The Atlanta Braves securing the NL East crown in 2023 seemed like a line most reporters expected to type out rather than waiting to find out. Leading the second-placed Phillies by more than 17 games, the Braves finally punched their ticket to the 2023 postseason with a 4-1 win over their division rivals in Citizens Bank Park. With the celebrations more grandiose than were expected, the home team didn’t stay silent either.
Despite their miracle run in 2022 seeing them reach the World Series, the Phillies haven’t been lighting it up this season. With a deficit in their divisional pursuit, the Phillies’ hopes of making it to the post-season now are reliant on a Wild Card Spot from the NL. The team is certainly not the front-runner for the National League’s World Series berth but that didn’t stop them from making themselves heard on the night.
Phillies Manager Rob Thomson Appears to Critique the Braves’ Home Run Celebrations
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Despite a win on the night, the Phillies refused to go down without a fight. The Braves may have secured a win over their division rivals on the diamond for their 6th straight division title, but that’s nothing to say about the Phillies’ mental state. They remain as proud and strong as ever, choosing instead to go after the raucous celebrations from the Braves after their win.
Acuña is enjoying the boos in Philly pic.twitter.com/mtjfQqldVe
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 14, 2023
Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. was waving to the crowd to incite the boos as his team clinched the spot. Most of the Braves roster too was defiant in their celebrations despite being at the Citizens Bank Park, where the reception to their win wasn’t necessarily what they would’ve wanted in a celebratory moment. But the Braves simply put that to rest.
The Phillies on the other hand were not impressed. Manager Rob Thompson instead chose to comment saying, “I like our guys to act like they’ve been there before.”
A nod to having more muted celebrations with the aim of the World Series in mind rather than celebrating what was already achieved. But if the Atlanta Braves won the title, they can celebrate the way that they want to.
The Fans Appeared to Have a Different Perspective
The fans however seemed to think otherwise. With many criticizing Rob Thompson for perhaps speaking differently if his team had been the one that qualified.
Said one fan, “Dude soooo soft, but its ok when his team does it.”
Another just imitated crying by the manager as what he believed it to be. Wrote one fan, “wahhh wahhh wahhh.”
Other chose to speak on behalf of the players involved in the team’s record so far too. Another added, “Wasn’t Bryce Harper the creator of the “Make baseball fun again movement”?“.
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Speaking about how it’s the rivalries that ignite fan interest more than anything else, “So knock the next guy on his ass. Otherwise stop whining.” Another fan added, “Rob tell us you’re hurt without telling us you are hurt”.
With the Atlanta Braves becoming the first team to qualify the race for the post season is officially beginning to end. With the NL East now all sewn up the focus will shift to the other divisions to send their contenders to the postseason before October Ball really ramps up.
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The story to follow however seems to be the New York Yankees and their pursuit for a post-season spot. Despite an abysmally low percentage of success, the Pinstripes remain relentless in their pursuit of what could be the beginning of a dream run. However, it remains to be seen if this pans out.
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