This past week has been a dream, and I have quite the story to tell, so here goes (Preface, I work from home, so was able to work during the day for every weekday game)... Also shoutout to my Fantasy Baseball group chat that encouraged me every step of the way - you know who you are!

Game 1: Tuesday around noon, I'm sitting at home working, and I decided I'd at least look at Houston ticket prices. A single on Ticketmaster immediately dropped to $175 before fees right behind home plate. I grabbed it and figured I'd figure out the travel later. 10 minutes later, the seller emails me a parking pass. My stomach drops. I frantically email TM and the seller. About 20 minutes later, TM emails me explaining that it looks like I purchased a ticket but received a parking pass. They asked if I wanted another ticket or refund, and I asked them if I could get a ticket at the same price and they said sure! Alright, we are in there! Grabbed a flight and hotel on points for Tuesday trip and back home Wednesday. Well, as you know Soler moonshots and the boys dominate. I said the word 'trashcan' quite a few times.

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Game 2: I get the itch, and decide to stay in Houston an extra day. I go to change my flight to Thursday and there is nothing. Wednesday morning rolls around, and I decide to change my flight to be on Thursday from DFW instead of Houston (the Wednesday flight I was already checked in for). I then booked a separate flight to Dallas from Houston. A SRO ticket drops to $220. I grab it. We are in for game 2! I got down to row 5 behind our dugout for the first 3 innings; I bumped into Eric Berry (big Braves fan); and then there is not much left to talk about this game. Ends up a Houston flight opens back up, so I'm able to fly home directly from Houston on Thursday.

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Game 3: Friday at about 6 pm, I get the itch again. I wanted to go with my old landlord/roommate/mentor, but he couldn't pull the trigger on a ticket. I know some of his very well-off friends who decided to go in with me and treat him to a ticket. These 2 tickets were the most I spent the entire series - I was out about $1,400 for the pair (after receiving $ from his friends). Totally worth it, and honestly compared to what others were paying, it wasn't all that bad. What a night Friday was: cold, wet, but amazing. We had a great time, and I planned on this being my last game. It was quite an experience.

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Game 4: I had planned a housewarming / Halloween party at my house for Saturday night about a month and a half ago. I obviously couldn't do anything about that, but I at least told everyone the Braves would be on TV, and it would be more of a watch party. At about 9 am on Saturday, a friend reaches out (thanks WM), "would you be interested in a semi-expensive ticket for tonight? It is in the Delta Club, and my brother wants $600 for it." I text some friends (shout out to the FOC), and they all say, "you have to go!" So at about 10:30 am, I pass off the housewarming hosting duties to my roommates and a few other friends (mind-you, I smoked 32 lbs of Boston butt for everyone, so I didn't leave them with nothing). Saturday was electric. I sat next to an absolute unit of a man (300+ lbs), and I told him he better be ready for a hug if we hit a dinger. Needless to say, we embraced quite a bit in the 7th.

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Game 5: Why stop now? Let's just say, I found a way to get in cheap. I made it to the 1st row of the Hank Aaron Terrace with some friends, and Duvall goes granny in the 1st. I'm so pumped, but also relieved that I might not have to go back to Houston. Well, once it becomes clear that we are done for in this one, my stomach drops and I start booking my travel. Again, no flights to Houston. I book a Monday night flight to Austin and a rental car for a day. Side-note, the Battery was absolutely insane on Sunday. People were ready to celebrate.

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Game 6: Get to Austin at about 8 PM CDT, grab some delicious brisket and sausage, and hit the road to Houston. Get to the hotel about midnight. On Tuesday morning, a seat in the uppers drops to $225 before fees, and I grab it. We are in for Game 6. WHAT A GAME. Braves dominate, Soler's ball is still traveling, etc. etc. WORLD SERIES CHAMPS. I had just completed the coolest week of my life, but just wait for what comes next....

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VIP Family Party at Team Hotel: Some fan told me where the team was staying, so I decided I should see if I could at least see the team after the game. I actually get a picture with Acuña as he is heading up to his room, and I thought that my experience had peaked. World Champs and I just met the best player in baseball (pre-injury). Well, I notice a lot of the guys are going into some roped off part of the hotel. I also see what look to be family/VIPs going to the same place. I've been to six games... I HAVE to get in there. Some VIP/Family member was going in and I told him, "I went to all 6 games. I gotta get in there." The dude turns to the guard and says, "he's with me. Let him in." I go up the stairs not knowing what to expect. Well, I walk into what is the most epic World Series Celebration with the team. I found myself drinking $3,500 wine with Joc. At one point, I went to the bar and the bartender was busy, so I grabbed the wine, and Joc looks at me and says, "do it. They won't do shit." I outed myself to Matzek, Luke, Ben Ingram, etc. and told them how I went to every game and was just a fan. EVERY one of them was like, "dude, you deserve it." Matzek even told me, "dude, pick it up" when we got a picture with the trophy. This was the most epic week and night of my life. Braves in 6... See below for the night that I was one of those "Mother F*ckers"...

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Braves @ Astros - Tue, Nov 02

Game Status: Game Over - Score: 7-0 Braves

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Next Braves Game: Wed, Nov 03, 08:09 PM EDT @ Astros

^{Posted: 11/02/2021 11:34:15 PM EDT}

YOU'RE NOT CRYING, I'M CRYING!