John Rocker – An amazing closer for the Atlanta Braves but all ruined by an intolerance for others and the rules

Tags

1974, 1993, 1998, 2001, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, John Rocker, June 23, Macon GA, October 17, Steroid

John Rocker – Atlanta Brave

Man, John Rocker could pitch and what a closer he was. John Loy Rocker (born October 17, 1974) is a relief pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, the Texas Rangers, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as well as the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He threw left-handed and batted right-handed. He is a native of Macon, Georgia and lives in Atlanta.

In high school, he was a pitcher for First Presbyterian Day School in Macon, Georgia.He threw three no-hitters during his high-school career. He was soon drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round (516th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 1998, he was promoted to the major league club. In Rocker’s first season in the Major Leagues, he was 1–3 with a 2.13 ERA in 38 innings pitched. The following year, an injury put Atlanta closer Kerry Ligtenberg on the DL, moving Rocker into the role of closer, where he was 4–5 with 38 saves and a 2.49 ERA. In 2000, he was 1–2 with 24 saves, posting a 2.89 ERA, but in June 2000, Rocker was demoted for threatening a reporter.

John on whether he would ever play for the New York Yankees or the New York Mets.

I’d retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you’re riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing… The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?

Braves fans were initially willing to support him; however, as Rocker received intense taunting from opposing teams’ fans, his pitching performance declined. On June 23, 2001, Rocker, along with minor-league infielder Troy Cameron (Atlanta’s first-round draft pick in 1997), was traded to the Cleveland Indians for right-handed relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed, along with cash. 

I abhor the “steroid era” in baseball. In March 2007, Rocker was implicated in a steroid ring that included Applied Pharmacy of Mobile, Alabama. In December 2011, he admitted to using steroids, saying “Yeah, of course I was [using steroids]. I mean who wasn’t? Let’s be honest here, who wasn’t?”

So long to the Braves and so long to what little respect I had left for him. An amazing closer but all ruined by an intolerance for others and the rules.

John Rocker

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	IP	G	GS	R	RA9
1998	23	ATL	NL	38.0	47	0	10	2.37
1999	24	ATL	NL	72.1	74	0	24	2.99
2000	25	ATL	NL	53.0	59	0	25	4.25
2001	26	ATL	NL	32.0	30	0	13	3.66
2001	26	CLE	AL	34.2	38	0	23	5.97
2002	27	TEX	AL	24.1	30	0	19	7.03
2003	28	TBD	AL	1.0	2	0	1	9.00
6 Seasons				255.1	280	0	115	4.05
ATL (4 yrs)				195.1	210	0	72	3.32
TBD (1 yr)				1.0	2	0	1	9.00
TEX (1 yr)				24.1	30	0	19	7.03
CLE (1 yr)				34.2	38	0	23	5.97

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/10/2017.

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth in Cincinnati, forced to do so by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (April 4, 1974)

Tags

1974, April 4, Babe Ruth, Cincinnati Reds, Hank Aaron

On April 4, 1974, in front a crowd of 52,000 at Riverfront Stadium on Opening Day in Cincinnati, Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record of 714 by hitting a first-inning two-run homer off Jack Billingham.

The Atlanta front office had considered keeping ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ on the bench during road games so the slugger could try to equal the mark in front of the hometown fans, but commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered the Braves to put the outfielder into the lineup for at least two of the three games against the Reds.

And so they did. And Hank tied the record in Cincinnati.

But, he saved the best for Atlanta and broke the record there. 

Braves All-Stars (July 11, 2017)

Tags

2015, 2017, All Star, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, December 9, Ender Inciarte, July 11

God bless Ender Inciarte for getting elected to the All Stars game in Miami on July 11, 2017. It is well deserved. On December 9, 2015, the Diamondbacks traded Inciarte, Dansby Swanson, and Aaron Blair to the Braves for Shelby Miller, and Gabe Speier. Inciarte started for the Braves as their center fielder and leadoff hitter on Opening Day

We seem to be entering a drought here. Only 1 player going to the All-Stars each of the last 3 years. If you look back over the last 20 years, you will see a different story. Sending only 1 would have been embarrassing. The culture has certainly changed in Atlanta.

At least we have a new stadium!

The lasting impact of the Expos trade for Bartolo Colon (June 27, 2002)

Tags

2002, Atlanta Braves, Bartolo Colon, Cleveland Indians, June 27, New York Mets

On June 27, 2002, Colon was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Montreal Expos, who fancied themselves contenders for the National League wild card and NL East races despite deficits of 5 and 6.5 games respectively at the end of the day.

Bartolo has bounced around a lot. Of course, the Braves just released him. Here is the list (courtesy of Wikipedia):

• Cleveland Indians (1997–2002)
• Montreal Expos (2002)
• Chicago White Sox (2003)
• Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2007)
• Boston Red Sox (2008)
• Chicago White Sox (2009)
• New York Yankees (2011)
• Oakland Athletics (2012–2013)
• New York Mets (2014–2016)
• Atlanta Braves (2017)

Source: On this date: The lasting impact of the Expos trade for Bartolo Colon

RIP: Gene Conley, Milwaukee Braves and NBA champion, dies at 86 (July 4, 2017)

Tags

1952, 1954, 2017, April 17, Brooklyn Dodgers, Gene Conley, July 4, Milwaukee Braves, NBA

Gene Conley, one of the few players in history to win championships in two major professional sports, has died. He was 86.

The Boston Red Sox, for whom Conley played for from 1961 to ’63, say he died Tuesday. Conley played 11 seasons from 1952 to 1963 for four different teams.

Conley helped pitch the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series championship in 1957 and won three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. Otto Graham won championships in the NFL and the NBL, a precursor to the NBA.

Freddie Freeman returns earlier than expected; starts at third base (July 4, 2017)

Tags

2017, Freddie Freeman, July 4, May 17

You have to love it. Freddie Freeman returned earlier than expected from a broken left wrist as he started at third base July 4, 2017 in a 16-4 loss to the Houston Astros. It was a nasty loss but Freddie did relatively well at third.

Freeman, who was reinstated from the disabled list after meeting early in the day with a team physician, has played his entire career at first base. He singled in his first at-bat and easily handled his first chance at the hot corner, fielding a grounder and throwing sharply to first.

Who is the Freeze and how did he became an Atlanta Braves Sensation

Tags

2017, Atlanta Braves, Groundskeeper, Nigel Talton, The Freeze

Who is The Freeze and how did he become so popular?

Talton is a track athlete who has his eyes set on the 2018 World Indoor Championships in England. He is working 2 jobs right now and works all night. Doesn’t seem to slow him down though.

