October's Not Even This Cold: Braves/Mets

By Adam Krohn
Sunday Paper Sports Columnist/Feature Writer

I'm in the press box at Turner Field watching the Mets and Braves on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Normally, it's 75-80 degrees outside, but today, it's 45 degrees (windchill 36), and it feels more like October than April. And it's very obvious the weather is affecting the players, because both Chipper Jones and Carlos Delgado committed first-inning errors while trying to make routine plays. Worse for us in the media, the cold weather has forced the press box to close it's windows, detaching us from the game in sound-proof fashion, creating an atmosphere that one member of the New York media described as "a doctor's office." When he tried to call in to a live radio show to give a game update, nearly everyone in the room turned their heads to stare at him as if he was in a library. The tension caused him to screw up on live air. It was great.

(Photo: AtlantaBraves.com)

But I'm not complaining: the temperature in here is 70, and I get unlimited free ice cream (seriously).

Anyway, the atmosphere downstairs in the clubhouse, where I was before the game, is not that of an October feel. There is not an overwhelming number of reporters cramming the locker rooms, and the players see today's match-up for what it is - the second game of an early-season series. It is worth noting however, that the Mets were on fire heading into today's game, outscoring their opponents 31-3 in their first four games, all on the road, including the 11-1 thrashing of the Braves in last night's home opener. So, from the Braves point of view, they are simply trying to even the series at a game a piece before heading into tomorrow's rubber match. But to even think about winning, the Braves would first have to find an answer to this burning question:

How do you stop the Mets offense?

The Braves had an answer today, and his name was John Smoltz. He and his pitching dual with the Mets' Tom Glavine was as good as advertised, with the two future Hall-of-Famers going toe to toe with another, and Smoltz getting the better of this contest.

So the Mets finally lose and the Braves move in to a tie for first. But I have to remember, it just happens to be cold - it's not October yet. There is still a lot of baseball to be played. And a lot of ice cream to be eaten.