October 25, 2021
1. First, before anything else, a beautiful autumn baseball photo
The field at Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) looks awfully pretty this time of year.
2. The Braves beat the Dodgers to win the N.L. pennant, and the legend of Eddie Rosario grows
It’s been twenty-two years since the Braves have made it, and now they’re back. The World Series.
Here was the moment it happened, in case you missed it (or would like to see it again) — a brilliant play at shortstop by Dansby Swanson, and the Braves win Game 6 in Atlanta:
And here, earlier in the game, was the winning hit — two strikes, two outs, and clutch a three-run HR down the line, by the man: Eddie Rosario.
He’s only been on the team a few months, most casual Braves fans had probably never heard of him until two weeks ago, but it might just be time to build the guy a statue outside Truist Park.
3. Highlights from the postgame celebration
October. Joctober. Wintober. Winetober.
Even the mascot got in on the fun, a-splishing and a-splashing in the fountains in center field, as all of Braves nation partied like it’s 1999.
4. Highlights from the rest of Game 6
There was the Eddie Rosario home run, and then there was the other hero for Atlanta, the bullpen. Tyler Matzek coming in and getting six couldn’t be more important outs, rescuing the Braves from a huge jam in the top of the seventh that could’ve gone south in an instant.
Runners on second and third, no outs, a shrinking lead that was down to just two runs — and then he comes in and saves the season.
Then there was AJ Minter, getting the Braves through the middle innings (after a very solid start by Ian Anderson, too, that we’d be remiss not to mention).
And here they were after the game:
And so, the Braves win it. 4–2 over the Dodgers, at home in Atlanta. The first time in the World Series since 1999, with a chance to win it for the first time since ’95. Time to party at the Waffle House.
5. The World Series starts tomorrow night in Houston
Astros vs. Braves. The match-up just about no one expected, and with maybe the most unanimous rooting interest in baseball history.
The starters for Game 1: Valdez vs. Morton
6. The typical 8:08 pm ET start will instead be 8:09
Exactly a minute later from the usual postseason start time this year, for no apparent reason at all — and check out Game 5 getting rebellious:
7. The World Series comes full circle with Dusty Baker
He’s back managing in the World Series for the second time, since losing with the Giants in a heartbreaker in 2002, and here’s a good piece on his baseball journey — starting as a rookie with the Braves way back in 1968 (including a debut game that was against, who else, the Astros):
8. The Braves had a fashion show today before heading to Houston
That’s how you spend an off day.
9. Reactions and interviews from the Dodgers, after the Game 6 loss
A great, great season, and a potentially sad offseason for Dodger fans, as a slew of key guys on the roster become free agents.
Here were some of the players after the game:
10. Offseason news and updates from around the league
The Cardinals have a new (and very young) manager, an internal promotion of a guy who’s been a coach in the organization since 2011.
And the beloved Ken Griffey Jr. becomes part-owner of the Mariners:
11. Alfonso Soriano donated an ambulance with his face on it
A nice gesture, to be sure, but the face — really?
12. And lastly, the Halloween costume of the year: Lance Lynn
The early leader, with a week still to go.
