Sandy Springs resident Richard Shupart couldn’t believe his eyes when he read the results for the Gwinnett Braves “Name the Team” contest on Thursday.
“I thought it was someone's joke or a misprint,” Shupart said.
After fans submitted 4,024 responses consisting of 900 different names to the renaming contest in May, the Gwinnett Braves announced on Thursday the six finalists.
The finalists revealed on Thursday were the Buttons, the Big Mouths, the Gobblers, Hush Puppies, Lambchops and the Sweet Teas.
Fans submitted team name ideas online from May 22 through June 2 and then the G-Braves selection committee comprised of Gwinnett and Atlanta Braves staff members and branding partner Brandiose selected the six finalists from the 900 options.
The “Buttons” refers to historic Gwinnett County figure Buttons Gwinnett who was briefly voted President of Georgia in 1777 after signing the Declaration of Independence while the Gwinnett Braves say the “Big Mouths” was chosen to reflect the state fish, the largemouth bass. The “Gobblers”, “Hush Puppies”, “Lambchops” and “Sweet Teas” were chosen to resemble the culture of the South and don’t have historical significance.
After proudly living in Georgia for 65 years, Shupart said he, his family and friends all agree that the six team name options are “terrible.” Shupart would rather keep the Gwinnett Braves team name as-is than vote for any of the six options.
“I think that the six names are silly and don't command the respect the team deserves,” Shupart said.
Fans have until July 24 to vote on their favorite team name on the G-Braves official website. The selection committee is expected to choose the G-Braves new team name around late-October or early-November.
