History of Atlanta Braves in Timeline
The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball team competing in the National League East Division. Founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, they are one of the two remaining National League charter franchises from 1876 and the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in North America. They were known by various names before becoming the Boston Braves in 1912.
1900: Start of team struggles
From 1900 to 1913, the team struggled, achieving only one winning season.
1901: Introduction of the American League causes player exodus
In 1901, the introduction of the American League led to many Beaneaters players, including stars Duffy and Jimmy Collins, leaving for clubs of the rival league.
1907: Temporary removal of red color from stockings
In 1907, the team temporarily dropped the red color from their stockings due to concerns about infection.
1912: Team becomes the Braves
Before the 1912 season, the club underwent various nickname changes until becoming the Braves, named after owner James Gaffney.
1912: Team adopts the Boston Braves name
In 1912, the franchise adopted the name Boston Braves after being known by various other names.
1913: End of team struggles
From 1900 to 1913, the team struggled, achieving only one winning season.
1914: Braves play some games at Fenway Park
During the 1914 season, the South End Grounds was too small, so the team played some games at Fenway Park.
1914: Braves experience remarkable turnaround
In 1914, the Boston Braves experienced a remarkable turnaround, recovering from a dismal 4-18 record to secure the pennant.
1914: Braves win the World Series
In 1914, the Boston Braves, led by Johnny Evers, swept the Philadelphia Athletics to win the World Series.
August 1915: Braves Field opens
In August 1915, owner Gaffney opened Braves Field, a modern park with 40,000 seats, the largest in the majors at the time.
1915: Braves Field is built.
In 1915, Braves Field was built to accommodate larger crowds.
1917: Start of team struggles
From 1917 to 1933, the Boston Braves struggled.
1923: Emil Fuchs buys the team
In 1923, Emil Fuchs bought the team and brought pitching great Christy Mathewson as part of the syndicate.
1925: Death of Christy Mathewson
In 1925, the death of Christy Mathewson left Emil Fuchs in control of the team.
1933: Braves become competitive
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, 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, Babe Ruth retired shortly after hitting his last three home runs.
August 1935: Fuchs loses control of team and rebranding attempt
In August 1935, Fuchs lost control of the team, leading to a rebranding attempt as the Boston Bees.
1945: Native American Warrior logo Introduced
In 1945, the Braves logo featured a Native American warrior.
1946: Braves have impressive season
In 1946, the Braves, led by pitcher Warren Spahn, enjoyed an impressive season under Lou Perini's ownership.
1947: Braves have impressive season
In 1947, the Braves, led by pitcher Warren Spahn, enjoyed an impressive season under Lou Perini's ownership.
1948: Braves win the pennant
In 1948, the team won the pennant, behind the pitching of Spahn and Johnny Sain.
1948: Braves lost the World Series
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 Construction
In 1950, Milwaukee County Stadium was constructed to attract a Major League Baseball team.
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.
1955: End of Native American Warrior logo
In 1955, the Braves stopped using the Native American warrior logo.
1956: Laughing Native American Logo introduced
In 1956, the Braves logo featured a laughing Native American.
1956: Braves are a National League power
Throughout the 1950s, the Braves were a National League power; driven by sluggers Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron, the team won two pennants and finished second twice between 1956 and 1959.
1957: Braves win the World Series
In 1957, Aaron's MVP season led the Braves to their first pennant in nine years, then a World Series victory against the formidable New York Yankees.
1959: Braves tied with the Dodgers
The 1959 season ended in a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Braves in a playoff.
1962: Perini sells the Braves
In 1962, team owner Louis Perini sold the Braves to a Chicago-based group led by William Bartholomay.
1963: Braves finish in the second division
In 1963, the Braves finished fifth, their first time in the "second division".
1965: End of Laughing Native American logo
In 1965, the Braves stopped using the laughing Native American logo.
1966: Braves arrive in Atlanta
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.
1969: Braves win National League West Division title
In 1969, the Braves found success by winning the first National League West Division title but were then 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 their first major confrontation.
1969: Braves didn't enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990
The Braves didn't enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990
1970: Start of unproductive seasons
Between 1970 and 1981, the team only posted two winning seasons.
1973: Hank Aaron approaches home run record
By the end of the 1973 season, Hank Aaron had hit 713 home runs, one short of Ruth's record.
November 2, 1974: Hank Aaron traded to the Milwaukee Brewers
On November 2, 1974, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
1974: City Connect uniform honors Hank Aaron.
The City Connect uniform for the 2023 season features the "A" logo and 1974 uniform colors to honor Hank Aaron.
1976: Ted Turner purchases the team
In 1976, media magnate Ted Turner purchased the team to keep it in Atlanta and use it as a programming draw for his superstation WTBS.
May 11, 1977: Ted Turner appoints himself manager
On May 11, 1977, Ted Turner appointed himself manager but was ordered to relinquish the position after one game due to MLB rules.
1978: Start of unproductive seasons
The Braves didn't enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990.
1981: End of unproductive seasons
Between 1970 and 1981, the team only posted two winning seasons.
1982: Braves secure divisional title
In the 1982 season, led by manager Joe Torre, the Braves secured their first divisional title since 1969. However, the Braves were swept in the NLCS in three games by the Cardinals.
1983: Dale Murphy wins MVP again
Dale Murphy won the MVP award in 1983 for the second consecutive year.
1987: Modern Logo and Uniform Changes
In 1987, the Braves introduced the modern logo and adopted uniforms reminiscent of their 1950s look.
1990: Bobby Cox returns as manager
In 1990, Bobby Cox returned as manager, leading the team's turnaround after finishing the previous season with the worst record in baseball. Chipper Jones drafted.
1990: End of unproductive seasons
The Braves didn't enjoy much success between 1978 and 1990.
