History of Atlanta Braves in Timeline

The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area, competing in the National League (NL) East Division. Founded in Boston in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, they are one of the two remaining National League charter franchises, debuting in 1876. They also hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in North America. The team went through various name changes before settling on the Boston Braves in 1912.

1900: Beaneaters Struggle After 1900

From 1900 to 1913, the Beaneaters struggled, experiencing only one winning season.

1901: Introduction of American League Impacts Beaneaters

In 1901, the introduction of the American League caused many Beaneaters players, including stars Duffy and Jimmy Collins, to leave for rival clubs.

1907: Beaneaters Temporarily Drop Red Stockings Color

In 1907, the Beaneaters temporarily dropped the red color from their stockings due to infection concerns.

1912: Club Renamed the Braves

Before the 1912 season, the club underwent various nickname changes until becoming the Braves, named after James Gaffney, by club president John M. Ward.

1912: Braves Name Adopted

In 1912, the franchise adopted the name Boston Braves.

1913: Beaneaters Struggle After 1900

From 1900 to 1913, the Beaneaters struggled, experiencing only one winning season.

1914: Braves Play Games at Fenway Park

During the 1914 season, the South End Grounds was too small to accommodate larger crowds, leading the team to play some games at Fenway Park.

1914: Braves' Remarkable Turnaround in 1914

In 1914, the Boston Braves experienced a remarkable turnaround, recovering from a 4-18 record to win the pennant after being in last place as late as July 18.

1914: Braves Win the World Series in 1914

In 1914, the Boston Braves, led by Johnny Evers, swept the Philadelphia A's to win the World Series.

August 1915: Braves Field Opens

In August 1915, owner Gaffney constructed Braves Field, a modern park that opened with 40,000 seats and convenient public transportation.

1915: Braves Field Built

In 1915, Braves Field was built to address the need for a larger venue.

1917: Braves Struggle After 1917

From 1917 to 1933, the Boston Braves struggled with various owners and challenges.

1923: Emil Fuchs Buys the Team in 1923

In 1923, Emil Fuchs bought the team and brought Christy Mathewson as part of the syndicate.

1925: Death of Christy Mathewson in 1925

The death of pitching legend Christy Mathewson in 1925 left Emil Fuchs in control of the Boston Braves.

1933: Braves Become Competitive in 1933

In 1933, under manager Bill McKechnie, the Braves became competitive, but it did little to help the club's finances.

1934: Braves Become Competitive in 1934

In 1934, under manager Bill McKechnie, the Braves became competitive, but it did little to help the club's finances.

June 1, 1935: Babe Ruth Retires on June 1, 1935

On June 1, 1935, Babe Ruth retired shortly after hitting his last three home runs, marking the end of his brief tenure with the Boston Braves; the team went on to finish the season with a dismal 38–115 record.

August 1935: Fuchs Loses Control of the Team

In August 1935, Emil Fuchs lost control of the Boston Braves, leading to a rebranding attempt as the Boston Bees.

1945: Introduction of Native American Warrior Logo

In 1945, the Atlanta Braves began using a logo featuring a Native American warrior.

1946: Braves Impressive Seasons in 1946

In 1946, the Boston Braves, led by pitcher Warren Spahn, enjoyed impressive seasons under Lou Perini's ownership.

1947: Braves Impressive Seasons in 1947

In 1947, the Boston Braves, led by pitcher Warren Spahn, enjoyed impressive seasons under Lou Perini's ownership.

1948: Braves Win the Pennant in 1948

In 1948, the Boston Braves won the pennant, led by the pitching of Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain.

1948: Braves Last Hurrah in Boston in 1948

The 1948 World Series, which the Braves lost in six games to the Indians, turned out to be the Braves' last hurrah in Boston.

1950: Milwaukee County Stadium Constructed

Milwaukee County Stadium was constructed in 1950 to attract a Major League Baseball team.

March 13, 1953: Braves Announce Move to Milwaukee on March 13, 1953

On March 13, 1953, Lou Perini announced he was moving the Boston Braves to Milwaukee, citing the advent of television and lack of enthusiasm for the team in Boston as key factors.

1953: Braves Move to Milwaukee

In 1953, after 81 seasons in Boston, the club moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1953: Braves Move to Milwaukee County Stadium

In 1953, the Braves moved to Milwaukee County Stadium.

