A good read for Braves fans...

[CarMike]

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/9122609.htm

Also, the Braves win. They finished last in 1990. In 1991, they advanced to the World Series and have not been out of the playoffs since.

They reached the National League Championship Series eight straight seasons beginning in 1991, and five times made the World Series. Of course, they won the championship only once.

If you support a particular team, would you prefer that it win a championship and then go away for five or 10 seasons? Or would you rather have it win one championship and every season move into position to win another?

I'll take the latter. Your team will break your heart, but at least it won't dump you in the middle of summer. A team that always is in it always has a chance to win it. The Braves offer hope, although to excite Atlanta, they'd have to change their name to the Bulldogs and grow a hedge around the field.

[Gibbskin]

I'll also take the latter. My bravos may not give me a whole lot of pleasure in October but they get me through the summer with some really exciting baseball. They give me hope year in and year out and as a fan I really can't ask any more than that. If it wasn't for my bravos I don't know what I would do in the summer. Football and college basketball offseason is just to long, the braves are just what the doctor ordered. So they may not win it all in October but they at least hold me over until the redskins and tarheels start back up. I'm not saying I love one team more than the other but you get my drift.

Btw, while we are on the subject of the bravos. Are they on fire or what? 14-3 in their last 17 games and they have pulled to within 1 game of first. WOW, what an amazing run they have been on and now they get Giles back. This could be a fun second half. Go Braves!!!

[IowaSkinsFan]

Also, a big win over the Phils today. They head into the break only a game out of first.

[rskinsfan10]

I'm of the mindset that I would prefer one title and contention every year over a lapse of competiveness. I remember the lean years. They were dreadful and I don't want to revisit them.

[NCskinsfanatic]

I agree with Kenny. I remember the days of Murphy and Horner and a hundred losses each year instead of wins. I'll take the competetive team that we now field...... year in and year out. Just wish they would stop cutting payroll every year so we could make another strong run.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I'm of the mindset that I would prefer one title and contention every year over a lapse of competiveness. I remember the lean years. They were dreadful and I don't want to revisit them.

I agree. Why wouldn't you want to be in the chase every year, even if it only produced 1 title. You at least have a chance for the big one if you make it to the dance. Can't take the trophy home if you don't leave the front door.