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Sad Demise And Contraction Of Old School Atlanta Braves Country

By W. M. Lawson

RICHMOND, VA - JULY 23: The Richmond skyline is viewed from across the James River on July 23, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. According to a new study from the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research, Richmond tops the table as America's most content city while New York City is the most unhappy. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - JULY 23: The Richmond skyline is viewed from across the James River on July 23, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. According to a new study from the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research, Richmond tops the table as America's most content city while New York City is the most unhappy. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves (25-15) were once known as “America’s Team”, due to expanded TV coverage area. That is no longer the case. Just look at Richmond, Va. and Gwinnett County.

The feeling around the Atlanta Braves and the City of Atlanta is pretty good these days. That will happen when you are at the quarter mark of the season and have the best record in the National League. So, it may seem anachronistic to nitpick about things at this time. But having recently traveled, something became obvious, and it kind of sucks. Braves Country used to go deep and wide. Now, not so much.

As a Spider from the University of Richmond, I did my graduate work there, one of the best things about living in Richmond, Va. was the ability to go see the Richmond Braves live. Growing up in Atlanta, we always heard of these players who were “getting ready in Richmond”. As a kid, I remember reading about dudes named Chipper, Klesko, and Dye who were killing it at AAA and got excited about them getting called up. There’s a lot of that going on with the current Braves.

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On my recent extended trip to RVA, and surrounding area, to see friends and handle some business, something became painfully obvious. When I left that area about a decade ago, it was Braves Country. Now, you will get a quick reminder that it is now “Nats Nation”.

You can’t watch Braves games up there unless they are on the four letter network or are playing Washington. It’s sad. The first few days up there, our Braves were, in fact, playing the Nats. Got to watch the entire series. The first night, at a public place with cold beverages, my openly cheering for Atlanta was met with a number of “Hey buddy! You are in Nats Nation!”. It was a stark change from what my memories were and are.

Some of my favorite memories from my time in school there are going to a buddy’s house, when a bunch of us weren’t actually at the stadium, grilling out and watching Atlanta on TBS. It was a taste of home while I was away. The Atlanta Braves was the hometown team for that area. It was cultural.

This culture change, naturally, was due to Atlanta’s Front Office moving the AAA team to Gwinnett County. I’m not going to debate whether that move makes sense financially, or otherwise, but it has had an adverse effect. For decades that area, 43 years to be exact, RVA and surrounding, was a rock solid satellite for Braves Country, and there are still many, many fans there who feel abandoned. The disappointment in their voices and intonation is evident. It’s kind of sad.

Which brings us to the newly named Gwinnett Stripers. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been to that park a number of times, and it is awesome. That feeling is still there. The feeling of watching the dudes on the cusp of making their dreams come true. The dudes on the cusp of being the next great Atlanta Brave. It’s a cool venue and a cool experience.

But something has been lost in translation. They aren’t the Braves anymore. They don’t wear the same colors. I get branding and marketing. I do. Most do. But, it doesn’t mean that something hasn’t been lost. It has.

Things are great in Braves Country these days. It feels good when 7:05 PM rolls around. Just not in Richmond, Va. anymore.

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