Pep Talk From one Atlanta Braves fan to Another
Sit down for a second so we can talk from one fan to another.
Let’s be real.
We just had our backsides handed to us by the New York Mets and we can all agree that they are an inferior team compared to us; even though the standings do not reflect it.
We have a .260 batting average (5th), they are .244 (13th). This whole series we out hit them (36 us/32 them) and yet we were outscored 18 to 16.
Box Scores: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Jun 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) celebrates with catcher Christian Bethancourt (27) and left fielder Kelly Johnson (24) at the plate after all scoring on Peterson
Now, I am not going to deflect blame towards managerial techniques or throw the bullpen under the bus (not this time, even though the Greyhound is ready help is coming) I am going to point out one glaring fact that I probably share with some of you… I HATE losing to the Mets!
It is something about these turds that gets under my fingernail like an annoying splinter.
I do NOT like them. And for them to beat us without their best player in their system was like getting punched in the face….by your Grandmother.
They IRK me.
These losses hurt more than anything.
Not just because we are division rivals and this weekend was pivotal for us to gain ground and/or for them to add distance; they hurt because with the product we had on the field, we SHOULD have won.
But that wasn’t the case.
So after a few bottles of vodka, noise complaints from the neighbors and a broken tablet later, I come to my brethren to say DO NOT FRET!
We are better than what our record reflects.
According to the Wild Card Standings (as of 8:00 pm, 6/14, shows all rankings for playoff positions) we are 4.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs; just behind the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
More from Braves News
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- Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: J.R. Graham
- Atlanta Braves Acquire Lewin Diaz from the Orioles
- Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 6-10
- Braves News: Giving the bullpen some love, Trevor Bauer reinstated, more
Let me pause there…
More from Tomahawk Take
- Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 1-5
- Braves News: Braves acquire Diaz, moves around the division, more
- Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: J.R. Graham
- Atlanta Braves Acquire Lewin Diaz from the Orioles
- Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 6-10
THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS!?!?!?!?!
This is unacceptable.
The D-Backs SUCK! (please take offense)
We are THE Atlanta Braves.
We have a legacy of winning.
We are allergic to losing.
We don’t sit around and frown when we take a loss! We get back up and ask “what else you got?”
Braves fans….
The Mets are overachieving and the Nationals have injuries up and down their 25 man roster, the time to kick them while they are down is NOW.
So do NOT get down!
I see other writers talking about us playing for a wild card slot but there are only 2 teams ahead of us (Mets 34-30, Nats 33-30) and I am ready to kick their ….
Ask yourself, are you ok with losing.
Hell no, who is other than the Cubs? (looks like they have turned the corner on that philosophy though for 2015)
A small factoid for you all to swallow, this game is based on losing statistically. The leagues best hitter, (Paul Goldschmidt did not get a hit 64% of the time), he ONLY has a .359 batting average, lol. HE AINT ALL THAT! I call him Golden.
WE fans need to look at the bigger pitcher.
We currently have the youngest starting rotation in the league. It has not been the starters that have given most of us headaches or driving most of us to drinking, it’s been the bullpen (nope touching it yet still).
We have reasons to be encouraged and be positive about our future. In Julio Teheran – Alex Wood – Shelby Miller – Mike Foltynewicz – Williams Perez. These guys offer a solid 1-5 that will keep us in most games.
Jun 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (48) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
We have a budding 2nd baseman in Jace Peterson who is a faster and quicker clone of the LEAGUE’S best defender at ALL positions in Andrelton Simmons.
We have a green and somewhat magoo-ish catcher who shows flashes of greatness and potential defensive prowess once he gets the intricacies of his position together in Christian Bethancourt.
We have a Gold Glove right fielder in Nick Markakis that, despite hitting .300, he has still yet to find his power stroke. When he does, he could carry the team (blame the neck surgery).
We have a 1st baseman in Freddie Freeman who goes under most teams radar but he is quietly sneaking up the leaderboards (ranked 21st with .306 BA | 74 hits | 12 HR | 40 RBI)
And our farm system is busting at the seams with young potential stars.
We are the effin Braves gosh darn it!
This year marks our 20th anniversary of our last World Series.
We are building a solid foundation and the front office is putting together the proper pieces to bring another championship to Atlanta in the near future.
Yeah those pesky Metropolitians beat us, so what…. What else you got?
#FrontOfTheJersey #GoBraves