NOTES : America’s Team? You Be the Judge

Is it still “America’s Team,” or isn’t it?

“We’re not a team you love to hate,” pitcher John Smoltz contended in Houston on Friday, after he and the Atlanta Braves advanced to the National League Championship Series for the sixth consecutive season.

“We’re not flamboyant. We don’t call attention to ourselves.

“It’s been said that it’s us against the world, that we’re supposed to win and we don’t. That’s why I’m glad we took care of business in three straight in this [Houston] series. Maybe this is the year. Maybe this year, we get the breaks.

“For whatever reason, people do talk that we are underachievers. I don’t buy that,” Smoltz said.

*

Low-key or not, the Braves did pop a few corks.

“You win something,” wine-soaked Manager Bobby Cox said, “you might as well celebrate.”

*

The Astros sure were loose before they lost.

Pitcher Mike Hampton passed by “Killer B” teammates Craig Biggio, Derek Bell and Jeff Bagwell at the batting cage and called out, “Hey, look! It’s the Killer Fleas.”

Hampton, who issued eight of the 10 walks Atlanta got in Game 2, had to take it after dishing it.

“Just throw strikes, Hampton,” Bagwell replied.

Biggio held up a baseball.

He said, “Hey, look, Hampton! It’s another ball .”

*

The situation wasn’t funny, but Bagwell said later: “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re not going to last long in this game.”

Houston won the NL Central, called by some the NL Comedy Central.

TV’s Comedy Central cable network sent Astro Manager Larry Dierker a case of champagne and some caps.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

(Braves win series, 3-0)

* Game 1: Braves 2, Astros 1

* Game 2: Braves 13, Astros 3

* Game 3: Braves 4, Astros 1