The Braves are in a playoff race, but does anybody care?
See? Some folks were in the house Monday. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The announced crowd at Turner Field on Monday was 25,046. I’d guessed the actual attendance as 15,000 and thought I was being kind. But no matter the number, the image was clear.
Another big baseball game in the A-T-L.
Another unpacked house.
And here I’m supposed to get all righteously indignant and say something like, “It just goes to show what a lousy sports town this is. If this game had been in Boston or Chicago or New York, you couldn’t have gotten a ticket.”
But you know what? I’m not going to say anything like that. Because I don’t really care about the folks in Boston and Chicago and New York. (And anyway, I just came from a Patriots game in Foxborough, where Gillette Stadium was officially sold out but empty seats were apparent.) Besides, this time I feel no call for indignation, righteous or otherwise.
As I tried to note last night, this is a weird sort of stretch drive. It crept up on all of us, the Braves included. It wasn’t until last week that things got interesting, and when the Braves returned home only 2 1/2 games behind Colorado they were facing some powerful mitigating circumstances.
School’s in session. The economy’s adrift. Lots of locals are still bailing out basements after last week’s rain. And let’s be honest: The Braves haven’t been flavor the month for more than a months of Sundays. Lately we’d gotten in the habit of keeping one eye — one only — on the Braves and saving our real enthusiasm for the Falcons or the Dawgs or Tech or even the Hawks.
But now the Braves are in a race we never saw coming, and we’re only just catching on. I’d imagine the crowds will increase as the week unfolds, and if the Braves keep winning I’d expect 40,000 on Friday night and that many again on Saturday afternoon. And Sunday afternoon, if the game is meaningful, could well be sold out. (The Falcons are off this week, FYI.)
And I’ve long since stopped associating raw attendance numbers with depth of fan interest. We didn’t ever tune the Braves out; we just followed them a bit less closely. These hadn’t become the dark days of the ’80s, when, as the joke went, you could leave two Braves tickets on your windshield and come back and find four. Most of us will have no trouble finding our way to the ballpark this weekend. We’ve all been there before, many times.
And even if there were only 25,000 (or 15,000) on hand Monday, it wasn’t a bored corporate gathering. These were folks who knew what was going on and who’d come to see baseball. “The crowd was into it,” Bobby Cox said afterward, and it was. It didn’t feel like just another night at the ballyard. It felt like a night at the races.
And, on another Braves-related matter: Getting way ahead of ourselves, we wonder how the playoff rotation might look. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz? Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson? And what happens to Derek Lowe?
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310 comments Add your comment
Tron5000
September 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
So many “holier-than-thou” comments on here. I’ll try to make a couple games this week (definitely Sunday), but it’s not that easy for folks, especially those with kids, to get out to the park on a week night. The game lasts until 9:30 or 10:00, then you have to walk to your car, which is probably a mile away, because MARTA access sucks. There should be a train station right next to the freaking stadium. Next, you wait it the parking lot for 30 minutes trying to get out, which sucks. By the time you hit the highway, it’s 10:30 or 11:00, then you hit traffic on 85 and 75. By the time you get home, it’s darn near midnight and then you have to put the kids to bed (if you have kids) and go to sleep yourself to wake up in a few hours. Come on, folks. Be reasonable.
Fed Up Fan
September 29th, 2009
1:09 pm
I’ve been a fan since they came to Atlanta, but I don’t want to see this team in the playoffs. Bobby Cox has so mismanaged the club this year, that if they had had any other manager, they’d probably be leading the division right now. I’m sick and tired of Bobby’s boys getting bounced out of October ball. Better that they just don’t make it to the playoffs at all. Maybe after Cox is gone, I’ll be able to find interest in the team again.
Reid in EAV
September 29th, 2009
1:09 pm
@Claudel [sic] Washington — Wow, people like ME are the reason clueless knuckleheads like you don’t live in the city? I’m honored! (And never knew I had that much power. Also, didn’t realize you’d read about me driving to a free parking place and conclude I had no car. Hmm.)
But yes, it’s absolutely awful here. All my cars have been stolen, my house has been repeatedly robbed and vandalized and I’m forced to crawl to Braves games to beg tickets since all my cash has been stolen as well. I’m so sad — I think I’ll get a few more tattoos and another piercing or three and hang out in C’town all weekend. You all should just stay in your cul-de-sacs and Pottery Barns.