1953: Milwaukee Braves' Move is a Success

The Milwaukee Braves' move to Wisconsin for the 1953 season was an immediate success, as they drew a National League-record 1.8 million fans and finished the season second in the league and Charlie Grimm was named NL Manager of the Year.

1955: End of Native American Warrior Logo

In 1955, the Braves stopped using the Native American warrior logo.

1956: Introduction of Laughing Native American Logo

In 1956, the Atlanta Braves changed their logo to a laughing Native American with a mohawk and a feather.

1956: Braves a National League Power in 1956

In 1956, the Milwaukee Braves were a National League power driven by sluggers Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron.

1957: Braves Win World Series in 1957

In 1957, Hank Aaron's MVP season led the Milwaukee Braves to their first pennant in nine years, then a World Series victory against the formidable New York Yankees.

1957: Milwaukee Braves Win the World Series

In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves, led by star players such as Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Warren Spahn, won the World Series.

1959: Braves Tie with Dodgers in 1959

The 1959 season ended in a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Braves in a playoff.

1962: Braves Sold in 1962

In 1962, team owner Louis Perini sold the Braves to a Chicago-based group led by William Bartholomay.

1963: Braves Finish Fifth in 1963

In 1963, the Braves finished fifth, their first time in the 'second division'.

1965: Braves Intended Move to Atlanta in 1965 Delayed

In 1965, William Bartholomay intended to move the team to Atlanta, but legal hurdles kept them in Milwaukee for an extra season.

1965: End of Laughing Native American Logo

In 1965, the Atlanta Braves stopped using the Laughing Native American logo.

1965: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium Constructed

In 1965, the city of Atlanta constructed Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium after reaching an agreement with the Braves to relocate from Milwaukee.

1966: Braves Arrive in Atlanta in 1966

After arriving in Atlanta in 1966, the Braves found success in 1969, with the onset of divisional play by winning the first National League West Division title.

1966: Braves Move to Atlanta

In 1966, the Braves relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta.

1969: Braves Win National League West Division Title in 1969

In 1969, the Atlanta Braves won the first National League West Division title but were swept by the "Miracle Mets" in the National League Championship Series.

1969: Mets Sweep Braves in NLCS

In 1969, the Mets swept the Braves in the NLCS, marking an early confrontation between the teams.

1969: Braves Secure Division Title in 1982

In the 1982 season, led by manager Joe Torre, the Atlanta Braves secured their first divisional title since 1969.

1970: Braves Winning Seasons Between 1970 and 1981

Between 1970 and 1981, the Atlanta Braves had only two winning seasons.

1973: Hank Aaron Nears Home Run Record in 1973

By the end of the 1973 season, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves had hit 713 home runs, just one short of Babe Ruth's record.

November 2, 1974: Hank Aaron Traded to Milwaukee Brewers

On November 2, 1974, Hank Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.

1974: City Connect Uniform Homage

In 2023, The Atlanta Braves City Connect uniform worn on Saturdays, pays tribute to the 1974 uniform colors.

1976: Ted Turner Purchases the Team

In 1976, media magnate Ted Turner, owner of superstation WTBS, purchased the Atlanta Braves to keep the team in Atlanta and as programming for his cable network.

May 11, 1977: Ted Turner Appoints Himself Manager on May 11, 1977

On May 11, 1977, Ted Turner appointed himself manager of the Atlanta Braves but was ordered to relinquish the position after one game due to MLB rules.

1978: Braves Lack Success Between 1978 and 1990

The Atlanta Braves did not enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990.

1981: Braves Winning Seasons Between 1970 and 1981

Between 1970 and 1981, the Atlanta Braves had only two winning seasons.

1982: Dale Murphy Wins MVP Award

In 1982, Dale Murphy won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

1982: Braves Secure Division Title in 1982

In the 1982 season, led by manager Joe Torre, the Atlanta Braves secured their first divisional title since 1969. Dale Murphy won the National League MVP award.

1983: Murphy Wins MVP Award in 1983

Dale Murphy won the Most Valuable Player award for the National League in 1983.

1983: Dale Murphy Wins Consecutive MVP Award

In 1983, Dale Murphy won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the second consecutive year.

