Who Else Was Drafted in 1985 besides John Smoltz?

Tags

1985, Atlanta Braves, Barry Bonds, Barry Larkin, David Justice, Draft, John Smoltz, Rafael Palmeiro, Randy Johnson

MLB Draft

Here is a short list of some of the players taken in the 1985 draft other than Smoltz that could be described as having good MLB careers.

To say that this draft was loaded is a huge understatement because, as it turns out, Smoltz is not even the best pitcher in his draft class (although his injury and switch to relief and back certainly clouds the debate a bit) as fellow 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Randy Johnson was selected in the second round by the Expos. Much has already been written about the brilliant careers and extracurricular activities of Bonds and Palmeiro, but fellow Hall of Famer Barry Larkin was also in this draft, drafted 4th overall by the Reds.

The 1985 draft was also directly kind to the Atlanta Braves as they would draft David Justice in the 4th round and he would become a key cog in their offense in the 1990s. Also, it turns out that Smoltz was not the only late round value pick in this draft as Randy Velarde and Mark Grace both parlayed late draft picks into really good MLB careers.

Barry Bonds – Pirates (1st Round)  162.4 WAR

Randy Johnson – Expos (2nd Round)  111.8 WAR

Rafael Palmeiro – Cubs (1st Round)  71.6 WAR

Barry Larkin – Reds (1st Round)  70.2 WAR

Will Clark – Giants (1st Round)  56.2 WAR

Mark Grace – Cubs (24th Round)  44.5 WAR

David Justice – Braves (4th Round)  40.4 WAR

BJ Surhoff – Brewers (1st Round)  34.3 WAR

Brady Anderson – Red Sox (10th Round)  32.6 WAR

Bobby Witt – Rangers (1st Round)  27.1 WAR

Randy Velarde – White Sox (19th Round)  22.5 WAR

Source: John Smoltz’s Draft: Who Else Was Drafted? – Talking Chop.

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John Smoltz did it right and he did it clean – Hall of Fame 2015

Tags

Atlanta Braves, Hall of Fame, John Smoltz

John Smoltz

John Smoltz has heart. He loves to play and compete. He would do anything to help the team win. That is just who he is.

As a baseball fan and someone who loves the Braves. I appreciate how John approached his lively-hood. Special and rare!

Special admiration should be reserved for: The pitcher who somehow squeezes a 22-year, Cy Young-punctuated career out of a right limb that has endured five surgeries, including Tommy John (before it was really cool) … the guy who transitions from starter to closer when it appears his career might be over and then, as if to prove everybody else an idiot again, manages to transition back to starter … the pro athlete who turns down more money in free agency because he wants to stay home and not lose the relationship he has with his manager.

via John Smoltz did it right and he did it clean | www.ajc.com.

John Smoltz: Some of his greatest games

Tags

2015, Hall of Fame, John Smoltz, July 26

John Smoltz

Officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015, it would be hard to pick out his “greatest games”. So here is a very partial list.

Oct. 5, 1991 – Smoltz went the distance to beat the Astros 5-2 as the Braves coined the NL West title on the penultimate day of the season, the first of many big postseason performances.

Oct. 17, 1991 – Against the Pirates, on the road, in Game 7 of the NLCS, Smoltz pitched a six-hit shutout with eight K’s in a 4-0 victory, good for a Game Score — the metric Bill James designed as a simple way to measure the effectiveness of a pitcher’s start — of 82. He threw 123 pitches — 82 for strikes — but more important, this was the game that got the Braves’ dynasty rolling and established Smoltz as the team’s postseason ace.

Oct. 27, 1991 – Ten days later, Smoltz, then 24, battled Minnesota’s Jack Morris — the young gun versus the grizzled veteran — in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Smoltz tossed 7⅓ scoreless innings for the Braves, while his elder pitched a 10-inning shutout in a game that finished 1-0.

Sept. 6, 1998 – Smoltz’s best Game Score was a 93, not in his Game 7 performances against the Pirates in the 1991 NLCS or the 1991 World Series against the Twins. Not Game 5 of the 1996 World Series against the Yankees. But rather this regular-season game against the Mets. Smoltz struck out 13, walked none and pitched a three-hitter that could easily have been a perfect game. The Mets had a bit of a rough lineup that night, with Lenny Harris hitting fifth and Jorge Fabregas hitting sixth, and Larry Vanover had a very wide plate — six of the strikeouts were looking — but this 3-0 win was dominance at its finest.