“The Freeze, whose real name is Nigel Talton, is a grounds-crew member for the Braves, but between innings he becomes a superhero. Fans challenge him in a race from foul pole to foul pole, and the Freeze gives his opponents a sizable head start — often five or more seconds — before turning on the jets.”

Source: How the Freeze Became an Atlanta Braves Sensation – The Ringer

“Chicks Dig the Long Ball”, a Nike Commercial, airs starring Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux (May 2, 1999)

Tags

1999, Atlanta Braves, Greg Maddux, Mark McGwire, May 2, Tom Glavine

Now this is classic. On May 2, 1999, Nike’s ‘Chicks Dig the Long Ball’ commercial, starring Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, airs for the first time.

The television ad depicts the Braves hurlers, both who have won multiple Cy Young Awards, as pitchers-who-want-to-become-worshipped-home-run- heroes after becoming frustrated over the attention being shown to Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire by Heather Locklear and a friend.

hi

Rafael Furcal – Number 6 Greatest player of the 2000’s

Tags

2005, All Star, April 4, Atlanta Braves, December 7, Rafael Furcal, Rookie of the Year

Some fans may not be as happy with Rafael Furcal after there was what seemed like a verbal deal in place to bring him back to Atlanta in 2008. But, Furcal backtracked and re-signed with the Dodgers. I know it saddened me to no extent.

Outside of that, Furcal was one of the better Braves between 2000-05.

An injury to Braves shortstop Walt Weiss prior to the 2000 season led to Furcal improbably making the jump from “A” ball to the Major League roster. He made his Major League debut on April 4, 2000 against the Colorado Rockies, getting 2 hits in 4 at-bats. His first hit was against Rockies pitcher Rolando Arrojo.

Furcal went on to hit .295 with 40 stolen bases for the Braves and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award that year.

During 2000 to 2005, he hit .284 with 57 home runs and 292 RBI. He also had 924 hits, 554 runs scored, stole 189 bases, had a .348 on-base percentage, hustled for 38 triples and knocked 160 doubles.

Furcal won the 2000 Rookie of the Year and was named a 2003 All-Star.

On December 7, 2005, Furcal signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years and $39 million. In September 2006 Furcal was selected as the inaugural winner of the Roy Campanella Award, given to the Dodgers player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher. The award was voted on by only his teammates.

Source: Atlanta Braves History: Greatest Players of the 2000s | Bleacher Report

Mule Watson gets traded again (April 4, 1918)

Tags

1918, 1921, April 4, August 13, Bert Niehoff, Boston Braves, Double Header, Mule Watson

The Phillies trade infielder Bert Niehoff (.255, 2, 42) on April 4, 1918 and send cash to the Cardinals for rookie right-hander Mule Watson. Niehoff will play just one more season before retiring.

Watson will pitch two seasons with Philadelphia, posting a 7-11 record, before being traded to the Braves.

Mule is very famous for starting both ends of a double header. On the 12th and 13 August 1921, Watson became the last pitcher in Major League history to start both games of a doubleheader twice in the same season.

On August 12, 1921, both teams used the same starting pitcher in both games of a doubleheader at Braves Field in Boston, the only time that’s happened in major league history.  Phillies manager Kaiser Wilhelm (who had taken over from Bill Donovan less than three weeks earlier) sent George Smith to the mound in both games, while boston skipper Fred Mitchell called on Jack Scott, the same fellow who threw the two complete games in a 1927 twin-bill.  (Scott had also started both games of a double dip in 1920.)  The account in the New York Times doesn’t call any special attention to the situation:  “Scott and Smith started both games, but the former was hit hard and finished neither, and Smith did not finish the first.”  Scott took the loss in both games; neither pitcher made it our of the third inning of the opener, then Smith threw a 12-hit shutout in game two.

The next day, Mitchell started Mule Watson in both games of another doubleheader against Philly, and Watson went the distance in winning both games, holding on to win the first game 4-3, then retiring the first 14 batters he faced in game two on the way to a two-hit shutout.  Watson, like Scott, had previous experience starting two games in a day, having done so twice in his first two months in the majors in 1918 for the A’s.  That made Watson, who won 50 games in an otherwise unremarkable major league career, the last man to do doubleheader duty twice in a season.

Source: https://prestonjg.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/a-thorough-account-of-pitchers-who-have-started-both-games-of-a-doubleheader-in-the-major-leagues/

Atlanta Braves played in first-ever ‘Fort Bragg Game’ at new ballpark to celebrate military Fourth of July Weekend

Tags

2016, Atlanta Braves, Ft. Bragg, July 3, Miami Marlins

This was quite a moment in history for the the Atlanta Braves. They faced the Miami Marlins in a regular season game at a newly constructed ballpark July 3, 2016 at Fort Bragg, N.C., to celebrate America’s servicemen and servicewomen.

It took a year’s worth of planning and a frantic construction schedule to make the Atlanta Braves-Miami Marlins contest a reality. The 5-2 Marlins victory was played in a temporary ballpark constructed at the nation’s largest military base here.

Source: Atlanta Braves to play in first-ever ‘Fort Bragg Game’ at new ballpark to celebrate military Fourth of July Weekend – Atlanta Business Chronicle

Chipper Jones – Number 1 Greatest Braves player of the 2000’s

Tags

All Star, Chipper Jones, Third Base

Chipper Jones in the Dugout

I really appreciate Chipper Jones. I agree wholeheartedly that he is the best of the 2000’s.

No doubt about it.

Perhaps the most beloved Braves player of all time, depending on who you ask, Chipper Jones is the epitome of a team player and someone just about every Braves fan is going to miss once he retires after this season.

During the decade, Jones has hit .306 with 301 home runs and 1,037 RBI. He also has 1,744 hits, 360 doubles, 1,019 runs scored and a .406 on-base percentage.

He’s been named to four All-Star teams.

In 2002, he even gave up third base, moving to left field so the Braves could bring in Vinny Castilla to play third base.

After that experiment was over a few years later, Jones moved back to third base.

He’s restructured his contract countless times to help sign guys like Hudson, and has been a leader in the clubhouse for as long as I can remember.

Chipper Jones is everything Braves fans could ask for and is someone we’ll truly miss.

Source: Atlanta Braves History: Greatest Players of the 2000s | Bleacher Report

Barry Bonds ties Eddie Mathews by hitting a pair of homers the first two games of the season (April 3, 2002)

Tags

1958, 2002, April 3, Barry Bonds, Eddie Mathews

Barry Bonds becomes the second player in baseball history to begin a season (April 3, 2002) with consecutive two-homer games.

