This past August, my wife and I made the move to the Atlanta area. After living in Northern Virginia for a couple of year and growing up in Central Florida, I never have had a rooting interest in baseball. I am not a die-hard by any means, football and basketball are far more my sport than baseball, but I do enjoy going to the games and loosely following baseball. I love numbers, I love analytical stuff so I know this post will come as an annoyance to folks like myself. Regardless, I seek your advice.
I would love to make the Braves my team (I know this is unconventional at the age of 25), but want your insight on things I need to know as a Braves fan. It could be a casual, light-hearted piece of advice or some historical insights. Feel free to delete this post if you feel it is a waste of time. You can often find me at TomahawkNation, BucEm or OrlandoPinStripedPost, I hope to become an active member of this community. Cheers!
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
0 recs | 67 comments
I feel being a Braves fan is a good thing (obviously). The thing that I appreciate as a Braves fan more than anything is that there is always a chance to be competitive. Apart from the Red Sox and Yankees nowadays, the Braves are right up there in giving you a chance to win every year (even though the past few years they haven’t). While our payroll may be shrinking, we still have a decent amount of money to spend on our team, and our farm system is always top notch. These things assure that 90% of the time, we can hope to be playing meaningful games in September even if we don’t make the playoffs.
eaheckman10 - March 16, 2010
The First step...
…Is to understand that were a loveably bad team in the 80’s.
With that perspective, watch this clip 500x’s in a row.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200808043251567&c_id=atl
Still gives me chills. Every single time.
Sid Bream's Moustache - March 16, 2010
I love the fat guy in pink-shirt
jumping up and down. I belong.
MNeilson - March 16, 2010
I get chills too.
Scott Coleman - March 16, 2010
+1 billion
Jacob Peterson - March 16, 2010
braves win, braves win, braves win!
VivaLosBravos - March 17, 2010
I have chills right now..
watched it about 2 minutes ago… still have chills
And I was lucky enough to be at that game. I was 13.
I got home at 4:00 in the morning b/c it was such a party down there. Outside of the day I got married, may be the best day of my life.
JonathanC - March 17, 2010
this is my brother
We stopped to drop him off at my grandmother’s house in Stone Mountain. I got nasty sick and was planning on going to the game. I was 17 at the time. I couldn’t go, I couldn’t do it, like stomach flu or something. So my brother went, and it was probably the best game ever.
I’m glad he got to experience it though.
ronjba - March 17, 2010
Glad to have you on board with the Braves!!
For me, the thing that I’ve always been proud of as a Braves fan is the professionalism you see both on and off the field.
And for the last 20 yrs, we as fans can also count on them putting contenders on the field. It’s always nice to start the season with anticipation of being able to watch post season baseball.
TBS allowed the Braves family of fans to incorporate folks way outside the city of Atlanta and that’s why I became a fan since there is no professional team in my area.
I look forward to cheering the Braves on with you this season!
NCChopper - March 16, 2010
Thanks!
I like Bobby Cox alot. He’s firey, often cranky and understands the game like very few do. It definitely feels like he has created a professional organization, though it seems as decisions have become more questionable the last few seasons. Change may not be the worst thing.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
Then watch this.
Know and love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltD21rYWVw
FineHamAbounds - March 16, 2010
In addition to BMac’s triple for Chipper’s Birthday – that’s one of my all time favorites.
NCChopper - March 16, 2010
Found the link:
Click to watch: Brian McCann Triple – Chipper’s Birthday
NCChopper - March 16, 2010
wow
its just crazy to see how much weight heap lost
Braves Equals Life! - March 16, 2010
That was great. Chipper lost his mind.
Scott Coleman - March 16, 2010
I do love that, always have.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
Two words: Farm System. It all starts right there.
justincredubil02 - March 16, 2010
Excuse my ignorance...
but Atlanta Braves are the model of Farm Systems. They consistently have one of the best, if not the best farm systems in the majors. Does this translate well, or have the Braves been too impatient at time and sold off some of the farm? Or would you contend that the Farm System is not as successful in the long run as just buying big name free agents…Dodgers, Yanks, Sox, etc who don’t put nearly as much stock into the farm?
