Braves.Today.Com

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Today is a huge day in Georgia sports. It’s Good Old Fashioned Hate Day.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech brings out the best – or in some cases, the worst – in the Georgia sports fan. It’s a rivalry that stokes the fires and boils the blood like no other.

In the spirit of today’s Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, not to mention the fact there is little news surrounding the Atlanta Braves as we embark into this holiday weekend, I thought it’d be fun to look at the rivals that get Braves Nation all riled up:

Braves vs. Dodgers: This is more historical in nature. Remember 1982, when the Braves ran out to 13 straight victories to start the season, then backslid into second place with a 2-19 stretch in late summer? The Dodgers were the chief competition then, and nine years later, Darryl Strawberry’s famous announcement that he wasn’t worried about the upstart Braves launched this rivalry to a whole new level.

Braves vs. Cubs: Ted Lilly and his tendency to throw fastballs at Braves’ hitters’ heads, not to mention the fact annoying Cubs fans make their presence more than known at Turner Field, has pushed this rivalry to the forefront. Atlanta swept the Cubs in the 1998 NLDS; the Cubs topped the Braves five years later.

Braves vs. Phillies: It’s not a rivalry if one team dominates the other, and let’s face it … the Braves might as well call the Phils “Daddy” for the way Philly has whipped Atlanta the past two years. Getting beat nine out of nine times at home this season only adds fuel to this fire.

Last, but not least …

Braves vs. Mets: Playoff matchups, John Rocker, chants of “Larry” at old Shea Stadium … good stuff indeed. Nothing ticks off Braves Nation more than the mere sight of David Wright, Carlos Beltran and the Amazin’s. The highlight of the horrid Braves 2008 season had to be a four-game sweep of the Mets in late May at Turner Field, a stretch that helped cost Willie Randolph his job.

Even though the Braves missed the playoffs the past three years, the fact the Mets lost in the 2006 NLCS, then choked away leads in the NL East in the closing days of 2007 and 2008 put a smile on the face of Braves Nation.

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