Eddie Mathews also hit a pair of homers in each of the Braves’ first two games against the Pirates to start the 1958 season.

Mathews is regarded as one of the best third basemen ever to play the game. He was an All-Star for 9 seasons. He won the National League (NL) home run title in 1953 and 1959 and was the NL Most Valuable Player runner-up both of those seasons.

He hit 512 home runs during his major league career. Mathews coached for the Atlanta Braves in 1971, and he was the team’s manager from 1972 to 1974. Later, he was a scout and coach for the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics

 

How bad can it get in a season? Owner Judge Emil Fuchs manages the team. (1929)

Tags

1922, 1929, Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Judge Emil Fuchs

Judge Emil Fuchs

How bad can it get in a season? I don’t know if 1929 was the worst but the depression started and the Boston Braves hit a new low.

That was pretty depressing for sure. The went 56-98 ending up eighth and 43 games behind. It was so bad the owner, Judge Emil Fuchs, managed the team. In fact, he managed the whole season.

While this is hard to believe, the team had actually been slightly worse the year before. So, in 1929, the improved 6 whole games and managed not to lose 100+ games. But, when you are in last place, everything is relative. They hadn’t been in last since 1924.

You can’t really say that Fuchs had his heart in baseball. He was the attorney for John McGraw when he was with the New York Giants. McGraw bought the Braves with with Christy Mathewson and James McDonough in 1922.

Matthewson was originally intended to be the principal owner. However, Mathewson’s precarious health (he’d suffered a severe case of tuberculosis during World War I and never recovered) forced him to turn over the team presidency to Fuchs after the 1923 season.

After Jack Slattery quit as manager, Fuchs hired Rogers Hornsby to manage the rest of the 1928 season. However, Fuchs was already in financial trouble, and was forced to sell Hornsby to the Chicago Cubs after the season.

He then took over as his own manager, finishing in last place. The Philadelphia Phillies loaned Fuchs $35,000 to keep the Braves solvent.

Mike Hampton’s injury prone second time with the Atlanta Braves (2007 – 2008)

Tags

2007, 2008, April 2, April 3, Atlanta Braves, December 3, July 26, March 7, Mike Hampton

Mike Hampton

On April 2, 2007, right-hander Mike Hampton, who signed the richest contract ever given to a pitcher, makes his Rockies debut, getting the victory when the team beat the Cardinals, 8-0. The $123.8 million man will get off to a quick 9-2 start for Colorado, but will finish his stay in the mountains 12-27 over the next one and half seasons before being dealt to the Braves for the second time.

The Braves were hoping for Hampton to be ready to rejoin the rotation in time for the start of the 2007 season. The rehab was on schedule until Hampton tore his oblique muscle on March 7, 2007, which was to sideline him until at least May. Soon after, the Braves signed Mark Redman to be a left-handed starting pitcher for them in case Hampton was not able to return to action soon. After Hampton threw a bullpen session on April 8, the Braves shut Hampton down due to recurring elbow pain and said that he would see Dr. David Altchek, who had performed his Tommy John surgery in 2005. The next day, it was announced after having another left elbow procedure, that Hampton would miss the entire 2007 season.

Hampton reported to “Camp Roger” on time in late January 2008. He threw off the mound for Bobby Cox and Roger McDowell, both of whom were impressed with Hampton’s steady progress. Hampton arrived a day before pitchers and catchers were due to report at Lake Buena Vista. He ran sprints and played catch with teammates, and continued to pitch off the mound, and threw to live batters: Mark Kotsay, Tim Hudson, and Corky Miller.

On April 3, 2008, Hampton was scheduled to make his long-anticipated return to the Braves rotation in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While warming up, however, Hampton strained his left pectoral muscle, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

On July 26, 2008, Hampton made his first major league start since August 2005 against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he was soon injured again, and finished the season with only 13 appearances. His final 2008 stats included a 3-4 record and a 4.85 ERA.

On December 3, 2008, Hampton signed a 1-year contract worth $2 million with the Houston Astros.

All I could say at the time was “Good riddance”.

 

Warren Spahn signs with the Braves (June 4, 1940)

Tags

1940, 1942, 1946, Boston Bees, Buffalo, June 4, Warren Spahn, World War II

Warren Spahn – Milwaukee Braves

June 4, 1940, was a great day. The Boston Bees (also know as the Braves) sign South Park High School (Buffalo, NY) standout Warren Spahn, who will make his major league debut in 1942. He appears in two games as a 20 year-old for Boston before serving three years in the Army during World War II.

The Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient will return to the National League in 1946 to win the first game of his career at the age of 25 en route to becoming the all-time winningest southpaw in the history of the game with 363 victories.

Red Schoendienst and The Turning Point (1957)

Tags

1928, 1957, Bobby Thompson, Danny O'Connell, John Quinn, June 15, Ray Crone, Red Schoendienst, Roger Hornsby

Many seasons there is a turning point. In 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.

We got what we bargained for. Schoendienst solidified the infield and provided more offense at second than the team had enjoyed since Rogers Hornsby in 1928. Without this particular turning point on June 15th, we probably wouldn’t have ended up in first.

Boston Braves win at the South End Grounds beating the Dodgers 11-7 (May 2, 1912)

Tags

1911, 1912, Brooklyn Dodgers, Buster Brown, James Gaffney, May 2, South End Grounds, William Hepburn Russell

Buster Brown

Team owner William Hepburn Russell died after the 1911 season and his stock was bought up by a group including James Gaffney and former baseball manager John Montgomery Ward. The team was renamed the Boston Braves after the Tammany Hall Braves.

At South End Grounds on May 2, 1912, the hometown Braves score ten runs in the first two innings and hold on to defeat the Dodgers, 11-7.

Brooklyn scores four runs in the bottom of the third to knock out Boston’s starter Buster Brown.

Here is a little more about Buster’s career as a pitcher.

Standard Pitching

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS
1905	23	STL	NL	8	11	.421	2.97	23	21
1906	24	STL	NL	8	16	.333	2.64	32	27
1907	25	TOT	NL	10	12	.455	2.74	30	24
1907	25	STL	NL	1	6	.143	3.39	9	8
1907	25	PHI	NL	9	6	.600	2.42	21	16
1908	26	PHI	NL	0	0		2.57	3	0
1909	27	TOT	NL	4	8	.333	3.16	25	18
1909	27	PHI	NL	0	0		3.24	7	1
1909	27	BSN	NL	4	8	.333	3.14	18	17
1910	28	BSN	NL	9	23	.281	2.67	46	29
1911	29	BSN	NL	8	18	.308	4.29	42	25
1912	30	BSN	NL	4	15	.211	4.01	31	21
1913	31	BSN	NL	0	0		4.73	2	0
9 Yr	9 Yr	9 Yr	9 Yr	51	103	.331	3.21	234	165
162	162	162	162	9	18	.331	3.21	40	28
BSN	BSN	BSN	BSN	25	64	.281	3.54	139	92
PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	9	6	.600	2.56	31	17
STL	STL	STL	STL	17	33	.340	2.86	64	56

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/15/2017.

