Tip of the Cap

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2026 National League Division Series last night. They defeated the Atlanta Braves to advance.

No snark here today. I told you what I thought of the Dodgers' advantages earlier in the summer. 

In this series, they made the plays they needed to make. Had a few more timely hits; slightly better pitching.  And in postseason baseball, doing the little things cleaner, better and more efficiently usually translates into victory.

So, a tip of the cap to them for winning the series.

But mostly, today, I wanted to tip my cap to my team. Last night, the Braves lost. Sure. They were eliminated from postseason play. Season over.

But, over the course of the last six months, they gave me, my friends and family and all the fans throughout Braves Country many hours of entertainment and enjoyment. They won their division; they won their first round playoff series last week vs. Philadelphia. 

The 2026 season had a full and rich highlight reel.

We all knew the Dodgers would be a tough draw. The Braves needed to play a near-perfect series and have a few breaks go their way. Sorry to say, it didn't work out that way.

Some years ago, I read a quote from former NFL QB Steve Young. Paraphased: A season ends in either a championship or train wreck. He's so right.

This morning, that feeling is raw and real. 

Of all sports teams, the Atlanta Braves have become my favorite sports team. There is no close second. And, it's going to be nearly six months until they are scheduled to play again. 

We'll miss them.

One of the melancholy realities about the end of a modern sports season is that you know the team will have a different look when next season begins. No matter what happens, there will be changes to the roster. Trades. Upgrades. Free agent departures.

I am hoping the Braves' brass will be more aggressive and make the needed upgrades they didn't make last offseason or at the MLB trade deadline in August.

But those are in-depth discussions for a later time.

For now, it's time to celebrate the season - and a great season it was.  And it is also time to take a moment to appreciate some of the big hits, great plays and highlights of a successful season and the staff, players and coaches that made it all possible.

Let it Fly.

JG