June 7, 1999 – Down 3-0 early in the game, Smoltz smacked a three-run home run — the fifth and final homer of his career — off Dave Eiland to tie the game. Then, in his next at-bat, he singled. He finished 2-for-3 in a 9-5 win for the Braves.

Sept. 27, 2002 – Smoltz pitched 1⅓ innings to preserve a win for Greg Maddux and notch his 54th save of the season, setting a new National League record. Smoltz would finish with 55 saves, a mark equaled the following season by Eric Gagne of the Dodgers.

May 24, 2007 – Smoltz pitched seven shutout innings in a 2-1 win against the Mets to record the 200th win of his career, making him the only pitcher in MLB history with 200 wins and 150 saves. The losing pitcher that night: Tom Glavine.

April 22, 2008 – Smoltz struck out the Nationals’ Felipe Lopez in the third inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming the 16th pitcher to reach the milestone. Smoltz would finish with 3,084 strikeouts, ranking him 16th all-time.

 

John Smoltz – Hall of Fame facts about his career

Tags

2015, All Star, Atlanta Braves, Closer, Cy Young Award, John Smoltz, July 26, MVP, Silver Slugger Award, World Series

John Smoltz

It is not all about the facts, but in Baseball we easily focus there. John, inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015, had an amazing career.

John also had heart. John gave it everything he could every day. John loves baseball.

So a few of his amazing accomplishments:

• NL Cy Young Award winner (1996)
• Eight-time All-Star (1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)
• NLCS MVP (1992)
• 1995 World Series champion
• 15-4, 2.67 ERA in 41 career postseason games
• Silver Slugger Award (1997)
• NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (2002)
• Roberto Clemente Award winner (2005)
• Atlanta Braves retired his No. 29 on June 8, 2012.
• The only pitcher in baseball history with at least 200 wins and 100 saves.
• Smoltz’s 55 saves in 2002 is tied for the third most by a pitcher in a single season (with Eric Gagne in 2003).
• Smoltz became a closer full-time in 2002-04; during that stretch, his 144 saves ranked second in baseball behind only Eric Gagne’s 152. During that three-season stretch, Smoltz had 23 more saves than Mariano Rivera.

 

After being ejected for swearing Johnny Evers claims he was talking to the ball. (September 14, 1914)

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1914, Boston Braves, Federal League, Johnny Evers, Miracle Braves, September 14

Johnny Evers

After being ejected for swearing on September 14, 1914, Johnny Evers claims he was talking to the ball and not to umpire Mal Eason. The Boston Braves’ shortstop is still suspended for three days.

I love the creativity of his approach. While he missed three games, it didn’t seem to hurt the miracle season of 1914.

Consider this about Evers.

After the 1913 season, Evers was offered $100,000 ($2,386,195 in current dollar terms) to jump to the Federal League, but he opted to take less money to remain with the Cubs.^[ In February 1914, after Evers signed his players to contracts, Murphy fired Evers as manager and traded him to the Boston Braves for Bill Sweeney and Hub Perdue. Murphy insisted that Evers had resigned as manager, which Evers denied. Evers insisted he was a free agent, but the league assigned him to the Braves. He signed a four-year contract at $10,000 per season ($235,449 in current dollar terms), with a $20,000 signing bonus.

Source: Wikipedia

The debut for the promising prospect Hank Aaron (March 13, 1954)

Tags

1954, 1957, Bobby Thompson, John Quinn, July 14, June 15, March 13, Red Schoendienst

Hank Aaron

During an exhibition game against the Yankees on March 13, 1954, recently acquired Milwaukee Brave Bobby Thomson breaks his ankle in three places and will be sidelined until July 14. The ’51 National League playoff hero is replaced in the Braves’ lineup by a promising prospect named Hank Aaron.

Fast forward to 1957. The turning point was the June 15th trading deadline. The Braves were poised to win the division. General Manager John Quinn decided to repair the teams obvious weakness and acquired second baseman Red Schoendienst from New York for outfielder Bobby Thompson, second baseman Danny O’Connell, and pitcher Ray Crone.

Who can blame him for trading an outfielder when you have Hank Aaron?

