Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Braves Keep Winning … Is It the Pearls?

Atlanta Braves rightfielder Joc Pederson — it's gotta' be the pearls, right?
Atlanta Braves rightfielder Joc Pederson on Insta — it’s gotta’ be the pearls, right? Atlanta Braves Fanpage Instagram

Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Braves dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning not only their first win in Chavez Ravine in their last eleven attempts, but the ability to clinch their first pennant since 1999 with a win at Dodger Stadium in Game 5 on Thursday. How did the scrappy, 88-win squad get to the brink of destroying the Dodgers’ 106-win Death Star? 

Recommended Videos

One could argue that a trade deadline haul of Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, and Adam Duvall helped to push the Braves over the brink, but another, much less subtle symbol may be the metaphorical answer: A string of pearls. Since the puckish Pederson began sporting the nacre at the end of September, the Braves have been almost unbeatable. First they lost only one game in taking out the 95-win NL Central-winning Brewers in four games and now they hold a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Dodgers.

To track, Pederson was first spotted wearing the pearls when he came in to pitch hit against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 29. When Pederson homered on Oct. 2, pearls bouncing as he bounded around the based, Braves announcers expressed that this may have been the first time to see a man in pearls hit a dinger. 

Asked about the necklace on Sept. 30, Pederson only offered that, “It’s a mystery for everyone. They’ll never know.”

In the beginning of October, he elaborated a bit, noting that “I’m a bad bitch,” when someone queried about the cream string. And on Oct. 11, Pederson cleared things up a bit more, noting that he bought the necklace from a jeweler because he liked the look.

Related Guides

“I’ve done the black chain and the gold chain and all those different ones and — I think a lot of other players have,” Pederson said in a press conference. “But I don’t know, it kind of caught my eye. I was like, ‘You know, those look good.’ “

Pederson insists that he had no clue that one pearl necklace would generate as much buzz as it has. While there very well be more to the story, Pederson’s late season surge has coincided with the Braves’ winning ways. 

With pearls aflutter, the lefty hit two home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers to help the team advance during last week’s series. And on Sunday night in Game 2 of the NLCS, he tattooed a fourth-inning offering from ace Max Scherzer 454 feet into the right field seats. The two-run homer tied the game and brought Atlanta’s Truist Park crowd out of their seats.

Clutch those pearls: Pederson and the Braves might be on their way to their first World Series appearance since 1999. 

Read More: Inside the Life of Baseball’s Most Fascinating Man

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
The 5 best rain jackets that will keep you dry this season
If you get caught in a downpour, one of these jackets will save you
Man in a waterproof jacket in the rain

For all of our friends in the sunny spots of the world, you may be basking in the glow of endless sunshine, even as fall has arrived. But for those in tropical areas or climates with a lot of rainfall, this season is hitting you with inch after inch of precipitation. Since we here at The Manual want you always to be prepared for anything, we think it's high time to help you figure out the best rain jacket to pick up to keep yourself dry in the wet season.

Now, a lot of brands will tell you that they have the best, but we have done the research and we think we have found the jackets that will truly work the best with and on top of your stellar wardrobe. But first things first, some criteria that we want to get out of the way.
What makes a good rain jacket

Read more
James Bond is a fashion icon: Now you can keep 007 style on your coffee table
Pick up a new James Bond style book
Lashana Lynch (left) as the first female 007, backing up James Bond (Daniel Craig, right) after he's pulled from retirement.

There are very few more iconic places to look when searching for influences on menswear than the ultra stylish James Bond. Since Sean Connery exploded onto the scene in the early 60s the British super spy has entertained us with his espionage, action, suave, and of course, his stellar sartorial dominance. You can look back to Goldfinger and see Connery make a swim set cover up look masculine. You can watch Roger Moore make even the garish 70s style look regal and sophisticated. Timothy Dalton was able to keep the classic suave into the 80s despite the explosion of bright colors. Pierce Brosnan ushered in a new customer base for Omega. And, we will never forget Daniel Craig modernizing the character and his wardrobe for a new generation. But of course, you can remember that anytime you want inspiration, or you can keep it at your fingertips with Assouline's "James Bond Style," a new coffee table book hitting the shelves this month.
Detailing the style journey of James Bond

The book takes you on a journey beginning with Dr. No and dives deep into the iconic looks of not just Bond but the villains who challenged him, the women who loved him, and the people that dressed him. It is broken down for all six James Bond actors and features interviews, sketches, factoids, and behind-the-scenes looks at how the costumes came together. The book is aided by Academy-Award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming, who worked on five Bond films (starting with Goldeneye and ending with Casino Royal).  "I don’t know any other film series that has created such a definitive style for its main character—one that’s been captivating audiences for over sixty years," she says in the book.

Read more
The must-have types of sweaters to keep men warm and stylish this fall
Building a sweater wardrobe shouldn't be overwhelming: Here are the types you should own
Man wearing James Bond cashmere wool sweater.

A man's wardrobe is built with the basic building blocks of timeless garments. Everything from the right denim to the right shoes will define a man's style and the image he projects to others. One of the pieces of a man's fall and winter wardrobe that will define some of his most catching outfits is the sweater.

There are numerous types of sweaters for every occasion. Below is a list of men's sweaters that every guy should own for a complete wardrobe. Remember that your need for sweaters will depend on where you live. If you live the beach life, sweaters may not be a huge part of your everyday wardrobe, but for most of us, there are at least four months out of the year when these will come in handy.
Pullover sweater

Read more