Atlanta_Braves

{{current sport-related|mini=1|2008 Atlanta Braves season}}
{{MLB infobox
|name=Atlanta Braves
|established=1871
|misc='''Based in Atlanta since 1966'''
|owner=[[Liberty Media]] / [[John Malone]] <ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/telecom/ci_5221540/ John Malone: From cable to the clubhouse]</ref><ref>[http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070516&content_id=1968024&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl Braves sale is approved]</ref>
|manager=[[Bobby Cox]]
|gm=[[Frank Wren]]
|logo=NLE-ATL-Logo.png
|uniformlogo=NLE-ATL-Insignia.png
|WS=(3)
|WORLD CHAMPIONS=[[1914 World Series|1914]] • [[1957 World Series|1957]] • [[1995 World Series|1995]]
|LEAGUE=NA
|P=(5)
|PENNANTS=1872 • 1873 • 1874 • 1875
|LEAGUE=NL
|P=(17)
|PENNANTS=1877 • 1878 • 1883 • 1891 • 1892 • 1893 • 1897 • 1898 • 1914 • 1948 • 1957 • 1958 • 1991 • 1992 • 1995 • 1996 • 1999
|misc1='''National Association Pennants''' (4)
|OTHER PENNANTS=1872 • 1873 • 1874 • 1875
|DIV=East
|DV=(11)
|Division Champs=1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005
|misc5='''West Division titles''' (5)
|OTHER DIV CHAMPS=1969 • 1982 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993
|WC=(0)
|Wild Card=None
|misc6=
|current league=National League
|y1=1876
|division=[[National League East|East Division]]
|y2=1994
|misc2=
|nickname=Atlanta Braves
|nicknames=The Bravos, America's Team, The Team of the 90's
|y3=1966
|pastnames=Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965)<br>Boston Braves (1941-1952)<br>Boston Bees (1936-1940)<br>Boston Braves (1912-1935)<br>Boston Rustlers (1911)<br>Boston Doves (1907-1910)<br>Boston Beaneaters (1883-1906)<br>Boston Red Stockings (1871-1882)
| ballpark = [[Turner Field]]
| y4 = 1997
|pastparks=[[Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium]] (1966-1996)<br>*a.k.a. Atlanta Stadium (1966-1976)<br>[[Milwaukee County Stadium]] (1953-1965)<br>[[Braves Field]] (1915-1952)<br>*a.k.a. National League Park (1936-1941)<br>[[Fenway Park]] (1914-1915)<br>[[South End Grounds]] (1894-1914)<br>[[Congress Street Grounds]] (1894)<br>[[South End Grounds]] (1871-1894)
|Uniform=NLE-Uniform-ATL.PNG
|retirednumbers=[[Dale Murphy|3]], [[Warren Spahn|21]], [[Phil Niekro|35]], [[Eddie Mathews|41]], [[Jackie Robinson|42]], [[Hank Aaron|44]]
|Team=Braves
|Team1=Braves
}}

The '''Atlanta Braves''' are a [[professional baseball|professional baseball team]] based in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. The Braves are a member of the [[National League East|Eastern Division]] of [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[National League]]. From {{by|1997}} to the present, the Braves have played in [[Turner Field]].

The "Braves" name originates from the term for a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] warrior. They are [[List of baseball nicknames|nicknamed]] "the '''Bravos'''", and "'''America's Team'''", the latter a reference to the team's games being broadcast on the nationally available [[WTBS|TBS]], gaining a wide fanbase. They were also known during the first half of the 1990s as "the '''Team of the '90s'''", in reference to the team's great success in these years. While the Yankees took the spotlight in the late '90s, the Braves still won their division an unprecedented 14 consecutive times from 1991-2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/history/timeline4.jsp|title=Braves Timeline (1987-Present)|accessdate=2007-07-14|publisher=2007 MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|quote=Although their unprecedented streak of 14 consecutive division titles was snapped...}}</ref> omitting the strike-shortened [[1994 Major League Baseball strike|1994 season]].

One of the National League's two remaining charter franchises, the club was founded in [[Boston, Massachusetts]] in {{by|1871}}. Then the '''Boston Red Stockings''' (not to be confused with the American League's [[Boston Red Sox]] or the NL Central's [[Cincinnati Reds]]), the team moved to [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] in {{by|1953}} and became the '''Milwaukee Braves'''. It was not until {{by|1966}} that the team moved to Georgia.

The Braves are the only [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] franchise to have won the [[World Series]] in three different home cities. The [[St Louis Rams]] are the only other pro sports team to win a championship in 3 different cities. The team's tenure in Atlanta is famous for [[Hank Aaron]]'s breaking of the career home run record in 1974; the new record stood until Barry Bonds broke it in {{by|2007}}.

==History==
===Boston===
====1871-1913====
[[Image:1873Bostonteampicture.jpg|thumb|left|1873 Boston Red Stockings team picture: finished first with a record of 43-16]]
The [[Cincinnati Red Stockings]], established in 1869 as the first professional baseball team, voted to dissolve after the 1870 season. Player-manager [[Harry Wright]] then went to [[Boston, Massachusetts]] at the invitation of Boston Red Stockings founder [[Ivers Whitney Adams]], with brother [[George Wright (baseball)|George]] and two other Cincinnati players, to form the nucleus of the '''Boston Red Stockings''', a charter member of the [[National Association of Professional Base Ball Players]]. The original Boston Red Stockings team and its successors can lay claim to being the oldest continuously playing team in American professional sports<ref>[http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/history/story_of_the_braves.jsp Atlantabraves.com History]</ref>. (The only other team that has been organized as long, the [[Chicago Cubs]], did not play for the two years following the [[Great Chicago Fire]] of 1871.) Two young players hired away from the [[Rockford Forest Citys|Forest City club]] of [[Rockford, Illinois]], turned out to be the biggest stars during the NAPBBP years: pitcher [[Albert Spalding|Al Spalding]] (founder of [[Spalding]] sporting goods) and second baseman [[Ross Barnes]].

Led by the Wright brothers, Barnes, and Spalding, the Red Stockings dominated the National Association, winning four of that league's five championships. The team became one of the National League's charter franchises in 1876, sometimes called the "'''Red Caps'''" (as a new Cincinnati Red Stockings club was another charter member). Boston came to be called the '''Beaneaters''' in 1883, while retaining red as the team color.

Although somewhat stripped of talent in the National League's inaugural year, Boston bounced back to win the 1877 and 1878 pennants. The Red Caps/Beaneaters were one of the league's dominant teams during the 19th century, winning a total of eight pennants. For most of that time, their [[manager (baseball)|manager]] was [[Frank Selee]], the first manager not to double as a player as well. The 1898 team finished 102-47, a club record for wins that would stand for almost a century.

