Being a Braves Fan in Minnesota
by chriti04 on Jul 29, 2010 9:31 PM EDT
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PrintLike most of you, I've been a Braves fan as long as I can remember. I'm not sure if I actually remember the 1991 World Series (I was only 4), but my memory has definitely produced images of the key plays during those games (Hrbek pulling off Gant, Puckett at the wall...well, whose memory hasn't engraved that image?). But since I can remember, I haven't had a reason to stop being a fan. The Braves were always on TBS, they were always winning, and they had a number of players I really liked, particularly Justice and Maddux.
My brothers always tease me that I cried when the Braves' replacement players lost in spring training in 1995, but I'm fairly sure it was one or the other, not both. I vividly remember watching the last out of the 1997 World Series, and still cherish the World Series plaque my parents gave me for Christmas. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many people I corrected when they were mistaken about how many consecutive Division titles the Braves have had, and it's generally been a great ride.
But it's hard to be a fan of a team nobody likes. A team that was once vilified because of their league-high payroll even though they've recently been operating only slightly above average. Why not the Twins?, they say. People often ask me why I am a Braves fan and I simply tell them "I've been a fan since as long as I can remember and they haven't given me a reason to stop." That seems to shut them up for at least a little bit.
And I guess the reason I posted this right now is because it seems like a lot of people are frustrated with the Braves. They were recently up 6.5 games, and any minute it will be down to 2.5. They can't hit with the bases loaded as pagnocis so eloquently detailed, and a few of their players are below replacement.
You can't forget that every team goes through slumps. The Braves were on a 3 month heater and it just couldn't go on forever. Still, they have the best run differential in the Division, by far the most depth, and several guys in the minors (particularly pitchers) who are poised to step up. Heyward is back on his superstar trajectory and we will have potentially four top 30 prospects come the annual reports.
So don't get discouraged. I've managed to remain a fan despite having no company. Through these recent years with disappointing performance and personnel decisions I've known that they'll rebound. They are a smart organization with incredible scouting and player development and they will be contending for the foreseeable future; There is really not much doubt about that.
It's a rough spell, but we'll weather it. Take everything in this season, because when it's over, you'll wish you could relive it.
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
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Well written.
I’ve only been a fan a two years, and considering my age (soon to be 15) I’m a rookie when it comes to knowing about baseball.
But, considering the fact I was born in Georgia and remember growing up there a little—I’ve always had a tie to my home state. I’ve driven past the stadium on trips with my family, watched some games, and studied the ballpark, but I haven’t been there “officially” (I remember falling asleep during a playoff game vs the D-Backs—but I was three or four).
Now I live in Florida, and only get to see games on TV vs. the Marlins. Usually, I’m watching the TC thread in one window, and Mlb.com “At-Bat” in the other, following Braves games night by night. Like you said, “It’s hard to be a fan of a team nobody likes.” But the difference is—many seasoned baseball-watchers like you remember eras of victory, and glory. This has bonded you with the Braves for generational reasons. As for me, I look forward to them. Deep inside my roots are tied to Georgia. And this bond gives me a reason to root for the Braves—because they remind me of my home state. I’m not a Braves fan by generational means, or simply because I want to be. I’m a Braves fan because I grew up in the Empire State of the South, and my nature somehow designated me as a fan.
Poets are like baseball pitchers. Both have their moments. The intervals are the tough things. ~Robert Frost
Good post.
Welcome to Talking Chop. Don’t feel so alone. Did you know the Braves are consistently polled as the 3rd or 4th most popular team in the majors? So you are not alone. You can always come here for company, and maybe even make friends with some other fans in your area. You have chosen well, and I believe this is a season we’ll always remember.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
And Curacao!
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 30, 2010 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions
3rd of fourth?
who’s the others other than the donkees and the sux?
Beware Newyorkers, Jason Heyward has arrived, he will rob A-rod of 100 homeruns, and will bring at least 5 world series trophies to the great city of Atlanta
Here's a link..
with a table that shows the rankings for the last 10 years as well.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Also...
be sure to read some of the other poll results… I found the results on “who follows baseball” very interesting.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Good post. and I agree, don’t get discouraged…It isn’t even August yet. We’re still one of the best teams in the NL, if not the best.
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jul 29, 2010 10:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good post
and positive thoughts. Hang around young man, you’ll make many Braves friends on here :)
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
Dennis Gavin wouldn't be impressed...
but I liked the post. rec’d.
when is Frank Wren going to wake his Ass up and see the Braves needs a Batter? This game Against Washington is Showing the team is not hitting. Get some help are philadelphia is going bnack to First? If you can’t see this maybe john scherhous should replace your stupid ass.
by jayball on Jul 27, 2010 5:41 PM MST
As a fellow Minnesotan
welcome!
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
From St Louis....
I agree. Its a LOT different here though – during 9 game losing streaks there are just as many people in the stands and red shirts in the streets. Ive learned a lot by these die hard fans, that love the team for the team and the baseball they play only. And maybe all the free fan-fare stuff they throw all the time.
GO BRAVOS!!!
Oh yeah, Fuck the fucking phillies and their bullshit ass Yankees imitation….
we have at least one fan in every region
except for the pacific coast(unless we do have one in this blog, I just don’t know of it)
Beware Newyorkers, Jason Heyward has arrived, he will rob A-rod of 100 homeruns, and will bring at least 5 world series trophies to the great city of Atlanta
wait never mind I just never saw cali viking's post
Beware Newyorkers, Jason Heyward has arrived, he will rob A-rod of 100 homeruns, and will bring at least 5 world series trophies to the great city of Atlanta
Atlanta fan in the heart of the monster known as the Phillies. Also, for what its’ worth I’m a Dolphins, Texas Longhorns, Manchester United, and Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma Thunder fan. I feel ya
Dolphins and longhorns work
Man U doesn’t work at all
Beware Newyorkers, Jason Heyward has arrived, he will rob A-rod of 100 homeruns, and will bring at least 5 world series trophies to the great city of Atlanta
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