This year could be different for Braves

Growing up in metro Atlanta, I got the chance to see numerous Braves games.

I was in the fifth grade when the Braves made that World Series appearance against the Twins in 1991. Remarkably, 14 years later, the Braves still haven't finished anywhere but first in their division. It is the most incredible regular-season streak in professional sports history.

But Atlanta fans have just one World Series title to boast about. Since the streak began, the Yankees have four titles, the Blue Jays have two and the Marlins - who weren't even around when the Braves won the division in 1991 - have two championships.

The Braves have been built on pitching, which should be an asset in a playoff series, but can't seem to put everything together in the playoffs. The Braves have lost in the Division Series in three straight seasons and have had more people celebrate on their home turf than the French.

The fans of Atlanta have become apathetic to the division titles and rarely fill Turner Field. And now, with the Washington Nationals fading, the Braves are poised to win a 14th consecutive division title.

It might be the biggest clich in sports, but this year is different.

The Braves are the best story in baseball and are winning despite injuries to lineup fixture Chipper Jones, half of the pitching staff (John Thomson, Mike Hampton, Tim Hudson) and an ineffective closer in Dan Kolb.

Atlanta has relied on rookies to fill spots and currently has eight on the roster, including former Screven County star Macay McBride. Jeff Francouer, Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson have turned a questionable outfield into a strength.

These rookies have rejuvenated the old guard of the Braves, who had become increasingly businesslike over the past half-dozen seasons. It didn't seem to bother the team when it lost in the playoffs. They didn't have fun on the field.

But this year is different.

They have followed the path of last year's Red Sox, the self-titled idiots.

Eddie Perez, who has spent significant time on the disabled list, joined the grounds crew in sweeping the infield at a recent game with Philadelphia.

Andruw Jones, who is having the best year of his career and is an MVP candidate, walked to the dugout after hitting a home run. No one got up to congratulate him and he looked puzzled. Seconds later, the team got up and celebrated while laughing about the joke.

This Braves team is the most exciting to watch since the original "worst to first" team from 1991. That team lost in seven games to the Twins.

But this year is different.