Isosceles Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 All right, so I can see retiring Bobby's jersey number, giving him his gold cadillac, and finally sending him on off. I can live with that.But all this reuniting and fanfare over the '91 team is just a wee bit trifling to me.Here's why:They're in essence celebrating something that did not happen. Almost. But it didn't happen ... the '91 World Series title.They're in essence celebrating a second place team of 20 years ago. And dang proud of it at that!They're still living in the past. I remember it all. Saw every minute of every game. And was as happy as the happiest amongst us as the Series progressed, and as torn as the most torn after the final out for Minnesota. {correction: first and only run for the Twins}But the Braves' future is NOW! Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about that 1991 team all the time. In the same vein, how many times must we hear about Wohler's fateful pitch to Leyritz (MW was on 790 this morning talking about it), again and again?Don't you all chew me up now. I'm just venting ok?I do understand the aura surrounding the city and the uplifting that occurred given that the team had been worst the previous year. But it was sort of like a new starting point. And championships matter most now.It seems like '91 was, and still is, BIGGER than '95. :wacko: But I wonder if other major sports cities continually paint so much glamour around their teams from the past that PLAYED for a championship but did not win it. ? ? ?Like the Bengals, the Ariz. Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills, etc.Thanks in advance for your thoughts.J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 But I wonder if other major sports cities continually paint so much glamour around their teams from the past that PLAYED for a championship but did not win it. ? ? ?Like the Bengals, the Ariz. Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills, etc.Just my thoughts... I don't care what other cities do. The 1991 team was special to this town, and there's nothing wrong with celebrating them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonFalcon Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't see anything wrong with celebrating a team that went from worst to first and was the foundation of the dominance over the next 13 years...including the '95 WS win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtybyrdGA Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 So when does Smoltz get his number retired? They can only retire one per year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gritzblitz 2.0 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 The '91 season was significant because it was signified the complete turnaround of the franchise. Before then, the Atlanta Braves were regarded is one of the most poorly run franchises in professional sports. Now it's almost a model of how a sport team should be run.'91 was an epiphany that changed how the world viewed the franchise. I don't see a problem with commemorating that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmite Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 The 91 team was truly a time when the whole city got swept into it. Not only did they make it to the World Series, but it was one of the best, if not the best, World Series played in a long time. The only one since then that I remember (besides the 95 Braves one for obvious reasons) is the Diamondbacks vs. Yankees one. It was also before the strike, when MLB was riding high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmite Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 The '91 season was significant because it was signified the complete turnaround of the franchise. Before then, the Atlanta Braves were regarded is one of the most poorly run franchises in professional sports. Now it's almost a model of how a sport team should be run.'91 was an epiphany that changed how the world viewed the franchise. I don't see a problem with commemorating that.Kind of how 2008 will be remembered for the Falcons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isosceles Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't see anything wrong with celebrating a team that went from worst to first and was the foundation of the dominance over the next 13 years...including the '95 WS win.mobile, I too have no problem with them celebrating it, just not in the way they're doing it. A great big public brouhaha before a real game smack in the middle of a division race and wild card race. I think their celebration should be amongst the alumni team players plus whichever fans want to go. So let them do it in some great big hotel ballroom.As it is, that '91 team is being thrown in our faces and we're supposed to feel all high and mighty again because we went to the World Series but lost.J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonFalcon Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 They are probably trying to ignite some kind of fire under this year's team to propel them ahead of the Phillies.There also has to be some significance to this date in Braves history as to why they would pick it for such a celebration. Maybe this was the day the first went into first. I can't remember, I was 11 then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLBrave Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 This is a celebration for our long-time manager, it just happens to be the 20th anniversary of Bobby's great run..his hall of fame run. Seriously, is there nothing else to ***** about? Like someone else said, '91 marked the turn around of this Atlanta franchise, and outside of the '95 world series (which has no significant anniversary this year) was probably the most important team