Spring Training Team Profile: Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

Established: 1871

Other Names:

Boston Red Stockings (1871-1875)

Boston Red Caps (1876-1882)

Boston Beaneaters (1883-1906)

Boston Doves (1907-1910)

Boston Rustlers (1911)

Boston Bees (1936-1940)

Boston Braves (1912-1935, 1941-1952)

Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965)

2016 results: 68-93, 5^th in the NL East

2017 Prediction: 4^th

World Series Titles: 3

Most Recent: 1995

Last World Series Appearance: 1999

Last Division Title: 2013

Ballpark: Sun Trust Park

Est: 2017

Best Season: 1995

               

                The Braves franchise won a World Series title in Boston (1914) and in Milwaukee (1957) but their best year was the club’s first Championship season in Atlanta. Although the regular season started late because of the MLB Players Strike and was cut short to 154 games, the Braves won the National League East with a 90-54 win/loss record. The team was led by future Hall-of-Fame pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, and at the plate by David Justice, Fred McGriff and rookie sensation Chipper Jones. After defeating the Rockies three games to one in the NLDS, and sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS, the Braves took care of the Cleveland Indians in six games to capture the “Team of the 90s” only World Championship.

Best All-time Player: Hank Aaron

                Hank Aaron was baseball’s home run king until 2007 when Barry Bonds replaced him atop of the all-time leaderboard. Hammerin’ Hank slugged 755 home runs over a 23-year career from 1954 until 1976. He played in both Milwaukee and Atlanta and hit 733 of his home runs with the Braves’ franchise. The final two years of his career were spent with the Milwaukee Brewers. While with the Braves, Aaron had a batting average of .310, had 2202 RBIs, 240 stolen bases, was a 20-time All-Star and was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1957.

Best Player on the Current Roster: Freddie Freeman

                After missing more than 40 games due to injury in 2015, Freeman rebounded in 2016 with a .302 batting average, 34 home runs and 91 RBIs, all for the a last-place team. Freeman came into the Majors with a bang in 2011, finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, while hitting 21 home runs and adding 76 RBIs. To date, his best season was 2013 when he hit .391, 23 home runs and 119 RBIs. 

Follow us on Twitter at @topofthethird

Like us on Facebook
Send Feedback to topofthethird@gmail.com