Braves to receive soft-serve ice cream machine for series win over Mets

The Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Mets 3-2 on Thursday night to take three-of-four games in what could prove to be a pivotal series for both National League East clubs. Following that result, the second-place Braves began Friday trailing the first-place Mets by three-and-a-half games in the standings. 

It appears the Braves had some extra motivation for downing the Amazins during the midweek encounters. 

As Ryan Dunleavy noted for the New York Post, then-Braves player Freddie Freeman asked club general manager and president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos for a soft-serve ice cream machine in the clubhouse in June 2021. Anthopoulos ultimately obliged, and the Braves famously went on to win the World Series. 

The experience wasn't lost on Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud. 

"When I was in Miami [for a recent Braves-Marlins series], Travis d'Arnaud came up to me and said, 'Can we get another soft-serve ice cream machine in the clubhouse? I said, 'If you guys win three out of four against the Mets, the ice cream machine is back!' These guys were so fired up after we won the first two," Anthopoulos explained during an appearance on Atlanta sports radio station 92.9 The Game. 

"Whatever works, right? I don’t know what those things cost, but it’s worth the wins," Anthopoulos added during his comments. 

One wonders if Anthopoulos won't secretly regret waiting so long to go back to the ice cream if the Braves earn at least the division crown this fall. After all, people don't call the city "Hot-lanta" for nothing.