ATLANTA — This has been one of the disappointing seasons the Braves have had over the previous few many years. However with the baseball world watching over the previous few days, the Atlanta followers nonetheless proved to be fairly enthusiastic as they showered their favourite gamers with love.
It was actually a novel expertise for every of the Braves’ All-Stars — Acuña, Matt Olson and Chris Sale. Not solely did they get the prospect to play of their residence park as Atlanta hosted its first All-Star Sport since 2000, however the hometown favorites may say they have been a part of the primary Midsummer Traditional that ended with a house run-hitting tiebreaker.
“It was enjoyable,” Olson mentioned. “Hopefully, the followers thought the identical.”
With the sport tied, 6-6, via 9 innings, a brand new tiebreaker course of was put in place during which three hitters from every league have been chosen to take three swings every. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber homered with every of his three swings, and the NL received the swing-off, 4-3.
The hometown crowd booed when it was discovered Olson wasn’t going to be one of many three NL gamers used within the tiebreaker. However Olson mentioned he didn’t essentially thoughts, given he had taken a bunch of swings throughout Monday evening’s Dwelling Run Derby.
“Possibly my obliques proper now are thanking me,” Olson mentioned.
This was an extremely particular few days for Olson, a lifetime Atlanta resident who attended the 2000 Dwelling Run Derby after which simply occurred to take part within the subsequent one staged in his hometown. The rousing ovation he acquired earlier than that occasion was even higher than the robust one he and Chris Sale acquired as they have been introduced with the NL reserves earlier than Tuesday’s sport.
Followers additionally confirmed Max Fried love as he wore his Yankees uniform and skilled his first All-Star Sport since ending his nice Braves tenure this previous winter. And Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman needed to battle again some tears as he did an in-stadium interview earlier than the primary pitch. Freeman was serenaded with the FRED-dee, FRED-dee chants that repeatedly rang all through this similar stadium earlier than his Atlanta tenure ended with the 2021 World Sequence title.
“I believe that’s simply the followers that we’ve got right here,” Olson mentioned. “They recognize Braves gamers and so they recognize good baseball.”
These followers positively appreciated Acuña, who heard a roar when his title was introduced throughout pregame introductions. A short while later, he tallied an infield single and scored from first base on Ketel Marte’s double to the right-field nook.
“For me, it’s a privilege to placed on this Braves uniform,” Acuña mentioned. “I’d love to do it for the remainder of my profession.”
Olson’s All-Star Sport expertise was highlighted by a run-saving cease he made on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. scorching shot simply earlier than the AL tied the sport within the ninth. He struck out wanting in his solely plate look.
Now, the Braves will sit up for what the second half would possibly deliver. However even with the group 11 video games underneath .500 and down 4 beginning pitchers with 67 video games remaining, Olson hasn’t misplaced hope.
“We consider that individuals are going to attempt to rely us out instantly,” Olson mentioned. “We have opened that door for individuals to say that. However we’ve received expanded playoffs and all you’ve received to do is get upfront and see what occurs.”
