Francisco Cabrera helps the Atlanta Braves win the NL pennant series (1992)

Tags

1966, 1992, Atlanta Braves, David Justice, Francisco Cabrera, NL Pennant, October 10, Pittsburgh Pirates, Sid Bream, Stan Belinda

We all remember Francisco Cabrera. A catcher for the Braves from 1989 to 1993, he batted and threw right handed. Origionally from the Dominican Republic and born on October 10, 1966.

With one swing of the bat, he became my hero.

Perhaps unfairly, he was known as a “good hit/no field” label. Hard to live a label like that down. He was used very irregularly as a catcher. In the 1992 NL pennant series last game, he came off the bench to deliver a stunning, ninth inning hit that won the game. He hit a two out single to left off of Pittsburgh’s Stan Belinda to drive in David Justice and Sid Bream. That ended the NL Championship Series. So there. All done!

What a bases loaded hit it was. This would be the second straight NL pennant. This was the first time in history to win a postseason championship for a team that went from losing to winning on the final pitch.

Cabrera was a reserve. He spent most of 1992 at Triple-A Richmond. He had only 10 major league bats in 1992. His hit brought him instant stardom. He even got a key to the city from Mayor Maynard Jackson.

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Dusty Baker as an Atlanta Brave outfielder (1968 — 1975)

Tags

1968, 1975, Atlanta Braves, Dusty Baker, Hank Aaron

Dusty Baker became a bitter rival of the Braves but contributed mightily as a player from 1968 to 1975. Dusty was born on June 15, 1949 in Riverside, California. He batted right and threw right.

Dusty kind of got lost in the Hank Aaron era. He was a regular center fielder in 1972 and 1973. He replaced Hank Aaron in right field for most of 1974 when the ‘Hammer cut back on his playing time after hitting number 715 and then again in 1975 when he was traded to Milwaukee.

Baker had a challenging time in Atlanta. In 1972, his first full season in the Majors, he hit a career-high .321. Notice I said career-high. He never repeated that again disappointing many of the fans. In 1973 he batted .288 with 99 RBIs and joined Aaron in the 20-20 club hitting over 20 home runs and stealing over 20 bases. It would take Dale Murphy to do the same again in 1982.

1974 and 1975 saw a big decline in his numbers. Contract discussions became difficult. He became a part of a six person trade the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would flourish there. Go figure!

Some of his career highlights were:

• 2× All-Star (1981, 1982) – Not in Atlanta
• World Series champion (1981) – Not in Atlanta
• NLCS MVP (1977) – Not in Atlanta
• Gold Glove Award (1981) – Not in Atlanta
• 2× Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1981) – Not in Atlanta
• 3× NL Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000) – Not in Atlanta

Dusty Baker – Atlanta Braves

John Smoltz – The most beloved pitcher for the Atlanta Braves

Tags

1985, Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz

John Smoltz

John Smoltz is probably the most beloved pitcher in Atlanta history.

Consider this, from 2001-08 (injured in 2000), Smoltz started 110 games and finished 204 games.

During that time, he was 55-34 with a 3.04 ERA, 913 strikeouts and had 154 saves in 980.2 innings pitched. He also had a 1.127 ERA.

Furthermore, Smoltz is the only pitcher in baseball history to have 200 wins and 150 saves in his career.

Mighty good in anybody’s book. Not bad for a kid who was the 574th selection of the 1985 draft.

 

Atlanta Braves play in the first ever National League Division play off games (October 3, 1995)

Tags

1995, Atlanta Braves, NLDS, October 3

We are used to it now but it wasn’t that long ago there weren’t Division playoff games in MLB.

The 1995 National League Division Series (NLDS), the opening round of the 1995 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Saturday, October 7, with the champions of the three NL divisions—along with a “wild card” team—participating in two best-of-five series. As a result of both leagues realigning into three divisions in 1994, it marked the first time in major league history that a team could qualify for postseason play without finishing in first place in its league or division. The teams were:

• (1) Atlanta Braves (Eastern Division champion, 90–54) vs. (4) Colorado Rockies (Wild Card, 77–67): Braves win series, 3–1.
• (2) Cincinnati Reds (Central Division champion, 85–59) vs. (3) Los Angeles Dodgers(Western Division champion, 78–66): Reds win series, 3–0.

