Opinion: This isn’t the end for the Atlanta Braves
By Steven Teal
The 2020 Atlanta Braves took the Dodgers to 7 games in an exciting NLCS but fell just short thanks to a go-ahead homer by Cody Bellinger.
The sting of defeat is still fresh for most of us in the Atlanta Braves fan base. Losing isn’t fun and it never gets any easier to deal with.
However, with that being said, the 2020 season is one I’ll not soon forget. It provided so many exciting and disappointing moments. I didn’t think we’d even have a season so I’m just thankful to have even gotten one.
The Braves went to Game 7 in the NLCS with the infamous LA Dodgers and I honestly didn’t expect that. I knew how talented that Dodgers team is and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy task.
However, as Freddie Freeman mentioned in his post-game comments, our team always believed they would make it this far. Even though we only went into this postseason with 2 of our best starting pitchers.
Am I disappointed that the Braves didn’t go to the World Series? Yes. Absolutely. It sucked to watch that last out be recorded minutes before midnight. I felt that the crushing weight of another postseason ending too soon.
I can’t imagine how it feels for the guys in that clubhouse. They work hard to get to this point and do all they can to make the city of Atlanta proud each and every game.
But am I going to sit here and claim we suffer some from a “curse” and act like this is always going to happen? No, because that would be irrational.
We aren’t the only team that experiences disappointing losses in big games. Atlanta will eventually win the big games. It’s only a matter of time. They will get the opportunity sooner than later.
Am I saying you’re wrong for being frustrated or disappointed? Absolutely not. I completely understand those feelings and they are valid to feel. We all saw how special this team was. They never quit playing, no matter the outcome.
We experienced a lot of firsts this season and I’m grateful to have watched them happen.
Freddie Freeman gave us an MVP worthy season, Ian Anderson and Christian Pache made their MLB debuts. Adam Duvall and Marcell Ozuna both had games in 2020 where they hit 3 homers in one game, in back-to-back days no less.
Duvall had not one but two 3-run home run games (twice in 8 days) and was the first Atlanta Braves to have done so. He also set a franchise record with 11 home runs in the month of September.
Oh, and that second 3-home run game? He hit a 2-run home run, a 3-run home run, and a grand slam.
Freddie Freeman reached 1,500 career hits and Atlanta set a franchise record for the most runs scored in a game when they routed Miami 29-9. That’s the most runs scored since the team moved to the city of Atlanta back in 1966.
Ronald Acuña Jr. also set a bit of history for himself. He was the first National League player with at least 3 hits, 3 walks, and 3 RBI in a game since 2003. It was the first time an Atlanta Braves player had done so since 1994.
There are so many great things we witnessed in 2020. What was your favorite moment? We’d love to know.
This 2020 Atlanta Braves team gave us everything they had and I’m grateful for every inning they gave us in this strange year. They always fought until the 27th out was recorded. I couldn’t ask for more.
2021 will be another year to remember as Atlanta hosts the MLB All-Star game. My birthday lands on the All-Star break every year and I hope I get to spend it at Truist Park watching the top players in baseball compete. It definitely would be a dream come true.
With a new season, comes a new opportunity to reach the World Series. I think for 2021 our slogan should be: why not us?