1987: Introduction of Modern Logo and Uniform Changes

In 1987, the modern Braves logo with the cursive word "Braves" and a tomahawk was introduced. The team also adopted uniforms reminiscent of their 1950s classic look.

1990: Bobby Cox Returns as Manager in 1990

Bobby Cox returned as manager of the Atlanta Braves in 1990, leading the team's turnaround after finishing the previous season with the worst record in baseball. Chipper Jones was drafted and John Schuerholz was hired as general manager.

1990: Braves Lack Success Between 1978 and 1990

The Atlanta Braves did not enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990.

1991: Braves' Era of Success Begins in 1991

From 1991 to 2005, the Atlanta Braves enjoyed a remarkable era of success in baseball, marked by a record-setting 14 consecutive division titles, five National League pennants, and a World Series championship in 1995.

1991: Bobby Cox Named Manager of the Year

In 1991, Bobby Cox was named Manager of the Year.

1991: Tomahawk Chop Popularized

In 1991, fans of the Atlanta Braves popularized the "tomahawk chop" during games, leading to criticism from Native American groups.

1991: "Worst to First" Season in 1991

In 1991, the Atlanta Braves began their remarkable journey, known as the "Worst to First" season, securing the NL pennant but losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins.

1991: Braves Find Success

In 1991, the Braves began a period of success, becoming one of the most successful teams in baseball.

1993: Greg Maddux Wins First Cy Young Award

In 1993, Greg Maddux won the Cy Young Award.

1993: Braves Add Greg Maddux in 1993

In 1993, the Atlanta Braves strengthened their pitching staff with the addition of Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux in free agency but lost in the NLCS to the Philadelphia Phillies despite 104 wins.

1994: Greg Maddux Wins Second Cy Young Award

In 1994, Greg Maddux won his second consecutive Cy Young Award.

1994: Braves Move to Eastern Division in 1994

In 1994, the Atlanta Braves moved to the Eastern Division, sparking a heated rivalry with the New York Mets.

1994: Braves-Mets Rivalry Intensifies

In the 1994 season, the rivalry between the Braves and Mets intensified when division realignment placed both teams in the National League East division.

1994: Player's Strike Cuts Short Season in 1994

The player's strike cut short the 1994 season just before the division championships, but the Braves rebounded in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.

1995: Braves Win World Series Championship in 1995

1995: Greg Maddux Wins Third Consecutive Cy Young Award

In 1995, Greg Maddux won his third consecutive Cy Young Award.

1995: Braves Win World Series in 1995

In 1995, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series, becoming the first MLB team to win world championships in three different cities.

1996: Centennial Olympic Stadium Built

In 1996, Centennial Olympic Stadium was built for the Summer Olympics; it was later converted into Turner Field for the Braves.

1996: Time Warner Acquires Turner Broadcasting in 1996

In 1996, Time Warner acquired Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting System, including the Atlanta Braves.

1996: Braves Reach the World Series in 1996

The Atlanta Braves reached the World Series in 1996 but were defeated by the New York Yankees.

1997: Braves Move to Turner Field

In 1997, the Braves moved to Turner Field.

1999: Braves Win National League Pennant

In 1999, the Atlanta Braves won Atlanta's first National League pennant since 1999, which eventually led to the 2021 World Series win.

1999: Braves Defeat Mets in NLCS

In 1999, the Braves defeated the Mets in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a walk-off walk by Andruw Jones, securing their 5th National League Pennant of the decade.

1999: Braves Reach the World Series in 1999

The Atlanta Braves reached the World Series in 1999 but were defeated by the New York Yankees.

2000: Braves Swept in NLDS in 2000

Despite a ninth consecutive division title in 2000, the Atlanta Braves faced postseason disappointment with a sweep by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

2002: Braves Experience Early Exits in 2002

The Atlanta Braves won division titles from 2002 to 2004 but experienced early exits in the NLDS each year.

2004: Bobby Cox Named Manager of the Year for Second Time

In 2004, Bobby Cox was named Manager of the Year for the second time.

2004: Braves Experience Early Exits in 2004

The Atlanta Braves won division titles from 2002 to 2004 but experienced early exits in the NLDS each year.

December 2005: Time Warner puts the Braves up for sale

In December 2005, Time Warner put the Atlanta Braves up for sale, which led to negotiations with Liberty Media to acquire the team.

