Let's be honest with ourselves for a moment here. Everyone can talk about "playing the game the right way" and "staying humble", but every single baseball fan loves having a villain to boo. Every single one of them. For Atlanta Braves fans, that has been guys like Ryan Howard, Bryce Harper, Jose Urena over the years. However, the Mets have become a popular choice lately and one player that Braves fans love to hate is Brandon Nimmo (with Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso also being strong choices).
Nimmo is kind of a perfect player to hate. His approach at the plate is annoying effective between his refusal to swing and his willingness to lean into pitches in order to get hit. Nimmo also sprints to first on walks JUST to tilt opposing pitchers to the annoyance of pretty much everyone. Combine all of that along with playing for the Mets and being a pretty good player and you have the perfect recipe for a despised opponent.
That is exactly how things played out in the Braves' heartbreaking loss to the Mets in the first game of their doubleheader on Monday. Michael Harris II went back on a fly ball to center and did his best Michael Jordan tongue out impression. Apparently Nimmo took exception to that and when he connected on a two-run homer in the eighth inning, he took his sweet time rounding the bases and stuck his tongue out right back at Harris.
Think Brandon Nimmo enjoyed this one?
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) September 30, 2024
It took him 10.03 seconds to go home-to-first. His previous long on a homer: 8.91 seconds
It took him 25.6 seconds to round the bases. His previous long on a homer: 22.59 seconds pic.twitter.com/UTHl2T1OFR
You can hate that it happened and there was a lot to hate in that game from the Braves' perspective, but we can respect leaning into the hatred and rivalry. If you want more friends and hugs, join a book club. This is late season rivalry baseball and more trask talk, bat flips, boos and drama. However, Nimmo's next choice in the second game to not hustle down the line to first in a game on a double play ball that could have bounced the Braves from the playoffs altogether could come back to haunt him and the Mets.
Nimmo running down the line on that ninth inning double play pic.twitter.com/LMTdX6vu9N
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) September 30, 2024
Brandon Nimmo embraced poking the bear against the Braves, but Atlanta could have the last laugh
Again, doubling down on being universally hated by Braves country deserves a tip of the cap. It makes watching these games more fun and increases fans' investment in individual moments and we love it. However, giving a potential playoff opponent even more motivation and bulletin board material could have consequences especially when the Mets definitely not trying in the second game is what helped Atlanta get a chance at revenge.
The Braves aren't anywhere near full strength right now to be sure. They have multiple key pieces that have been on the IL forever including Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley. Now, they are probably going to have to figure out how to beat a very tough Padres team in the first round without Cy Young favorite Chris Sale as he is dealing with a back injury and right after playing a very tough doubleheader. Again, not an ideal situation.
However, this is the playoffs and anything can happen. If the Braves can steal Game One with a less than ideal pitching situation, they could still put together a run. Atlanta still has a strong pitching staff once they can get things line up (although it would be much better if Sale could return) and the side of the 2024 playoff bracket THAT THE METS HELPED PUT THEM IN isn't all that scary if they can get past the Padres. This isn't the same Dodgers team of years past beyond the top of their lineup.
Meanwhile, the Mets have to deal with the surprisingly decent Brewers in the first round and then the Phillies who are among the favorites in baseball this postseason. Even if they get past those obstacles, a rematch with the Braves who would be more motivated than ever thanks, in part, to Nimmo's antics in the NLCS could await them.