World Series 2021: Atlanta Braves crush Houston Astros to win first Fall Classic since 1995

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All nine World Series titles have been won by teams that played away from home, including the 2020 series which took place at a neutral venue.

After beating the Houston Astros 7-0 at Minute Maid Park, Atlanta Braves won their first World Series title in 1995. This was a 4-2 series win.

Atlanta got going with Jorge Soler's third-inning homer, which was followed by more home runs from Dansby Swanson (Freddie Freeman) and Freddie Freeman.

Max Fried, the Braves' starting pitcher, did his part and kept the Astros at bay for six scoreless innings.

The bullpen was effective as the visitors won a memorable game.

This is the fourth Fall Classic title for this franchise. They won it in 1914 with the Boston Braves, and in 1957 with the Milwaukee Braves. Before moving to Atlanta in 1966, they won it in the Milwaukee Braves.

Houston began with Luis Garcia, a rookie pitcher, pitching on short rest. But Houston fell apart in the third when Ozzie Albies singled, Eddie Rosario walked and Ozzie Albies walked. This set the stage for Soler's huge hit over left center field.

Minute Maid Park's retractable roofing was open. It disappeared over the railroad tracks and out the ballpark, thereby ending Garcia's night.

The Braves were back in action in the fifth when Swanson hit a two-run homer to center field off Cristian Javier. Freeman's RBI double off Blake Taylor, a Great Britain international, made it 6-0. Freeman then added a solo shot off Ryne Stanek's seventh.

Astros made their third appearance in the World Series in five years. However, their bats were cold as Jose Altuve's home runs in games two through five were their only home runs throughout the series.

Braves are back in the big league

Jorge Soler led off the first game with a homer. After his three-run blast at the third inning, he won the World Series' most valuable Player (MVP).

The Braves have had to move stadiums twice since 1995's championship and were also subject to a change in ownership. Major League Baseball (MLB), has also punished them for violating international signing rules.

Brian Snitker is a manager who has seen it all. He has been with the Braves organization since 1977 as a player and coach. He also served many years as a manager for minor league teams, before becoming the skipper of the major league in 2016.

Atlanta won four consecutive National League (NL East) division titles under Snitker in 2017. Fans are hoping for a new era that is similar to the one that brought them 14 division wins between 1991-2005.

The success in 2021, despite severe injury issues, is also a fitting tribute for Hank Aaron, the MLB and Braves legend who was previously the all-time home run record holder. He died in January at age 86.

Is there change in the air?

Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman are two examples of All-Stars who will be a lot of interest from clubs with bigger markets than Atlanta or Houston.

The Braves hope that this title is not their first, but they might have to deal with the future without Freeman, the Astros shortstop, and first baseman Freeman.

In an era where Washington's NFL team has dropped the "Redskins", and MLB's Cleveland Indians will be the Cleveland Guardians, 2022, national attention and prominence will increase pressure on Atlanta to change a name that activists consider offensive towards Native Americans.

There may be even bigger changes in the air as the current MLB collective bargaining agreement between the 30 teams (external-link) and the players' union expires on December 1st after being in effect for four years.

Numerous reports suggest that a move towards a universal designated hitter could be possible - similar to the American League's, but not in the NL where pitchers bat.

Fans may laugh as billionaire owners and millionaires argue over financial matters. But no one expects that negotiations will be easy or fast.