Commandments" taught an entire generation of youths the basics of becoming quality ballplayers.

Former MLB All-Star Fred McGriff and Emanski go way back. So much so that the Crime Dog was eager to throw the weight of his professional baseball success behind Emanski's teachings.

"I'm so impressed with the instructional videos by coach Tom Emanski that I've given them my full endorsement," McGriff opines in the iconic infomercial. Not a partial endorsement or a most-of-the-way endorsement; a FULL endorsement!

Now -- more than two decades later -- McGriff is ready to pay it forward ... as a special assistant in the Braves organization. The Crime Dog will attend Spring Training as a special instructor and will shift his attention to professional scouting once the season is under way.

Now all the Braves have to do to complete the prophecy is win back-to-back-to-back AAU National Championships and a gold medal in international play. Easy as pie.