Bobby Bonds joins Hank Aaron in the elite 30/30 club (September 13, 1969)

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1963, 1969, Bobby Bonds, Hank Aaron, Ken Williams, Milwaukee Braves, September 13, Willie Mays

Hank Aaron

In a 6-4 defeat to the Reds on September 13, 1969, Bobby Bonds becomes the fourth player in major league history to steal at least 30 bases and hit at least thirty home runs in the same season.

The other members of the 30/30 club include Ken Williams (1922-Browns), Willie Mays (1956 & 1957-Giants) and Hank Aaron (1963 – Milwaukee Braves).

Boston Braves outfielder Babe Ruth announces his retirement (June 2, 1935)

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1935, Babe Ruth, Boston Braves, Judge Emil Fuchs, June 2, Retirement

Babe Ruth – Boston Brave

Boston Braves outfielder Babe Ruth announces his retirement from baseball on June 2, 1935.

The 40-year old former Yankees slugger wanted to retire three weeks sooner, but team owner Judge Emil Fuchs persuaded him to continue to play because Boston hadn’t played in every National League park.

Braves pitcher Tom Hughes hurls a no-hitter (April 5, 1916)

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1916, April 5, Boston Braves, No Hitter, Rabbit Maranville, Tom Hughes

Tom Hughes

On April 5, 1916, Boston Braves pitcher Tom Hughes hurls a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Braves Field. Hughes strikes out seven and walks two.

For the Braves, Rabbit Maranville walks three times and scores both of the Braves’ runs. (The box score is unclear on how the runs were scored, since there were no RBIs; Maranville may have stolen home for one of the runs.)

The Braves win 2-0.

Chet Ross and the 1940 Boston Bees

Tags

1917, 1940, 1989, April 1, Boston Bees, Chet Ross, February 21, Vince DiMaggio

Chet Ross

Chester James Ross was born on April 1, 1917 in Buffalo, NY and died on February 21, 1989. He played six seasons with the Bees and Braves. That was from 1939 to 1944.

In 1940 he struck our 127 times. Now that is a lot of strike outs. He was just short of Vince DiMaggio’s record. Like lots of strike out kings, he could also hit homers. In 1940 he hit 17 with 89 RBI’s.

But it was all for naught career wise. He hit just six home runs the rest of his career. Lots of injuries didn’t help. Being named Chester and born on April Fool’s Day probably didn’t either.

Source: Chet Ross – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Buzz Capra is released (March 30, 1978)

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1974, 1978, Atlanta Braves, Buzz Capra, March 30, Rotator Cuff

Buzz Capra

On March 30, 1978, at the end of spring training, the Braves release pitcher Buzz Capra, who was trying to make a comeback from a rotator cuff injury suffered in 1975.

In those days, rotator cuff injuries were usually a career-ender for pitchers; Capra had actually succeeded in returning to major league action with the Braves the previous year, but he finished with a poor 5.68 ERA.

For Capra, who had won the National League ERA title for the Braves in 1974, the release marks the end of his major league career.

Delay is asked for, denied and the game is forfeited (April 5, 1902)

Tags

1902, April 5, Boston Beaneaters, Forfeit, Joe Cantillon, Pittsburgh Pirates, South End Grounds

South End Grounds

On April 5, 1902, in a game at the South End Grounds in Boston, the Boston Beaneaters are trailing the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 in the top of the 5th when it begins to rain.

The Beaneaters complain to umpire Joe Cantillon that the game should be stopped, but the ump refuses. The Braves then began delaying the game, making unnecessary throws and drops, to try to get the game called; since it has not gone five innings, a possible Pirates victory will be wiped off the books if the game is called.

However, because of the delaying tactics, Cantillon orders the game forfeited to Pittsburgh.

Buddy Hassett – (1938 – 1941)

Tags

1911, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1997, August 23, Boston Bees, Boston Braves, Buddy Hassett, Columbus Redbirds, Norfolk Tars, September 5, Wheeling Stogies

Buddy Hassett

John Aloysius “Buddy” Hassett born on September 5, 1911 and died August 23, 1997. He played first base  from 1936 to 1942.

Hassett started his professional baseball career in 1933 with the Wheeling Stogies and batted .332. In 1934 he played for the Norfolk Tars and hit .360.He also set the league record at the time for stolen bases. In 1935 he played for the Columbus Redbirds and hit .337 in the American Association and won a starting job in the majors for the next seven seasons.

He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves, previously the Boston Bees, and New York Yankees. His major league career was cut short by World War II. In 1936 he set the record for fewest strikeouts by a rookie. He struck out just 17 times in 635 at bats. This record still stands.