The team was decimated when the [[American League]]'s new Boston entry set up shop in 1901. Many of the Beaneaters' stars jumped to the new team, which offered contracts that the Beaneaters' owners didn't even bother to match. They only managed one winning season from 1900 to 1913, and lost 100 games five times. In 1907, the Beaneaters (temporarily) eliminated the last bit of red from their stockings because their manager thought the red dye could cause wounds to become infected (as noted in ''The Sporting News Baseball Guide'' during the 1940s when each team's entry had a history of its nickname(s). See details in [[History of baseball team nicknames]]). The American League club's owner, Charles Taylor, wasted little time in changing his team's name to the [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]], in place of the generic "Americans". Nickname changes to the '''Doves''' in 1907 and the '''Rustlers''' in 1911 did nothing to change the National League club's luck. The team became the '''Braves''' for the first time in 1912. Their owner, James Gaffney, was a member of New York City's political machine, [[Tammany Hall]]. Tammany Hall's symbol was an Indian chief named [[Tammany]].

====1914: Miracle====
{{Main|1914 World Series}}
Two years later, the Braves put together one of the most memorable seasons in baseball history. After a dismal 4-18 start, the Braves seemed to be on pace for a last place finish. On [[July 4]] [[1914]], the Braves lost both games of a doubleheader to the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]]. The consecutive losses put their record at [[Win (baseball)|26]]-[[Loss (baseball)|40]] and the Braves were in last place, 15 games behind the league-leading [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]], who had won the previous three league pennants. After a day off, the Braves started to put together a hot streak, and from July 6 through [[September 5]], the Braves won 41 games against only 12 losses. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1914&t=BSN] On September 7th and 8th, the Braves took 2 of 3 from the New York Giants and moved into first place. The Braves tore through September and early October, closing with 25 wins against 6 losses, while the Giants went 16-16. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1914&t=NY1] They are the only team to win a pennant after being in last place on the Fourth of July. They were in last place as late as [[July 18]], but were close to the pack, moving into fourth on [[July 21]] and second place on [[August 12]].<ref>Cohen, Neft, Johnson and Deutsch, ''The World Series'', The Dial Press, 1976.</ref>

Despite their amazing comeback, the Braves entered the [[1914 World Series|World Series]] as a heavy underdog to [[Connie Mack (baseball)|Connie Mack]]'s [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia A's]]. Nevertheless, the Braves swept the Athletics--the first unqualified sweep in the young history of the modern World Series (the 1907 Series had had one tied game)--to win the world championship. Meanwhile, [[Johnny Evers]] won the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Chalmers Award]].

The Braves played the World Series (as well as the last few games of the 1914 season) at [[Fenway Park]], since their normal home, the [[South End Grounds]], was too small. However, the Braves' success inspired owner Gaffney to build a modern park, [[Braves Field]], which opened in August 1915. It was the largest park in the majors at the time, with 40,000 seats and also a very spacious outfield. The park was novel for its time; public transportation brought fans right into the park.

====1915-1953====
After contending for most of 1915 and 1916, the Braves only twice posted winning records from 1917 to 1932. The lone highlight of those years came when Judge [[Emil Fuchs (baseball)|Emil Fuchs]] bought the team in 1923 to bring his longtime friend, pitching great [[Christy Mathewson]], back into the game. However, Mathewson died in 1925, leaving Fuchs in control of the team.

Fuchs was committed to building a winner, but the damage from the years prior to his arrival took some time to overcome. The Braves finally managed to compete in 1933 and 1934 under manager [[Bill McKechnie]], but Fuchs' revenue was severely depleted due to the [[Great Depression]].

Looking for a way to get more fans and more money, Fuchs worked out a deal with the [[New York Yankees]] to acquire [[Babe Ruth]], who had, ironically, started his career with the Red Sox. Fuchs made Ruth team vice president, and promised him a share of the profits. He was also granted the title of assistant manager, and was to be consulted on all of the Braves' deals. Fuchs even suggested that Ruth, who had long had his heart set on managing, could take over as manager once McKechnie stepped down--perhaps as early as 1936.<ref name="Neyer">{{cite book|last=Neyer|first=Rob|authorlink=Rob Neyer|title=Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Blunders|year=2006|publisher=Fireside|location=New York, New York|isbn=0743284917 }}</ref>

At first, it looked like Ruth was the final piece team needed in 1935. On opening day, he had a hand in all of the Braves' runs in a 4-2 win over the Giants. However, that proved to be the only time the Braves were over .500 all year. Events went downhill quickly. While Ruth could still hit, he could do little else. He couldn't run, and his fielding was so terrible that three of the Braves' pitchers threatened to go on strike if Ruth were in the lineup. It soon became obvious that he was vice president and assistant manager in name only and Fuchs' promise of a share of team profits was hot air. In fact, Ruth discovered that Fuchs expected him to invest some of ''his'' money in the team.<ref name="Neyer"/>

Seeing a franchise in complete disarray, Ruth retired on [[June 1]]--only six days after he clouted, in what remains one of the most memorable afternoons in baseball history, what turned out to be the last three [[home run]]s of his career. He'd wanted to quit as early as [[May 12]], but Fuchs wanted him to hang on so he could play in every National League park.<ref name="Neyer"/> The Braves finished 38-115, the worst season in franchise history. Their .248 winning percentage is [[List of worst MLB season records|the third-worst in baseball history]], and the second-worst in National League history (behind only the 1899 [[Cleveland Spiders]]).

Fuchs lost control of the team in August of 1935<ref name="Neyer"/>, and the new owners tried to change the team's image by renaming it the '''Boston Bees'''. This did little to change the team's fortunes. After five uneven years, a new owner, construction magnate [[Lou Perini]], changed the nickname back to the Braves. He immediately set about rebuilding the team. [[World War II]] slowed things down a little, but the team rode the pitching of [[Warren Spahn]] to impressive seasons in 1946 and 1947.

In 1948 the team won the pennant, behind the pitching of Spahn and [[Johnny Sain]], who won 39 games between them. The remainder of the rotation was so thin that in September, Boston Post writer Gerald Hern wrote this poem about the pair:

:''First we'll use Spahn''
:''then we'll use Sain''
:''Then an off day''
:''followed by rain''
:''Back will come Spahn''
:''followed by Sain''
:''And followed''
:''we hope''
:''by two days of rain.''

The poem received such a wide audience that the sentiment, usually now paraphrased as ''"Spahn and Sain and pray for rain"'', entered the baseball vocabulary. Ironically, in the 1948 season, the Braves actually had a better record in games that Spahn and Sain ''did not'' start than in games they did. (Other sources include pitcher [[Vern Bickford]] in the verse.)

The [[1948 World Series]], which the Braves lost in 6 games to the Indians, turned out to be the Braves' last hurrah in Boston. Amid four mediocre seasons, attendance steadily dwindled until, on [[March 13]] [[1953]], Perini, who had recently bought out his original partners, announced he was moving the team to [[Milwaukee]], where the Braves had their top farm club, the [[Milwaukee Brewers minor league|Brewers]]. Milwaukee had long been a possible target for relocation. [[Bill Veeck]] had tried to move his [[St. Louis Browns]] there earlier the same year, but his proposal had been voted down by the other [[American League]] owners.

===Milwaukee===
====1953-1965====
[[Image:MilwaukeeBraves5461.GIF|right|Milwaukee Braves logo (1953-1956)]]
Milwaukee went wild over the Braves, who were welcomed as genuine heroes. The Braves finished 92-62 in their first season in Milwaukee, and drew a then-NL record 1.8 million fans. The success of the team was noted by many owners. Not coincidentally, the [[Philadelphia Athletics]], [[St. Louis Browns]], [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] and [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] would leave their original hometowns in the next five years.

As the 1950s progressed, the reinvigorated Braves became increasingly competitive. Sluggers [[Eddie Mathews]] and [[Hank Aaron]] drove the offense (they would hit a combined 1,226 home runs as Braves, with 850 of those coming while the franchise was in Milwaukee), whilst Spahn, [[Lew Burdette]] and [[Bob Buhl]] anchored the rotation. In 1957, the Braves celebrated their first pennant in nine years spearheaded by Aaron's [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|MVP season]], as he led the National League in home runs and RBI. Perhaps the most memorable of his 44 round-trippers that season came on [[September 23]], a two-run [[walk-off home run]] that gave the Braves a 4-2 victory over the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and clinched the League championship. The team then went on to its first [[World Series]] win in over 40 years, defeating the [[New York Yankees]] of [[Yogi Berra|Berra]], [[Mickey Mantle|Mantle]], and [[Whitey Ford|Ford]] in seven games. Burdette, the Series MVP, threw three complete game victories, giving up only two earned runs.

In 1958, the Braves again won the National League pennant and jumped out to a three games to one lead in the World Series against New York once more, thanks in part to the strength of Spahn's and Burdette's pitching. But the Yankees stormed back to take the last three games, in large part to World Series MVP [[Bob Turley|Bob Turley's]] pitching. The 1959 season saw the Braves finish the season in a tie with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]. Many residents of Chicago and Milwaukee were hoping for a Sox-Braves Series, as the cities are only about {{convert|75|mi|km|0}} apart, but it was not to be because Milwaukee fell in a best-of-3 playoff with two straight losses to the Dodgers. The Dodgers would go on to defeat the [[Chicago White Sox]] in the World Series.

The next six years were up-and-down for the Braves. The 1960 season featured two no-hitters by Burdette and Spahn, and Milwaukee finished seven games behind the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], who ultimately were to win the World Series that year, in second place. The 1961 season saw a drop in the standings for the Braves down to fourth, despite Spahn recording his 300th victory and pitching another no-hitter that year.

Aaron hit 45 home runs in 1962, a Milwaukee career high for him, but this did not translate into wins for the Braves, as they finished fifth. [[1963 in baseball|The next season]], Aaron again hit 44 home runs and notched 130 RBI, and Spahn was once again the ace of the staff, going 23-7. However, none of the other Braves produced at that level, and the team finished in the lower half of the league, or "[[first division (baseball)|second division]]," for the first time in its short history in Milwaukee.

The Braves were somewhat mediocre as the 1960s began, but fattened up on the expansion [[New York Mets]] and [[Houston Astros|Houston Colt .45s]]. To this day, the Milwaukee Braves are the only major league team who played more than one season and never had a losing record.

Perini sold the Braves to a [[Chicago]]-based group led by [[William Bartholomay]] in 1962. The ink was barely dry on the deal when Bartholomay started shopping the Braves to a larger television market. Keen to attract them, the fast-growing city of Atlanta, led by Mayor Ivan Allen, constructed a new $18 million, 52,000-seat ballpark in less than one year, [[Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium|Atlanta Stadium]], which was officially opened in 1965 in hopes of luring an existing major league baseball and/or NFL/AFL team. After the city failed to lure the [[Oakland Athletics|Kansas City A's]] to Atlanta (the A's would move to Oakland in 1968), the Braves announced their intention to move to Atlanta for the 1965 season. However, an injunction filed in Wisconsin kept the Braves in Milwaukee for one final year. In 1966, the Braves completed the move to Atlanta.

===Atlanta===
====1966-90====
The Braves were a .500 team in their first few years in Atlanta – 85-77 in 1966, 77-85 in 1967, and 81-81 in 1968. The 1967 season was the Braves' first losing season since 1952, their last year in Boston. In 1969, with the onset of divisional play, the Braves won the first-ever [[National League West]] pennant, before being swept by the "Miracle [[New York Mets|Mets]]" in the [[National League Championship Series]]. They would not be a factor in the next decade, posting only two winning seasons between 1970 and 1981 - in some cases, fielding teams as bad as the worst Boston teams.

In the meantime, fans had to be satisfied with the achievements of [[Hank Aaron]]. In the relatively hitter-friendly confines of Atlanta Stadium ("The Launching Pad"), he actually increased his offensive production. It also produced batting champions in [[Rico Carty]] (in 1970) and in [[Ralph Garr]] (in 1974). By the end of the 1973 season Aaron had hit 713 home runs, one short of Ruth's record. Throughout the winter he received racially motivated death threats, but stood up well under the pressure. The next season, it was only a matter of time before he set a new record. On [[April 4]] he hit #714 in [[Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati]], and on [[April 8]], in front of his home fans, he finally beat Ruth's mark.

In 1976 the team was purchased by media magnate [[Ted Turner]], owner of [[superstation]] [[WTBS]], as a means to keep the team (and one of his main programming staples) in Atlanta. The financially-strapped Turner used money already paid to the team for their broadcast rights as a down-payment. It was then that Atlanta Stadium was re-named [[Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium]]. Turner quickly gained a reputation as a quirky, hands-on baseball owner. On [[May 11]], [[1977]], Turner appointed himself [[manager (baseball)|manager]], but, because MLB passed a rule in the 1950s barring managers from holding a financial stake in their team, Turner was ordered to relinquish that position after one game (the Braves lost 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates to bring their losing streak to 17 games).

Turner used the Braves as a major programming draw for his fledgling cable network, making the Braves the first franchise to have a regular, nationwide audience and fanbase. WTBS marketed the team as "The Atlanta Braves: America's Team," a nickname that still sticks in some areas of the country, especially [[Southern United States|the South]], today. Among other things, in 1976 Turner suggested the nickname "Channel" for pitcher [[Andy Messersmith]] and jersey number 17, in order to promote the television station that aired Braves games. Major League Baseball quickly nixed the idea.

