John Riordan: Baseball's Tomahawk Chop adds fuel to bitter US culture wars

The Atlanta Braves came from nowhere to win the World Series but what should have been an enjoyable rags-to-riches tale instead was co-opted by the thrill of divisive politics

Fans do ‘the chop’ during the first inning in Game Three of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. The gesture is regarded as offensive by many of the indigenous cultures of America. Picture: Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images

It was the least loved World Series pairing in years.

By the time the Atlanta Braves brought the curtain down on the 2021 Major League Baseball season in Houston, Texas late on Tuesday night, there was a general sense of relief that there wouldn’t be a need for one more game.