I’ve noticed several words that repeatedly turn up on this blog this year. We’ve described the 2021 Braves as disheartening, dispiriting, soul-crushing. You’ll note that these aren’t just words of disappointment; these are words that pertain to the spirit. This team has impacted our souls (or at least mine—shouldn’t speak for the souls of the rest of y’all).
It has also caused me to reflect on Braves fandom as a spiritual practice. “Life is suffering.” That is the first of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism.
The 2021 edition of the Braves have confirmed that truth. The 2018-2020 seasons were magical; whatever could go right usually did.