A Brief History of My Braves Fandom

The year was 1991. The worst-to-first Atlanta Braves have just won the division for the first time since 1982, the year I was born. The Atlanta Braves team that I knew had always lost more than they won. Usually they lost many more than they won. In 1987, my first year watching the Braves, they went 69-92. In '88, 54-106. During that time my favorite players were Dale Murphy, obviously. Catcher Bruce Benedict, Ron Gant, and Gerald Perry. I also like that guy they called "Smoltzie." In 1989 they went 63-97. This team was horrid. Still my dad and I watched as many games as we could on the TBS Superstation. I remember watching guys like second baseman Mark Lemke, outfielder Odibe McDowell, Gerald Perry, and Jeff Treadway. I loved when the Braves visited the West Coast. Mainly because it meant I could stay up late and watch my team until 1 AM. Looking back I realize that I was lucky to be able to do that, as I was only eight years-old. But I digress. I remember watchi...