Javy Lopez – Atlanta Brave from 1992 to 2003

Tags

2003, Atlanta Braves, Javy Lopez

Javy Lopez played for the team for four years during the 2000s and was a favorite among Braves’ fans. He was one of my favorites as well since he was a catcher.

On the final out of the 1995 World Series championship season: “I remember Carlos Baerga was at the plate and I called for a fastball away from Mark (Wohlers). We were trying to stay away from the middle of the plate. When it first left his bat I was thinking he hit it hard, but then I saw (center fielder) Marquis (Grissom) pick up on it quickly and knew we had the out. I then remember running to the mound and jumping on Mark. I don’t remember much after that.’’

During that time, he had a .282 average with 95 home runs and 316 RBI. He had 486 hits, scored 225 runs, hit 81 doubles and had a .500 slugging percentage.

The 2003 season saw him bat .318 with 43 home runs and 109 RBI, earning an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger award.

Behind the plate, he threw out 110 of 349 base stealers, which is a little over a 31 percent success rate.

When Javier “Javy” Lopez was growing up in Puerto Rico, he would practice baseball by hitting rocks off the metal roof of his house in Ponce. The loud noise, which used to drive his parents crazy, would eventually lead to Lopez putting his name in the major league record books for most home runs in a season by a catcher, when he hit 43 in his final season with the Braves in 2003.

After the 2003 season, he signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

 

John Smoltz’s — watch him rob old friend Tom Glavine of a hit (April 22, 2007)

Tags

2007, April 22, Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz, New York Mets, Tom Glavine

John Smoltz was an amazing pitcher for the Braves. A staple in the Major Leagues for two decades, he spent 16 years pitching alongside fellow Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. They were teammates until Glavine signed with the Mets after the 2002 season.

Glavine was still with the Mets when the two squared off at Shea Stadium on April 22, 2007. It was on that day that Smoltz took the opportunity to show his old friend that he was still as athletic as ever, despite approaching his 40th birthday.

Former Brave Kenny Lofton agrees to a $1.25 million, one-year contract with the White Sox (February 1, 2002)

Tags

1997, 2002, Atlanta Braves, February 1, Kenny Lofton

Kenny Lofton played for a lot of teams. One of them was the Atlanta Braves in 1997. As an impending free agent in 1996, it was Lofton’s last season with Cleveland before being traded to near the end of spring training 1997 to the Atlanta Braves of the National League. On trading Lofton, Hart said, “We had to make this trade and based on the fact that Lofton could be a free agent at the end of this season. We went through it with Albert Belle last year, and Albert left and we had nothing in return. We were not prepared to do that again.”

• On February 1, 2002 Six-time All Star Kenny Lofton (.261, 14, 66) agrees to a $1.25 million, one-year contract with the White Sox.
• The 34 year-old centerfielder, who has played with the Indians, Braves and Astros during his 11-year major league career, had a .302 lifetime batting average.
• Here are the teams he played for:
  • Houston Astros (1991)
  • Cleveland Indians (1992–1996)
  • Atlanta Braves (1997)
  • Cleveland Indians (1998–2001)
  • Chicago White Sox (2002)
  • San Francisco Giants (2002)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates (2003)
  • Chicago Cubs (2003)
  • New York Yankees (2004)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (2005)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (2006)
  • Texas Rangers (2007)
  • Cleveland Indians (2007)

Kenny Lofton

 

Freddie Freeman homer sets Atlanta Braves record for times reaching base (April 19, 2017)

Tags

2017, April 19, Atlanta Braves, Freddie Freeman, Jeff Burroughs

Freddie Freeman had a first-inning walk and third-inning home run on April 19, 2017, against the Nationals to set an Atlanta franchise record by reaching base in 12 consecutive plate appearances, a streak that was snapped when he grounded out in the sixth inning.

Freeman broke the record previously held by Jeff Burroughs in 1978.

Now hear this: The Braves’ rebuild is progressing nicely. Really? I don’t think so.

Tags

2017, Atlanta Braves, Bartolo Colon, Julio Teheran, Rebuilding Season

As a fan, I want the Braves to win. I want them to win this year. It isn’t going to happen. That is more than frustrating. It doesn’t have to be this way.