After three straight losing seasons, [[Bobby Cox]] was hired for his first stint as manager of the franchise for the 1978 season, and he promoted a 22-year-old slugger named [[Dale Murphy]] into the starting lineup. Murphy hit 77 home runs over the next three seasons, but struggled on defense, positioned at either catcher or first base while being unable to adeptly play either. However, in 1980, Murphy was moved to center field and demonstrated excellent range and throwing ability, while the Braves earned their first winning season since 1974. Cox was fired after the 1981 season and replaced with [[Joe Torre]], under whose leadership the Braves attained their first divisional title since 1969. Strong performances from [[Bob Horner]], [[Chris Chambliss]], pitcher [[Phil Niekro]], and short relief pitcher [[Gene Garber]] helped the Braves, but no Brave was more acclaimed than Murphy, who won both a [[MLB Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]] and a [[Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]] award. Murphy also won a Most Valuable Player award the following season, but the Braves began a period of decline that defined the team throughout the 1980s. Murphy, excelling in defense, hitting, and running, was consistently recognized as one of the league's best players, but the Braves averaged only 65 wins per season between 1985 and 1990. Their lowest point came in 1988, when they lost 106 games. The 1986 season saw the return of Bobby Cox to the Braves organization as [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]]. Also in 1986, the team stopped using their Native American-themed mascot, [[Chief Noc-A-Homa]].

====1991-2004: Successes and Stars====
Cox returned to the dugout as manager in the middle of the 1990 season, replacing [[Russ Nixon]]. The Braves would finish the year with the worst record in baseball, at 65-97, and traded Dale Murphy to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] after it was clear he was becoming a less dominant player. However, pitching coach [[Leo Mazzone]] began developing young pitchers [[Tom Glavine]], [[Steve Avery]], and [[John Smoltz]] into future stars. That same year, the Braves used the number one overall pick in the [[Major League Baseball Draft]] to select [[Chipper Jones]], who would go on to become one of the best hitters in team history. Perhaps the Braves' most important move, however, was not on the field, but in the front office. Immediately after the season, [[John Schuerholz]] was hired away from the [[Kansas City Royals]] as general manager.

The following season, Glavine, Avery, and Smoltz would be recognized as the best young pitchers in the league, winning 52 games among them. Meanwhile, behind position players [[David Justice|Dave Justice]], [[Ron Gant]] and unexpected league Most Valuable Player and batting champion [[Terry Pendleton]], the Braves overcame a 39-40 start, winning 55 of their final 83 games over the last three months of the season and edging the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] by one game in one of baseball history's more memorable playoff races. The "Worst to First" Braves, who had not won a divisional title since 1982, captivated the city of Atlanta (and, to a larger degree, the state of Georgia and the entire southeast) during their improbable run to the flag. They defeated the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in a very tightly contested seven-game [[1991 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] only to lose the [[1991 World Series|World Series]], also in seven games, to the [[Minnesota Twins]]. The series, considered by many to be one of the greatest ever, was the first time a team that had finished last in its division one year went to the World Series the next; both the Twins and Braves accomplished the feat.

[[Image:Tomahawkchop.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Fans do the "Tomahawk Chop"]]
During the Braves' rise to prominence in the early 1990s, their long-standing ethnic nickname came under much closer scrutiny, even being protested in Minneapolis when the Braves visited the Twins for Game 1 of the 1991 World Series. The team was especially criticized for selling plastic and foam tomahawks, encouraging the so-called [[Tomahawk Chop|tomahawk chop]] and the accompanying war cry emitted by the fans. The war cry and tomahawk chop are similar, if not identical, to what [[Florida State University]] fans do at their games. Initially, the war chant music was played by the Braves' organist, but in recent years, a recording of the FSU band has been used instead. This tradition can be traced back to the arrival of former Seminole [[Deion Sanders]], who also played for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[Atlanta Falcons]] at the time (he would go on to play both sports simultaneously in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] for one year).

Despite the World Series loss, the Braves' success would continue. In the 1992 season, the Braves returned to the [[1992 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] and once again defeated the Pirates in seven games, only to lose in the [[1992 World Series|World Series]] to a dominating [[Toronto Blue Jays]] team. In 1993, the Braves signed [[Cy Young Award]] winning pitcher [[Greg Maddux]] from the Chicago Cubs, leading many baseball insiders to declare the team's pitching staff the best at that time. The 1993 team posted a franchise-best 104 wins after a dramatic pennant race with the [[San Francisco Giants]], who won 103 games. The Braves needed a stunning 55-19 finish to edge out the Giants, who led the Braves by nine games in the standings as late as [[August 11]]. However, the Braves fell in the [[1993 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in a six-game upset. A [[1994 Major League Baseball strike|player's strike]] cut short the 1994 season, prior to the division championships, with the Braves six games behind the Montreal Expos and 48 games left to play.

The Braves returned strong the following strike-shortened (teams played 144 games instead of the customary 162) year and beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. This squelched claims by many Braves critics that they were the "[[Buffalo Bills]] of Baseball" (January 1996 issue of ''Beckett Baseball Card Monthly''). With this World Series victory, the Braves became the first team in Major League Baseball to win world championships in three different cities. With their strong pitching being a constant, the Braves would also appear in the 1996 and 1999 World Series (they lost both series to the [[New York Yankees]], however), and had a streak of division titles from 1991 to 2005 interrupted only in 1994 when the strike ended the season early. Pitching is not the only constant in the Braves organization - Cox is still the Braves' manager, while Schuerholz remained the team's GM until after the 2007 season when he was promoted to team president. Pendleton did not finish his playing career in Atlanta, but has returned to the Braves system as the hitting coach.

A 95-67 record in 2000 produced a ninth consecutive division title. However, a sweep at the hands of the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] prevented the Braves from reaching the NLCS. In 2001, Atlanta won the [[National League]] East division yet again, swept the [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] against the [[Houston Astros]], then lost to the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in the [[National League Championship Series]] four games to one. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Braves won their division again, but lost in the NLDS in all three years 3 games to 2 to the [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Chicago Cubs]], and [[Houston Astros]], respectively.

====2005: A New Generation====
In 2005, the Braves won the Eastern Division championship for the eleventh consecutive year from 1995 to 2005. This followed winning the Western Division championship three times from 1991 to 1993, prior to the 1994 player's strike. The 2005 title marked the first time any MLB team made the postseason with more than 4 rookies who each had more than 100 ABs ([[Wilson Betemit]], [[Brian McCann (baseball player)|Brian McCann]], [[Pete Orr]], [[Ryan Langerhans]], [[Jeff Francoeur]]).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Catcher [[Brian McCann (baseball player)|Brian McCann]], right fielder [[Jeff Francoeur]], and pitcher [[Kyle Davies]] all grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta. The large number of rookies to debut in 2005 were nicknamed the "Baby Braves" by fans and became an Atlanta-area sensation, helping to lead the club to a record of 90-72.