In 1939, as a new first baseman for the Bees, Buddy led the club in hitting with a .308 average. He was also fifth in the league with 13 steals. The only challenge was that he could not hit for power.

In 1940, Buddy tied the National League record with 10 consecutive hits over three games in June yet he his batting average was just .234. That was 50 points lower than any other season during his career.

After serving in the Navy from 1943 to 1945, Hassett played in the minor leagues for a few years. He also managed for the Yankees farm team, the Newark Bears in the minors until 1950. Hassett was player coach of a team of players from the US Navy Pre-flight training program in Chapel Hill, NC that went to New York to play a War Chest benefit against a team of All Stars from the Yankees and Cleveland Indians, coached by Babe Ruth. The Navy team won the game and included Ted Williams, Johnny Sain, and Johnny Pesky along with Hassett. Hassett saw action in the Pacific aboard the Carrier the USS Bennington.

via Buddy Hassett – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Matt Wisler helps the Braves win 5-3 to end Brewers’ 8-game winning streak (July 6, 2015)

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2015, April 5, Atlanta Braves, July 6, June 19, Matt Wisler, Milwaukee Brewers

Matt Wisler

Braves rookie Matt Wisler made his second career road start on July 6, 2015. He fared much better this time around against the hottest team in the majors. Wisler allowed three runs and seven hits while pitching into the sixth inning, and Atlanta ended the Milwaukee Brewers’ eight-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory.

On April 5, 2015, Wisler was traded to the Atlanta Braves, along with Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin, Jordan Paroubeck, and a draft pick, in exchange for Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton, Jr. He was then sent to Triple-A Gwinnett.

On June 19, 2015, Wisler was called up to the major leagues, and that night he made his major league debut as the starting pitcher against New York Mets, a game in which he earned the win. He pitched 8.0 innings to pick up the win, the first time a Braves pitcher had accomplished that in his debut since John Smoltz’s debut performance

Wisler had pitched well in two home starts since being called up in mid-June, allowing one run over 15 1/3 innings. In his only other start on the road, he gave up four earned runs and nine hits over four innings at Washington.

Staked to an early lead on Kelly Johnson’s two-run homer in the first, Wisler served up a leadoff shot in the bottom half to Gerardo Parra but then got into a groove.

I just missed my location but after that I settled in for the most part. Early on my slider wasn’t as good as it was last game. I had to battle a bit in the fifth and sixth innings and make some pitches. ~Matt Wisler

Source: Braves win 5-3 to end Brewers’ 8-game winning streak.

 

Johnny Cooney – (1921-1930, 1938-1942)

Tags

1901, 1921, 1930, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1986, Bill Lohrman, Boston Bees, Boston Braves, Hank Greenberg, John Cooney, July 8, March 18

Johnny Cooney – Wikipedia

In a 20-season career, Cooney played for the Boston Bees/Braves (Braves, 1921–30, 1940–42; Bees, 1938–40) and also with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1935–37, 1943–44) and New York Yankees (1944), while hitting a .286 batting average (965-for-3372) with 219 RBI and only two home runs.

He had a very unique career. Perhaps one that we may never see again. He wasn’t the most accomplished player ever for the Braves. He was the only man to play in both leagues, coach in both leagues, manage in both leagues and umpire in one. He also had to overcome the obstacle of having surgery that left his throwing arm three inches shorter that his glove arm. He was a lefty.

He made 159 appearances as a pitcher from 1921 through 1930, all with Boston, winning 34 and losing 44 for a .436 winning percentage with 224 strikeouts and a 3.72 ERA in 795⅓ Innings pitched.

In Cooney’s 20 big league seasons, he only hit two home runs. They came on back to back days with the Bees in 1939.

According to Hank Greenberg’s biographer, before Greenberg’s very first spring training exhibition game in 1930 when his Detroit Tigers were set to play the Braves, Cooney felt sympathy towards the 19-year-old then known as Henry, took him aside before the game and promised, “Kid, I’m going to give you one you can hit.” He did, and Greenberg did, as the future Hall of Fame slugger launched an impressive homer over the fence.

Kid, I’m going to give you one you can hit. ~Johnny Cooney

Originally, in 1921, he was going to play for the Red Sox. I guess he like cash better than a check as the deal with the Red Sox would only be by check. The Braves paid in cash.