I disagree with Mr. Bradley. It isn’t proceeding nicely. It is a bust. Corporate ownership doesn’t get it. There is a huge chasm between building (what they should have done) and rebuilding (gutting the core of the team).

“There are times in every rebuild when progress seems so incremental as to be measured in angstrom units. For the Braves, this is such a time. The glow of being a .500 team in mid-July has yielded to reality.

• The Bartolo Colon experiment fizzled.
• Sean Rodriguez played 15 games here.
• Julio Teheran has been terrible.
• Swanson, star of Cobb County billboards, was sent to Gwinnett.
• Johan Camargo, who supplanted Swanson at shortstop, tripped over the foul line.

And yet …

Source: Now hear this: The Braves’ rebuild is progressing nicely. Really | Mark Bradley blog

The new 2012 playoff change does not benefit the Atlanta Braves (March 2, 1012)

Tags

2011, 2012, Atlanta Braves, March 2, November 22, Playoff

Things change in baseball. Sometimes slowly but they change.

On November 22, 2011, a new contract between Major League Baseball and its players union was ratified, and as a result, an expanded playoff format adding two clubs will be adopted no later than 2013 according to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The new format was finalized for the 2012 season on March 2, 2012, and will use the 2–3 game schedule format for the Division Series for the 2012 season only. A new one-game, wild-card round will be added in each league between the teams with the best records who are not division winners.

The new postseason system, which would have allowed the Red Sox and the Braves to avoid their historic collapses. Forced into a one game playoff with Cardinals, the Braves lost 6-3.

The change increases the reward of a winning a division title, but opened the door of the possibility of a third-place team winning the World Series.

Atlanta Braves Logo

Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron Ties Babe Ruth (April 4, 1974)

Tags

1974, April 4, Atlanta Braves, Hank Aaron

It was time. Babe Ruth, the all time home run leader, a player whose greatness and larger than life personality had been the stuff of legends for generations, was about to be caught. Heading into the 1974 season, Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron was only one home run behind Ruth’s hallowed 714, and only an injury or a miracle would keep that record intact.

As it turned out, neither would happen. In fact, Aaron made sure to make quick work of that chase for 714, doing so on Opening Day (April 4, 1974) against the Cincinnati Reds. With one out in the first, and runners on first and second, Aaron sent the Jack Billingham offering over the wall in left center, tying Ruth atop the all time list.

And so … one more to go to break the record.

Source: Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron Ties Babe Ruth

Braves earn first win of the season with rally vs. Marlins (April 16, 2016)

Tags

2016, Adonis Garcia, April 16, Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins

On the ropes early, and in danger of extending their season-opening losing streak even further, the Braves showed resolve and rallied behind three RBIs from Adonis Garcia, including a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, to defeat the Marlins, 6-3, on April 16, 2016 at Marlins Park as Major League Baseball celebrated Jackie Robinson Day.

Garcia, who committed two errors in the third inning, became the Braves’ offensive hero late with his key hits, which enabled Atlanta to avoid dropping to 0-10 for the first time since 1988.

The Marlins, meanwhile, let a three-run lead slip away. They had the chance to break the game open early but bounced into three double plays, and fell to 12-26 all-time against Atlanta at Marlins Park.

The “Crime Dog” pinch hits a homer after a “fire delay” (July 19, 1993)

Tags

1993, Atlanta Braves, Delay, Fred McGrive, July 19

Delays are a part of the game. They happen all the time. But for a fire? Now that is a story.

The game against the Cardinals on July 19, 1993 is delayed for an hour after a fire breaks out in the skybox/press box area of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Recently acquired Fred McGriff (the Crime Dog) pinch-hits a homer, enabling the Braves to rally from a 5-0 deficit to win 7-5 and appears to ignite the beginning of the team’s historic comeback from a 9 1/2 games deficit to win the National League West Division.

Thanks to the delay and thanks to the “Crime Dog”.

Fred McGriff

Looking back at the 1966 first opening day for Atlanta Braves (April 12, 1966)

Tags

1966, April 12, Atlanta Braves, Hank Aaron, Joe Torre, Tony Cloninger

What was the first game in Atlanta like? April 12, 1966 was a historic day for the Braves.