However, the season would end on a sour note as the Braves lost the National League Division series to the Astros in four games. In Game 4, with the Braves leading by 5 in the eighth inning, the Astros battled back with a [[Lance Berkman]] [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] and a two-out, ninth inning [[Brad Ausmus]] home run off of Braves closer [[Kyle Farnsworth]]. The game didn't end until the 18th inning, becoming the longest game in playoff history at 5 hours 50 minutes. [[Chris Burke (baseball player)|Chris Burke]] ended the marathon with a home run off of [[Joey Devine]].

After the 2005 season, the Braves lost their long-time pitching coach [[Leo Mazzone]], who left to go to the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. [[Roger McDowell]] took his place in the Atlanta dugout. Unable to re-sign shortstop [[Rafael Furcal]], the Braves acquired shortstop [[Edgar Renteria]] from the Boston Red Sox.

In December 2005, team owner [[Time Warner]], who inherited the Braves after purchasing TBS in 1996, announced it was placing the team for sale. [[Liberty Media]] began negotiations to purchase the team.

====2006: Struggles====
In 2006, the Braves did not perform at the level they had grown accustomed to. Due to an offensive slump, injuries to their starting rotation, and subpar bullpen performances, the Braves compiled a 6-21 record for the month of June, the worst month ever in the city of Atlanta, and just percentage points better than the Boston Braves of May 1935 (4-20).

The Braves made their move in July, going 14-10. However, the team remained in the bottom half of the NL East and trailed the Mets by a double-digit deficit for much of the season (13 games at the All-Star Break). However, despite their struggles, the Braves entered the break down by only six and a half games to the Dodgers for the NL Wild Card slot after winning seven of their last ten games.

After the break, the Braves came out with their bats swinging, setting many franchise records. They won five straight, sweeping the Padres and taking two from the Cardinals, tallying a total of 65 runs in that span. The 65 runs in five games is the best by the franchise since 1897, when the Boston Beaneaters totaled 78, including 25 in one game and 21 in another, from May 31-June 3; the 2006 Braves also became the first team since the 1930 [[New York Yankees]] to score ten runs or more in five straight games. The Braves had a total of 81 hits during their five-game run and 98 hits in their last six games, going back to an 8-3 victory over Cincinnati on [[July 9]], the last game before the All-Star break. Additionally, Chipper Jones was able to maintain a 20 game hitting streak and tie [[Paul Waner]]'s 69 year old Major League record with a 14 game extra-base hit streak. (''The Sporting News Baseball Record Book'', 2007, p.29)

The Braves made their first trade of the season on [[July 20]] to shore up the bullpen, sending Class A Rome catcher Max Ramirez to Cleveland for closer [[Bob Wickman]]. He served as the Braves' closer for the remainder of the season, taking over for an embattled [[Jorge Sosa]], who was subsequently traded on the [[July 31]] trade deadline for St. Louis minor league pitcher Rich Scalamandre.

On [[July 29]], the Braves traded reserve third baseman/shortstop [[Wilson Betemit]] to the Los Angeles Dodgers for reliever [[Danys Baez]] and infielder [[Willy Aybar]]. The move came on the night that starting third baseman [[Chipper Jones]] went on the 15-day [[disabled list]] with a strained oblique muscle. With Betemit gone, the Atlanta called up infielder [[Tony Francisco Peña (baseball player)|Tony Pena Jr.]] from AAA Richmond to supplement [[Pete Orr]].

Before the expansion of rosters on [[September 1]], the Braves acquired [[Daryle Ward]] from the Washington Nationals for Class A Myrtle Beach pitcher [[Luis Atilano]], in hopes that he would be a valuable pinch-hitter in the postseason.

However, on [[September 18]], the [[New York Mets]]' win over the [[Florida Marlins]] mathematically eliminated the Braves from winning the NL East, ending the Atlanta Braves eleven year reign over the NL East. On [[September 24]], the [[Braves]]' loss to the [[Colorado Rockies]] mathematically eliminated the Braves from winning the NL Wild Card, making 2006 the first year that the Braves would not compete in the postseason since 1990, not counting the strike-shortened 1994 season.

Also, a loss to the Mets on [[September 28]] guaranteed the Braves their first losing season since 1990. Although the Braves won two of their last three games against the Astros, including rookie [[Chuck James]] besting [[Roger Clemens]], Atlanta finished the season in third place, one game ahead of the Marlins, at 79-83.

After the season, the Atlanta coaching staff underwent a few changes. [[Brian Snitker]] became the third base coach after [[Fredi Gonzalez]] left to become the manager for the Florida Marlins. [[Chino Cadahia]] replaced [[Pat Corrales]] as bench coach and former catcher [[Eddie Pérez (baseball player)|Eddie Perez]] became the new bullpen coach, replacing [[Bobby Dews]].

====Sale to Liberty Media====
In February 2007, after more than a year of negotiations, Time Warner agreed to a deal that would sell the Braves to [[Liberty Media|Liberty Media Group]] (a company which owned a large amount of stock in [[Time Warner|Time Warner, Inc.]]), pending approval by 75 percent of MLB owners and the Commissioner of Baseball, [[Bud Selig]]. The deal includes the exchange of the Braves, and $1 billion cash, for the large block of Time Warner stock held by Liberty Media. Team President Terry McGuirk anticipated no change in the current front office structure, personnel, or day-to-day operations of the Braves. Liberty Media is not expected to take any type of "active" ownership in terms of day to day operations.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}

On [[May 16]] [[2007]], Major League Baseball's owners approved the sale of the Braves from Time Warner to Liberty Media. <ref>[http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070516&content_id=1969402&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl]</ref>

====2007: A good start....====
{{main|2007 Atlanta Braves season}}


The Braves made their first moves by re-signing [[Bob Wickman]] to a one year deal and picking up [[John Smoltz]]'s option in September 2006. Then they traded starting pitcher [[Horacio Ramirez]] to the [[Seattle Mariners]] for pitcher [[Rafael Soriano]], an American League reliever with a solid 2.20 ERA in 2006. They also denied arbitration to pitcher [[Chris Reitsma]] and second baseman [[Marcus Giles]]. Then the Braves signed utility-man [[Chris Woodward]] to fill a spot on the bench. The biggest trade in the offseason involved first baseman [[Adam LaRoche]] and a minor league player for [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] closer [[Mike González]] and a minor league infielder, [[Brent Lillibridge]]. Gonzalez, who converted 24 of 24 save opportunities in 2006, joined Soriano as a set up man for Wickman in the bullpen. The team then signed first baseman [[Craig Wilson]] to a one year deal to platoon with [[Scott Thorman]]. The Braves also had solid relievers in [[Macay McBride]], [[Blaine Boyer]], and [[Tyler Yates]]. In addition, the majority of the Braves' offense, which was second in the NL in runs scored in 2006, returned in 2007. However, [[Mike Hampton]] was sidelined for the entire 2007 season with yet another surgery. Mike González was later sidelined for the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Braves' bullpen and offense came through in the clutch early on, helping the Braves to a 7-1 start, their best start since winning the World Series in 1995. The team finished April with a 16-9 record, but struggled during May, finishing 14-14. The Braves also struggled during [[interleague play]], finishing with an NL-worst 4-11 record. On [[June 24]], the Braves fell to .500 for the first time in the 2007 season, but rebounded by winning the next 5 games.

