Why The Braves Are My Team

I’ve meant to write out an explanation of how the Braves have become my team, more so than Tech or UGA or the Falcons or Hawks.

I was a big Tech fan when I was in school. But in the 1980’s they had such awful seasons that I lost interest. It’s nice when they’re good, but I just don’t live and die with them. For sure this past weekend I was yelling at the TV as they let Wake Forest run all over them.

I liked Tech basketball in the 80’s and 90’s, but as their success dwindled and the players came and went, I lost interest in them as well. Too hard to follow them, and keep up and know the players.

When the Dawgs had such success in the early 80’s, it was easy to be a fan. I casually followed them ever since, perhaps a little more so since my kids went there, through the Richt and Kirby eras. When GT and UGA play, I usually cheer for the team that has the most to lose. On fall Saturdays I try to watch (1) UGA, (2) Clemson, and (3) Tech.

I’ve been a Falcon fan since the 1960’s. But I only follow them casually. They’re such heartbreakers that its hard to get emotionally invested. For sure I don’t hang on every play, but I’ll watch if I’m not doing anything else. We started watching the NFL more since Ceil got interested. I used to watch more until the uniforms got so ugly.

Back in the 80’s the NBA was in the height of its popularity. Bird and the Celtics. Magic and the Lakers. Ewing made the Knicks relevant. Hated Isaiah and the Pistons. I knew several players on just about every team. The Hawks were winners. I’d go to games with you, or with Hurt. But over the years my interest in the NBA faded as well, as there were fewer and fewer players I’d recognize. I do try to keep up with the Grizzlies through Lang, but the Hawks aren’t on my main radar screen (I don’t follow them on social media).

Back in the 80’s Bart Giamatti became baseball commissioner. You could tell he loved the game. His famous quote helped make me a fan. The movie Field of Dreams came out. I was collecting baseball cards, which helped me get to know players on other teams. I’ve always loved baseball’s history, and learned it from books and other resources like the Ken Burns documentaries.

I’d been a Braves fan from the 60’s, and they were easy to follow on TBS. It’s just easier to go to a Braves game than any other sport. I know the ins and outs. Then in 1991 the Braves started their run of division championships. I’d go to games every year. When we had kids, I’d take them. We’d go early for batting practice. Will loved chasing batting practice home runs.

I watched the movie Fever Pitch, and loved how Jimmy Fallon had his whole world revolving around his favorite team. I was collecting more and more Braves caps, jerseys, t-shirts, polos, socks, bobbleheads, and other nick knacks. I love the swag, a little too much.

Used to have jerseys from numerous pro football teams and a few MLB, but finally narrowed my collection down to the Braves, Falcons, and one UGA jersey. I pretty much only wear Braves and Stripers caps. I favor solid t-shirts, but have Braves jackets, hoodies, and qtr zips that I’ll ix. Also a couple of Falcons or Grizzlies. I do have Tech and Clemson gear to wear to games.

Our preacher just wrote a short essay about how baseball is the most Christian sport. In it he explained how he became a Red Sox fan as a teenager. Kills me how some people can be such good writers.

Denison: why we all need the Major League Baseball playoffs.

PETE ROSE [SABR Bio] is the only switch-hitter with more career doubles than Carlos Beltran. Rose has 746 doubles—2nd all-time. Beltran finished with 565. Rose was the first Red to earn $75,000, making $85,000 in 1969. Frank Robinson had been the highest paid, with $68,000 in 1964. Rose was the last player-manager to steal a base, on 06-Aug-1986, at age 45.