Here is the lineup for that day. You’ll see some great names and a few obscure ones.

Leading off and playing center field — No. 29, Felipe Alou. Batting second, third baseman — No. 41, Eddie Mathews. In the three hole, right fielder — No. 44, Hank Aaron. Batting cleanup and playing left field — No. 43, Rico Carty. Batting fifth and behind the plate — No. 15 catcher, Joe Torre. At shortstop and batting sixth — No. 19, Denis Menke. Batting seventh, first baseman — No. 9, Lee Thomas. At second base and batting eighth — No. 2, Frank Bolling. And on the hill, right-hander — No. 40, Tony Cloninger.

A crowd of 50,671, slightly below capacity of 52,007, was on hand to witness the game, which the Pirates won 3-2 in 13 innings. Home runs accounted for all the scoring. Torre was responsible for both Atlanta runs, hitting solo shots in the fifth (the first official home run in the stadium) and then in the 13th. Joe Pagliaroni had a solo homer for Pittsburgh in the eighth, and Willie Stargell hit a two-run shot in the top of the 13th, which proved to be the difference.

And some trivia about our pitcher. In what would be unheard of in today’s game, Tony Cloninger went the full 13 innings and was charged with the loss. He struck out 12 and walked just three. Cloninger, who won 24 games in 1965 and finished with a 14-11 record in 1966, put his name in the baseball record book later that season by hitting two grand slams against the San Francisco, Giants on July 3.

He is the only pitcher in major league baseball history to accomplish that feat.

The Braves maul the Marlins 20-3 to clinch the NL East title (October 5, 2001)

Tags

2001, Atlanta Braves, NL East, October 5

It was an evening game at Turner Field. 29,290 were in attendance when the Braves maul the Marlins on October 5, 2001, 20-3 to clinch the National League East title.

They would become the first team in professional sports to win 10 consecutive division titles. The Boston Celtics (1957-65) and Los Angeles Lakers (1982-90) had both won nine in a row.

The Braves would go on to win 14 in a row. Perhaps a record that will never be broken.

Atlanta Braves Table

Batting	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Marcus Giles 2B	3	3	1	4	3	0	6	.266	.342	.436	.778
Julio Franco 1B	5	3	3	2	1	1	6	.295	.374	.443	.817
Chipper Jones 3B	5	3	2	5	1	0	6	.330	.427	.605	1.032
Brian Jordan RF	5	2	2	1	0	2	5	.296	.335	.498	.833
B.J. Surhoff LF	2	1	1	1	2	1	5	.272	.323	.408	.730
Andruw Jones CF	2	2	0	1	2	1	5	.251	.312	.461	.773
Rey Sanchez SS	5	2	2	3	0	0	5	.282	.301	.338	.639
Paul Bako C	3	3	2	1	2	0	5	.212	.312	.343	.655
Kevin Millwood P	2	1	0	1	1	1	3	.093	.114	.093	.207
Ken Caminiti PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.229	.314	.411	.725
Kerry Ligtenberg P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dave Martinez PH	1	0	1	1	0	0	1	.285	.346	.379	.725
Steve Reed P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Team Totals	34	20	14	20	12	7	48	.412	.542	.706	1.248

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/8/2017.

Braves rewind: Whatever happened to…Biff Pocoroba?

Tags

All Star, Atlanta Braves, Biff Pocoroba

Let’s take a look at Braves from years past. How about Biff Pocoroba? Don’t laugh, he was an All-Star for the Braves in 1978.

• When did Biff play? “Biff was a catcher in the ’70s and ’80s and was a career Brave, playing all 596 games while wearing a tomahawk. He was a .257 hitter, but he once threw out 11 straight potential base-stealers. 1977 was his best year: he played in 113 games; he hit .290, and hit a walk-off grand slam. However, his 1978 year was most puzzling. That year, he finished the season hitting just .242 but was selected as an All-Star. Why? Teammate Phil Niekro was on that All-Star squad, and apparently no catchers wanted to try to catch Niekro’s knuckler; none except Biff. To no one’s surprise, Biff had 53 passed balls in his career; most of them before 1980.”
• How did his career end? “Following rotator cuff surgery in 1979, Biff was limited primarily to pinch-hitting duties for the remainder of his career, although Bobby Cox did try him out at third base.”
• “Biff played his final game April 20, 1984. In retirement, he opened Sausage World, a specialty meat establishment in Lilburn, Georgia.”