On [[July 5]], Chipper Jones surpassed Dale Murphy for the Atlanta club record of 372 home runs by belting 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. On [[July 31]] [[2007]], the Braves finalized the deal to acquire slugger first baseman [[Mark Teixeira]] and LHP Ron Mahay from the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] for [[Jarrod Saltalamacchia]] and four minor-leaguers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2119864&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |title=Braves finalize deal for slugger Teixeira |accessdate=2007-07-31 |author=Mark Bowman |date=2007-07-31 |publisher=MLB.com }}</ref> The Braves also acquired [[Octavio Dotel]] from the [[Kansas City Royals]] for [[Kyle Davies]] and also traded LHP [[Wilfredo Ledezma]] and RHP Will Startup to the [[San Diego Padres]] for [[Royce Ring]]. On August 19, 2007 John Smoltz passed [[Phil Niekro]] for 1st place on the Braves' all-time strikeout list. After struggling during the second half of the 2007 season, Atlanta finished over .500 and missed the post season again. On October 12, 2007, John Schuerholz stepped aside from his General Manager position to take over as the team's president.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/columnist/bodley/2007-10-11-schuerholz-comment_N.htm]</ref> Schuerholz's former Assistant GM Frank Wren will take over as the new Atlanta General Manager.

==Season records==
''This list only covers the franchise's season-by-season results while in Atlanta. For a full season-by-season list, see [[Atlanta Braves season records]].''
{{Start MLB SBS}}|-
|colspan="6"|<div style='text-align: center;'>
'''Atlanta Braves'''
</div>
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1966</div> || 85 || 77 || 5th in NL
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1967</div> || 77 || 85 || 7th in NL
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1968</div> || 81 || 81 || 5th in NL
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1969</div> || 93 || 69 || 1st in NL West || Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[New York Mets]], 0-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1970</div> || 76 || 86 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1971</div> || 82 || 80 || 3rd in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1972</div> || 70 || 84 || 4th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1973</div> || 76 || 85 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1974</div> || 88 || 74 || 3rd in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1975</div> || 67 || 94 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1976</div> || 70 || 92 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1977</div> || 61 || 101 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1978</div> || 69 || 93 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1979</div> || 66 || 94 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1980</div> || 81 || 80 || 4th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1981</div> || 50 || 56 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1982</div> || 89 || 73 || 1st in NL West || Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[St. Louis Cardinals]], 0-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1983</div> || 88 || 74 || 2nd in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1984</div> || 80 || 82 || 2nd in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1985</div> || 66 || 96 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1986</div> || 72 || 89 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1987</div> || 69 || 92 || 5th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1988</div> || 54 || 106 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1989</div> || 63 || 97 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1990</div> || 65 || 97 || 6th in NL West
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1991</div> || 94 || 68 || 1st in NL West || Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 4-3.<br /> Lost [[World Series]] to [[Minnesota Twins]], 3-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1992</div> || 98 || 64 || 1st in NL West || Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 4-3.<br /> Lost [[World Series]] to [[Toronto Blue Jays]], 2-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1993</div> || 104 || 58 || 1st in NL West || Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[Philadelphia Phillies]], 2-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1994</div> || 68 || 46 || Season was cancelled due to Players' Strike|| No Playoffs due to Players' Strike.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1995</div> || 90 || 54 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Colorado Rockies]], 3-1.<br /> Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Cincinnati Reds]], 4-0.<br /> '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[Cleveland Indians]], 4-2.'''
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1996</div> || 96 || 66 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], 3-0.<br /> Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[St. Louis Cardinals]], 4-3.<br /> Lost [[World Series]] to [[New York Yankees]], 2-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1997</div> || 101 || 61 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Houston Astros]], 3-0.<br /> Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Florida Marlins]], 2-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1998</div> || 106 || 56 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Chicago Cubs]], 3-0.<br /> Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[San Diego Padres]], 2-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>1999</div> || 103 || 59 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Houston Astros]], 3-1.<br /> Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[New York Mets]], 4-2.<br /> Lost [[World Series]] to [[New York Yankees]], 0-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2000</div> || 95 || 67 || 1st in NL East || Lost [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] to [[St. Louis Cardinals]], 0-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2001</div> || 88 || 74 || 1st in NL East || Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Houston Astros]], 3-0.<br /> Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], 1-4.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2002</div> || 101 || 59 || 1st in NL East || Lost [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] to [[San Francisco Giants]], 2-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2003</div> || 101 || 61 || 1st in NL East || Lost [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] to [[Chicago Cubs]], 2-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2004</div> || 96 || 66 || 1st in NL East || Lost [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] to [[Houston Astros]], 2-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2005</div> || 90 || 72 || 1st in NL East || Lost [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] to [[Houston Astros]], 1-3.
|-
|<div style='text-align: center;'>2006</div> || 79 || 83 || 3rd in NL East ||
|-
||<div style='text-align: center;'>[[2007 Atlanta Braves season|2007]]</div> || 84 || 78 || 3rd in NL East || ||
|-
!Totals (1871-2007) || 9864 || 9726 || ||
|-
!Playoffs || 79 || 79 || ||
|-
!Playoff Series || 14 || 17 || ||
{{end box}}
* '''3 World Series Championships (1914, 1957, 1995)''' <ref>[http://baseball-almanac.com/yearmenu.shtml Year-by-Year Baseball History]</ref>

