THE CURSE OF 1996

 1996 game 2 of the World Series in Yankee stadium- Braves fans probably remember this as the game Andruw Jones  introduced himself to the baseball world and the history books by becoming the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the world series. He hit 2 home runs matter fact en route to  a Braves blowout of the yankees. Sadly to say the Braves havent won a single world series game since. They went ahead 2 games to 0   on the Yankees in New York and on the flight back to Atlanta were already talking about a 2 peat and planning victory parade downtown. Hold up... The Yankees came to Atlanta and won 3 straight games and  the series ended in  6 games when the Yankees took care of business in New York. How could the Braves get so ahead of themselfs to blow this lead? 

 In all honesty this is the moment I really think the Braves organization changed. There was so many magical moments from 1991- 1995. The worst to 1st  season in 91 and losing game 7 in world series to Twins and of course Sid Breams slide in 1992.  Coming back from 7 games down to catch the Giants in 1993 and of course Winning the World Series in 1995. SO many great memories in those 5 years alone. But since 1996 it seems the Braves have never been the same. They made it back to the world series in 1999 only to get dominated and swept by the yankees. I actually went to the game 3 in Atlanta in 1996 I was so confident the Braves were going to go up 3 games to 0. We lost that 1st game I didnt panic. We lost game 4 I didnt panic. When we went  up 6-0in game 5 I went to bed happy thinking we would take a 3 games to 2 lead back to New York- I woke up the next morning shocked to see we lost 8-6.. WHAT HAPPENED?? it seems like the braves turn of events  fell off with the slider Mark Wohlers threw to Jim Lyritz.  Wohlers could never throw a strike again and the Braves havent come close to sniffing a World Series win since. I think back to 1996 alot- I was so confident in the Braves back then- it seems 1 way or another we always found a way to get it done ( '91,92,93 and 95). But since then the Braves havent been the same. I guess that happens when you whipp the yankees in the house that Ruth built and head back home up 2 games.

That game 5 loss blowing a 6 -0 lead I honestly believe is the turning point of the decline of the Braves. We went to 4 world series in 5 years but since then we have only been to one and got swept. Most teams dont recover from blowing a 6-0 lead in game 5 at home in the world series. Its crazy how one single game can change a fate of a franchise. Maybe you will disagree with me but  I honestly believe that game 5 loss has had affects on the Braves to this day. Your talking about winning in 1995 and being  up 2 games to none on the Yankees blowing them out in New York and coming home to Atlanta for the next 3 games- feeling confident as ever  thinking a dynasty is in the making- and then losing 4 straight games. I read  an article one time where John Smoltz said he thinks about that 1996 World Series loss  often and is still bothered by the blown lead.  Do you ever wonder what would have happened if Wohlers sticks to his guns and throws a fastball instead of a slider?? If  Braves win that game and go up 3-2 in the series you think they can manage to win 1 of the final 2 games in New York? Momentum is such a huge thing in sports. Sometimes when you get it you cant lose other times when you lose it you cant ever win again  and sad to say since 1996 I think  thats the Braves problem..Oh how I wish we could rewind the times and go back to game 5 world series in Atlanta ...Mark Wohlers where you  at?? :(

Chipper Jones 2011

What do you expect from Chipper Jones in 2011? I love and respect Chipper to the fullest but I will be honest. I  really dont expect him to stay healthy or be a major contributer to this team. Even if he stays healthy I think he would give us .270 average 15 home runs and maybe 56-70 rbis.. which isnt bad but from Chipper its not that good for a guy getting paid $12 million this year. I think the braves are making a big mistake by keeping him in the #3 hole.  Yes Chipper is  one of the smartest if  not the smartest hitter in all of baseball but be honest since 2008 has he impressed you at all?  I   could be tottally wrong about him but I think its time the Braves realize hes not what he used to be. Hes not a #3 hitter anymore- its time to put Heyward or Mccann or Uggla in that 3 spot- Chipper just doesnt produce enough to be in that sweet #3 spot anymore. There is no doubt that Chippers leadership is priceless on this team. But its come about where his leadership is worth more then his actual skills anymore. What other teams would keep a guy whose hitting .270 with 15 home runs in there 3 hole? Chipper needs to be moved down lower in the order. I pray that Iam wrong and chipper produces numbers closer to the .300 and 20 home runs with 85 rbis but his health and declining skills just dont make it realistic for me. I hope the Braves dont have too much love for Chipper and keep him in the #3 hole longer then he needs to be- and who knows if he will even stay healthy?  I will put my money on it right now that Martin Prado plays more games at third base this year for the braves then Chipper does.. What do you think??