Joshua
September 29th, 2009
1:09 pm
For of all you “football is king is the south” and “baseball is too boring” blowhards, just shut up already. Back in the 90s the Braves sold out all of their games. The apathy is from expecting the franchise to win year after year and then being brought back to reality in the past couple of seasons. We were spoiled by success and the Braves suffer for it now. Had they won another series or two I believe everything would be different. But believe me as it gets more and more likely the Braves will overcome the Rockies, the stadium will sell out. The Braves needed a dramatic finish to a season like this to revitalize fan interest.
bigstack19
September 29th, 2009
1:10 pm
I quit watching after the Reds swept them. Since then they went on a tear so I figure if I start watching they will lose again.
Icky Thump
September 29th, 2009
1:12 pm
Mark,
Thanx again for another insightful column. I am one of those bailing water and rebuilding a wall. I’m a huge fan of the Braves, but the economy, rain and attendant cost have left me a little light. I’ve been reading your column for as long as I can remember and it’s always been entertaining. Thank You
mr me
September 29th, 2009
1:13 pm
Actually Atlanta is not the worst sports town idiots. Look at miami they’ve been in the race too and can’t even get half the amount of fans same for washington. Atlanta is by no means a baseball town but you cannot say they are a bad sports town plenty of sellouts for the other sports and very good crowds on the weekends for the braves. So please stop with the ignorant comments about atlanta you’re starting to sound like yankees that know nothing about the south. Go Braves hope the brew crew can pull it out
dan c
September 29th, 2009
1:13 pm
Enter your comments hereI’ve been a Braves’s since birth. While I live in Wisconsin i still catch a few games on the road. i get the baseball package on my TV. Atlanta always complains the brave’s aren’t worth watching. Now that they are they still don’t show up. Hard to figure. I know that that there are some die hard fans down there. Hope they show.
Scoots
September 29th, 2009
1:14 pm
I walked to the Ted last night for the first time, as a new resident of North Grant Park. Really not bad at all, walking down Georgia Avenue which basically takes you right to the front gate. I walked with my girlfriend and neither of us felt in danger at all on the way there or the way back. It looked to me like there were plenty of places that you could park without charge and have less than a mile to walk.
And guess what, if more people walked to the park it would feel even more safe . . you know, safety in numbers type thing.
Another thing for those stretched on the budget. Right now you can buy dirt cheap seats and pretty much sit anywhere. Last night there was a $1 ticket special for the upper deck, but the ushers were mostly absent so we sat about 15 rows behind the dugout on field level.
Eat before the game or pack a dinner and eat it on the way down, park in Grant Park, get a little exercise, enjoy the fall weather, spend a minimal amount of $$ and support your team.
Pete
September 29th, 2009
1:14 pm
Brent, I agree there are some good places to live in Atlanta (Va Highlands + the 2 you mention etc.). I live very near Brookhaven MARTA, and no way will I take the train to a Braves game (Falcons yes); not gonna have the hassle of the transfer to a bus. Also, many of us dont want to live in Atlanta city limits due to the corrupt and incompetent city government, as I assume youre well aware of (just yesterday came the news of another $1Mil+ fine for late pension payments; the list goes on and on).
Say HI! to Bill Campbell for me if you ever see him again lol
Rex
September 29th, 2009
1:14 pm
I hope the umps make a couple of make up calls when the rockies play the brewers or dodgers to make up for that bs ending sunday vs the cardinals. if a fans camera can get that shot, then the umps should be able to.
Dont Step on the Baseline
September 29th, 2009
1:15 pm
As baseball is a game of superstition, all of you posters that are afraid that the Braves will stop winning if you start watching again are excused. Keep up the good work.
fes
September 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
I’ll be at the Ted Friday, anxiously awaiting the puck drop at Philips on Saturday. I find it easier, cheaper, and more entertaining to go to the Thrasher games than to see the Bravos. I do watch almost every game, home or away, east coast or left though. Here’s to hoping that we pass the Rockies and make the postseason. That’s when we’ll really need to plea for butts in the seats.
Larry Sellars
September 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
There was a certain electricity at the stadium last night. Crowd was into it the entire time. I woke up with a sore throat. Not the type of crowd that only cheers when “make some noise” appears on scoreboard either. I live in town, but the guy next to me drove in from Greenville with his family. Granted, he had to dip out of work early but said, “These games mean too much”. He’s right too.
