Yesterday, September 10, was the anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit in 1991.  I don’t actually recall that event, but the internet does, and my phone tells me that is the case. Oh well, whatever, never mind.

I do recall the Braves’ game on September 10, 1991 (well, I recall it after having looked it up).  Behind Steve Avery, our guys defeated the Giants 4-1.  Avery surrendered only one unearned run in 8.2 innings, and the offense plated 4 on 9 hits—3 of which by Avery himself!  Am I the only one who misses pitchers hitting?  Probably not, since several Braves pitchers over the years have had better hitting stats than the 2025 Braves got from shortstop all year and from LF, CF, and 2B for the first half of this year.

Speaking of shortstops, did you hear our team has a new one?  Last night, Ha-Seong Kim hit a line drive 3-run homer in the 7th inning, overcoming what had been a 1-0 deficit, leading the Braves to a 5-1 victory over the Cubs.  The Braves offense was nonexistent until that point (having been no-hit through 5 innings), but went on to score another run in the 7th on a rbi single by Nacho, and a single in the 8th on yet another home run by Ozzie.

Meanwhile, our box of chocolates, Bryce Elder, was caramel and pecan for the third time in a row.  (Feel free to substitute your own favorite chocolate in a sampler.)  Much like Steve Avery 34 years ago, Elder gave up only one unearned run on the night.  In 7 innings, he struck out 6, gave up 4 hits and no walks.  Elder sometimes has stretches in which his command and movement yield starts like last night’s and the two starts before that.  But as you know he also has games in which he gives up something like 8 runs, which he has done twice within his last ten starts.  There is nothing in a box of chocolates that compares to those games.

Steve Avery from 1991 to 1993 was every bit as good as Glavine and Smoltz.  I’d daresay he was a star on the order of fellow lefthander Kurt Cobain.  Unfortunately for Avery, and tragically for Cobain, 1993 was the last successful year for either.

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There was a lot of discussion in the comments yesterday about what the Braves ought to do this offseason.  I’ve been giving that question some thought myself lately.  Heck, what Braves fan hasn’t?  Imagining what next season might be sure beats thinking about the current season.  “I feel stupid and contagious; Here we are now, entertain us.”

I find myself in agreement with JonathanF, who said: “I’m ready to roll the dice with the team as it appears it will be next year.”  I hate to admit it (don’t want it going to his head), but I find myself in sync with his takes much more often than not. 

It does feels naive to expect that the same team that is headed toward 90 plus losses this year will be a contender next year.  As Rob pointed out, despite the second half resurgence of MHII and Albies, they still had putrid first halves.  Why should you assume that they won’t be as wildly inconsistent next year?  At least with Ozzie, I’m becoming convinced that his broken wrist has finally fully healed, and that awful first half was the product of lingering soreness.  The production we’ve seen lately from him may be sustainable.  As to Harris, I’m with Alex that unless and until he learns to take pitches outside the zone, Michael will always fall short of his outstanding potential.  But even the average of his two halves this year makes him a better center fielder than we are likely to find through trade or free agency.

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Last night’s home run from Kim was the first by any Braves shortstop all year.  JF predicted that the SS homer drought would not last long once he took over.  Dang it, he’s right again.

Many of you remember Rafael Belliard as the Braves shortstop least likely to hit a homer. Raffy did hit the one memorable home run in 1997, after seven seasons of homerless ABs as a semi-regular.  You may recall the name Woody Woodward, who was most famously the GM of the Seattle Mariners in the 1990’s (I don’t know if Woodward wore flannel to work then).  During his playing career, which began with the Braves, he was a middle infielder known for his glove and lack of power. Woodward played a lot of games at short and second base for the Braves in 1966, 67, and 68, until he was traded to the Reds.  He finally hit his one and only big league homer for the Reds in 1970, after over 2000 plate appearances.

But I did see Woody Woodward hit a home run for the Braves organization.  In 1965, Atlanta was the AAA team for the Milwaukee Braves, in the year between the announcement of the move from Milwaukee and the actual move.  Woodward hit a home run for Atlanta that season before he was called up.  I had friends in 6th and 7th grade who disparaged Woodward as a wet noodle swinging banjo hitter.  But I always insisted that I knew there was power in his bat, because I had witnessed it!  Some day he would prove me right and knock one out of the park, and sure enough I was right.  Unfortunately for me, that home run in 1970 came against the Braves, a two run shot off Ron Reed.  Oh well, whatever, never mind.

Seattle visits Atlanta this weekend.  Friday night is grunge night.  If you go, wear your flannel, and make sure to sample the special cocktail they are calling “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”