Source: Braves rewind: Whatever happened to…Biff Pocoroba? – Talking Chop

Dickey, Markakis help Braves overcome Stanton, Marlins 5-3 (August 4, 2017)

Tags

2017, Atlanta Braves, August 4, R. A. Dickey

R. A. Dickey – Atlanta Braves 2017

R.A. Dickey is glad he doesn’t have to face Giancarlo Stanton too often. But he did and won. Now that is some good news for the Braves who continue to struggle this year. In third place for the NL East, 14.5 games behind Washington.

Source: Dickey, Markakis help Braves overcome Stanton, Marlins 5-3

• What does this mean for Dickey? “Dickey won for the first time in seven starts, Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves overcame Stanton’s two home runs to beat the Miami Marlins 5-3 on Friday night.”
• And Dickey says … “I had done a pretty good job of keeping him in the yard for about six years, so he was probably due,” Dickey said. “He’s good. He’s a specimen. I thought I had a pretty good knuckleball otherwise.”
• How did Stanton do? “Stanton hit his 34th and 35th homers, passing Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for most in the majors, to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead in the sixth. Markakis took Adam Conley (4-4) deep in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-3.”
• Dickey holds his own: “Dickey (7-7) allowed three hits, three runs, one walk and struck out three in six innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer has pitched well lately, going 3-2 with a 2.22 ERA in nine starts since losing 10-5 at Washington on June 13.”
• More on Stanton: “Stanton crushed his first homer into the tunnel past the wall in center field to make it 1-all in the fourth . Major League Baseball’s Statcast said it would have gone a distance of 477 feet unimpeded, his longest of the season, and an exit velocity of 115.5 mph off the bat. He followed with a hard two-run shot off Dickey in the sixth, this one to left field, that put Miami up 3-1 .”

 

Rick Ankiel throws 5 wild pitches in one inning (October 3, 2000)

Tags

2000, Atlanta Braves, October 3, Rick Ankiel, Tony LaRussa

Against the Braves on October 3, 2000, Cardinal rookie starter Rick Ankiel sets a modern day major league record by uncorking five wild pitches in the third inning of Game 1 of NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

He joins Buffalo’s Bert Cunningham, who accomplished the same feat in the first inning in an 1890 Players League contest.

LaRussa has stated that putting Ankiel into Game One of the 2000 NLDS was “a decision that perhaps haunts him more than any he has ever made.”

Unfortunately for the Braves, the Cardinals won the game.

Braves win their 15th consecutive game (May 2, 2000)

Tags

2000, Atlanta Braves, May 2

Atlanta Braves

En route to the team’s ninth division title in ten years, on May 2, 2000, the Braves win their fifteenth consecutive game when they beat L.A. at Chavez Ravine, 5-3.

The winning streak, which began on April 16, ties an Atlanta record.

The 2000 Atlanta Braves season marked the franchise’s 35th season in Atlanta. The Braves won their ninth consecutive division title, however, the 2000 season would mark the first time since 1990 that the Braves did not appear in the National League Championship Series.

One of the highlights of the season was that the All-Star Game was held at Turner Field in Atlanta.

 

That Time Satchel Paige Was an Atlanta Braves Pitching Coach (1969)

Tags

1968, 1969, Atlanta Braves, Satchel Paige

The great Satchel Paige. The ageless stalworth of the Negro Leagues. We’re all familiar with Satchel Paige and his greatness, and many of us can even quote a classic Satchel quote or two. But, what you might not have known, is that Satchel Paige was an Atlanta Braves pitching coach once. Well, sort of.

In 1968, Satchel Paige was just 158 days shy of the five years’ playing time needed to qualify for Major League pension. Satchel reached out to 29 teams to give him just one more chance and 29 teams turned the ageless wonder down.

It’s also important to note that Satchel was shy of the major league pension because of the bogus color barrier. He didn’t get called up to the majors, from the Negro Leagues where he played 17 years, until 1949. And in 1949, the man was already 42 years old.

