Atlanta Braves Spotlight: How They Trended in 2024

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MLB released a 'wrapped' season, let's see how the Braves faired on the list.
MLB released a 'wrapped' season, let's see how the Braves faired on the list.

It’s that time of year again—the moment when everyone collectively pauses to relive their annual highlights. Brands and organizations have joined the fray, parodying the trend in clever ways. Major League Baseball (MLB) got in on the action, unveiling its own “Wrapped” version of 2024’s most buzzworthy teams. Among the top 10 was a familiar face: the Atlanta Braves, sliding into the eighth spot.

Cy Sale’s Spectacular Braves Revival

Cy Sale’s Spectacular Braves Revival

The Braves made waves before 2024 even began, acquiring Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox in a surprising late-December trade. Skeptics initially questioned the move, labeling it a high-risk gamble given Sale’s recent struggles with injuries and inconsistency. The narrative had flipped by May. Sale dominated the league, earning National League Pitcher of the Month honors with a dazzling 0.83 ERA across five starts. And he didn’t stop there.

Sale capped the season with an 18-3 record, a microscopic 2.38 ERA, and the National League pitching Triple Crown. Add to that a Cy Young Award, NL Comeback Player of the Year, and even a Gold Glove for good measure. His resurgence became a beacon of hope during a season filled with turbulence.

A Plague of Injuries

A Plague of Braves Injuries

If Sale was the beacon, the injury bug was the storm cloud hanging over Atlanta. The Braves endured a brutal stretch of injuries that sidelined key players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies for significant chunks of the season. The roster was practically a triage unit, with stars dropping left and right. Fans and analysts alike took notice as Atlanta’s depth was tested like never before.

Braves Call in the Reinforcements

Braves Call in the Reinforcements

With their usual stars out, the Braves turned to a patchwork lineup of veterans and minor leaguers. Journeymen like Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario stepped up alongside unheralded rookies like Spencer Schwellenbach, who skipped Triple-A entirely to make his MLB debut. This revolving door of replacements kept the team afloat and added a chaotic, underdog energy to the Braves season.

Stormy Playoff Showdowns

Stormy Playoff Showdowns

As if injuries weren’t enough, the Braves had to weather literal storms, too. A poorly handled tropical storm turned Atlanta into the center of MLB controversy. Timing could not have been worse, forcing a high-stakes doubleheader against the Mets to determine playoff hopes.

The games, packed with drama and playoff implications, ended up being a microcosm of Atlanta’s season: chaotic, thrilling, and exhausting. Both teams were thrust into playoff games less than a day later, adding an extra layer of drama to an already wild ride.

Braves Endure a Troublesome Season

Braves Endure a Troublesome Season

Despite the turbulence, the Braves fought their way to through and earned their place in MLB’s trending top 10 for 2024. Whether it was Sale’s redemption arc, the injury saga, or the storm-soaked playoff chase, Atlanta proved that even a rollercoaster season can be unforgettable.