Hank, Rico and Orlando (April 2, 1972) plus a side note on the designated hitter

Tags

1972, April 2, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Charlie Finley, Hank Aaron, Oakland Athletics, Orlando Cepeda, Rico Carty

Orlando Cepea

On April 2, 1972 Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. It is the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, have appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.

As a side note, in July, Cepeda was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Denny McLain. After playing for a week, he was hospitalized and underwent a second surgery on his injured knee. Cepeda remained in Oakland three months before returning to Puerto Rico.

Upon arriving he received a telegram from Charlie Finley, the Athletics’ owner, telling him that if he didn’t respond within three days he would be released from his contract. Cepeda decided not to call, intending to retire from baseball. In 1973, the American League established the designated hitter role, hoping to improve attendance. The Boston Red Sox contacted him, telling him that his role with the team only required batting. Cepeda became the first player to sign a contract to exclusively play as a designated hitter.

His first hit with the team was a walk-off home run to beat the New York Yankees. Cepeda had an average of .289 with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs in 550 at bats. He was also named Designated Hitter of the Year. Cepeda’s twentieth home run established a major league record, making him the first player to hit twenty or more home runs with four different teams. He went to Puerto Rico and prepared to play in the 1974 season, but the team decided to release him and Luis Aparicio during spring training. After briefly playing in Mexico, he was offered a contract by the Kansas City Royals. In his last season, Cepeda had 107 at bats, batting .215 with one home run.

The pitcher who hit two grand slams in one game (July 3, 1966)

Tags

1940, 1966, Atlanta Braves, August 13, Bobby Bragan, July 3, Tony Cloniger

Tony Cloninger

Sunday, July 3, 1966…this was the day we should all remember as one of the best performances an Atlanta Braves pitcher has ever had.  The Braves took on the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in an afternoon ball game in front of 27,000 fans.  When the fans

The Braves took on the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in an afternoon ball game in front of 27,000 fans.  When the fans arrived to the facility, they had no idea what they were about to witness.

The Braves and manager Bobby Bragan sent a young 25-year-old right hander named Tony Cloninger to the mound.  He came into the game with an 8-7 record and a 4.35 ERA and had a .200 batting average.  On this night, he would improve all of those categories.

Cloninger was born on August 13, 1940, in North Carolina and was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1958.  The righty pitched with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves from 1961-1968, Cincinnati Reds from 1968-1971 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972.

It is the first inning. Tony comes to the plate with bases loaded. Tony does the unthinkable and hits a grand slam. Call it a day and go home.

But … Tony is there to pitch and pitch he does.

He comes up again in the fourth. And boom, another grand slam. Cloninger became the first player in the National League, and the only pitcher to date, to hit two grand slams in the same game!!

As the game ended, Cloninger finished his complete game with five strikeouts and picked up his ninth win of the season.  He was the player of the game, going 3-5 with nine RBI’s and a complete-game win on the mound.  The Braves won this match up against the Giants 17-3.

Crazy stat…just five starts prior, Cloninger went 3-5 at the plate with hit two homers and five RBIs.  He also pitched a complete game on this night and only gave up five hits and one run.

One Additional Crazy stat…on Cloninger’s first start of the 1966 season, he threw a complete game 13 innings and gave up 10 hits, three runs, three walks and had 12 strikeouts.  Talk about saving your bullpen.

Source: Atlanta Braves flashback Friday: The pitcher who hit two grand slams in one game

Hammerin’ Hank is born to break the Bambino’s record (February 5, 1934)

Tags

1934, Babe Ruth, February 5, Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron

On February 5, 1934, a day before Babe Ruth’s 39th birthday, future all-time home run leader Hammerin’ Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama.

The slugger, who will finish his career hitting 755 home runs playing for the Braves and Brewers, will surpass the ‘Bambino’s’ all-time record of 714 home runs in 1974, after receiving much hate mail from people who did not want to see a black man break baseball’s hallowed mark.

It was destined to happen.

And with amazing class Hank showed us all how.

 

Atlanta scores seven runs in seventh inning (April 4, 2003)

Tags

2003, Andruw Jones, April 4, Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Gary Sheffield, Miami Marlins, Montreal Expos

Andruw Jones

In one inning, the Atlanta Braves wiped out three games’ worth of frustration. The Braves scored seven runs in the seventh, highlighted by Andruw Jones’ three-run homer, and went on to beat the Florida Marlins 12-7 on April 4, 2003.

It was Atlanta’s first victory after an 0-3 start — the team’s worst since 1988.

We relaxed and did our thing. We’ll be OK. We got the jitters out. Now we can play our game. That was obvious in the seventh inning. ~Marcus Giles who had three of Atlanta’s 16 hits

The Braves were swept by Montreal in the first series of the year, getting outscored 17-2. Atlanta, which had won 11 straight division titles, had not started so poorly since going 0-10 in 1988. All that changed in the seventh, when the Braves pounded on Marlins relievers Blaine Neal and especially Vladimir Nunez (0-1).

Trailing 5-2, Atlanta started the inning with five straight hits. Gary Sheffield had a run-scoring single, Chipper Jones hit an RBI double off the center-field wall and Andruw Jones followed with a three-run homer into the center-field stands off Nunez.

 

William Jennings Bryan “Billy” Herman selected by the special Veterans Committee for the Hall of Fame (February 3, 1975)

Tags

1975, Billy Herman, February 3, Hall of Fame, Second Base

William Jennings Bryan “Billy” Herman

On February 3, 1975, the special Veterans Committee selects second baseman William Jennings Bryan “Billy” Herman (Cubs, Dodgers, Braves and Pirates), skipper Bucky Harris (Senators, Tigers, Red Sox, Phillies and Yankees) and outfielder Earl Averill (Indians, Tigers, and Braves) to the Hall of Fame.

An outspoken Averill had informed his family to decline the honor if he was ever to be inducted posthumously; fortunately, he was enshrined in Cooperstown eight years before his passing.

Herman became a Major League coach with the Dodgers (1952–57) and Braves (now based in Milwaukee) (1958–59)—serving on five National League pennant winners in eight seasons. Pretty extraordinary.

