Braves’ fans finally get to celebrate after winning Atlanta's first World Series since 1995
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
The Atlanta Braves won the 2021 World Series, defeating the Houston Astros in six games and winning the final game 7-0 on Tuesday, November 2. Fans around the world were shocked the Braves won, even Atlanta’s own fans.
Taylor Lamb, director of Marketing at Augusta University, is a huge Braves’ fan, and he even almost lost hope mid-season.
“I had kind of given up hope honestly,” said Lamb, who was a college pitcher before an injury ended his career. “I am not really sure if I gave up hope, but was pretty realistic when Ronald Acuna (Jr.) got hurt, and (Mike) Soroka and (Travis) d’Arnaud had hurt his thumb, and we were just plagued with injures. I had zero thoughts of the World Series.”
After the MLB All-Star break, the Braves were 44-45 and had lost star outfielder Acuna after he suffered at torn ACL that put him out for the season. The Braves also were without starting pitcher Soroka due to a re-injury tearing his Achilles’ tendon and outfielder Marcell Ozuna was put on administrative leave after off-the-field criminal charges.
On July 15, Atlanta acquired Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs. The Braves also added Jorge Soler from the Kanas City Royals, Eddie Rosario from Cleveland and brought back Adam Duvall from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline. Many fans thought these acquisitions were the key to the Braves’ second half run and winning it all.
“Going to get Joc because they knew they needed someone to replace Acuna, then Duvall, Rosario and Soler on the trade deadline date, and they gave up very little in return,” said AU media relations specialist Kevin Faigle, former sportscaster at WRDW TV in Augusta.
While many fans were surprised to see the Braves win the World Series, AU baseball coach Chris Howell says he was surprised by the Braves’ championship and thought the pitching was key.
“I am not shocked at all,” said Howell. “I think the pitching stepped up. I think when the lost Acuna, they made some trades to pick up his production, but the pitching is what stepped up to me. Those guys in the back of that bullpen kept them in games. Those guys pitched out of their mind and gave their offense a chance to be productive.”
Howell also spoke on the impact the Braves’ winning has on his AU baseball team.
“I had a chance to watch them in 1995 and ‘98 and ‘99, and these guys weren’t born,” said Howell. “I think it was important for these guys to be apart of that, and these are memories they will never forget, just like it was for me.
Fans of Georgia teams have been so close to celebrating these last few years with the Braves almost making the World Series last season, the Atlanta Falcons losing in the Super Bowl and the Georgia Bulldogs dropping the national championship 26-23 on a game-winning pass in overtime against Alabama in 2018. Some say this World Series title ends the “curse” of Georgia sports, although people seemed to have forgotten that Atlanta Utd. won the MLS Cup in 2018.
“It gets rid of the curse to an extent, and that word has been brought up for years,” said Faigle. “It ends that stigma that Atlanta can never win a big one.”
On Friday, Nov. 5, the Braves celebrated their second World Series crown with a parade that started in downtown Atlanta before heading up the interstate to Cobb County, where the Braves’ home stadium, Truist Park, is located.
The 1995 title had been won in six games as well, and the finale was played at the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The clincher was a 1-0 victory by Tom Glavine, who tossed a one-hitter to beat Cleveland.
On Tuesday night, it was another shutout that gave the Braves the championship, this time led by starter Max Fried, who struck out six in six innings in a 7-0 Atlanta win in Houston, and Jorge Soler, who hit a massive three-run homer in the third inning.
Maybe it did seemed destined to happen in July, but Braves’ fans will remember the 2021 season for a long time.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
The author, on the far left, at a Braves’ playoff game at Truist Park in Cobb County. Next to him, from left to right, are Bryson Brown, Rusty Pope and Clayton Rickerson. (photo by Elizabeth Pope, special to the Bell Ringer)