==Quick facts==
*'''Founded:''' 1871 in [[Boston, Massachusetts]] as the [[Boston Red Stockings]], a charter member of the [[National Association of Professional Base Ball Players|National Association]]. The club became a charter member of the [[National League]] in 1876 and has remained in the league without a break since then. The Braves are the oldest continuously operating sports franchise in North American sports. Arguably, they can trace their ancestry to the original [[Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati Red Stockings]] of 1869-1870, baseball's first openly professional team. When the N.A. formed, Cincinnati's backers declined to field a team in the new league, and Red Stockings player-manager [[Harry Wright]] along with three of the best players from that team moved collectively to Boston and took the nickname with them.
*'''Formerly known as:''' [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston Braves]] (1912-1952), and [[Milwaukee|Milwaukee Braves]] (1953-1965). Prior to 1912, the Boston team had several unofficial nicknames: "Red Stockings" and "Red Caps" in the 1870s and 1880s; "Beaneaters" in the 1890s and early 1900s; "Doves" (when the Dovey family owned the franchise, 1907-1910) and "Rustlers" (when [[William Russell (lawyer)|William Russell]] owned the franchise, 1911). Following the 1935 season, after enduring bankruptcy and a series of poor seasons, new owner [[Bob Quinn (baseball)|Bob Quinn]] asked a team of sportswriters to choose a new nickname, to change the team's luck. The sportswriters chose "Bees", which was adopted in 1936, though it never really caught on, with Quinn even refusing to use it, although their home uniforms in this interval were changed to feature a large block letter B ("bee"). The team dropped the nickname in 1941, using only the official name "Braves" from 1941 on.
*'''Ownership:''' [[Liberty Media]]
*'''Uniform colors:''' Navy blue, Garnet red, and White
*'''Logo design:''' The script word "Braves" above a [[Tomahawk (axe)|tomahawk]]
*'''Team mottos:''' "Atlanta's Pastime Since 1966" and "Welcome to the Bigs."
*'''Spring Training Facility:''' [[The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports]] in [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida]]
*'''Playoff appearances''' (20): 1914, 1948, 1957, 1958, 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
*'''World Series Titles''' (3): 1914, 1957, 1995
*'''National League Pennants Won''' (9): 1914, 1948, 1957, 1958, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999
*'''National Association pennants won''' (4): 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875
*'''Official television stations''': [[FSN South]], [[SportSouth]], [[WPCH-TV|WPCH-TV/Peachtree TV]] (Atlanta market only)
*'''Official radio station''': [[WUBL-FM]], [[WGST (AM)]] (flagship)

==Miscellaneous facts==
*[[Eddie Mathews]] is the only Braves player to have played for the organization in all three cities that they have been based in. Mathews played with the Braves for their last season in Boston, the team's entire tenure in Milwaukee, and the Braves' first season in Atlanta.
*Until [[Barry Bonds]] eclipsed the 714 home runs hit by [[Babe Ruth]], the top two home run hitters in Major League history had at one time been Braves. Henry Aaron spent most of his career as a Milwaukee and Atlanta Brave before asking to be traded to the [[Milwaukee Brewers]], while Ruth finished his career as a Boston Brave. Interestingly enough, Bonds spent one day as an unofficial Brave, before his deal fell through and he went to the [[San Francisco Giants]] from the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], and the Braves signed pitcher [[Greg Maddux]] instead.
*Braves manager Bobby Cox now holds the all-time MLB record for most career ejections by a manager.
*The Braves are the only team in Major League Baseball history to have resided in a state on the East Coast, but played in the West division.

==Retired numbers==
[[Image:PA101101.jpg|thumb|150px|Retired numbers at Turner Field]]

As displayed at Turner Field:

{| class="wikitable" style="font-style:bold; font-size:100%; border:3px" cellpadding="2"
|-align="Center" bgcolor="5e8f00"
|[[Image:BravesRetired3.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Dale Murphy|Dale<br>Murphy]]<br>OF: 1976-90 ATL<br><br><br><br><br><font size=1> </font>
|[[Image:BravesRetired35.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Phil Niekro|Phil<br>Niekro]]<br>P: 1964-65 MIL<br>P: 1966-83,87 ATL<br><br><br><br><font size=1> </font>
|[[Image:BravesRetired44.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Hank Aaron|Hank<br>Aaron]]<br>OF: 1954-65 MIL<br>OF: 1966-74 ATL<br><br><br><br><font size=1> </font>

|[[Image:BravesRetired21.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Warren Spahn|Warren<br>Spahn]]<br>P: 1942-52 BOS<br>P: 1953-64 MIL<br><br><br><br><font size=1> </font>
|[[Image:BravesRetired41.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Eddie Matthews|Eddie<br>Matthews]]<br>3B: 1952 BOS<br>3B: 1953-65 MIL<br>3B: 1966 ATL<br>Coach 1971-72<br>Manager: 1972-74<br><font size=1> </font>
|[[Image:BravesRetired42.png|95px|]]<br><b>[[Jackie Robinson|Jackie<br>Robinson]]<br>Retired by<br>Baseball<br><br><br><br><font size=1> </font>
|-
|}

==Baseball Hall of Famers==
{|
|valign="topbibibibkbkbkbkbkbkbkbkbkbkbk"|
'''Boston'''
*[[Earl Averill]]
*[[Dave Bancroft]]
*[[Dan Brouthers]]
*[[John Clarkson]]
*[[Jimmy Collins]]
*[[Hugh Duffy]]
*[[Johnny Evers]]
*[[Burleigh Grimes]]
*[[Billy Hamilton (baseball player)|Billy Hamilton]]
*[[Billy Herman]]
*[[Rogers Hornsby]]
*[[Joe Kelley]]
*[[King Kelly]]
*[[Ernie Lombardi]]
*[[Al Lopez]]
*[[Rabbit Maranville]]
*[[Rube Marquard]]
*[[Eddie Mathews]]
|width="50"| 
|valign="top"|
*[[Tommy McCarthy]]
*[[Bill McKechnie]]
*[[Joe Medwick]]
*[[Kid Nichols]]
*[[Jim O'Rourke (baseball player)|Jim O'Rourke]]
*[[Charles Radbourn]]
*[[Babe Ruth]]
*[[Al Simmons]]
*[[George Sisler]]
*[[Billy Southworth]]
*[[Warren Spahn]]
*[[Albert Spalding]]
*[[Casey Stengel]]
*[[Ed Walsh]]
*[[Lloyd Waner]]
*[[Paul Waner]]
*[[Vic Willis]]
*[[George Wright (baseball)|George Wright]]
*[[Harry Wright]]
*[[Cy Young]]
|width="50"| 
|valign="top"|
'''Milwaukee'''
*[[Hank Aaron]]
*[[Eddie Mathews]]
*[[Phil Niekro]]
*[[Red Schoendienst]]
*[[Enos Slaughter]]
*[[Warren Spahn]]

'''Atlanta'''
*[[Hank Aaron]]
*[[Orlando Cepeda]]
*[[Eddie Mathews]]
*[[Phil Niekro]]
*[[Gaylord Perry]]
*[[Bruce Sutter]]
*[[Hoyt Wilhelm]]
|}

==Current roster==
{{:Template:Atlanta Braves roster}}

==Minor league affiliates==
*'''AAA:''' [[Richmond Braves]], [[International League]]
*'''AA:''' [[Mississippi Braves]], [[Southern League (baseball)|Southern League]]
*'''Advanced A:''' [[Myrtle Beach Pelicans]], [[Carolina League]]
*'''A:''' [[Rome Braves]], [[South Atlantic League]]
*'''Rookie:''' [[Danville Braves]], [[Appalachian League]]
*'''Rookie:''' [[Orlando Braves|GCL Braves]], [[Gulf Coast League]]

==Radio and television==
After years of stability, the Braves are facing a period of transition in their radio and television coverage.

