The Curse of the Atlanta Braves

Being an Atlanta Braves fan has been difficult through the years. Sadly, as an Atlanta Braves fan, I think I've become immune to the seemingly inevitable annual disappointments that come with the territory. It's been especially difficult these past couple years. They all but had the National League Wild Card a year ago, before they decided to collapse and lose the Wild Card spot to the St. Louis Cardinals on the final day of the regular season. In the Wild Card game this year, they faced those very same Cardinals. The Braves had the best defense in the regular season as far as fielding percentage went. Against the Cardinals, they decided to commit three errors. Then in the 8th inning, with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out for Atlanta, a ball was popped up between shortstop and left field and an umpire called an infield fly rule quite late as the ball dropped between the two players. That would have loaded the bases with just one away, but due to the late call by the umpire, altered the setting quite drastically. The Braves were left with runners at first and second base with two away, and wound up eventually losing the game 6-3. Years ago, I would have been torn up by the errors, the missed call and the loss, but unfortunately, I almost had to chuckle following this game, because it's come to be what I expect anymore. It really is a shame that future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones' final game was this one. He committed a very costly error earlier in the game which vaulted the Cardinals to a lead that they never lost. He's been one of the best switch-hitters in the history of Major League Baseball. It's been a pleasure watching him through the years and I wish him all the best in the years to come, whatever he decides to do with them.