of this franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 mobile, I too have no problem with them celebrating it, just not in the way they're doing it. A great big public brouhaha before a real game smack in the middle of a division race and wild card race. I think their celebration should be amongst the alumni team players plus whichever fans want to go. So let them do it in some great big hotel ballroom.Keep in mind this is as much about marketing as it is about nostalgia. Fannies in the seats is a Good Thing.As it is, that '91 team is being thrown in our faces and we're supposed to feel all high and mighty again because we went to the World Series but lost.There is absolutely no shame in the 1991 World Series. The Braves took a talented, veteran-laden team to the 10th inning of game 7 in what is arguably the best World Series ever. It's a whole lot different than then, say, '96 when we should have won it but didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.C. Collins Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) Again, no matter what happens, someone in this forum has to find a reason to ***** about it.The 91' team set the table for the next decade plus of Braves baseball and is significant for that reason because it was the year this franchise truly turned the corner into an annual contender. This is also the 20th anniversary...If you cannot see the significance in that then, oh well. Edited August 12, 2011 by R.C. Collins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.C. Collins Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 As it is, that '91 team is being thrown in our faces and we're supposed to feel all high and mighty again because we went to the World Series but lost.That is not even remotely what is happening. Nothing is getting thrown in your face. Nice hyperbole.If it bothers you that much do something else, but a lot of fans like and appreciate celebrating a franchises history, Especially when before then there was really nothing at all to celebrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisfromLouisiana Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 I started following the Braves as soon as I got cable tv back in the Phil Niekro and Dale Murphy days, as they were one of the few teams whose games were almost always televised back in the early to mid 80's. I watched the games whenever my schedule allowed, regardless of how poorly the team played, as they did in 1990. So, when 1991 rolled around, expectations were not very high. As the season progressed, however, it started to become apparent that something special was happening...and one of the best announcing moments of all time was when Skip Caray said "from worst to first!" I remember thinking that as the Braves pregressed through the playoffs that for the first time ever, I was watching baseball's postseason with the team that I followed in it. When they pushed the Twins to the limit in the WS, but fell just a hair short, of course I was disappointed, but the team (and Bobby Cox)still accomplished a great deal that should be recognized...so yes, the commemoration was well-deserved and justified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal Line D Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Through the eyes of a 12 year old, 1991 was the most memorable baseball season I have ever seen. 1995 was the icing on the cake but to me 1991 was the greatest Braves season ever and it should be celebrated.Greatest World Series of all time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isosceles Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Through the eyes of a 12 year old, 1991 was the most memorable baseball season I have ever seen. 1995 was the icing on the cake but to me 1991 was the greatest Braves season ever and it should be celebrated.Greatest World Series of all time!Ok ok. I asked for your feelings and you certainly gave them. Thank you.I didn't think I was b*tching about it. But if that's how you take it, oh well.Just saying it is constantly brought up and has been for the last several years.So now I'll leave the subject alone.J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisfromLouisiana Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Ok ok. I asked for your feelings and you certainly gave them. Thank you.I didn't think I was b*tching about it. But if that's how you take it, oh well.Just saying it is constantly brought up and has been for the last several years.So now I'll leave the subject alone.JI don't think you were b*itching about it, Joe...reasonable people are entitled to disagree about things like this...and since you certainly are entitled to feel the way you do, I respect your point of view on the issue....and as far as looking forward to the future, I certainly do hope for good things in the future from the Braves as well as you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 So when does Smoltz get his number retired? They can only retire one per year?Yep. Next year would have to be his year. And then the table will be set for Chipper to be next after that.Keep in mind this is as much about marketing as it is about nostalgia. Fannies in the seats is a Good Thing.There is absolutely no shame in the 1991 World Series. The Braves took a talented, veteran-laden team to the 10th inning of game 7 in what is arguably the best World Series ever. It's a whole lot different than then, say, '96 when we should have won it but didn't.Yep. Even though the Twins were in last in the AL in 1990 and went to first they had just won the WS in 1987 with basically most of the same team.Also the 1995 team will have it's day in the sun in a few years when it's the 20th year of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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