So it's Braves/Astros for all the waffles in the 117th edition of the World Series.
It means seven games of "I don't want the cheaters to win."
Seven editions of trash can references.
Seven times the whining about the Tomahawk Chop.
Seven instances of references to low IQs and other Southern stereotypes.
Huh. Funny how stereotypes are OK until they're not.
It's OK. I'm here for all of it.
I'm here for the "virtue signaling" over the chop. See, here's the thing about that. Whether right or wrong, the chop will persist because people are funny about being told what to do. The more people (and the media) whine about it, the more Braves fans will keep doing it.
"Oh, wait," Braves fan Colt from Barnesville says. "Y'all don't like when we do the chop? Well, then we'll do it some more! Let's get some more Terrapin beer, y'all!"
Now, you might say that TBS (or Fox, who will broadcast the Series) shouldn't show the chop. Well, sure, OK, no crowd shots. But you'll know they're still doing it. You can hear the droning chant.
Oh and the deliciousness of watching Rob Manfred marching into Atlanta (awkward phrasing, I know) after having taken the All-Star Game from The A in the first place. Imagine if he has to hand the trophy to the Braves at Truist Park? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be amazed, given he has been the gold standard for being booed.
Now, let's go to Houston. Look, we know what they did. There's no way I can excuse it, though I can't buy into "the Yankees would have won the World Series in 2017 if the Astros didn't cheat" stuff. About the only thing I'll sort of buy is that Aaron Judge probably would have been the MVP.
Still, that doesn't produce a title.
No, I haven't personally forgiven any of it but it's also just time to move along. The court of public opinion will generally treat the Astros much like it treats Barry Bonds, etc. That is to say, it happened, but it's looked at with a skeptical eye at best.
Forgive? Meh. Forget? No shot. Obsess over it? It's unhealthy.
To be fair, how can one truly root against Dusty Baker? I mean, I get how in this case, but he was actually the perfect choice to manage the Astros.
There's been much talk of Carlos Correa becoming a Yankee next year, and if Yankees fans can handle that. I saw Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon (Red Sox heroes both) come to New York and have an impact on championship teams. Other enemies have come here (heck, Babe Ruth was once an enemy and that worked out just fine). I think we'll all survive if Correa puts on pinstripes.
So, our largely miserable society, which seems to long for wallowing, will have much to detest. Joe Buck, John Smoltz, A-Rod, Big Papi, the Braves, the Astros, trash cans, tomahawks, social justice, team names, and fan behavior, will all be on full blast.
Oh, yeah, and the actual games will also get discussed.
The winner? Baseball! Talk it all up! Have at it. I'll be making the popcorn to observe all of it.
Another winner? Waffle House! There's a Waffle House in Truist Park (so Bill Plaschke can, well whatever he does). But...Hoston also has plenty of Waffle Houses in the area. So there's plenty to go around!
Who am I rooting for? BASEBALL! A fierce series that might go seven games.
But...you probably don't have a heart if you don't like Freddie Freeman, and Brian Snitker is a baseball lifer who never gave up. I have a soft spot for people like that.
And Atlanta is the home of Waffle House. Which I might have just mentioned above.
I expect the Astros to win which will have me leaning towards the Braves for the drama/underdog factor. Plus it will upset some fans more if the Braves win and, well, yeah, that's fun.
No matter what there will be plenty of outrage.
And maybe a few exhilarating moments of baseball.
I'm ready for the next chapter in the history of the Fall Classic.
May the best team win.
Sort of.
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