HOUSTON — It was a moment Atlanta Braves fans have been waiting for for 26 years: The Braves are World Series champions once again.
Atlanta defeated the Houston Astros in Game 6 Tuesday night. From the moment Dansby Swanson threw the final out to Freddie Freeman, the celebration started and never stopped.
Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein and Channel 2′s Alison Mastrangelo spoke with the Braves players, coaches and their families on the field at Minute Maid Park after their historic win.
Here is what they say they will remember the most from the Braves’ improbable run to the World Series title.
Braves manager Brian Snitker
Brian Snitker has spent more than 40 years in the Braves organization. Here’s his emotional moment talking to Mastrangelo about the World Series win and his dear friend Bobby Cox.
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Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson
Swanson grew up in Marietta and was traded to the Braves in 2015. He said he didn’t understand at the time why he was traded, but now he knows it was to bring a championship to his hometown team.
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Braves LHP Max Fried
Fried pitched a gem in the deciding Game 6 to pick up the win. The left-hander struck out six without a walk and limited the Astros to four singles in a 7-0 win.
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Braves LHP Tyler Matzek
Matzek went from being a first round draft pick and top pitching prospect to dealing with a severe form of anxiety that left him struggling to pitch. He almost stepped away from baseball. Now, he is a World Series champion.
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Braves outfielder Joc Pederson
Pederson became one of the team’s biggest hype men with his flashy style and signature pearls. He becomes only the 9th player to win back-to-back World Series titles with two different teams.
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Fred Freeman, father of Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman
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Braves third baseman Austin Riley
Riley says he can’t imagine a better group of guys to win the World Series with.
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Braves third base coach Ron Washington
Washington said the odds were against the Braves when they faced each of the Brewers, Dodgers and Astros, but beat them all. It is the first World Series ring for Washington, who has been in baseball for 52 years.
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Second baseman Ozzie Albies
Despite people counting them out against the favorites, Albies said the team always believed in their potential.
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Braves coach Eddie Perez
Eddie Perez won the 1995 World Series with the Braves as a player. Now, he has another World Series ring to add to his collection.
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Braves right handed pitcher Ian Anderson
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Braves reliever Luke Jackson
The Braves pitcher says he’s not sure winning the World Series will ever set in.
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Chelsea Freeman, wife of Freddie Freeman
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