![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad2bf3e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/7660x5107+0+0/resize/1486x991!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F32%2F1d05bb8605fc5d415764d36e2a4a%2F33ac317034014158abd7a38ea544ea37)
Maldonado gives Astros surprise offensive boost with 3 RBIs - The San Diego Union-Tribune
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://library.sportingnews.com/2021-11/braveswinworldseries-getty-ftr-110321jpg_np2o5her924p15ef73sz37qxn.jpg)
For world champion Braves, 'wait till next year' can have new, joyous meaning
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c2f95e355a0702226d30a16e1412da5ed5ac252e/0_57_4000_2399/master/4000.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&s=5d0009e4842b1629ff6b3cafb6a5610b)
The Atlanta Braves' World Series victory was built on a summer of desperation, World Series
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U4Pz3RnyrALCmxyIGbAmxx6q91c=/1400x1400/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22981814/BravesWin_Getty_Ringer.jpeg)
The Atlanta Braves' World Series Win Over Houston Is a Historic Shock - The Ringer
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/15800782_web1_World-Series-Baseball.jpg?crop=1)
Greg Maddux says Braves will treasure World Series 'for a lifetime', Baseball
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://images.wsj.net/im-428164?width=1280&size=1.33333333)
The Atlanta Braves Were Under .500 in August. Now They're World Series Champions. - WSJ
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/USATSI_20991886_168400534_lowres.jpg)
Comparing the 2023 Angels to the 2021 Braves
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/unionrecorder.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/11/a117d4ac-12ce-11ed-bbe2-a340ddb46d94/62e9d4739e476.image.jpg?crop=1024%2C538%2C0%2C121&resize=1024%2C538&order=crop%2Cresize)
Braves make flurry of trades looking for another title run, Sports
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/11/03035446/USATSI_17082400-scaled.jpg)
Schultz: Braves' World Series title — finally, something good and unexpected for Atlanta - The Athletic
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://www.wabe.org/app/uploads/2023/09/AP23257060480422-scaled.jpg)
Atlanta Braves clinch 6th straight NL East title, beat Phillies 4-1 as Strider gets 17th win – WABE
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://www.bu.edu/files/2021/11/williams_pov-head.jpg)
POV: Bad Umpiring Hurt Baseball in 2021, Especially in the Playoffs. It's Time for Change, BU Today
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://www.bostonglobe.com/resizer/_USWxeWb04d8GP34wAcy2ZIpPa0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bostonglobe/public/7ZO5JKW7JTNPIBRKZEY52QTEXY.jpg)
The MVP races are pretty much over, but baseball's other awards are up for grabs
![21 reasons the Braves' 2021 World Series title was so very unexpected](https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2021/11/1280/1280/11.02.21_Jeff-Mathis-feature_16x9.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
World Series 2021: Atlanta Braves catcher Jeff Mathis is not seen, but his impact is felt