To the casual observer, a typical walk-off celebration is just a bunch of really happy dudes milling around another happy dude. And for the majority of teams, it really is that simple, and it really is that chaotic. But for the 2011 Atlanta Braves, there's a certain amount of order. There's a method to their behavior, depending on the events that take place. Let's review the Braves' walk-off celebrations as a function of the occasion.
Your Guide To The 2011 Atlanta Braves’ Walk-Off Celebrations
The Braves are a complicated team, with thoughtful celebrations. Let’s bone up on which is most appropriate for which walk-off occasion.
Celebration style #1
Occasion
Walk-off single by Brian McCann on May 12 against the Nationals
Achievement
Did something
Footage
Behavior
McCann came up with the game-winning single, so in celebrating their win, McCann’s Braves teammates mobbed the responsible party. They charged after McCann between first and second base, assembled themselves in a huddle, and jumped up and down with nary a care in the world. One imagines there was much hooting and hollering.
*****
Celebration style #2
Occasion
Walk-off balk on June 16 against the Mets
Achievement
Did nothing
Footage
Behavior
Facing the Mets, the Braves put runners on the corners in the bottom of the tenth and then won by doing nothing. There was a runner on third, and then there was nothing, and then the game was over. You'd think this would present a quandary for the Braves players charging from the dugout: where ordinarily one's inclination is to mob the responsible party, D.J. Carrasco seemed to be in a mood. But instead of standing around perplexed, the players met and mobbed Diory Hernandez at home plate, because Hernandez had come the closest to doing something. This decision reflects an ability to adjust to the situation on the Braves' part. One imagines there was much hooting and hollering.
*****
Conclusion
Every team in baseball has the same general walk-off celebration, the Angels excepted. But not every team in baseball would have known how to respond to the concluding events of Thursday night's Mets/Braves game. It isn't hard to imagine most dugouts remaining motionless, paralyzed by bewilderment. The Braves, though, are characterized by their forethought. They have a walk-off celebration system, summed up thusly:
Somebody did something
Mob the guy who did something
Nobody did anything
Mob the guy who came closest to doing something
See More:
