ATLANTA BRAVES BRING BACK MEMORIES OF THE 1996 WORLD SERIES

When I think of the Yankees playing the Atlanta Braves, I think of the 1996 World Series. The Bronx Bombers went to Atlanta down 2 games to 0. The Yankees won all three against the Braves and not since the civil war were the people of Atlanta so stunned by a bunch of yankees.

The Yankees, of course, went back home to the Bronx and won the World Series. The Yankees Dynasty began that year, with them going on to win four more World Series rings.

For the most part everyone involved with that 96' "dream team" are no longer in baseball. Only Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera (although on the DL) are still donning the pinstripes. Joe Girardi was a Yankee player and is now the Yankee skipper. Players, coaches and one manager have come and gone since that epic win.

So much has changed and evolved in the world of baseball and the world in general since 1996. In baseball we now have interleague play, instant replay and the addition of a second wild card. In the world the iPhone, Facebook, Harry Potter and reality tv shows are just a few things to come into our everyday lives since 1996. The world overall is a much different place; but knowing Jeter and Pettitte are going down to Atlanta for three games against the Braves starting tonight, brings back all those great memories of the 1996 World Series.

So, tonight in a different stadium, with different managers and for the most part different players, the Yankees face off against the Braves. These next three games may have much less meaning than those three played almost 16 years ago on those cold October nights; but the memories and love for this team remains the same.

As usual, GO YANKEES!