In his second stint in the Majors, after 1935, Cooney concentrated on playing outfield and first base. His two homers were hit in consecutive games in September 1939, when he again played for Boston. His best averages as a regular came with the Braves, .318 in 1940 and .319 in 1941.

In 1941 he seemed to be the on Brave who had his act together. He was 40 years old at the time. He was a league leader in hitting. He also led the outfielders with a .996 fielding average. Pretty good defense. He also broke up a no-hit bid by New York’s Bill Lohrman.

1940 Boston Bees season

Tags

1940, Boston Bees, Casey Stengel

Boston Bees 1940 Season

The new trend in baseball in the 1940’s was to install lights for night games. The Braves (then known as the Boston Bees) had not invested yet. Probably a good thing. They played their first night game at the Polo Grounds. It was May 24, 1940. They lost 8-1. The next week they lost in the lights at Forbes Field. There were only two teams that year without lights.

It really didn’t matter in 1940 whether they played in the lights or not. They ended the season, under Casey Stengel as manager, in 7th place. They were 34 1/2 games behind with a 65-87 record.

It isn’t good to be known as trade bait – Doyle Alexander

Tags

1950, 1980, 1986, 1987, Atlanta Braves, Doyle Alexander, September 4, Toronto Blue Jays

Doyle Alexander

I am sure if you place professional baseball you would not want to be known as trade bait. Unfortunately, Doyle Alexander was known more as that than as a pitcher.

Now maybe that isn’t exactly fair but Alexander is known to have been successful and well traveled. He recorded victories against every team when there were just 26 clubs in the majors. He played for nine different teams. He pitched for 19 years so he clearly had what it takes physically. Doyle had a record of 194-174. He also seemed to get better as he got older.

Doyle pitched for the Braves in 1980 and 1986 to 1987. He was born in Cordova, Alabama on September 4, 1950. He was tall at 6-3.

His best years were 1984 and 1985. He had back-to-back 17 victory seasons for our friends in Toronto. He was notable in that he led the AL in winning percentage with .739.

 

The Kid begins to dominate for the Beaneaters (1891)

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1869, 1891, Boston Beaneaters, Kid Nichols, September 14

Kid Nichols

I love the name “Kid” Nichols. I guess when you are 20 and break into the Majors, you are a kid. Kid arrived on the scene in 1890, playing for the Beaneaters. He hailed from Madison, Wisconsin, having been born on September 14, 1869.

Nichols would win 30 games in 1891. That would be 3 less than John Clarkson, the other starter for the Beaneaters. Between the two, they pitched Boston to their first pennant in eight years.

In 1891, Nichols ranked fourth in the league in wins and was second in ERA with 2.39 and five shutouts.

Nichols had tremendous control. He only allowed 2.18 walks per game. He also ranked second in strikeouts with 5.08 per game.

Pretty good considering the rules for pitchers were changing a lot at this time.

 

The other Hank (1911 – 1923, 1929, 1930)

Tags

1911, 1914, 1916, 1923, 1929, 1930, August 24, Boston Braves, Boston Rustlers, George Davis, Hank Gowdy, No Hitter, Tom Hughes

Hank Gowdy

Hank Gowdy came to the Braves in 1911 and played through 1923 and again in 29 to 30. He was a great catcher. Let’s just call him the “other Hank” but he is a stand out all on his own. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 24, 1889. He passed away on August 1, 1966.

What a thrill it had to be for him to play for the Miracle Braves. He was the star of the stunning October sweep of the highly favored Philadelphia Athletics.

Gowdy was the starting catcher for only the 1914 to 1916 seasons. He played with the club in all but 3 of his 17 seasons.

He caught a few no-hitters. A great experience for any catcher. He caught one by George Davis in 1914 (the Miracle year) and for Tom Hughes in 1916.

The man from Haina – Felipe Alou (1964 – 1969)

Tags

1935, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1971, All Star, Atlanta Braves, Billy Hoeft, Bob Hendley, Bob Shaw, Del Crandall, Ed Bailey, Ernie Bowman, Felipe Alou, Jesus Alou, Jim Nash, Matty Alou, May 12, Milwaukee Braves

Felipe Alou

Felipe Alou played for the Atlanta Braves from 1964 to 1969. Born in Haina, Dominican Republic on May 12, 1935, he batted and threw right handed. He was both an outfielder and first baseman.