Those of you who say, “I’m too scared to watch or they are only going to let you down” are missing some amazing baseball right now. Isn’t that part of being a fan too? There is nothing more exciting in baseball than a race to the finish!! Losing in ‘93 to the Phils in NLCS was my hardest loss to swallow ever as a sports fan only because we fought so very hard to win our divison over the Giants. The second half of that season was magic, luck, guts, drive, determination… Every day down the stretch we had to make up ground and we got them on the last day of the season thanks to help from LA and our win over expansion Rockies. Tommy LaSorda said after the game, “Now you know how it feels Giants fans”.
I am proud of our team win or lose. We are fighting to the end. TV, even glorious HD TV, doesn’t not do it justice when it comes to being there when every pitch is huge. Even knowing it is difficult to run the table, I am taking it night by night (as far as buying tickets) and dragging different friends along the way. Tonight will be a great match-up. Braves need your support! No one hears you cheering behind the keyboard. We know you’re watching, come on out and do it in person if you can make it out to the park. Crowds will improve each night, don’t worry about that….who cares how we compare to other cities?? It is a dumb argument. Is it even relevant? Do we need to make excuses…..just keep winning. Real fans are there, they were there last night and screming their heads off and Cox was right- it was a different feel. Keep up it Braves!!!!
BL
September 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
ECONOMY
Allan
September 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
Ross gets my vote for the best blog.
the real Old Gold
September 29th, 2009
1:17 pm
These Braves play best when I’ve lost interest, or have become too angry with them to continue to watch in the interest of my own health. So if they keep this up, I may never watch again. Go Braves.. but it’s football season.
Lee
September 29th, 2009
1:17 pm
my theory is that the atlanta braves are actually the georgia braves. the fans who really care are located outside of the perimeter but when summer is over and school starts back up it is more difficult for these fans to attend games. in years past when the braves have made the playoffs (other than ‘91 because of the novelty of it) the stands have not been full. if they were truly the “atlanta” braves then the atlanta fans would care enough to show up. if i lived closer i would be there as much as i could.
Skip
September 29th, 2009
1:17 pm
Question, what happens if we tie Colorado? Is it the winner of the head to head or a 1 game playoff?
trey
September 29th, 2009
1:17 pm
I am going and I live in Savannah… bunch of pansies on here with made up excuses……
bill
September 29th, 2009
1:18 pm
Mark — Attending games is no the only way to measure fan support. I consider myself a big Braves fan. I watch or listen to nearly every game, read every article in the AJC, follow the blogs that covers the Braves (your’s included), but have only made it to a handful of games this year. Does that mean I have no team spirit? Does that mean I’m not a fan? I think not.
DMac
September 29th, 2009
1:19 pm
Short answer to your question Bradley- “No. No one cares.” And why such apathy among Atlanta Braves fans? I’ll tell you why. It’s because we the fans are tired of being disappointed. We are tired of October underachieving and we know that the pattern will continue to be repeated, ad infinitum, ad nauseum, as long as Bobby Cox is the manager. If someone else were at the helm, we would go and pay money to see what happens. But as long as he is the manager, we know what’s going to happen; just more of the same losing that has soured our taste for October baseball in Atlanta.
Rollo Tomasi
September 29th, 2009
1:19 pm
Cannot afford to go to the games but I am at home watching with my neighbor. GO BRAVES!!
FalconsFan
September 29th, 2009
1:19 pm
I really don’t understand why some of you can’t go to a game without drinking a beer. If you can’t enjoy something without being intoxicated you have an issue on some level.
JW
September 29th, 2009
1:20 pm
We’ve settled for just making the playoffs for the past 14 seasons with the exception for 2005 when we won the World Series. In all honesty, we should have won more of them. I do admit that many cities wish they had half the success of the Braves. However, what the Braves need is some personality. They act too much like suits in the corporate world. I’d like to see them go outside the box with marketing and engagement with fans.
otisnixonsmokescrack
September 29th, 2009
1:22 pm
Phils fans aren’t nervous baby! A littled annoyed maybe, but ceraintly not nervous. The Rockies should be. Inexcuseable Card’s baserunning was the only reason they won on Sunday. 3 with the Brew-Crew and 3 with a Dodgers team that has owned them this year. Yeah, their definitely bleeping in their pants right now. Solids and liquids… Nice thought for the lunch you’re eating right now! Right? I’m actually kind of proud of your team. I still hate your guts, don’t get wrong, but the Braves deserve to get in. Here’s to some future Champagne spraying for both the Braves and the Phillies. They’re both getting in. Book it folks! And go show some more support for your team…
sal governale
September 29th, 2009
1:22 pm
If a majority of local Braves fans are the same ones pulling for UGA, I can confirm — they’re douche bags. Just like Bradley said.
