CNMI fans seem to favor Braves in World Series

Island fans of America’s favorite pastime have a long memory and they are also fiercely loyal to their favorite teams and to some degree the league their teams belong to.

That seems to be the case as the Houston Astros still can’t seem to shake the stigma of their signal-stealing scandal in the 2017-2018 season and most of the people Saipan Tribune reached out to are true-blue Los Angeles Dodgers fans. In the absence of their favorite team, they’re rooting for the Atlanta Braves to win it all in the 2021 World Series.

For me and if I could borrow Rhett Butler’s line “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” I have no horse in this race ever since those “cheating” Astros beat my beloved Red Sox in the ALCS. At least, Boston did beat those darn Yankees (sorry James Lee) in the wild card game. Come to think of it, since Aaron “Bleeping” Boone sent the Red Sox home in the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox haven’t lost to their bitter rivals in the playoffs and that’s the only real solace I can take from this season.

But if I’m forced to choose a team to take the Fall Classic this year, I’d join the Braves bandwagon. Atlanta is baseball’s version of the Buffalo Bills (Sorry Brad Ruszala). In the ‘90s, the Braves had five trips to the World Series but only won it all in 1995 with runner-up finishes in the 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1999. So, as I always have a bleeding heart toward sob stories, I really hope Atlanta gets to take home The Commissioner’s Trophy this year.

So without further ado, here are what island folks think how the World Series will pan out this year.

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Santos

Honestly, if the Dodgers are not in the World Series, I don’t care. That said I hope the Braves sweep the Cheaters.
Jay Santos
Saipan Baseball League president

I just want the American League to take the World Series crown. The Astros are masters of picking up signs of the opposing coaches.
Tony Satur
Capitol Hill

Hofschenider

Was rooting for the Red Sox to pull through. Astros are tough but Braves!
Sen. Jude Hofschneider
Tinian

Castro

When I started watching baseball, I was a Braves fan for the NL, and a Yankees fan for the AL. Since New York isn’t in this year, I’m going for Atlanta. Well, if you look at the Braves’ WS record, yeah it’s not the greatest. But if you look at their record of winning division titles, they’re usually a favorite to at least always be in the playoffs. I mean, obviously Maddox, Smoltz, and Chipper aren’t there anymore. I’m interested to see how these young’uns are going to fair.
L.J. Castro
CNMI Youth Congress secretary/coordinator

I’m a Padres fan! But I’m rooting for the Braves. I think their pitching has been superb. Houston has a large chip on their shoulder since the scandal but they are rocket hot too.
Shayne Villanueva
Roil Soil Marketing

King

I’m rooting for the Braves. I’m actually a fan of the White Sox and the Braves is an underdog team too. Like I said, I am an underdog fan.
Christopher SN King
Tinian

Monroyo

As much as a I hate the Astros for ousting my Boston Red Sox, I would pick the Houston team in six games. The stats gods favor the Astros—league best 823 runs, nearly .500 batting average, and three World Series appearances in the last five years. The Braves may have won Game 1, but I don’t think the Astros would let Atlanta steal their opportunity to prove doubters wrong about the team’s ability to win another ring.
Roselyn Monroyo
Garapan

Borja

Braves won fair and square over the Dodgers (well as far as we know) and they didn’t need to resort to trash can banging, etc. So Braves. But I’m still a Dodgers fan.
Iva Borja
Capitol Hill

Estigoy

Braves are going to win the World Series. I’m really a Dodgers fan, so I’m rooting for the team that defeated by beloved LA team.
Marlon Estigoy
Los Angeles and former Saipan resident