So, when 1968 came around and 62 year old Satchel Paige realizes that he’s just shy of a nice major league pension, he just figured he’d make some calls and pick up a baseball again.

But, when every other team was quick to turn down Satchel Paige, Atlanta Braves president Bill Bartholomay saw an opportunity. In 1968, the Braves had been in Atlanta for just three years, and Bartholomay knew that he could kill two birds with one stone. Bill could do the right thing for the legendary Satchel Paige, and he could sell a few tickets along the way in the newest baseball city.

In order to make Satchel Paige eligible to receive his pension, Bartholomay signed Paige to a contract running through the 1969 season as the Atlanta Braves pitching coach. Satchel would actually suit up and pitch a couple of innings during two exhibition games early in the spring 1969, but he’d spend the rest of the season “coaching” from his living room in Kansas City, Missouri.

After reaching his 158 required days, Paige left the Atlanta Braves organization and less than three years later, began drawing that Major League pension. He received $250 a month.

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.

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

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 — 2000 Rookie of the Year

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

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

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”.

 

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

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.

 

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.

 

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

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

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!

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.

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

 

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.

Hank’s rainy night in Georgia (April 8, 1974)

Tags

1974, 715, Al Downing, April 8, Atlanta Braves, Dusty Baker, Hank Aaron

April 8, 2014 was the 40th anniversary of Aaron’s 715th career home run, the one that eclipsed Ruth’s amazing record of 714. In my family, we had all waited for this night. Hammerin’ Hank would finally do it. It was break Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714 home runs. Hank now had 715 and the record.

It was a cold and rainy night. There were three rain delays in that game. They were determined to get the game in.  Hank was not to be deterred. It was going to happen on April 8, 1974.

We have the word of what went on from Dusty Baker, the Braves’ 24-year-old center fielder, who was in the on deck circle. Baker clearly recalls Aaron’s words as he headed toward the plate to face Dodgers veteran Al Downing in the fourth inning.

“Hank told me he was going to do it.Hank was a student of hitting; he always studied pitchers, their tendencies. As he went up to hit, he said, ‘I’m going to get this thing over with right now.’ After he hit it, I didn’t want to go to the plate. I was closer to the catcher and pitcher than anybody, but that was Hank’s moment — a great moment. He earned it.” ~~Dusty Baker

So, Dusty saw it all and waited for his turn at bat. They had a long ceremony honoring Hank.

“After they had the ceremony on the field for him that night, I was the next hitter. I heard the clicking of seats, people leaving, when I went up to hit. It was the coldest night I can remember in Atlanta — and one of the greatest nights of my life.”

Al Downing, the pitcher for the Dodgers, drew the honor of serving up the home run pitch. The first time he faced Hank that night, he walked him. Can’t blame him for that. There is some honor in escaping the evening untarnished. But he couldn’t hide for long. They both wore number 44 that night.

I was first introduced to him by [to Hank byYankees catcher] Elston Howard in Spring Training in 1963, in Florida. “The Braves were in West Palm Beach. I remember Elston introducing us and thinking, ‘This is the nicest, most gracious guy for a superstar.’ Hank never really changed.

I walked him first time up, and everybody booed me. It was the second pitch [in a 1-0 count], and I was trying to get the double play. I wanted to get a fastball down in the strike zone, hoping he’d roll over. It was elevated — and ‘The Hammer’ put the hammer on it. ~~Al Downing

Davey Lopez was playing second base for the Dodgers that evening.

It couldn’t have worked out any better, really. Al is such a secure person, he understood the big picture. It was like when Rickey Henderson was Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout victim. Rickey embraced it. Al was never bothered at all by being part of Hank’s big moment. ~~Davey Lopez

And so magic happened that night. I remember the joy I felt for Hank. He had done something we thought no one would ever be able to do. He did it for himself but it also did a lot for Atlanta.

“I played 19 years in the bigs. How many people can say that?” ~Chipper Jones

Tags

2012, Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones, Retirement

You have to love Larry “Chipper” Jones. Chipper spent his entire 19-year career playing for the Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves.

In 2002 and 2003, Jones played left field before returning to third base in 2004. He currently holds the Braves team record for career on-base percentage (.402), and on July 5, 2007, he passed Dale Murphy for third place on the Braves all-time career home run list.

