Grief Counselor Needed for Atlanta Braves Fans!
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Dealing with the loss of your favorite player can be tough emotionally.
It has been 5 days since the world of Braves Nation was turned upside down and Atlanta Braves fans were all hit in the chin with a foul ball after the trade of one of our hometown favorites Craig Kimbrel.
I know it has been rough. For some of us, it has been rougher than others.
I am not a psychology major. But based on a few scientific studies, most of us are either still experiencing or we are within one of the 5 Stages of Grief; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance. If you are anything like me, you have cycled through these a few times.
Denial
“What? This isn’t real…”
Initially, when I saw the trade on MLB Trade Rumors I thought that the site had been hacked. After a few minutes I saw more activity on it so I immediately asked my editors if it was true. AT THE VERY SAME TIME I was emailing him, he was emailing the crew to prepare for a huge trade.
My heart stopped as I felt a pain in my chest.
Then I let out the biggest fart in history because the Taco Bell was talking to me; anxiety does that to you.
Anger
“What the $%^& are they doing?”
Immediately after the realization that the trade was real, I was pissed. Not only had the front office traded away someone who meant more to me than just a regular player (Jason Heyward) but now they have traded away the games BEST closer in the same off season. My wife was pissed too. Not about the trade but because in my anger I accidentally projected my iPhone at my computer monitor in frustration of what had just been confirmed: (it slipped… real hard) and so did a few very loud expletives simultaneously.
Mar 2, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Bargaining
“Please God don’t let this be real. Why not trade Grilli or Johnson”
I tried to be rational. It didn’t come quick. In fact, the anger may have cycled through a couple times before it became “REAL” for me. I could talk to God over and over but fact is, the deed was done and by the time the news broke and the Twitterverse grabbed it, it was no longer rumor, it was THE news.
Depression
“Our season is over… We suck”
This one probably stayed longer than it should have. The primary reason it lingered is because I had literally just spent about $1,000 on tickets and apparel for me and my family of 6 to wear to the games this year. Our shirts of choice…. Kimbrel. By now the Taco Bell had run its course and I was on the throne thinking, “Am I stuck with these tickets? Can I wear a jersey of a traded player and not be shunned? What are the limits for the All-You-Can-Eat tickets? I bet John Hart hates me.” You know, typical stuff one thinks of while manning the Fortress of Poopitude.
Acceptance
“Whelp, there’s nothing I can do about it now, so… Go Braves”
Yes I was, and still am, a Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel fan (as long as they are not playing us) but fact is, we are a better team ‘right now’ with them NOT being here. It is apparent that 3J’s (John Schuerholtz, John Hart, John Coppollela) have a plan. That plan consist of tormenting us fans and media by not cluing us in on the process but it appears to be a very concise, deliberate and meticulous plan. It is one built on ideal and principles that are not clear until AFTER they have made the move, but it is a real plan.
I accept it.
I accept the fact that we now have leverage in 2016 and more salary flexibility.
I accept the fact that we are now stacked in the farm system and have even more promise of the future and/or bargaining chips, if necessary.
I accept the fact that regardless of who comes and goes, the front office is doing the best that it can to erase the diabolical deeds of Frank Wren, and has turned our organization around in just ONE off season.
I accept that Kimbrel is gone (Heyward, not so much) and that for us to free up the Melvin (formerly known as B.J.) Upton contract that we had to lose something of value on our end. I accept it.
…still doesn’t mean I have to like it!
Go Braves!
Want to continue the discussion? Either comment below or make a status update on Twitter using the hashtag #KimbrelGrief and I will try to reply to all comments AND follow you 😉