Herman finished his career with a .304 batting average, 1163 runs scored, 47 home runs, 839 RBI, and 428 strikeouts. He won four NL pennants (in 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1941) but no World Series championships as a player (although he was a coach on the 1955 World Series champion Brooklyn Dodgers). His record as a Major League manager was 189-274 (.408). Herman holds the NL records for most putouts in a season by a second baseman and led the league in putouts seven times.

He also shares the Major League record for most hits on opening day, with five, set April 14, 1936.

Hank fills in for Bobby Thomson and starts his career (March 14, 1954)

Tags

2014, Bobby Thomson, Hank Aaron, March 14, Milwaukee Braves

Hank Aaron

What a day this must have been. Wish I could have been there but I would be born later that summer. Hank Aaron, filling in for Bobby Thomson on March 14, 1954, who broke his ankle the day before, starts his first game wearing a Braves uniform.

The 20 year-old from Mobile, Alabama makes such an impression when he collects three hits, including a home run, in the spring training game against Boston that the club offers him a major league contract.

Who knew the journey this would start but it always starts somewhere.

Francisco Rodriguez becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves, breaking John Smoltz’s record (July 20, 2008)

Tags

2008, Francisco Rodriquez, John Smoltz, July 20

Surpassing John Smoltz’s effort for the 2003 Braves by ten games, on July 20, 2008, Francisco Rodriguez becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves.

The Angels closer strikes out the side in the ninth of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory of the Red Sox, completing a sweep of the reigning World Series champions.

R. A. Dickey is closing in on two milestones in 2017

Tags

2017, Atlanta Braves, R. A. Dickey

Dickey is closing in on two milestones: 2,000 innings pitched and 1,500 strikeouts. He’s currently at 1,883.2 and 1,341, respectively.

So… he needs 116.1 innings and 159 strikeouts. Both are possible this season, especially the innings, but I wouldn’t bet on either, especially the strikeouts.

Dickey hasn’t K’d more than 126 each of the last two seasons, even after start totals of 33, then 29.

As far as the innings are concerned, it’s tough to say. While he has pitched at least 169.2 innings each of the last seven seasons, there is a lot of competition to make the Braves’ rotation this year.

This could mean a few different scenarios playing out this season:

• Dickey spends the whole year in the Braves’ rotation (gets to 116.1 IP).
• Dickey gets traded at some point this season (then gets to 116.1 IP with another team).
• Dickey loses his starting spot, then moves to the bullpen.

If Dickey is better than expected, or the guys who are close to a call-up are worse than expected, he could see himself reaching both of these milestones in Braves’ uniform because the Braves will most likely exercise their club option on him after this season.

 

Braves begin new ballpark chapter at SunTrust Park with 5-2 win (April 14, 2017)

Tags

2017, April 14, Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Hank Aaron, Jimmie Carter, John Smoltz, Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine

It was a great day in Atlanta Braves history. Once again, a new stadium.

Chipper Jones sat in the Atlanta Braves dugout Friday afternoon, a few hours ahead of the Braves’ first regular-season home game at their new stadium, SunTrust Park, the future Hall of Famer fielded a question about what fans might be saying as they entered the ballpark for the first time.

“I would venture a guess the word mumbled the most — maybe not even mumbled — would be ‘Wow,'” the Braves’ icon said.

“I mean, look at that video board. Look at the LED lights, the incredible green grass, this incredibly orange clay. They watch how balls fly out of here and they see the skyline and everything, and they say, ‘Wow.’ I said it. Everybody else is going to say it. …This is very impressive.”

In addition to Jones, Braves legends Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, John Smoltz were present. They were honored as theirs and other retired numbers were unveiled. Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Cox. A prominent fan, former President Jimmy Carter, also was in attendance.

And the Braves beat San Diego 5-2.

 

Albert Spalding – Player Overview (1871-1875)

Tags

1849, 1915, Abner Doubleday, Al Spalding, Boston Red Stockings, September 2, September 9

Imagine that your middle name is “Goodwill” but you are known as one of the succeeders who left the Red Stockings for the Chicago White Stockings in 1875.

Other articles on Al Spalding:

• Tools of Ignorance (1875)
• First 4th of July game played in 1871 – Guest blog by Keith Spalding Robbins
• Everything new — a new league and season for the Braves (1876)

Albert Goodwill Spalding (September 2, 1849 – September 9, 1915) was an American pitcher, manager and executive in the early years of professional baseball, and the co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company. He was born and raised in Byron, Illinois. He played major league baseball between 1871 and 1878. Spalding set a trend when he started wearing a baseball glove, and eventually opened his sporting goods store.

After his retirement as a player, Spalding remained active with the Chicago White Stockings as president and part-owner. In the 1880s, he took players on the first world tour of baseball. With William Hulbert, Spalding organized the National League. He later called for the commission that investigated the origins of baseball and credited Abner Doubleday with creating the game. He also wrote the first set of official baseball rules.

Source: Albert Spalding – Wikipedia

Batting Overview

Standard Batting

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB
1871	20	BOS	NA	31	152	144	43	39	10	1	1	31	2
1872	21	BOS	NA	48	240	237	60	84	12	5	0	47	3
1873	22	BOS	NA	60	326	323	83	106	15	1	1	71	9
1874	23	BOS	NA	71	365	362	80	119	13	1	0	54	2
1875	24	BOS	NA	74	346	343	68	107	15	3	0	56	2
1876	25	CHC	NL	66	298	292	54	91	14	2	0	44
1877	26	CHC	NL	60	257	254	29	65	7	6	0	35
1878	27	CHC	NL	1	4	4	0	2	0	0	0	0
8 Yr	8 Yr	8 Yr	8 Yr	411	1988	1959	417	613	86	19	2	338	18
162	162	162	162	162	784	772	164	242	34	7	1	133
BOS	BOS	BOS	BOS	284	1429	1409	334	455	65	11	2	259	18
CHC	CHC	CHC	CHC	127	559	550	83	158	21	8	0	79
NA (	NA (	NA (	NA (	284	1429	1409	334	455	65	11	2	259	18
NL (	NL (	NL (	NL (	127	559	550	83	158	21	8	0	79

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/9/2017.

Boston Rustlers lose 26-3 to Cincinnati (June 4, 1911)

Tags

1911, Boston Rustlers, June 4

On June 4, 1911, in a 26-3 win over the Braves at Palace of the Fans in Cincinnati, thirteen Reds players cross home plate.

It is the highest number of different players from one team to score in a single game in major league history.

Now that is not something to be known for. Baseball can produce some embarrassing results. It is a long season. Always!