Felipe was considered an amazing team player. He was devoted to the game and to what it took to help the Braves in any way he could. He was a very powerful athlete. He could play almost anywhere and the Braves moved him around a lot. He also could hit from any where in the batting order, it didn’t matter to him. He hit for average and for power.

He made his major league debut in 1958 and was an All-Star in 1962, when he batted .316 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI. Felipe was joined by his brothers, Matty in 1960, and Jesús in 1963, who, on September 15 of that year became the first, and as of today only, all-brother outfield.

He was traded to the Milwaukee Braves before the 1964 season with Ed Bailey, Billy Hoeft and a player to be named later (Ernie Bowman) for Del Crandall, Bob Hendley and Bob Shaw. Two years later he enjoyed his best season, when he batted .327 with 31 home runs and led the league in runs (122), hits (218), at bats (666) and total bases (355); he finished second in the batting race to his brother Matty. He also had a good year in 1968, batting .317 and leading the league in hits (210) and at bats (662); he made the All-Star team both years.

After the 1969 season, the Braves traded him to the Athletics for Jim Nash. In April 1971, he was traded by the Athletics to the Yankees for Rob Gardner and Ron Klimkowski.

Just another day for Joe with 12 RBI’s and 4 home runs plus a double (July 31, 1954)

Tags

1954, Brooklyn Dodgers, Don Newcombe, Ebbets Field, Ery Palica, Joe Adcock, Johnny Podres, July 31, Milwaukee Braves, Pete Wojey

Joe Adcock – Milwaukee Braves

I don’t think anyone new it would be such a memorable day on July 31, 1954. It turned out to be for Joe Adcock. Joe was the first baseman for the Milwaukee Braves. He took center stage in an individual game performance that may never be matched.

The Braves were playing at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field. Joe was just 26 then and playing first base. He broke two major league records that day. Joe had five at bats. He hit five home runs and a double. Who cares about hitting for the cycle when you can do that?

His four home runs came off four different pitchers. His 18 total bases established a record as did his 13 extra bases. Interestingly enough, he had to borrow a bat since he had broken his the night before.

He led off with a home run against Don Newcombe. He took a rest and doubled in the third and then scored against Erv Palica. He wouldn’t give Palica a break and hit a three run homer against him in the fifth.

Next up was Pete Wojey. Joe jacked a two-run homer against him. So, he would get one more chance. In the ninth, Johnny Podres was pitching. Joe ht his fourth home of the day. Stunning to say the least.

Joe drove in seven runs that day and scored five himself. Amazingly, he only needed seven pitches to inflict all this damage. He came into the game hitting .442. Ebbets Fiedl seemed to be a special place for him as he hit .467 there that year. The previous night he had a homer, double and a single, just missing the cycle. Nine of his home runs that year would come at Ebbets.

The Upton brothers both homer in the 9th as Atlanta walks off with a 6-5 win (2013)

Tags

1985, 2013, April 6, Atlanta Braves, B. J. Upton, Dale Murphy, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton

Upton Brothers

I’ve watched a lot of Atlanta Braves baseball over the years. Throughout the 14 straight division titles and the one World Series title, there have been plenty of incredible moments involving this franchise.

What we saw April 6, 2013, with B.J. Upton hitting the game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth and younger brother Justin Upton hitting the walk-off home run two batters later to win the game is now up there among any of those moments as one of my favorites to have watched happen. I am so glad I tuned in at just the right time.

Up 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Chicago brought in troubled closer Carlos Marmol to attempt to close things out. B.J Upton led off, and after working into a 3-1 count, got a fastball down the middle and drilled it to dead center field to tie things up at five apiece. After a Jason Heyward fly out to left, Marmol had to deal with the younger Upton with one out.

After a ball, a called strike, and a foul ball, Justin connected on a 1-2 fastball, sending it over the center field fence to give the Braves a 6-5 victory and one of the best finishes in recent memory.

Justin Upton kept up his hot hitting by launched his fourth home run of the season to dead center field to tie the game at one. Upton is the second Braves to homer in four of the first five games of the season, joining only Dale Murphy in 1985 as the only Brave to accomplish the feat.

Cameron Maybin has 3 hits, Braves beat struggling Phillies 9-5 (July 4, 2015)

Tags

2015, Atlanta Braves, July 4, Kevin Correia, Kevin Maybin, Philadelphia Phillies

Cameron Maybin

Cameron Maybin says he has “new-found energy” with the Atlanta Braves. That energy has made Maybin perhaps the Braves’ biggest surprise in the season’s first half. Maybin had three hits, including a home run, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-5 on Saturday night, July 4, 2015 in their best offensive showing in six weeks.

