I'm a Diehard Atlanta Braves Fan. Does That Make Me a Jerk?

I was born in Atlanta in late 1983, where, for the past two decades, the local baseball team had been one of the most hopeless in the country. Then a funny thing happened when I was 7: the Braves went from worst to first, narrowly lost one of the most hard-fought World Series of all time, and stayed in first place for the next decade and a half. Thanks to TBS, a cable network that didn't have much programming other than Braves games, Bond marathons, and repeats of Bloodsport and Enter the Dragon, the Braves gathered fans in every corner of the country that didn't already have a team.

Then they stayed atop the NL East for more than a decade, overstayed their welcome, and became known for playoff futility and the Tomahawk Chop, a stupid racist gimmick plagiarized from FSU. Finally, they stopped winning, and I have to learn how to root for a team that isn't the best any more.

I didn't start to love the Braves just because they won, but they started to win right around the time I started to love them. They weren't Hollywood like the Dallas Cowboys, the other America's Team -- Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz were great competitors and lovely guys, but they weren't supermodels. Instead, they were solid and professional, and a bit intentionally bland. Then came the end of their unprecedented streak of postseason appearances, and their point of national interest ended with it. The Braves went back into the rank and file, kicked to the middle of the pack in SportsCenter highlights, pundit predictions, and feature article puff pieces. I want my team's 15 minutes of fame back. How loudly can I root for the old overdogs to get back on top without sounding like a jerk?

I know there's a line somewhere, because by definition Yankees fans are across it. New York Yankees fans, if they're self-aware -- and may they have all my neuroses and then some -- understand the low sacrifice and low moral stakes involved in rooting for the richest team in the game, for rooting for Ivan Drago to beat Apollo Creed. No one wins a moral victory in high school by blowing out the other team. There's a purity in defeat, just as there's a bullseye attached to every championship ring. For almost 20 years, I loved my team through thick; now that my team's suffering, I finally can prove my loyalty by loving them through thin. But I don't want a moral victory. To hell with close competition and a well-fought match; I want all the other bums in the cellar, and I want my guys to lap the field.

The Boston Red Sox did that last October, and their fans are learning the collateral joys of being insufferable. By spending a few well-placed dollars wisely, the Red Sox recently traded futility for dynasty in a matter of 36 months. Now, replica Cheers bars and college campuses are filled with poser bandwagon fans, outnumbering true bleeders by as many as green-hatted drunks outnumber Irish Catholics on St. Patrick's Day. I admit I envy their success. I hate that they're better and more popular than we are, and I hate that I have no right to complain.

Two years without playoff baseball in Atlanta (and TBS's decision to stop showing Braves games) have had the opposite effect -- our fans are so famously fairweather that we rarely sold out playoff games by the end of our run. If you find someone who can name a Brave other than Smoltz, Glavine, or Chipper Jones, odds are they're the genuine article. (It's an even easier guess these days, because fans of the Falcons and Hawks are rarer than a six-leaf clover.)

Sports metaphors are among the most potent images in our culture, used to describe everything from politics to religion to war. Winning a game takes on a much deeper significance when it's clear that everyone from God to the American President is on someone's side, especially if they're rooting against you. When I cheer on the Braves, it means I want them to continue having more than their share of success, and if it means I have to give up the moral high ground, so be it. It's American to want to win, and it's American to bray obnoxiously in celebration. I know there's a line somewhere. I just hope I haven't crossed it yet.

Comments

[GonzoFactor]

"I'm a Diehard Atlanta Braves Fan. Does That Make Me a Jerk?"

No. But that doesn't mean there can't be other reasons.

[AlexRemington]

A completely fair point. I hope I'm not for other reasons either.

[philinburb]

If you fans got rid of that stupid tomahawk chop, maybe the rest of the country would like you just a little better.

[sssteverrr]

No. In my decidedly unpopular opinion it makes you a fool. Any grown man who has an interest in watching men, many of whom may not be able to spell their names, play silly games while taking drugs to enhance their performance is a fool. I know, I'm a jerk and all alone, but there must be SOMETHING better to do with your time.

[AlexRemington]

"Watching men, many of whom may not be able to spell their names, play silly games while taking drugs to enhance their performance" -- this could probably also be applied to Hollywood.

[sssteverrr]

No, they can spell their name for sure.

