The Tomahawk Flop

Lets not worry about the Mets bullpen. The Cardinals had arguably the worst pen in the game going into last postseason only to shut down opponents in October.

I'm starting to think that the postseason is a lot like the World Series of Poker, while the regular season is like playing 100 WSOP's. Anyone can win in the postseason, it's a total crapshoot that requires luck and timelieness where skill can only take you so far. But in the regular season, the best team, over time will prevail.

Which makes it so awesome what is going down in Atlanta. Think back to the July 31st trade deadline. The Braves were the talk of baseball. They acquired two of the three big names available, Mark Teixiera and Octavio Dotel. They strengthened their pen and made a strong lineup scary.

These were still the mighty Braves and Mets fans were wondering if last year was just a fluke.

But here we are about 6 weeks later. I sometimes feel that our hatred for the Braves is sometimes lost in this website of Mets adoration and Yankee bashing.

See most Mets fans hate the Yankees. But ALL Mets fans hate the Braves.



It's like hating the school bully who always won at dodgeball and always got the girl. For more than half of my lifetime the Braves owned us. We'd get so pumped up for a series that they scoffed at. And we would lose.

But look at them now. 9.5 games out of the division and 4 games out of the Wild Card, with 4 teams that they have to jump ahead of. This team has lost its panache, its dominance.

Two years ago when John Smoltz or Tim Hudson was on the mound, I didn't think the Mets had a shot. This year, the Braves are 3-5 in Smoltz/Hudson starts.

I'll be the first to admit it. I love Chipper Jones. I love to hate him and I love that he had the sack to name his kid Shea. In my mind, he is the ultimate villain.

But I hate Andruw Jones. I just hate him. I hate the way he cautches flyouts and I hate the way he trots around the bases. Which is why I couldn't be happier the guy is hitting .220 in a contract year. He pissed away no less than $50 million dollars this season, maybe more.

Who would have thought the day would ever come when Mike Cameron would have more demand on the market than Andruw Jones.

So take a minute Y2k'ers to forget your love for the Mets or hate for the Bombers and lets all unite in a collective laugh at the Braves expense.

I have no doubt now that they will run off 15 in a row and go on to win the World Series, seeing as this is my first Anti-Braves piece in two years. I guess I'll have to take my chances.

Vaya,
Sip