Braves’ Fans Still Hold Their Tomahawks High

Hundreds of die-hard Atlanta Braves fans, who congregated in front of their televisions Sunday hoping their tomahawk chops would send their team some luck 1,000 miles away, were disappointed in the game but not in their heroes.

“The Braves gave them a hell of a fight and I know we’ll do it next year,” said Tommy Taylor of Atlanta, who’s looking forward to thanking the Braves at a victory parade downtown Tuesday.

About 600 fans who were at a bar in the affluent Buckhead community of Atlanta gave the Braves a standing ovation after their 1-0 loss to the Twins in Game 7 gave the World Series title to Minnesota.

The Braves didn’t bring home the ring, but to fans, they’re still winners.

“Nobody ever expected the Braves in Atlanta to go from last place to the National League pennant,” said James Sturgis of Atlanta, who postponed his trip to Florida so he can welcome the Braves home at Tuesday’s parade.

A Series title “would have been the icing on the cake,” he said. “But they got this far. It’s definitely a respectable thing.”

Kathy Whitley and Shawn Leitch of Atlanta were heading for Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport to meet the team when it arrived home early today.

“Atlanta should be proud of the Braves for putting them on the map,” Whitley said. “We think they did a great a job and we’re going to go celebrate for them.”

Said Heather Williams of Marietta: “I’m going to go drown my sorrows. I was ready to cry after the game, but I’ll always love the Braves.”

This was the city’s first World Series, and first NL West crown since 1982. It was a long drought for fans, but many predicted that the Braves’ comeback will be just as long.

“I’m happy for both teams, but may the Braves live on,” said Margie Porter.

At Northside Hospital, Jeamia Tribble made sure she will always remember this year’s World Series by naming her son Thomas Hawk Tribble.

“My mother says she’s going to kill me, but my sister’s thrilled. She just kept saying, ‘Like tomahawk?’ ” said Tribble, whose son was born Saturday morning.