Hank Aaron

Tags

April 8, Hank Aaron

Hank is my hero. Great article his momentous day on April 8.

Trouble with the Curve

It was 43 years ago today that Hank Aaron became baseball’s all-time home run king.   Aaron awoke that morning perched atop baseball’s most coveted leader board; tied with the larger than life and most legendary sports figure in the world, George Herman Ruth. The world had been watching and waiting for months as all ears and eyes became focused on the bat in Aaron’s hands.  It would be those hands and the flick of those wrists that would propel the game’s most talented yet unassuming men into immortality.   For years, Aaron had been chasing the record with his particular brand of quiet excellence. Often in the shadow of the flashier talents of the era – players like Mantle, Mays, and Robinson.

Pitcher Claude Osteen once said of Aaron, “You have a better chance of slapping a live rattlesnake across the face and getting away with it than you…

View original post 1,016 more words

Some fun Opening Day facts about the Braves (April 3, 2017)

Tags

2017, April 3, Atlanta Braves, Greg Maddux, John Smolts, Phil Niekro, Tie Game, Tom Glavine, Tony Cloninger

I love opening day. There is nothing like it.

Here are some fun facts!

• Going back all the way to 1876 when they were the the Boston Red Stockings, the Braves have a total record of 78-62-1 on Opening Day.
• Their first Opening Day game, according to Baseball Almanac, was against the Hartford Dark Blues (old time baseball names are weird) which they lost 3-2
• Tie games are rare in baseball these days, but that didn’t stop the Braves from playing the Phillies to a 2-2 tie on Opening Day 1950
• The Braves pitcher with the most Opening Day starts in the franchise’s history is Phil Niekro with 8. Greg Maddux came in a close second with 7.
• Speaking of Maddux, between 1990-2003…the only pitchers to make Opening Day starts for the Braves were Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz to the surprise of exactly no one. Who was the pitcher who broke the streak? Russ Ortiz
• Julio Teheran is about to make his 4th consecutive Opening Day start for the Braves. The other two pitchers for the franchise since it moved to Atlanta to accomplish the same feat? Rick Mahler (1985-1988) and Greg Maddux (1993-1996)
• The Braves played an insane Opening Day game in their game in Atlanta where Tony Cloninger pitched 13 innings (!) while striking out 12 batters and future skipper of the Evil Empire Joe Torre drove in the Braves only two runs on a pair of solo shots. It is worth noting that the Braves lost the game despite Cloninger going 13 innings which had to feel…..not great assuming he had any feeling left in his body after that start.

Source: Some fun Opening Day facts about the Braves – Talking Chop

Luis Salazar loses his left eye (March 9, 2011)

Tags

2011, Atlanta Braves, Carolina League, Luis Salazar, Lynchburg Hillcats, March 9

Luis Salazar was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center on March 9, 2011 after being struck in the face by a foul line drive hit by Brian McCann. He was standing in the dugout in the first inning of a Braves’ exhibition game in Lake Buena Vista.

Salazar joined the Atlanta Braves organization in 2011 and was poised to serve as the manager of their Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League.

The 54 year-old minor league manager sustains a concussion and will lose his left eye as a result of the injury.

Salazar was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2010.

Luis Salazar

Rabbit Maranville starts at $125 a month (1911)

Tags

1891, 1911, November 11, Rabbit Maranville

The third of five children, Walter James Vincent Maranville (Rabbit) was born on November 11, 1891, in Springfield, Massachusetts. His mother was Irish but his father and the Maranville name were French. Walter (then known as “Stumpy” or “Bunty”) attended the Charles Street and Chestnut Street grammar schools and played catcher during his one year at Technical High.

His father, a police officer, allowed him to leave school if he apprenticed for a trade, so at age 15 he quit to become a pipe fitter and tinsmith. To his father’s dismay, Walter devoted less attention to his apprenticeship than he did to baseball. He was playing shortstop for a semipro team in 1911 when Tommy Dowd, manager of the New Bedford Whalers of the New England League, signed him to a contract for $125 per month.

The 19-year-old shortstop batted .227 and committed 61 errors in 117 games. Not sure if that was worth the $125 a month or not.

Jim Thorpe signs as a free agent with the Giants (February 1, 1913)

Tags

1913, 1919, Boston Braves, February 1, Jim Thorpe, September 25

Jim Thorpe

Olympic hero Jim Thorpe, turning down an offer from the last-place Browns, signs with the Giants on February 1, 1913, the defending NL champs.

Because the minor league team that last held Jim Thorpe’s contract had disbanded in 1910, he found himself in the rare position of being a sought-after free agent at the major league level during the era of the reserve clause, and thus had a choice of baseball teams for which to play

The Native American, who grew up in the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma, will compile a lifetime .252 batting average during his six seasons in the major leagues, which also includes stints with the Reds and Braves.

His last appearance would be for the Boston Braves on September 25, 1919.

Twenty one innings with a 0-0 tie gets broken up (August 1, 1918)

Tags

1918, August 1, Boston Braves, Buck Herzog, Dick Goat

Boston Braves Logo

There are long games and then there are very long games. No one scoring a run makes it even worse.

So, on August 1, 1918, the Pirates break the longest scoreless tie in baseball history against the Boston Braves, when the team tallies two runs in the top of the twenty-first inning for an eventual 2-0 victory at Braves Field. The Braves had 15 hits but were unable to score. The lead off hitter, Buck Herzog, had 5 hits but nobody could get him home.

The mark will be matched by Giants and Reds in 1967, when each team is held scoreless for twenty innings, until the decisive run is scored in the next frame on a bases-loaded walk to Dick Groat.

Boston Braves Table

Batting	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	BA	Details
Buck Herzog 2B	9	0	5	0	1	0	.229
Jim Kelly LF	8	0	1	0	0	1	.207	2·SB,HBP
Red Massey CF	9	0	4	0	0	0	.291
Al Wickland RF	8	0	2	0	1	1	.266
Red Smith 3B	8	0	1	0	0	2	.306	SH
Ed Konetchy 1B	6	0	1	0	3	0	.218
John Henry C	2	0	0	0	1	0	.208
Tom Miller PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Doc Bass PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	SB
Art Wilson C	5	0	1	0	0	0	.250
Jimmy Smith SS	7	0	0	0	1	2	.185	HBP
Art Nehf P	7	0	0	0	0	0	.179	SH
Johnny Rawlings PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	.209
Team Totals	71	0	15	0	7	6	.211

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/13/2017.

