BRAVES HISTORY

The Atlanta Braves were founded in 1871, Boston, Massachusetts as a National Association club. The club became a charter member of the National League in 1876 and are the oldest continuously operating sports franchise in North American sports. Atlanta was formerly known as the Boston Braves between 1912-1952 and the Milwaukee Braves between 1953-1965. The Braves and Pirates debuted Major League Baseball's first season in Atlanta on April 12, with Pittsburgh winning, 3-2, in 13 innings. Atlanta was fifth in its initial season, but Aaron hit 44 homers and had 127 RBI to lead the league. The Braves marked the first year of division play by winning the West. The Braves were fifth place on Aug. 19, but outplayed San Francisco and Cincinnati down the stretch to win the division. Phil Niekro won 23 games, while Aaron slugged 44 homers and knocked in 97 runs. The Braves lost to the Miracle Mets in the playoffs, three games to none. Aaron hit his 600th career homer, this one in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium off the Giants' Gaylord Perry. After hitting an Atlanta rookie record 33 homers, Earl Williams is named Rookie of the Year. Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth the first time he swung the bat, connecting on April 4, off Cincinnati's Jack Billingham. Four days later he broke the record with No. 715 against Dodgers' lefty Al Downing. The 1974 season was comparatively uneventful, but in January of the off-season it became official that television magnate Ted Turner purchased the club. Bobby Cox was hired for the 1978 season, after the braves lost three straight seasons. Cox 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. He guided the team to eight division titles, five NL pennants, and one World Series championship. Outfielder Hank Aaron proved to be the most prolific home run hitter in baseball history. The Braves made history in 1990 by becoming the first team ever to reach the World Series just one season after having baseball's worst record. In 1998 the team was again in news the team won 106 games and its seventh straight division title. The team has to its title 11 division title wins, four National Association pennants winnings, seventeen National League pennants and three World Series championships. In 2004, Bolstered by a rotation that was led by Jaret Wright and Russ Ortiz, the Braves posted the Major Leagues' best staff ERA for the 10th time in 13 seasons. Bobby Cox became the ninth manager to reach 2,000 career wins and John Smoltz set the franchise's all-time saves record. The home ballpark is Turner Field in Atlanta. The stadium was opened in March 29, 1997 and has a seating capacity of 50, 000. This giant stadium was built at a cost $235 million. Some of the members who have been included in the Hall of Fame include Henry Aaron, Earl Averill, Dave Bancroft and Dan Brouthers.