2005: Braves' Era of Success Ends in 2005

2005: Bobby Cox Named Manager of the Year for Third Time

In 2005, Bobby Cox was named Manager of the Year for the third time.

2005: Braves Miss Postseason

The 2005 season marked a year where the Atlanta Braves missed the postseason, preceding Bobby Cox's final year as manager in 2010 when they returned to the playoffs.

2005: End of Braves' Successful Era

The Atlanta Braves' successful era from 1991 to 2005, came to an end. During this time, they won 14 consecutive division titles and made eight consecutive National League Championship Series appearances.

February 2007: Liberty Media Acquires Braves

In February 2007, Liberty Media reached a deal to acquire the Atlanta Braves for $450 million, a magazine publishing company, and $980 million in cash. The sale, valued at approximately $1.48 billion, was contingent on approval from MLB owners and Commissioner Bud Selig.

2007: End of National Broadcasts on TBS

In 2007, the Atlanta Braves' games ceased to be broadcast nationally on TBS, ending a long run that began in the 1970s and contributed to their nationwide fan base.

2010: Braves Return to Postseason, Bobby Cox's Final Year

In 2010, Bobby Cox's final year as manager, the Braves returned to the postseason for the first time since 2005, securing the NL Wild Card but losing to the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series.

2012: Braves Return to Postseason in Chipper Jones' Final Season

In 2012, the Braves returned to the postseason in Chipper Jones' final season, winning 94 games but losing the Wild Card Game against the St. Louis Cardinals due to a controversial infield fly call.

2016: Final Season at Turner Field

The 2016 season was the Braves' last at Turner Field.

April 14, 2017: Truist Park Opens

On April 14, 2017, the Atlanta Braves opened Truist Park with a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres. The park is located in Cobb County, Georgia and received positive reviews.

2017: Braves Begin Playing at Truist Park, Coppolella Resigns

In 2017, the Atlanta Braves began playing at Truist Park, replacing Turner Field. General manager John Coppolella resigned due to an MLB investigation, and Alex Anthopoulos took over. A new mascot named Blooper was also introduced.

March 24, 2019: CoolToday Park Opens

On March 24, 2019, CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida, opened with the Braves' 4–2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

2019: Tomahawk Chop Controversy Resurfaces

In 2019, the tomahawk chop controversy resurfaced when Cherokee Nation member Ryan Helsley found the chop insulting, prompting the Braves to modify their in-game experience.

2020: Braves Discuss Tomahawk Chop Amid Name Change Pressure

Amid pressure to change their name in 2020, the Braves announced ongoing talks about the tomahawk chop but insisted the team name would remain unchanged.

2020: Braves Reach NLCS, Lose to Dodgers

In 2020, the Braves reached the National League Championship Series but lost to the Dodgers after leading 3–1.

2020: No Fans Allowed in MLB Stadiums Due to COVID-19

In 2020, there were no fans allowed in any MLB stadium, including Atlanta Braves games, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Debate Over Tomahawk Chop Continues

In 2021, the debate over the tomahawk chop continued. The Braves and the Eastern Cherokee Band of Indians initiated efforts to incorporate Cherokee language and culture into the team's activities and merchandise.

2021: Braves Win World Series

In the 2021 season, the Braves won the National League East, defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series, and won the NLCS against the Dodgers. They then defeated the Houston Astros in six games to win their fourth World Series title.

2022: Braves Sweep Mets to Claim NL East Title

In 2022, the Braves swept a crucial three-game series against the Mets at Truist Park from September 30 to October 2 to claim the NL East division title and a first-round bye.

2023: Braves Uniform Combinations in 2023

For the 2023 season, the Braves had four uniform combinations: classic white home and gray road uniforms, a navy blue road jersey, a Friday night red uniform, and a City Connect uniform worn on Saturdays, paying tribute to Hank Aaron.

2023: Andruw Jones' Number Retired

In 2023, Andruw Jones' number 25 was retired by the Braves.

2024: Braves Win-Loss Record at the End of 2024 Season

At the end of the 2024 season, the Braves' overall win–loss record is 11,114–10,949–154 (.504). Since moving to Atlanta in 1966, the Braves have an overall win–loss record of 4,850–4,461–8 (.521) through the end of 2024.