Top 5 Atlanta Sports Rivalries: Number 3

 

The Braves and Mets rivalry took off when MLB realignment took place in 1994. The move put the Braves in the NL East with the Mets and created a three division National League. At the time the Braves were the golden boys of the NL, as they had already appeared in two World Series in the last three years.  The Mets were one of the worst teams in baseball in the early 90’s, and their fans were still stuck in the success of the 80’s.

The Braves won their first World Series in 1995 and only became more hated by everyone in the National League, particularly by the Mets. The Mets had begun to turn things around and were tired of watching the Braves win division titles and championships. The most memorable season between the Mets and Braves occurred in 1999. Chipper Jones was in the midst of his MVP year and the Braves had a 3 game set with the Mets with 12 games remaining. The Braves led the division by just one game, and it was the best opportunity for anybody to stop the Braves run of division success, but Chipper Jones had different plans. The MVP smashed 4 home runs in the three game set, as the Braves swept the Mets. However, the Mets did get the Wild Card spot, and the two teams met in the 1999 NLCS. The Braves jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, but the Mets won games 4 and 5 in dramatic fashion. However, the Braves outlasted the Mets once again and won in 6 games.

In 2000 the two teams both made the playoffs once again, but this time the Braves lost in the NLDS, and the Mets waltzed their way to the World Series where they lost to the Yankees. Since, the rivalry has not been as intense, especially with the departures of the famous faces that heated the rivalry such as John Rocker and Chipper Jones. Neither the Mets or the Braves have made a World Series appearance since 2000, but it will not be too long before these two teams are great again and the rivalry is renewed.

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