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
It has translated beautifully (a la the Baby Braves), and outside of Francouer. What he was referring to was our current farm system which is stacked.
But yes, to answer your question, the Braves have a history of scouting and drafting well, and turing that into success
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
I was actually referring to the farm system overall and through the years, not just right now. We have always had a stacked farm system and have always been able to scout well at every level – high school, college, internationally and perhaps more importantly, other team’s guys.
Our home-grown talent is among the best in the bigs – Chipper, McCann, Hanson, Heyward and others are just spoiling us as a fan base (and we have been spoiled for years).
To answer UNFNOLE’s original question, I am referring to both our abilities to bring up top talent, as well as know when to give up on guys and sell high on them, and the fact that we are not scared to trade away top talent to bring in what we need.
Of course, there are the obvious examples of where this hasn’t worked out very well – the Tex trade, Kotsay, etc.
justincredubil02 - March 17, 2010
That’ll teach me to infer something from anything you say…
But, I think we have a Tex trade mentioning infraction. Well sir, it was nice knowing you… :)
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
If you like numbers/analytical stuff and/or you just like to hang out and have fun, this is the place for you, because you’ll find both here.
WELCOME!
sddbaker - March 16, 2010
Jason Heyward is the future
That is all.
Scott Coleman - March 16, 2010
Jason Heyward...
is the past, present, AND future.
Jacob Peterson - March 16, 2010
How quickly we forget about Tommy Hanson.
10-4 - March 17, 2010
I've picked that up just by listening to local sports talk.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
Really, what you’re asking is ‘why should I become a Braves fan?"
I think your answer has a couple parts, but is simple:
1) They’re local, and you’ll get to see every game. Something I am envious of. If you watch them enough, I’m sure you’ll develop a liking for them whether you realize it or not
2) They’re a storied club. One of the original six, the Braves have a history. They have some of the best players in history (Aaron, Maddux, etc) and define worst-to-first.
3) They’re a good team. Right now, the Braves have the pieces in place to have a legitimate shot at the World Series
4) They’re not going anywhere. We’re good now, but just wait to see what we have down on the farm
5) Loyalty. Braves fans are fans to death. Its very hard to find a Braves fan that won’t give everything emotionally for the Braves (too bad there are so few)
(6: Turner Field needs people to show up!)
Becoming a Braves fan is a great idea. I hope to see you around
GoBravesNY - March 16, 2010
damnit. Sports fail in number 2. There were 8 original teams when baseball was organized in 1900. Either way they were still one of the first
GoBravesNY - March 16, 2010
And according to our outfield wall
THE longest continually-operating team in history.
J-Freak - March 16, 2010
Yup
The Braves are technically the most accurately traced back to the red stockings, the obvious Red Sox and Reds are as well but not as much as the Braves. Something about owners splitting up one kept the red stockings later to become the braves and somehow the red sox and reds came from the break off.
Don Draper - March 21, 2010
Hah, it feels weird 'picking' a team.
It typically comes natural, but never having an affiliation also doesn’t feel right. I do love this city and you give lots of compelling reasons. Appreciate the response!
If the Braves do not compete for the NL, either its a result of an injury or something is seriously wrong. They have a load of talent on their roster.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
I concur. ‘Picking’ a team is weird. I grew up in St. Louis, but now that I’m back in New York, I just can’t root for either of the two football teams. I grew up rooting for the Rams, but damnit, I just can’t, and it’s too weird to root for one of the NY teams.
Then again, a sale to root for the Braves is probably easier than the Giants or Jets
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
In no particular order of importance
1.
GodJason Heyward is THE man. Period.2. In addition to When Sid Slid, you should also familiarize yourself with The Catch (sorry I can’t find video for this one, maybe someone more savvy than I can jump in with the assist…?)
3. After this sentence, Jeff Francoeur’s name is not to be uttered. Such action may lead to much internet taunting, and a stray dog will give you a wet willy while you sleep. Don’t do it.
4. You’re not allowed to like the Mets, and are legally obligated by a little-known law to deride them whenever they are mentioned, particularly when anyone mentions the ineptitude of their medical staff and/or anything done by That Guy From Number 3 That We Don’t Speak Of.
5. Don’t ever, EVER, mention the Tex trade. Just trust me on this one.
6. You may follow in Bobby’s footsteps by referring to any player as the first half of their name plus “-ie” and everyone will always know who you’re talking about (i.e. Chippie, Martie, Huddie, etc.)
Most importantly, make yourself at home and a warm welcome to you. We’ll try to drag you along as best we can.
J-Freak - March 16, 2010
I was definitely at the Spring Training game today and saw a dude in a Santana jersey and immediately began to make fun of him for no reason. My friend turns to me and goes why do you hate the Mets. My response, “Everyone should hate the Mets.”
So there you go number 3. It will become second nature.
McCann and McWill - March 17, 2010
It's number four...
J-Freak - March 17, 2010
Sorry this is what happens when I decide to type stuff late at night.
McCann and McWill - March 17, 2010
Ha! One of my co-workers would love you just for saying that. He makes no bones about his hatred for the Mets.
TheLetter2 - March 17, 2010
The Catch
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
Chills.
alligatorimpersonator - March 17, 2010
Thou art a scholar and a gentlemen. I forgot MLB.com had those classic clips, I gave up after scouring youtube and google vids.
J-Freak - March 17, 2010
The best part about that was that he robbed Van Slyke…and we drafted Chipper instead!
justincredubil02 - March 17, 2010
how is drafting Chipper related to The Catch?
Personally, I think the best part is that Nixon played for the US Cricket Team
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
Dammit, it was Van Poppel. My embarrassing bad on that one.
justincredubil02 - March 17, 2010
Sounds like me
I didn’t spend any time in Florida ever, but I grew up in Northern Virginia, and moved down to Atlanta on my 21st birthday, and I’ve been here since. But thanks to TBS, the Big Three, and Sid Bream, I became a Braves fan before I even came down here. And Joe Carter’s WS-ending walkoff made me a lover of the game as a whole, and not just the Braves.
If you like numbers and analysis, there’ll be plenty here. But there’s also a good number of folks who simply love the game on a lesser level, and that’s fine too. I go to about 40 home games a year, and sometimes it’s best as such to sit in the sun with a cold one instead of trying to figure out who’s ISO is going to wreak havoc on who’s FIP, but when I’m bored at work, I like to ready about such nerdy stuff as well.
royhobbs - March 17, 2010
The 24 comments above this one – are one of the MAIN reasons it’s cool to be a Braves fan. The fans themselves.
NCChopper - March 17, 2010
Generally
You need to have a working knowledge of a few things.
1. Sid Bream scoring the winning run in the 1992 NLCS against the Pirates. The game propelled the Braves to baseball royalty and dropped the Bucs to the dregs of the NL cellar. Virtually every Braves fan can tell you where they where when that play happened.
2. Hank Aaron’s 715th homerun in 1974.
3. Kent Hrbeks pulling Ron Gant off first base in the World Series. Feel free to use Kent Hrbeks name in vain.
4. Otis Nixon’s catch. Referred to as “the Catch.” I was actually at the game. It wasn’t a mere great catch by an outfielder. It was a superhuman effort.
5. A general disdain for all things Daryl Strawberry.
kalesi - March 17, 2010
Why must you bring up the other “He Who Shall Not Be Named” first basemen of the Twins????
I still get apoplectic over that.
UMDBHIK - March 23, 2010
These guys were pretty good, and all bound for the Hall of Fame:
This guy is a legend, but be warned: his bullpen management will leave you scratching your head:
We’ve had some legendary players:
Hall of Famer in our hearts, but likely not in the real HOF:
One more future Hall of Famer:
I love visual aids.
