I wrote the following piece in 2019, the day after the Braves collapsed in the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ben was only 9; Evangeline was 6. We had no idea that we were only two years away from a World Series title, so the loss felt like just another postseason misfire and maybe our permanent heritage. When I look back at this piece, I’m grateful for the lesson my mother taught me the night the Braves lost the 91 World Series and the enduring sense of community through sports fandom she shared. Even now, our phone calls are bracketed by talk about the current status of the Braves or Dawgs. Now, almost five years later, both of my children are athletes and both have tasted the good and the bad of being a sports fan.
Such a thoughtful piece, Joe. Thanks for sharing