Friday, October 4 - The Final Weekend

The Final Weekend

Braves close to fulfilling Pendleton's prophecy

By I.J. Rosenberg, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday, October 4, 1991

    Way back in spring training, long before anyone dared think about tomahawk chops, 20 game winners or pennant races, a new member of the Atlanta Braves made a prediction - sort of. "I'm not saying we'll win the division, but I can't see why that can't happen," said third baseman Terry Pendleton, who had been signed in the offseason as a free agent. "It should be our goal, no matter what has happened here before. And remember, it's baseball ... anything can happen."

    Pendleton's comments sounded nice - certainly his enthusiasm and leadership potential were appreciated. But mostly the were ignored. After all, this was the Braves, who had spent the last three seasons in the NL West cellar. It was one thing to predict improvement, entirely another to be talking about a division title. Now the season is down to it's final weekend, and it may be time to promote Terry Pendleton, third baseman and MVP candidate, to Terry Pendleton, prophet.

    Beginning tonight, the Braves and the city are braced for what may be the most important 48 hours in the history of Atlanta sports. The situation is simple: The Braves and the Dodgers are both 92-67. Both have three games left. If the're still tied after Sunday's finals, they'll play each other Monday for the NL West title.

    While the Braves, trying to win the West for the first time since 1982 and only the third time since coming to Atlanta in 1966, play three games against the last place Houston Astros at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Dodgers play three at San Francisco's Candlestick Park against the Giants. Who has the advantage? It appears to be the Braves, who have won eight straight over the Astros and 11 of 15. And the Giants, who have taken eight of 15 from the Dodgers, are treating these games as their World Series.

    But the Braves manager Bobby Cox is weary of trying to predict the future based on the past. "Nobody, I mean nobody," he said, "in this clubhouse is taking anything for granted." Still, there is a sense of destiny about these Braves, who are trying to become the first National League team to win a division title after finishing last the previous season. The have overcome recent off-field problems, including Otis Nixon's drug suspension and DUI arrests of rookies Brian Hunter and Keith Mitchell. But perhaps their most impressive feat began last Thursday when they left Atlanta for a six-game road trip two games behind the Dodgers, who were facing six games at home. The Dodgers went 4-2 against the Giants and the Padres, but the Braves pulled back into a tie for first with six wins - three each over the Reds and the Astros.

    All three games at the stadium this weekend are sold out and there is a chance of rain on Saturday. If all three games are not completed by Sunday and the divisional race is still not determined, the Braves will play Monday afternoon. If a one-game playoff is still needed, it will be pushed back to Tuesday in L.A.

This a picture of my 1991 game used cap. The tomahawk wasn't used. All the used ones broke. They weren't very sturdy.