Bill Bruton hits two triples to lead the Braves to victory of St. Louis (August 2, 1959)

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1954, August 2, Bill Bruton, Milwaukee Braves

Bill Bruton accomplishes a rate feat on August 2, 1959. He was a triple hitting machine.

In both the first and the sixth inning of the nightcap of a twin bill at County Stadium, hits a three-run triple. The Milwaukee Braves center fielder’s pair of three-baggers with the bases loaded contributes to the team’s 11-5 victory over St. Louis.

In his twelve-year major league career, Bruton posted an overall .273 batting average with 94 home runs and 545 run batted in in 1,610 games. A line-drive hitter and a fleet-footed runner, Bruton led the National League in stolen bases for three consecutive seasons (1953 through 1955), twice in triples (1956 and 1960), and once in runs scored (1960). He led off a game with a home run twelve times.

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Billy Wagner come to terms on a $7 million, one-year deal for the southpaw to become the club’s closer. (December 2, 2009)

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2009, 2010, April 30, Atlanta Braves, Billy Wagner, December 9, July 11, October 3

The Braves and left-hander Billy Wagner come to terms on a $7 million, one-year deal for the southpaw to become the club’s closer, replacing Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez on December 2, 2009. The Boston Red Sox claimed Wagner off waivers from the Mets. After initial reports suggested Wagner would invoke his no-trade clause to veto a trade, he agreed to be traded on August 25 for Chris Carter and Eddie Lora, with the added stipulation that the Red Sox could not exercise his $8 million option for 2010, but could offer him salary arbitration. The Red Sox did offer Wagner arbitration, but he declined so the Red Sox received the first-round draft pick from the team that signed Wagner (Atlanta Braves) and a sandwich pick in the 2010 rookie draft.

The six-time All-Star, who missed most of the 2009 season due to elbow surgery, was traded by the Mets to the Red Sox in late August after the reliever showed he still has a live fastball in his initial appearance off the disabled list in New York.

On April 30, 2010, Wagner revealed that he would retire at the end of the 2010 season to spend more time with his family. In a game against the Detroit Tigers on June 25, Wagner achieved his 400th career save. After the game, he told reporters that he still planned to retire after the 2010 season. On July 11, Wagner was selected as an injury replacement to the 2010 National League All Star roster, which he declined due to an ankle injury.

He played his final regular season game on October 3, 2010, and struck out the final four batters he faced – the last three of whom struck out looking. He concluded his final major league regular season with a career-best 1.43 ERA. Wagner made his final major league appearance on October 8 in Game 2 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. Wagner suffered an injury to his left oblique and left the game after facing just two batters. The Braves eventually lost the series before Wagner could recover.

Chipper Jones On his book “Ballplayer” (Hall of Fame – 2018)

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Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame, Switch Hitter

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones—one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history—shares his remarkable story, while capturing the magic nostalgia that sets baseball apart from every other sport. His new book, “Ballplayer,” takes readers into the clubhouse of the Braves’ extraordinary dynasty, from the climax of the World Series championship in 1995 to the last-gasp division win by the 2005 “Baby Braves.”

The National League MVP also shares pitch-by-pitch dissections of clashes at the plate with some of the all-time great starters, such as Clemens and Johnson, while also delving into his relationships with Bobby Cox and his famous Braves brothers and opponents from Cal Ripken Jr. to Barry Bonds.

From his overnight rise to superstardom to the personal pitfalls that came with fame, “Ballplayer” immerses readers in the best of baseball. Interview at 692 Broadway in NYC for BUILD Series.

In my opinion, Chipper is the best switch hitter ever. You can buy the book here.

Braves trade Hank Aaron to Milwaukee (November 2, 1974)

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1974, 1976, Bob Uecker, Hank Aaron, July 20, Milwaukee Brewers, November 2

On November 2, 1974, the Atlanta Braves trade Hank Aaron to the Brewers for Dave May and Roger Alexander. The move allows the all-time career home run champ to finish his career in Milwaukee, the city in which he started in the majors.

The new designated-hitter rule, enacted in 1973, made it possible, allowing Aaron, who along with Mathews and Warren Spahn led the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series championship in 1957, to hit the final 22 of his 755 home runs in a Brewers uniform.

Aaron played his final two seasons with the Brewers, posting a .686 OPS. He finished with 2,297 RBIs and 6,856 total bases, records that stand today.

The Brewers retired his No. 44 after the conclusion of the 1976 season, when Aaron’s playing career came to an end.

“He wasn’t the same Hank Aaron — we knew that,” said Bob Uecker, a teammate of Aaron’s with the Braves who was just beginning his broadcasting career when Aaron joined the Brewers. “But he was still a presence.”

Aaron hit his 755th and final home run on July 20, 1976, at County Stadium, a solo shot off California reliever Dick Drago. The baseball hooked just inside the left-field foul pole at County Stadium and landed in section 28 of the lower grandstand. Months passed before anyone realized it was the Home Run King’s final shot.

While I appreciate the nostalgia of this, I wish he would have finished in Atlanta.

John Smoltz: ‘The Success Of The Atlanta Braves Won’t Be Duplicated’

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Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine

I am a big fan of the Atlanta Braves. What they did by winning 14 division championships is stunning. I agree with John Smoltz. I don’t think it will happen again.

This documentary sounds great.

“All these years later, it is still incredible to think that the Atlanta Braves won 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005. The Braves won the World Series in 1995, played in the Fall Classic five times in the 1990s and had a roster that featured four Hall of Fame players and a Hall of Fame manager. Yet this was a dynasty that was supposed to win multiple championships. The Braves lost in extra innings of Game 7 of the 1991 World Series and blew a 2-0 series lead against the New York Yankees in 1996.

