The Braves had an Unexpectedly Good Season

Three weeks ago, I was preparing a bath for my two-and-a-half year-old toddler. She looks forward to baths now because of the bubbles. The night before, I let her put an empty bubble bath bottle in the tub. But this night, she grabbed a full bottle and poured it into the tub. Her mother, who wouldn’t tell me how much organic bubble bath costs, was unimpressed.

Something else happened that night. The baby, who largely resisted being rubbed with soap, started to take the bubbles and bathe herself. There was no fighting with the wash rag. I only watched. She washes herself every night now. She is becoming less and less a baby or a toddler, but a growing-up little girl. She talks, walks, counts, and plays jokes like a big girl.

Unfortunately tonight for all of us, the Braves poured something in our cups, and it wasn’t soap. This was embarrassing, right in line with many other Georgia sports blunders. And we are left with five months to wash it away. But before we all do that, let’s remember the accomplishments of this regular season:

• Winning 97 games when they were predicted to win 83 or so
• Winning the NL East going away
• Ronald Acuña Jr. coming within 3 SBs of 40/40
• Going out into the trade market in July and found the correct bullpen help, turning a weakness into a strength.
• This:

• And this:

I am learning to find the upside in all things. This was awful. But the Braves will find the good in this particular thing and come back. Hopefully.

Trust me, there will be plenty of time to roast the Braves. This is your invitation to share your favorite 2019 Braves moment or accomplishment. Please join us.