Kevin Correia (0-3) allowed nine runs, matching his career high, and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

I think my stuff was just a little off. I was a little up on a couple pitches and when I did hit my spots, they still hit it hard. For whatever reason I just didn’t have that little extra I needed. ~Kevin Correia

50 home runs in a season is not easy to do unless you’re Andruw Jones (September 14, 2005)

Tags

1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, Alex Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, Curacao, September 14

Andruw Jones

Braves’ center fielder Andruw Jones hits his 50th home run on September 14, 2005, in the eighth inning of a 12-4 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Curacao native is the first major leaguer to reach the plateau since Alex Rodriguez hit 57 homers playing shortstop for the Rangers in 2002.

Jones made his debut during the 1996 season with the Atlanta Braves. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the postseason, and just the second player ever to homer in his first two World Series at bats. The following season, Jones batted .231 with 18 home runs and finished 5th in voting for Rookie of the Year. In 1998, Jones batted .271 with 31 home runs and in 1999, he batted .275 with 26 home runs. Jones batted .303 with 36 home runs and 104 runs batted in (RBIs) in 2000 and made his first All-Star team.

The following season, Jones again blasted over 30 home runs and drove in 104 runs but his average dipped to .251 while his strikeouts increased. Jones played better in 2002 and 2003 and made the All-Star team in both seasons.

However, Jones struggled in 2004 and failed to hit at least 30 home runs for the first time since 1999. However, in 2005, he led the league with 51 home runs and also led the NL with 128 RBIs. He finished 2nd to Albert Pujols for National League MVP. In 2006, Jones batted .262 with 41 home runs and 129 RBI. In 2007, in his last season with the Braves, Jones batted just .222 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Boston Braves lose to the Giants at the Polo Grounds 5-8 (July 4, 1920)

Tags

1920, Boston Braves, Everett Wiley Wilson, July 4

It wasn’t a great 4th of July for the Braves in 1920. They were at the Polo Grounds and ended up losing to the Giants 8-5. The losing pitcher for the Braves was Hugh McQuillan.

At that point in the season, the Braves were playing .500 ball. They would end up finishing seventh with a 62-90 record.

No fireworks for the Braves on the fourth that year.

My dad, Everett Wiley Wilson, was born the year before on 7/4/1919.

July 4 1920 the Braves lose to the Giants

Juan Uribe and Jonny Gomes help lead Braves to 2-1 victory over Phillies (July 3, 2015)

Tags

2015, Atlanta Braves, Jonny Gomes, Juan Uribe, Julio Teheran, July 3

Julio Teheran

Much thanks to Juan Uribe and Jonny Gomes for home runs. Close game but a nice win to keep us on track for the 2015 season. As of July 3, 2015 we are 5 games out of first.

“I wish I could take this feeling and bring it with me,” Teheran said. “I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just happy I did my job today.”

Julio Teheran can’t explain the dramatic gap between his home success and road struggles. It’s a gap which seems to widen with every start.

Juan Uribe hit a tie-breaking homer in the seventh inning, Teheran threw seven strong innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Friday night.

Teheran (6-4) allowed one unearned run and seven hits in seven innings. He improved to 5-0 with a 2.04 ERA in eight starts at Turner Field. He is 1-4 with a 7.40 ERA in nine road starts.

The Braves only scored two runs tonight, and they both came via the home run. Those two runs ended up being enough for a victory though, as Julio Teheran and company were able to keep the Phillies at bay for a 2-1 victory.

via Juan Uribe and Jonny Gomes help lead Braves to 2-1 victory over Phillies – Talking Chop.

Hank Aaron – All time home run king (1954 – 1974)

Tags

1934, 1954, 1974, 755, Barry Bonds, February 5, Hank Aaron, Home Run King

Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron played for 20 years with the Braves, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. He started in 1954 and finished in 1974. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on February 5, 1934. At 6-0 and 190 pounds, he didn’t look like a “home run king”.

Now, I know that Barry Bonds broke his record of 755 home runs by hitting 762. I don’t consider it legitimate since we know he took steroids. I’ll leave it at that.

In my mind, it is almost impossible to write Hank Aaron’s name with adding in “home run king” to it. Hank deserves that accolade and I will give it to him.