Atlanta Braves establish a franchise-record 14th straight victory (May 1, 2000)

Tags

2000, Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, May 1, Quilvio Veras

Quilvio Veras

The Braves establish a franchise-record 14th straight victory on May 1, 2000, with a 2-1 victory at Dodger Stadium.

Quilvio Veras’, playing second, third-inning homer proves to be the difference. Signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1989, Veras made his Major League Baseball debut with the Florida Marlins on April 25, 1995, and appeared in his final game on July 13, 2001.

Andruw Jones will bat 2-4.

Atlanta Braves Table

Batting	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Quilvio Veras 2B	4	2	2	1	0	0	4	.330	.412	.420	.832
Andruw Jones CF	4	0	2	0	0	1	4	.304	.398	.554	.952
Chipper Jones 3B	4	0	1	0	0	0	4	.297	.393	.516	.909
Andres Galarraga 1B	3	0	1	0	1	0	4	.294	.375	.671	1.046
Brian Jordan RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	4	.208	.309	.313	.622
Javy Lopez C	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.263	.313	.408	.721
Bobby Bonilla LF	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.292	.346	.521	.867
Trent Hubbard LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.190	.320	.381	.701
Walt Weiss SS	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.302	.412	.349	.761
Kevin Millwood P	3	0	0	0	0	3	3	.000	.091	.000	.091
Rudy Seanez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
John Rocker P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Team Totals	33	2	6	1	2	8	35	.182	.229	.303	.532

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/10/2017.

Going into his 20th MLB season, Colon is closing in on Juan Marichal‘s record for most wins by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic

Tags

Atlanta Braves, Bartolo Colon, Dominican Republic

Going into his 20th MLB season, Bartolo Colon is indeed closing in on Juan Marichal‘s record for most wins by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic.

Colon is sitting on 233 career wins, just 10 behind Marichal’s 243. Are 10 or 11 wins this year obtainable? Certainly. 

In the six seasons since missing the 2010 season with elbow surgery, Colon has averaged 13 and a third wins per. If the Braves’ offense doesn’t lay an egg every time he’s on the mound (see: Shelby Miller, 2015), then Colon could reach this milestone with the Braves this season.

Also, a fun number to track this year will be his strikeouts.

Colon is currently 135 away from 2,500. Similar to the wins, if he hasn’t lost anything from last year, then this is possible, as well.

Source: Atlanta Braves Veterans Closing In On Significant Milestones

Red Sox keep offense going vs. Braves in spring training (March 3, 2017)

I love spring training. You play teams you don’t normally do in the regular season. You try new players. You see how your regulars are doing. You have some fun.

MLB’s No. 1 prospect Andrew Benintendi recorded four hits, including a two-run single during a six-run fourth inning that propelled the Red Sox to a 9-1 win over the Braves on a great spring day.

Braves ace Julio Teheran looked good. He pitched around some potential trouble over three scoreless innings against the Red Sox non-roster left-hander reliever Sam Freeman, who did not retire any of the seven batters faced during the fourth inning. Allen Craig fueled the uprising with a double and Benintendi chased Freeman with his single.

Teheran gained some assistance from his defense as he made his final start before joining Colombia for the World Baseball Classic. Benintendi sent his second double of the game into the left-center-field gap with none out in the third inning. Marco Hernandez’s bid to score from first was denied when Ender Inciarte quickly got the ball to shortstop Dansby Swanson, who made a strong throw that beat Hernandez to the plate by a few steps.

I got to work with some guys on base and get used to some situations,” Teheran said. “Now I’m ready to go to the [World Baseball Classic] and get ready for the season. I made pitches whenever I needed to and it was really good.

SunTrust Park will have grass on its field this week (March 2, 2017)

Tags

2017, Atlanta Braves, Grass, Opening Day

So, one of the things that you need the most in order to play baseball in a ballpark is a grassy playing surface. It’s kinda imperative, wouldn’t you say?

Anyways, with Opening Day looming — and a dress rehearsal coming at the end of the month, no less — the AJC is reporting that SunTrust Park will finally have its sod placed down at some point this week.

Good timing!

Boston Beaneaters are designated one of eight teams (March 8, 1900)

Tags

1900, Boston Beaneaters, March 8

In New York on March 8, 1900, the National League decides to go with eight teams. The selected eight cities will remain the same for 53 years until the Braves move to Milwaukee in 1953.

So in 1900, the Beaneaters will end up 66-72 in 4th place. They were 17 games behind the leader, the Brooklyn Superbas.

Boston Beaneaters – 1900

Stu Miller traded to the Atlanta Braves will only throw 1.3 innings before retiring (April 1, 1968)

Tags

1967, 1968, April 1, April 30, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, May 14, Mickey Mantle, No Hitter, Steve Barber, Stu Miller

Stu Miller

The Braves purchase Stu Miller from the Orioles on April 1, 1968. I’m guessing Stu didn’t see it as an April fool’s joke but then again ….

The 40 year-old right-hander will throw only 1.3 innings in two appearances for Atlanta before retiring from baseball.

Before that Stu had a fairly good 16 year career. It seemed his later years plagued him.

On April 30, 1967, Steve Barber and Miller combined to pitch a no-hitter for the Orioles against the Detroit Tigers, but would lose 2–1 because of a wild pitch and an error allowing two runs to score in the ninth inning.

On May 14, 1967, he gave up Mickey Mantle’s 500th career home run.

Damaso Garcia burns his uniform and gets traded to the Atlanta Braves (February 2, 1987)

Tags

1987, Craig McMurty, Damaso Garcia, February 2, Jimy Williams, Luis Leal, Toronto Blue Jays

Damaso Garcia

On February 2, 1987, The Braves trade Craig McMurty to the Blue Jays for second baseman Damaso Garcia and pitcher Luis Leal.

The right-handers will never pitch for the team to which they are dealt, and Garcia will hit .117 in 21 games before being released by Atlanta.

Here is the backstory on the trade. On May 14, 1986, following a loss to the Oakland Athletics, Garcia burned his uniform in the hopes of ending the slump. This move angered Blue Jays manager Jimy Williams who confronted Garcia in front of the entire team and strained Garcia’s relationship with the Blue Jays.

The Braves acquire second baseman Eddie Stanky (March 6, 1948)

Tags

1948, Boston Braves, Eddie Stanky, Philadelphia, Walk

Eddie Stanky Boston Braves

The Boston Braves acquire All-Star second baseman Eddie Stanky on March 6, 1948 from the Dodgers for Bama Rowell and $60,000. The hard-nosed infielder will play a pivotal role in Boston’s National League championship this season.

He was born in Philadelphia, and his original nickname, “The Brat from Kensington”, is in reference to the neighborhood where he grew up.

