In a fitting close to the Braves' season at home in Ted Turner stadium, Bobby Cox' team finished off the Mets in fine fashion, simultaneously gift-wrapping its manager's 2,000th win for the home crowd. With the win, Cox became only the 9th manager in the history of baseball to acheive the double-M mark for victories. (The all-time win leader among managers is Connie Mack, who -- get this -- coached for 53 seasons and won 3,731 times. Tony La Russa, the only other active manager, has 4 more seasons (27) and 112 wins under his belt than Cox.)

Record since 9/3: 16-11
Games left: 3
Overall record: 94-65
To end at 96-66: Win 2

Three games left in Chicago against the Cubs. This series could be a preview for the playoffs, but the way things are going for the Dodgers, the Braves may find themselves fighting with a really mad Milton Bradley and Dickie Cronkite's artful Dodgers.

Here's hoping tha Jaret Wright's ankle heals up before the playoffs start. I really don't want the shaky Russ Ortiz pitching in the first game...