Braves Win 1st World Series Since 1995

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series to win their first championship since 1995.

Max Fried, Tyler Matzek and Will Smith combined on a 6-hit shutout. Jorge Soler hit a monstrous 3-run HR over the Crawford Boxes in Minute Maid Park to give the Braves a 3-0 lead in the 3rd. Shortstop Dansby Swanson slammed a 2-run HR in the 5th to give the Braves a 5-0 lead. Freddie Freeman added a double in the 5th to make it 6-0 and then followed with a solo HR in the 7th. Soler would earn 2021 World Series MVP honors going 6 for 20 with 3 HR and 6 RBIs. Not only did Soler homer tonight, but he homered on the third pitch of the Series in Game 1 and hit the game winning HR in Game 4. Not bad for a guy who hit .192 for the Kansas City Royals this season.

It is a remarkable reversal of fortune for a team which 3 months ago today had a 52-55 record and were in third place in the NL East five games back of the New York Mets. Their front office led by GM Alex Anthopoulos added key players like Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Joc Pederson which softened the absence of Ronald Acuna, Jr. due to injury and Marcell Ozuna's legal troubles. It also didn't hurt they had the unflappable Brian Snitker in the dugout. The Braves went 36-18 the rest of the way and overcame the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and now the Astros. 

As for the Astros, the only one in that dugout I feel sorry for is Dusty Baker. That first World Series title still eludes him and it very much remains to be seen if the Astros will bring him back next year. 

I would be remiss that under a different set of circumstances I might have been celebrating this World Series title in person. But truth be told I couldn't get into the Braves when I was down there and, if I had, I would have been a Johnny Come Lately. Besides, Truist Park isn't Fenway Park. Cobb County was far enough from Midtown Atlanta. Truist Park might as well have been in Tennessee. 

Still, I'm glad Atlanta will be getting a World Series parade and will have something to celebrate.