Stanky was famous for his ability to draw walks; he drew 100 or more walks in each of six different seasons, 140 or more in two of them. In 1946, he hit just .273 but his 137 walks allowed him to lead the league in OBP with .436, edging out Stan Musial—who led in more than ten hitting categories.

His best season was probably 1950 with the Giants, when he hit an even .300 and led the league in walks (144) and OBP (.460). On August 30, he tied a major league record when he walked in seven consecutive at-bats (in two games).

 

The second year (1877)

Tags

1877, Boston Red Caps

It was the second year of the National League (1877). The Braves (then known as the Boston Red Caps), in fact, did pretty good. They finished first, seven games ahead.

The rest of the league was kind of dicey. Only two teams ( the Braves one of them) showed a profit. Philadelphia was kicked out, for all reasons, for not making a single road trip. And Cincinnati couldn’t even pay their dues and was booted out as well.

But the Braves shined through. It was the start of something.

Go BRAVES!!!

Rick Cerone moves from Atlanta to Milwaukee (March 5, 1986)

Tags

Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Rick Cerone, Ted Simmons

On March 5, 1986,  the Braves and Brewers swap backstops with Atlanta acquiring Ted Simmons from Milwaukee in exchange for Rick Cerone and a pair of minor leaguers, David Clay and Flavio Alfaro.

The offensively talented Simmons will spend three years with his new club before retiring after the 1988 season with a lifetime .285 batting average.

Cerone spent the 1985 season with the Atlanta Braves, splitting time Bruce Benedict as the Braves catcher, as Cerone appeared in 96 games, hitting .216 with 3 HR and 25 RBI.

“When it came to making things happen just the way he wanted them to, Greg Maddux was a complete savage.” ~Josh Brown

Tags

Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, Greg Maddux

No doubt about it, Greg Maddux was just stunning. His stats are off the chart being the first to achieve a number of feats and records. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years (1992–1995), matched by only one other pitcher, Randy Johnson. During those four seasons, Maddux had a 75–29 record with a 1.98 earned run average (ERA), while allowing less than one baserunner per inning.

But it is not all about the stats. One time Bobby Cox visited Maddux on the mound with runners on second and third and two outs. Bobby was worried about the situation, hence the mound visit, and wanted to calm Maddux down. Instead, Maddux calmed Bobby down. When Bobby suggested to Maddux that he intentionally walk the batter, Maddux explained to Bobby exactly what he planned to do.

Maddux told Bobby not to worry and laid out the sequence of his next three pitches. He told him that he’d get him to pop up foul to third base on the third pitch. Which is exactly what happened, bringing the inning to an end.

The man knew what he wanted to do and then he did it. As a batter, you knew he owned you. It was kind of sad if you weren’t a Braves fan.

Greg Maddux wasn’t just great, he was a complete freak of nature. There has never and will never be another one like him. He might not have looked like an elite athlete that completely dominated his competition during his career, but he most certainly was.

Source: Atlanta Braves Legend Greg Maddux: The Greatest Savage Ever

CF Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves agree to five-year extension

Tags

2017, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, December 23, Ender Inciarte

Now here is some great news on the re-building front. The Atlanta Braves have reached agreement on a five-year extension for center fielder Ender Inciarte worth $30.525 million, according to multiple reports.

The deal, first reported by FanRag Sports, also includes an option for a sixth year.

Inciarte, the National League Gold Glove winner at his position, hit .291 with three home runs, 85 runs, 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last season. He had a .341 batting average and scored 59 runs after the All-Star break.

The Braves acquired the 26-year-old Inciarte prior to last season as part of the five-player trade that sent Shelby Miller and minor-leaguer Gabe Speier to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Inciarte, shortstop prospect Dansby Swanson and pitching prospect Aaron Blair.

Ender Inciarte

 

Braves trade a pair of southpaws to the Giants for Bobby Thomson (February 1, 1954)

Tags

1954, Billy Klaus, Bobby Thomson, Don Liddle, February 1, Johnny Antonelli, Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants, Sammy Calderone

Bobby Thomson

In a six-player trade on February 1, 1954, the Braves deal a pair of southpaws, Johnny Antonelli and Don Liddle, catcher Ebba St. Claire as well as shortstop Billy Klaus to the Giants in exchange for playoff hero Bobby Thomson and backstop Sammy Calderone.

Milwaukee’s new outfielder will break his ankle in an exhibition game and will appear in only 43 games, while Johnny Antonelli posts a 21-7 record, leading the league with an ERA of 2.30 for his new team in New York.

Trade always seem like a great idea. Most of the time it doesn’t work out. And so it goes!

Eddie Matthews hits number 500 (July 14, 1967)

Tags

500 Club, Atlanta Braves, Eddie Matthews, Houston Astros, Juan Marichal

July 14, 1967 is a stunning day for Braves with Eddie Matthews hitting number 500. Against Juan Marichal at Candlestick Park, Eddie Matthews hits home run #500 as an Astro on July 14, 1967.

The former Brave third baseman, who hit 493 homers playing for the franchise in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta, becomes the seventh major leaguer to reach this plateau.

A year later, Hank Aaron would hit his 500th. What are the odds of that?

Troy Glaus signs with the Atlanta Braves to end his career (January 5, 2010)

Tags

2010, Atlanta Braves, January 5, Troy Glaus

On January 5, 2010, Troy Glaus and the Braves come to terms on a $1.75 million, one-year incentive-laden deal that will shift the four-time All-Star third baseman to first base. After arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder a year earlier, the 33 year-old infielder appeared in only 14 games with St. Louis at the end of the season.

After a rough April in which he hit below the Mendoza Line, Glaus rebounded to become Player of the Month in May, hitting .330 with 6 home runs and 28 RBI. As of August 9, Glaus was hitting .242 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI.

Glaus’s production faltered in July and August. After Atlanta acquired Derrek Lee on August 18 to play 1st base, Glaus was placed on the DL with knee fatigue. Glaus had a Trofew setbacks, but returned to Atlanta in a back-up role behind Derrek Lee and rookie Freddie Freeman.

Glaus made only one appearance at 3rd base during the regular season, but was used at 3rd in game 2 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants starting a key double play. Glaus then started game four of the series at 3rd.

 

Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels (1998–2004), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005), Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2007), St. Louis Cardinals (2008–2009), and the Atlanta Braves (2010). Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA.

In thirteen seasons Glaus hit .254 with 320 home runs and 950 RBI in 1537 games. In 19 postseason games, he hit .347 with nine home runs and 16 RBI. Glaus has been selected to four All-Star Games, three with the Angels and one with the Blue Jays.