The Atlanta Braves are in the midst of another sub-.500 season that’s seen them fall well out of the National League East picture. It’s been a disappointing development for a team that moved into a sprawling new stadium. The Braves, however, do have The Freeze.
A phenomenon spawned earlier this season when former college sprinter and current grounds-crew member Nigel Talton began to wear a bodysuit, skiing goggles or a visor and cleats, and invited challengers to out-race him in the outfield at SunTrust Park. The Freeze provides all opponents with a head start.
His celebrity skyrocketed when video of a fan who celebrated prematurely, face-planted down the stretch and lost to The Freeze, went viral.