Jones ended his career in 2012 with a .303 career batting average, with 468 home runs, 1,512 walks, and 1,623 RBIs in 2,499 games with 8,984 at bats.

I miss the game, but I’m loving retired life. After seven knee surgeries and two ACL replacements, it was time to go. It was starting to get to the point where I’d be on the road and didn’t want to be there. I had my time. I played 19 years in the bigs. How many people can say that? I had a lot of success and great memories, but it got to a point where I didn’t know every morning if I’d be able to play that day or not, and that’s a lot of undue pressure on the manager and team if I won’t be able to play. And when it got to the point where it got to me only playing 100 games a year, I felt like I was doing more harm than good.

I have no regrets, no urges to go back. People have asked me about coaching, and I have absolutely zero desire to get back in uniform right now, because the lifestyle is still part of it. I lived out of a suitcase for 23 years as a professional athlete, and I like my life right now. I like being rooted down and not having to pack my suitcase every three days.

Chipper Jones, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, played for the Atlanta Braves from 1993-2012. He won the 1999 National League MVP award, made eight NL All-Star teams and helped the Braves make the postseason 13 times.

via Chipper Jones on state of the Braves, NL East race and retirement – MLB – SI.com.

Ted is suspended for a year (January 2, 1977)

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1977, Atlanta Braves, Bowie Kuhn, Gary Matthews, January 2, Ted Turner

Ted Turner

There may never be another owner of a team like Ted Turner. He was a one of a kind character. The good news is that he loved his team and invested in them.

There were lots of sides to him. Ted was suspended for one year on January 2, 1977 by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, due to tampering charges in the free-agency signing of Gary Matthews. The rumor is that Ted spent much of baseball’s winter meetings seemingly drunk out of his mind and threatening to kill Kuhn. Eventually, two of Turner’s company officers had to drag Turner out of harm’s way, and Kuhn suspended him for the entire 1977 season.

So what does Ted do? Well, the Braves’ owner, an accomplished sailor, uses his free time to pursue another goal, winning the this year’s America’s Cup, which he accomplishes in September.

I’m thankful he didn’t order me shot! ~Ted Turner

It sounds like some weird things happened for the Atlanta Braves to sign Ron Washington

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2016, Atlanta Braves, Ron Washington, Texas Rangers

It might not be a conspiracy theory – I think there’s a very specific reason the Braves brought in Ron Washington.

via It sounds like some weird things happened for the Atlanta Braves to sign Ron Washington — Breslanta

Ron Washington is a great manager. He is a great addition.

Atlanta Braves say goodbye to “The Ted”, aka Turner Field (October 2, 2016)

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Atlanta Braves, Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran, Turner Field

I wish I could have been there. I thought about flying. My wife suggested we drive. Maybe I’m just too old now but the prospect of a 24 hour road trip in two days was just too much. What has happened to me?

I decided not to go. I watched it on my laptop via MLB.TV.

It is the end of so much and the start of so much more. No more baseball in downtown Atlanta. It was always an adventure. How to get there. Where to park. When to leave to not get stranded.

The good news, for a really horrible season, is they leave with a win. Teheran pitched one of his finest games, going seven innings and giving up three hits, one walk and no runs. He struck out 12, tying his career high.

Freddie Freeman drove in Ender Inciarte on a first-inning sacrifice fly. That would be all that is needed. A perfect end to the history of it all.

And so it goes! A new stadium, new hopes, new dreams.

The first pitch was thrown by Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran to Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler at 3:13 p.m ET, with the game-time temperature at 80 degrees.

Source: Atlanta Braves say goodbye to Turner Field – CNN.com

Last game at Turner Field, moving on again …

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Atlanta Braves, Turner Field

The Braves have played in lots of stadiums. Eight to be exact.

Today will be the last game played at Turner Field.

Sad, but they are moving on. I have many fond memories of games from Turner Field. But I remember Atlanta – Fulton County Stadium as well.

Here is the list from the past:

• Turner Field (1997– 2016)
• Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1996)
• Milwaukee County Stadium (1953–1965)
• Braves Field (1915–1952)
• Fenway Park (1914–1915)
• South End Grounds (1894–1914)
• Congress Street Grounds (1894)
• South End Grounds (1871–1894)