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Atlanta
Braves Baseball History |
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| The Atlanta Braves
were founded in 1871, Boston, Massachusetts as a National Association
club. The club became a charter member of the National League in 1876
and are the oldest continuously operating sports franchise in North
American sports. Atlanta was formerly known as the Boston Braves between
1912-1952 and the Milwaukee Braves between 1953-1965. The Braves and
Pirates debuted Major League Baseball's first season in Atlanta on
April 12, with Pittsburgh winning, 3-2, in 13 innings. Atlanta was
fifth in its initial season, but Aaron hit 44 homers and had 127 RBI
to lead the league. The Braves marked the first year of division play
by winning the West. The Braves were fifth place on Aug. 19, but outplayed
San Francisco and Cincinnati down the stretch to win the division.
Phil Niekro won 23 games, while Aaron slugged 44 homers and knocked
in 97 runs. The Braves lost to the Miracle Mets in the playoffs, three
games to none. Aaron hit his 600th career homer, this one in Atlanta-Fulton
County Stadium off the Giants' Gaylord Perry. After hitting an Atlanta
rookie record 33 homers, Earl Williams is named Rookie of the Year.
Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth the first time he swung the bat, connecting
on April 4, off Cincinnati's Jack Billingham. Four days later he broke
the record with No. 715 against Dodgers' lefty Al Downing. The 1974
season was comparatively uneventful, but in January of the off-season
it became official that television magnate Ted Turner purchased the
club. Bobby Cox was hired for the 1978 season, after the braves lost
three straight seasons. Cox promoted a 22-year-old slugger named Dale
Murphy into the starting lineup. Murphy hit 77 home runs over the
next three seasons, but struggled on defense, positioned at either
catcher or first base while being unable to adeptly play either. However,
in 1980, Murphy was moved to center field and demonstrated excellent
range and throwing ability, while the Braves earned their first winning
season since 1974. He guided the team to eight division titles, five
NL pennants, and one World Series championship. Outfielder Hank Aaron
proved to be the most prolific home run hitter in baseball history.
The Braves made history in 1990 by becoming the first team ever to
reach the World Series just one season after having baseball's worst
record. In 1998 the team was again in news the team won 106 games
and its seventh straight division title. The team has to its title
11 division title wins, four National Association pennants winnings,
seventeen National League pennants and three World Series championships.
In 2004, Bolstered by a rotation that was led by Jaret Wright and
Russ Ortiz, the Braves posted the Major Leagues' best staff ERA for
the 10th time in 13 seasons. Bobby Cox became the ninth manager to
reach 2,000 career wins and John Smoltz set the franchise's all-time
saves record. The home ballpark is Turner Field in Atlanta. The stadium
was opened in March 29, 1997 and has a seating capacity of 50, 000.
This giant stadium was built at a cost $235 million. Some of the members
who have been included in the Hall of Fame include Henry Aaron, Earl
Averill, Dave Bancroft and Dan Brouthers. |
Official
Atlanta Braves Baseball Website |
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