Atlanta Braves History: 5 “what if” moments that could have changed history

2. What if Kent Hrbek was called for interference on Ron Gant?

Let’s go back to the 1991 World Series. It’s game 2 and the Atlanta Braves are trying to avoid an 0-2 deficit against the Minnesota Twins when early in the game the Braves were on the bad end of a terrible call.

Tom Glavine had allowed 2 runs in the first but the Braves had scored 1 in the second and were threatening again in the third when Ron Gant singled to left field but was caught in a rundown going back to first.

At first glance he made it but he and Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek both come off the bag and the first base umpire Drew Coble called Gant out ending the scoring chance.

Now, who knows if the Braves would have even scored a run or more in that same inning had the right call been made, but no doubt that play turned the momentum back on the side of the Twins who went on to win that game 3-2.

They of course went on to win the series in 7 games.

Let’s say for a second, though, that interference was called and the Atlanta Braves do score and go on to win the game.

The Braves went on to win games 3, 4, and 5. So as you can see, the Braves would have won the World Series and had two titles in the ’90s and would probably be looked more on the lines with the Yankees for the 1990s.

A lot of ifs in that scenario, and this doesn’t mention the fact of how Chuck Knoblauch totally fooled Lonnie Smith on the base paths in game 7.

But hey, it’s always fun (or agonizing) to ask what if?