The Braves held their annual Braves Fest over the weekend, and there are numerous talking points to discuss. One of the more humorous moments fans should enjoy is Travis d’Arnaud’s answer to a question about the team that makes him the most angry to play against.
d’Arnaud’s response, “The New York Mets.”
https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1752169743086195160
In my opinion, there are really only two correct answers. The Philadelphia Phillies have obviously had their way with the Braves in each of the last two postseasons, knocking them out of the NLDS in back-to-back years. Philly fans are also a different breed, some of the most annoying and vile human beings on the planet.
However, there seems to at least be mutual respect between the Braves and Phillies. As of right now, they are the class of the National League, and there doesn’t feel like a ton of animosity between the two sides. It’s more like an understanding that it is going to be a battle each time they step in between the lines.
The Mets, on the other hand, haven’t won enough over the last 35 years to even be considered a real rival of the Atlanta Braves. They love to talk, yet they’ve only captured the division two times since 1988, and they haven’t won a World Series since 1986. Most of the players weren’t even alive the last time the Mets held up The Commissioner’s Trophy. It’s much more like big brother beating up on little brother every time they meet, and unfortunately for the Mets and their fans, there are no signs of things changing anytime soon. The Braves are set up for sustained success while the Mets once again do not look like a playoff team going into the season.
Perhaps Travis d’Arnaud’s time with the Mets adds a bit more fuel to the fire. He began his career in New York just over a decade ago and played there until 2019. Clearly, there is a sour taste left in his mouth from the time he spent with the Mets. However, for a rivalry to exist, there have to be examples of both sides winning. If the Braves and Mets are a rivalry, it’s the most one-sided rivalry in the history of baseball.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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