“A new documentary “Atlanta Rules: The Story of the ’90s Braves,” produced by MLB Network, includes interviews with Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Bobby Cox and several others who helped transform Atlanta from one of the worst teams in baseball into a perennial championship contender.”

Source: John Smoltz: ‘The Success Of The Atlanta Braves Won’t Be Duplicated’ « CBS Boston

Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers report today (February 13, 2018)

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2018, Atlanta Braves, February 13, Freddie Freeman, Spring Training

Great news! Pitchers and catchers report to spring training today.

And, here is some good news about Freddie Freeman.

Freddie Freeman and his fully-healed wrist

The two-time All-Star first baseman’s wrist was the story of the 2017 season as he missed 10 weeks with a fracture, prompting the Braves to acquire Matt Adams. Then, upon his return, Freeman pushed for a move to third base, only to switch back to his natural position after 16 games.

Amid all this, he equated his swing to swinging a wet newspaper, though even with that water-logged piece of print he he still managed 138 wRC+ in August and 126 in September.

But the good news is that at Chop Fest in late January, Freeman said he wrist was back to full strength and he told FOX Sports South that he’s already been swinging in 25-degree temperatures to see if he’d deal with any aches or pains.

He did undergo surgery in the offseason … though it was Lasik, which should prevent the dry eye irritation he’s experienced while wearing contact lenses.

In all, he’s set up for a monster season as he enters the fifth year of his $135 million contract.

Freeman was playing at an MLB-level before his injury, with a ridiculous 222 wRC+ in April and 173 in May before he went down. But the major question with Freeman may not be his health, but whether the Braves can supply him with a right-handed bat in the order to take pressure off.

Source: Ten storylines to define Atlanta Braves 2018 spring training

The Giants set a modern record by stealing 11 bases, in one game, against the Braves. (1912)

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1912, Boston Braves, Cy Young, June 20

There was a lot new in 1912, including the new name, the Boston Braves. Having played for the Rustlers in 1911, Cy Young reported to spring training. He stayed for three weeks and then left admitting his arm was no good.

What wasn’t new was their record. They finished last, 52 games behind the leader.

It was pretty bad that year but June 20 would highlight the calamity. The Giants set a modern record by stealing 11 bases, in one game, against the Braves. New York was ahead 14-2 after the eighth inning. In the ninth, they added seven more runs. The Braves had a rally in the bottom of the ninth for 21-12 score. The 17 runs scored in the ninth set a record.

 

See highlights from Chipper’s career — Hall of Fame 2018

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2018, Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame

The Braves show a Chipper Jones tribute video which showcases various highlights from his illustrious career

Chipper Jones — Players to hit 40 percent above league average in 10,000-plus career plate appearances (Hall of Fame)

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2018, Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame

Players to hit 40 percent above league average in 10,000-plus career plate appearances

If there is ever any doubt that Chipper Jones is one of the greatest hitters to ever pick up a bat, consult weighted runs created plus.

Only 21 players in MLB history have hit 40 percent above league average (140 wRC+ or better) in 10,000 or more plate appearances.

Needless to say, it’s a Who’s Who of hitters.

Chipper Jones, Hall of Famer, is a power hitter with more walks than strikeouts in past 30 years (2018)

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Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame

Power hitters with more walks than strikeouts in past 30 years

It is generally accepted as fact in 2018 that sluggers do not typically exhibit flawless plate discipline. During the 2017 season, 117 MLB players hit at least 20 home runs but only five of them — Joey Votto, Mike Trout, Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Rendon and Justin Turner — walked more than they struck out. Only one active player with 50 or more career home runs (Albert Pujols) has walked more than whiffed over the course of his entire career.

Chipper Jones joins Pujols in that rarified air. Over the past 30 seasons, only Jones, Pujols, Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, Edgar Martinez, Gary Sheffield, Todd Helton and Rafael Palmeiro have hit 300 homers, slugged .500 and claimed more career walks than strikeouts.

Chipper is one of 35 Live-Ball Era players to reach base at least 40 percent of the time in 5,000 or more plate appearances (Hall of Fame)

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Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame

.401: Career on-base percentage

Blame Chipper Jones 14.2 career walk rate, which ranks 12th all-time among players with 10,000 or more plate appearances.

Blame his career .300 batting average from both sides of the plate.

Blame his ridiculous age-36 campaign in 2008 — the only players to post a higher single-season OPS after turning 36: Barry Bonds, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb — which pushed his career mark to .408 to safeguard it from the inevitable late-career decline.

Either way, Chipper is one of 35 Live-Ball Era players to reach base at least 40 percent of the time in 5,000 or more plate appearances.

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is one of a handful of players in Atlanta Braves history to win MVP Award

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Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Hall of Fame, Hank Aaron, John Evers, MVP, Robert Elliot, Terry Pendleton

Players in Atlanta Braves history to win MVP Award

Dale Murphy. Terry Pendleton. Chipper Jones. With John Evers, Robert Elliot and Hank Aaron claiming their Most Valuable Player honors in other cities (Milwaukee or Boston), Atlanta’s four MVP Awards arrived in a 17-year span.

Jones’ 1999 season still stands out for his torrid finish — he was not named an All-Star that season as Matt Williams and Ed Sprague represented National League third basemen — as he slugged .693 and reached base in more than 46 percent of his plate appearances. And by at least one measure, it was the most impressive campaign of the group (FanGraphs’ wins above replacement):

1982 Murphy: 6.0

1983 Murphy: 7.0

1991 Pendleton: 6.3

1999 Jones: 7.3