10-4 - March 17, 2010
Me too!
See below…
sddbaker - March 17, 2010
What’s the story behind that Chipper picture?
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
I went to collegel in Jacksonville
and spent a lot of time watching local high school sports. It’s not so much Chipper that rubbed me wrong, rather the Bolles school…or maybe Florida’s rules regarding teams that can recruit players that get to play against much lesser competition and perenially win state championships.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
We had that in Tennessee for a long time...
but they finally changed it to having separate divisions for public and private schools.
sddbaker - March 17, 2010
And then, there's this guy....
Some info from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Diaz
Looking at your profile, I think you will have several reasons to like him as much as we all do!
sddbaker - March 17, 2010
That guy is the SHIT.
J-Freak - March 17, 2010
Absolutely.
NCChopper - March 17, 2010
Matty D baby!
Scott Coleman - March 17, 2010
oh and i was wondering NCChopper
do you have graphics yet for the news guys like Melky, Heyward and Glaus? Or will those come as the season progresses?
Scott Coleman - March 17, 2010
I’ll work on them as I learn their nicknames, special cough skills etc.
NCChopper - March 17, 2010
Love Diaz.
MNeilson - March 17, 2010
I completely agree.
MattDiazFanClub - March 21, 2010
My favorite team is the Giants (long, rambling story there), but I live in Alabama. The G-men are never on TV here, but the Braves always are. So, one day last summer, I started watching. And I liked what I saw. This is a team composed not of celebrities but of people who love the sport. They show up, do a hell of a job, go home and get up the next day to do it all over again.
You never see Brian McCann splattered on the front page of TMZ or read about Perez Hilton’s latest fight with Yunel Escobar. They don’t live under a media microscope — and to their great credit, they don’t seek one out. These are guys who, win or lose, are a hell of a lot of fun to watch just to see them play.
And, let’s face it, several of the boys are easy on the eyes. But that’s a tangential benefit.
Now, I never have to search for something interesting to watch on a given night. Just about every evening from April through October, at 6:05 p.m. CDT, I’ll watch the Braves and find something to love all over again.
TheLetter2 - March 17, 2010
haha. I liked that.
Oh, and the reason that Hilton’s fight with Esco isn’t anywhere is because Esco (obviously) won and won’t let Perez post it
GoBravesNY - March 17, 2010
Don't forget about Glavine's 1 hitter in 1995
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w=/library/open/ws_history/95ws_gm6_cleatl_glavine_350.wmv&pid=gen_video&cid=mlb&v=2
jraypritch - March 18, 2010
Heritage. Tallent (you’re going to see some good baseball). Great future (farm system is tops). Good image. And the coolest uni’s in the MLB.
adc62 - March 21, 2010
hey man, if you like analysis and stats, baseball is the best sport for that because it’s how we gauge performance over 162 games. you should try fantasy baseball, its a quick way to familiarize yourself with players in the league and is a lot of fun with friends/coworkers. I became a fan as a kid growing up in Miami because of their success in the 1990’s. They won 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005, which is unheard of. It is those years that have really transformed the organization into what it is today, making winning part of the culture. The Braves are one of the most professional and well organized clubs in the league and the players are generally equally committed to winning (and staying out of trouble). Any place where there is that commitment to being good is a great team to start to watch more avidly.
krazeekuban - March 21, 2010
Without TBS, I would have never become a Braves fan the summer of 1982. 13-0 to start the year, and then the Cardinals cheat their way to the pennant.
A lot of heartbreak for the next 15 years all washed away one night in 1995. It was the most beautiful baseball experience of my life.
I’m hungry for more.
UMDBHIK - March 23, 2010
Awesome math skills. That’s 13 years, not 15. Typing in the dark is hard when your fingers go too fast for your brain.
UMDBHIK - March 23, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.