[RowdyFan51]

Just because you're a Braves fan doesn't make you a jerk. And that's coming from a Phillies fan who's been into the baseball scene just as long as you've been into the Braves'.

You admit that your team is doing poorly, but you still support them.

The Phillies hit 10,000 losses on July 15th of last year (I remember this because it's my birthday and I was at the game) and as Phils fans, most of us embraced it and wear that as a badge. We've been around for 120 years, have been horrible for most of that time, but we stick by our team. Thick and thin. And for us, it's been more thin than thick.

I have to admit, AS a Phillies fan I'm taking a lot of enjoyment out of the Braves lackluster years, but it's only fair. Dealing with the anit-fans is a part of being on top. I just hope to hell one day I get to know what it feels like. ;)

[angstall]

Of course you're not a jerk, Alex! As an Atlanta native currently living in Canada, I can say Braves games are one of the things I miss terribly. However, you missed a lot being born in 1983 (I was born in 1970). Ted Turner, for all his bombast, was entertaining as hell as the owner. And Phil Neikro was my very favorite player. Look at the man! He looked like someone's Dad at a PTA conference. If there was a muscle on him, I never saw it :) And Dale Murphy who, God bless him was a great man but broke my heart routinely with his strikeout tendencies. The Braves sucked so bad for so long that you couldn't GIVE away tickets. We earned our stripes and we deserve to celebrate them. Fans did take them for granted after a while, and I often wished for more spunk and passion in their play (I blame Bobby for that) but 1995 was sweet. My only regret is that it happened after the strike, which soured it just a little bit.

Atlanta has potential to be a great sports town but the Hawks have been terribly managed and now doesn't Time Warner own half the franchises? And don't get me started on Michael Vick. . .

[AlexRemington]

Actually, I'm not sure Time Warner owns any of them anymore. Arthur Blank owns the Falcons and Liberty Media (they own Starz and QVC) owns the Braves. The Hawks and Thrashers are owned by a group called Atlanta Spirit, LLC that has Steve Belkin as largest shareholder. I think Blank's a good owner who got blindsided by the Michael Vick thing, but you're right about the Hawks.

In my view, the Braves' success is very largely attributable to an extraordinarily competent front office and upper management that has been able very effectively to promulgate a culture of boring professionalism. Manny Ramirez may not have been able to stay in Atlanta if he insisted on being allowed to leave the team whenever he liked and on being allowed to break club rules whenever he felt like it, but Gary Sheffield and J.D. Drew were model citizens during their time in Atlanta. I think players are willing to put up with a lot if they realize they're on a team that's going to the playoffs, because everyone likes to win, and can be motivated to act selflessly in pursuit of that selfish aim.

I really hope we go back to the playoffs this year.

[3fingerbrown]

Can't believe I've read this far and the name Bobby Cox hasn't come up yet.

He's easily the best manager in the NL and perhaps the best anywhere. He and his coaching staff are major reasons for the Braves' success. Cherish him while you still have him, and forgive the chronic nose-picking on the bench. You watch: He'll keep the Brave close in the NL East this year, maybe even find a way to win it.

As for your extraordinarily competent front office, they should take a bow for somehow stocking their organization with fine prospects despite winning the division for all those years in a row. Even though their best minor league outfielder was recently busted for 50 games for HGH, the Braves system should be solid at all levels this year.

[stupidme]

Sorry dude, but Atlanta is one sorry sports town. As you point out, save the '95 world series, the Braves have only been "successful." Some of the problem can be attributed to transplants who relocate to Atlanta with allegiances to other teams already in tow, but all in all, unless it's SEC football, there is no real demand for the home team to win, as in other markets. And then there is the subtle "correctness" that the Braves require of it's players. For example, could you ever imagine a player like Manny Ramirez playing in Atlanta? Not in a million years. And, yes, that fucking "Chop" is annoying. Even if you can muster up any interest in the Braves, that Chop is a real deal breaker. But, the white people and their kids from the 'burbs" like it. And then there's the Falcons, with the meddling Arthur Blank. No, if you live in Atlanta, just enjoy college and high school sports. Leave that professional stuff to " The Pros." Sorry!

[NYRalf]

As a Mets fan, I relish the Braves current mediocrity.

[AlexRemington]

You're absolutely entitled. I chortled with glee last year when you guys choked.

[SevereTireDamage]

yep.

Sorry, man, but you asked.

[AlexRemington]

Hey, honesty is the best policy.