Sanford Drive
September 29th, 2009
1:23 pm
Braves on Friday. Dawgs on Saturday. Falcons on Sunday. That, my friends, is a perfect sports weekend.
Inspector G
September 29th, 2009
1:24 pm
Inspector G wonders if Mark Bradley has become so distracted with wanting to fire Willie Martinez that he has overlooked that the Braves are in a playoff hunt?
Facts Please
September 29th, 2009
1:25 pm
Distracted no, I know whats going on. I also know that they will find a way to blow it right at then end. Cox will put in the pen and they will load the bases up while he sits and scratches his head. Then they will all go home.
If by chance they make it, I will be at every home game they play. But not until they make it. Im sick of watching them blow a good thing.
Pete
September 29th, 2009
1:27 pm
Mr Me the Marlins arent even in Miami is one reason they dont draw much; about 20-30 miles north in Hollywood. Thats why theyre called the Florida (not Miami) Marlins.
Villa Rica DAWG
September 29th, 2009
1:28 pm
I would love to see the Braves playing in a sold out stadium. HOWEVER, I’m just too worn out between Saturday’s in Athens to go during the week, with work and all.
Sorry guys. I do love the Braves, and will be VERY EXCITED to watch almost every game of the post season on TV if they make it. But my trips to Turner Field occur in the Spring/Summer. Short of somehow ending up with NLCS/WS tickets, the DAWGS get me during the fall…
Win consistantly and THROUGHOUT the season and you won’t be begging fans to drop everything and come see you – let’s be honest – probably let them down when the season is almost over. Not only do you guys gotta win, but Colorado has to lose at the same time. While I really want to see it happen, I know it probably will not – even if you win out…
Nolerick
September 29th, 2009
1:29 pm
I share the same sentiments as others that I am afraid to start watching. Everytime I started to pay attention and really get my hopes up, they get swept by the likes of San Diego(totally unacceptable), and for God sakes please stop pitching to Ryan Howard.
I will pay attention to the score, but after having your heart broken (at least 5 times I can recall), its like doing the same action and expecting a different result. I wont watch and they will win, If I watch, they will get blown out, and then wonder “why did I even get my hopes up?”
Claudel Washington
September 29th, 2009
1:30 pm
Reid…, please. Let’s not generalize. I do not live on a cul de sac nor do I drive a SUV, nor do I go to Pottery Barn. But I do think your comment is funny. It is obvious that living in the city has its pros and cons. I, however, am not a city guy and choose to live in the burbs. You obviously feel different whch is fine. I find it strange however that you, like most of the folks in east Atlanta HATE everyone who does not live in the city. I would rather dodge SUV’s and soccer moms than dodge criminals, traffic and freaks. I like going to bed every night not having to worry about my truck or my personal belongings.
Pete
September 29th, 2009
1:31 pm
SANFORD, only 1 problem with your perfect weekend……Falcons dont play Sunday lol
Willy
September 29th, 2009
1:32 pm
Get the stadium out of one of the worst ghettos in the nation and you’ll see more people at the games. Some punk threw a hunk of concrete through my passenger-side window as I traveled home from a night game in April. I was two blocks from Turner Field. You take your life in your hands down there. No amount of money or the lure of playoffs will get me back down there. Go Braves!
Ross
September 29th, 2009
1:32 pm
Honestly, I am just scared to say anything because I am afraid to jinx it.
otisnixonsmokescrack
September 29th, 2009
1:34 pm
Let’s see 2 games left to play against a depressed Fish Club… 1-11 w/risp last nite…. And then 4 at home with the Nats? Are u kidding me? That was a major reason the Phillies squeaked pass the Mets in 07/08. We played the Nats at home to close it out. You not only get the Nats, but you get them for 4 games? Come on…. The Rockies will loose 2….At min the Braves get a 1 game play-off for the WC.
