Win one for the chopper

I was interviewed on a radio show in Warner Robins the other day, and I was asked if I thought the Atlanta Braves had a chance to make the playoffs this season.

As we head into the final half of the season after the All-Star break, I’m not betting on it. But I’m not betting against them, either. There’s still a lot of baseball left to play. A division title may be out of reach, but there’s always hope for a wildcard berth.

“Remember the Miracle Braves of 1914?’’ I said. “Don’t give up quite yet.’’

Of course, not many folks are still around who can remember that team. But Boston’s “Miracle” Braves forged one of the greatest comebacks in sports history and had direct ties to both Macon and nearby Haddock in Jones County.

It is a footnote in our city’s sports history that not too many folks know about.

On July 19, 1914, Boston’s "Miracle" Braves were 10 games below .500 (33-43) and trailed the New York Giants by 15 ½ games. (Heading into tonight, Atlanta is 9 games below .500 and 13 games behind the New York Mets.)

Boston won 59 of its last 75 games to leap from last place to win the pennant - and eventually the World Series.

Were you aware they split their time in spring training that year between Macon and Manager George "Tweedy" Stallings' farm in nearby Haddock? That's our connection. Stallings was the son of a Confederate general and also served as Mercer’s first baseball coach.

He not only brought his teams to his farm in Jones County to work out before the season but also to help chop wood for the next winter.

Oh, well, don't get any ideas. I don’t think it's in Chipper's contract to be a chopper.