The 2007 season was the last for Braves baseball on the [[TBS (TV network)|TBS superstation]]. TBS showed 70 games throughout the country, then clear the decks to make way for a [[Major League Baseball on TBS|new national broadcast package]] that will begin in earnest with the 2007 postseason, and will expand to Sunday afternoon games in 2008. [[Chip Caray]], one of the Braves' current broadcasters, is expected to call [[play-by-play]] for the national package, which will include the [[Division Series]] every season and alternating coverage of the [[American League Championship Series]] and [[National League Championship Series]]. Over-the-air [[WTBS]] will still carry Braves games after this point, but only in parts of the [[Southern United States]]. Braves baseball has been seen on TBS since it was WTCG in 1971 and has been a cornerstone of the national superstation since it began in 1976.

After the [[2004 in baseball|2004 season]], longtime radio flagship station [[WSB (AM)|750 WSB]] was replaced by [[WGST]] 640AM. Due to WGST's weak signal at night, which fails to cover the entire [[Atlanta metropolitan area]], all games began to be simulcast on [[FM radio]] when the rights were transferred. The games first appeared on 96.1 [[WKLS]] (formerly "96rock") in 2005, but moved to [[country music]] station 94.9 [[WUBL]] ("94.9 The Bull") in 2007 after WKLS underwent a change in format from [[classic rock]] to [[active rock]] and became [[WKLS|Project 9-6-1]].

The Atlanta Braves radio network currently serves 152 radio stations across the [[Southern United States]], including 19 in [[Alabama]], 5 in [[Florida]], 71 in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], 4 in [[Mississippi]], 18 in [[North Carolina]], 14 in [[South Carolina]], 15 in [[Tennessee]], 1 in the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]], 2 in [[Virginia]], and 2 in [[West Virginia]].<ref>[http://www.abradionetwork.com/main.html Atlanta Braves Radio Network.com]</ref>

In addition to [[Chip Caray]], the other broadcasters are [[Skip Caray]], [[Pete Van Wieren]], [[Joe Simpson (broadcaster)|Joe Simpson]], and [[Jon Sciambi]]. [[Don Sutton]] was released after the [[2006 in baseball|2006 season]] and is now a broadcaster with the [[Washington Nationals]].

Van Wieren does all 162 regular season games on radio working primarily Skip Caray. Chip Caray, Joe Simpson, Jon Sciambi and Mark Lemke have also teamed with Van Wieren on radio broadcasts during 2007. Chip Caray works all games carried on TBS. Simpson is the color commentator for all games he does on TV.

Braves games can also be seen on [[FSN South]] and [[SportSouth]] (which changed its name from [[Turner South]] shortly after the 2006 baseball season ended). [[Jon Sciambi]] is the play-by-play announcer and Simpson is the [[color commentator]].

== See also ==
{{Commonscat|Atlanta Braves}}
*[[Native American Mascot Controversy]]
*[[Atlanta Braves award winners and league leaders|Braves award winners and league leaders]]
*[[Atlanta Braves team records|Braves statistical records and milestone achievements]]
*[[List of Atlanta Braves broadcasters]]
*[[List of Atlanta Braves managers]]
*[[List of sports team names derived from Indigenous peoples]]
*[[Active MLB playoff appearance streaks]]
*[[Braves-Mets rivalry]]
*[[2007 Atlanta Braves season]]
* [[2006 Atlanta Braves Draft]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.atlantabraves.com Official Braves website]
*[http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/ Team index page] at Baseball Reference

<br/>
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box
| title = World Series Champions<br>Boston Braves
| years = [[1914 World Series|1914]]
| before = [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]]<br>[[1913 World Series|1913]]
| after = [[Boston Red Sox]]<br>[[1915 World Series|1915]] and [[1916 World Series|1916]]
}}
{{succession box
| title = World Series Champions<br>Milwaukee Braves
| years = [[1957 World Series|1957]]
| before = [[New York Yankees]]<br>[[1956 World Series|1956]]
| after = [[New York Yankees]]<br>[[1958 World Series|1958]]
}}
{{succession box
| title = World Series Champions<br>Atlanta Braves
| years = [[1995 World Series|1995]]
| before = [[Toronto Blue Jays]]<br>[[1992 World Series|1992]] and [[1993 World Series|1993]]
| after = [[New York Yankees]]<br>[[1996 World Series|1996]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-ach|ach}}}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Boston Braves
| years = 1914
| before = [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]]<br>1913
| after = [[Philadelphia Phillies]]<br>1915
}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Boston Braves
| years = 1948
| before = [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]]<br>1947
| after = [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]]<br>1949
}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Milwaukee Braves
| years = 1957 and 1958
| before = [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]]<br>1955 and 1956
| after = [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]<br>1959
}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Atlanta Braves
| years = 1991 and 1992
| before = [[Cincinnati Reds]]<br>1990
| after = [[Philadelphia Phillies]]<br>1993
}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Atlanta Braves
| years = 1995 and 1996
| before = [[Philadelphia Phillies]]<br>1993
| after = [[Florida Marlins]]<br>1997
}}
{{succession box
| title = National League Champions<br>Atlanta Braves
| years = 1999
| before = [[San Diego Padres]]<br>1998
| after = [[New York Mets]]<br>2000
}}
{{s-end}}
{{MLB Braves franchise}}
{{Atlanta Braves|width=100%}}
{{MLB}}
{{Georgia Sports}}
{{Atlanta Sports}}
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100% align="center"
|-
! style="background:#ccccff"| [[World Series]] Championship Navigation Boxes
|-
|
{{1914 Boston Braves}}
{{1957 Milwaukee Braves}}
{{1995 Atlanta Braves}}
|}

[[Category:Atlanta Braves]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball teams]]
[[Category:Sports in Boston, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Sports in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Sports in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Sports in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Georgia baseball teams]]
[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1871]]
[[Category:Grapefruit League]]

[[bg:Атланта Брейвс]]
[[cs:Atlanta Braves]]
[[da:Atlanta Braves]]
[[de:Atlanta Braves]]
[[es:Atlanta Braves]]
[[fr:Braves d'Atlanta]]
[[ko:애틀랜타 브레이브스]]
[[it:Atlanta Braves]]
[[hu:Atlanta Braves]]
[[nl:Atlanta Braves]]
[[ja:アトランタ・ブレーブス]]
[[pl:Atlanta Braves]]
[[pt:Atlanta Braves]]
[[ru:Атланта Бравс]]
[[sh:Atlanta Braves]]
[[sv:Atlanta Braves]]
[[tr:Atlanta Braves]]
[[uk:Атланта Брейвз]]
[[zh:亞特蘭大勇士]]