1991: Start of successful era
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 wins Manager of the Year
In 1991, Bobby Cox won the Manager of the Year award.
1991: Tomahawk Chop Popularized
In 1991, fans of the Atlanta Braves popularized the "tomahawk chop" during games, sparking controversy.
1991: Braves find success in Atlanta
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves began a period of significant success, marking a turning point for the franchise.
1991: "Worst to First" season
In 1991, the 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.
1993: Greg Maddux wins Cy Young Award
Greg Maddux won the Cy Young Award in 1993.
1993: Greg Maddux joins Braves
In 1993, the Braves strengthened their pitching staff with the addition of Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux in free agency, but they lost in the NLCS to the Philadelphia Phillies.
1994: Greg Maddux wins Cy Young Award again
Greg Maddux won the Cy Young Award in 1994.
1994: Braves move to Eastern Division
In 1994, the team moved to the Eastern Division, sparking a heated rivalry with the New York Mets.
1994: Braves and Mets in National League East
In the 1994 season, division realignment put both the Mets and the Braves in the National League East division, intensifying their rivalry.
1994: Season cut short by player's strike
The 1994 season was cut short by the player's strike just before the division championships.
1995: Braves win the World Series
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.
1995: Greg Maddux wins Cy Young Award for the third time
Greg Maddux won the Cy Young Award in 1995 for the third consecutive year.
1996: Centennial Olympic Stadium Built
In 1996, Centennial Olympic Stadium was built for the Summer Olympics and later converted into Turner Field.
1996: Time Warner acquires Turner Broadcasting System
In 1996, Time Warner acquired Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting System, including the Braves.
1996: Braves reach World Series
The 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 the National League Pennant.
1999: Braves win the NLCS against the Mets
In 1999, the Braves faced the Mets in the National League Championship Series, winning in Game 6 with Andruw Jones securing a walk-off walk.
1999: Braves reach World Series
The Braves reached the World Series in 1999 but were defeated by the New York Yankees.
2000: Braves swept in NLDS
Despite their continued success with a ninth consecutive division title in 2000, the Braves faced postseason disappointment with a sweep by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
2002: Braves win division title but face early exit
The team won division titles from 2002 to 2004 but experienced early exits in the NLDS each year.
2004: Bobby Cox wins Manager of the Year again
In 2004, Bobby Cox won the Manager of the Year award for the second time.
2004: Braves win division title but face early exit
The team won division titles from 2002 to 2004 but experienced early exits in the NLDS each year.
December 2005: Time Warner puts Braves up for sale
In December 2005, Time Warner put the club up for sale, leading to negotiations with Liberty Media.
2005: End of successful era
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.
2005: Bobby Cox wins Manager of the Year for the third time
In 2005, Bobby Cox won the Manager of the Year award for the third time.
2005: End of division title streak
In 2005, the Braves' unprecedented streak of 14 consecutive division titles came to an end.
February 2007: Liberty Media to acquire the Braves
In February 2007, a deal was reached for Liberty Media to acquire the Braves for $450 million, a magazine publishing company, and $980 million in cash.
2007: End of Braves on TBS
In 2007, the Braves ended their nationally televised games on TBS, which had given the team a nationwide fan base since the 1970s.
2010: Braves return to Postseason
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, marking the end of Cox's managerial career.
2012: Braves in Wild Card Game
In 2012, Chipper Jones' final season, the Braves won 94 games but faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the inaugural Wild Card Game, losing 6–3 after a controversial infield fly call.
2016: Final Season at Turner Field
2016 was the Braves' final season at Turner Field.
April 14, 2017: Truist Park Opened
On April 14, 2017, the Braves opened Truist Park with a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres, receiving positive reviews.
2017: Braves move to Truist Park and GM Resigns
In 2017, the Atlanta Braves began playing at Truist Park, replacing Turner Field. Following an MLB investigation, general manager John Coppolella resigned, and Alex Anthopoulos took over. Blooper, a new mascot, was also introduced.
March 24, 2019: CoolToday Park Inaugural Game
On March 24, 2019, CoolToday Park 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 Ryan Helsley, a Cherokee Nation member, found the chop insulting, leading the Braves to modify their in-game experience.
2020: Braves Discuss Tomahawk Chop
In 2020, amid pressure to change their name, the Braves announced ongoing talks about the tomahawk chop but insisted the team name would remain unchanged.
2020: Braves reach NLCS
In 2020, the Braves reached the National League Championship Series but lost to the Dodgers after leading 3–1.
2020: No Fans Allowed in Stadiums
In 2020, there were no fans allowed in any MLB stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Debate over Tomahawk Chop Continues
In 2021, the debate over the tomahawk chop continued, with differing opinions within the Native American community. The Braves initiated efforts to incorporate Cherokee language and culture into the team's activities.
2021: Braves win the World Series
In the 2021 season, the Braves won the National League East, defeated the Brewers in the NLDS, won against the Dodgers in the NLCS to secure their first National League pennant since 1999, and defeated the Houston Astros in six games to win the World Series.
2022: Braves Sweep Mets
In 2022, the Braves and Mets both finished with 101 wins, and the Braves swept a crucial three-game series against the Mets to claim the NL East division title.
2023: Andruw Jones' Number Retired
In 2023, Andruw Jones' number 25 was retired by the Braves.
2023: Braves Uniform Combinations
In 2023, the Braves had four uniform combinations, including classic white home and gray road uniforms, a navy blue road jersey, a Friday night red uniform, and a City Connect uniform for Saturdays that paid tribute to Hank Aaron.
2024: Braves' record
At the end of the 2024 season, the Braves' overall win-loss record is 11,114–10,949–154 (.504).
February 16, 2025: Roster Updated
On February 16, 2025, Roster, coaches, and NRIs were updated.