Villa Rica DAWG
September 29th, 2009
1:34 pm
Also, do something about the traffic… If you want games sold out during the week you’re gonna have to figure out a way for fans to get from the office to the house to the ball park with their families without it taking 4 hours.
Dave
September 29th, 2009
1:35 pm
C’mon guys…..it’s football season. Baseball season ended at the beginning of September. It’s like this every year. Doesn’t matter if the Braves are in the cellar or the penthouse, baseball season ends when football season begins. Think about it, baseball is the only game you can follow without paying attention. Football is the 800 lb gorilla that sets the tone. Now sit down, shut up and pass me a beer. The game is about to start.
edward
September 29th, 2009
1:36 pm
If I could I would be there. Unfortunately I live in PITTSburgh where they just set a record of another kind. As a native Georgian, I understand the fan base. I’ve been a fan since 1978…That’s a lot of losing years. The run was amazing and i went as much as possible when I lived back home. The best thing for me was to watch them on tv. Now even that is taken away from me. All ESPN shows are the stupid Yanks-Sox games like everyone in the world cares about them. TBS is a joke now and I obviously don’t get peachtv. When i can, I listen to the radio show from Macon on the computer.
Not everyone is ignoring the Braves on this improbable late run!! GO BRAVES!!
Joe Fan
September 29th, 2009
1:37 pm
The Braves are an entertainment product and as such compete for the time and disposable income of people. Really the outcome of the game is meaningless in the overall scheme of things. Plus, television has made it so much easier to watch a game without paying for tickets, parking and food. Plus on a work day a “fan” can get in bed well before midnight. Also, don’t forget when comparing the attendance in Atlanta to NY, or Boston there is a bigger fan base from which to draw in those cities. Look at seasonal attendance and I bet you find that Braves total attendace represnts a larger percenatge of the surrounding population than does NY or Boston. Further, columnists and others don’t need to judge how teams in Atlanta are supported. Quit telling people they are our teams when they really aren’t “our” teams until we have a financial interest in how they perform.
Northern Songs, Ltd.
September 29th, 2009
1:38 pm
Worst. Baseball. Fans. In. America.
submariner
September 29th, 2009
1:38 pm
Braves fans are spoiled from the hay day in the 90’s and are tired of being let down over and over and over………..14 division titles doesn’t mean squat. 1 WS title in that run is awful…Bottom Line: Fans aren’t going to come out because they know, in their heart of hearts, that what ever Braves team is on the field, they will always let them down. No fire! No killer instinct! No flash! Just the same ole thing “Business like”. This is a sport! A battle of the will! Fans want a team to show some emotion! Some get in your team mate’s face when he makes a mistake! Not “He had a bad day today, we’ll get ‘em next time.” Where were they when the division was wide open for the taking. Complete domination from start to finish is what ATL fans want from their team.
Chris
September 29th, 2009
1:40 pm
We just wanted the Marlin to fell right at home…you know playing with no one watching.
submariner
September 29th, 2009
1:43 pm
……….and ther’s no excuse for not dominating from start to finish with a pitching staff that most teams would sell their first born to have!
Bob
September 29th, 2009
1:43 pm
Enter your comments here
Go Braves… You CAN do it! Right now… the best team in baseball
Randy J.
September 29th, 2009
1:43 pm
I live in the Dominican Republic, I wish i live in Atlanta, Im still supporting the team From here, Go Bravess
Raulito
September 29th, 2009
1:44 pm
C’mon Braves fans go to the game . the team needs support.I miss the 91′ atlanta crowd. I read some posts about being too afraid to watch or they’ll fail as they always do…who cares…this is classic baseball history we are watching night in and night out by the bravos. Go to the game and enjoy the game…win or lose…enjoy the moment we know nothing about the future.. . If they’ll make it to the playoffs I’ll travel to watch a couple of games. Go braves, Raul from Isla Verde, Puerto Rico…I believe
southern hope
September 29th, 2009
1:47 pm
This is just me but I don’t go to more than 2 or 3 games a year because I literally can’t handle the stress. When I went to the Marlins series here last month, I had to keep leaving my seat & going to the restroom. And not because I needed the facilities but because I was too nervous to keep watching & I wanted to listen to Don Sutton instead (he’s broadcast over the speakers in the women’s restroom. LOL. )
But the Braves have a huge fan in me….my friends think I am a Braves nut. I just don’t go to the game.