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Last Year's Rank: 21
Title Track: 32
Ownership: 54
Coaching: 15
Players: 46
Fan Relations: 42
Affordability: 21
Stadium Experience: 59
Bang for the Buck: 34

The goodwill generated by 14 straight division ­titles has worn thin after a third nonplayoff autumn. But the real breaking point was the loss of franchise icon John Smoltz, gone to the Red Sox. "I thought management would have learned a lesson about dealing with future Hall of Famers after Tom Glavine ended up with the Mets," writes Chop Chick. "Apparently not." (Imagine Chop Chick's feelings about Glavine's most recent treatment by his old team.) Atlanta may be a city of transplants, but even Braves fans like their continuity. At least, still-popular Bobby Cox is the manager with the longest tenure with one team in MLB. These days the Braves mostly try to mollify their fans in other ways. Like by offering free programs and the third-lowest average ticket price in the majors ($17.05); a season pass can cost as little as three bucks a game. And if you manage to beat the traffic and get to the ballyard early enough, 186 seats in the Skyline level can be had for $1 ("the greatest thing since sliced bread," wrote fan-forum contributor CJones1999). A little later in the day, the Top of the Chop bar provides a nice spot to watch the game and hoist a glass to dear, departed owner Ted Turner. The new boss, faceless Denver-based Liberty Media, has fans longing for the days when the Mouth From the South led the Tomahawk Chop.