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{{Overly detailed|details=it has lots of baseball minutiae and jargon|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}

This article details the '''history of the Atlanta Braves''', which concerns the evolution of the [[Major League Baseball]] team [[Atlanta Braves]] over time.

The Braves played in [[Boston]] from their inception in 1871 until 1953, when owner [[Lou Perini]] relocated the franchise to [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]. During the franchise's 13-year tenure in Milwaukee, aided by Hall of Famers [[Warren Spahn]], [[Eddie Mathews]], and [[Hank Aaron]], the Braves reached the [[World Series]] in {{wsy|1957}} and {{wsy|1958}}, winning in the former year. They also finished second in the National League five times from 1953 to 1960. In the early-to-mid-1960s, however, the Braves failed to play World Series-caliber baseball, and in 1962, Perini sold the team to [[William Bartholomay]], who relocated the team to [[Atlanta, Georgia]], in 1966.

With the exceptions of [[National League West]] division titles in [[1969 Atlanta Braves season|1969]] and [[1982 Atlanta Braves season|1982]], the Braves were a largely mediocre team from the late 1960s through the 1980s. In 1976, media magnate [[Ted Turner]] purchased the Braves from Bartholomay and pledged to keep the team in Atlanta. The team's fortunes had an abrupt turnaround in [[1991 Atlanta Braves season|1991]], when they became the first team in National League history to reach the World Series one year after finishing last. 1991 was the start of 14 consecutive division titles for the Braves, who became known as the "Team of the 90s". During that decade they played in five World Series ({{wsy|1991}}, {{wsy|1992}}, {{wsy|1995}}, {{wsy|1996}}, and {{wsy|1999}}) and won one (1995), which made them the only team in Major League history to win the World Series three times in three different cities. Their success relied heavily on a legendary starting rotation which included Hall of Famers [[John Smoltz]], [[Tom Glavine]], and [[Greg Maddux]].

In 2006, the Braves' streak of division titles ended and they trudged through four years of mediocrity before earning three postseason berths between 2010 and 2013. The team then had four consecutive losing seasons before beginning a new streak of NL East division titles in 2018. In 2021, the Braves won their fourth World Series title.

==Boston years==
{{main|Boston Braves}}
[[File:1914 Boston Braves.jpeg|thumb|1914 Boston Braves]]
{{Empty section|date=December 2021}}

==Milwaukee==
{{main|Milwaukee Braves}}

===1953–1959===
[[Milwaukee]] went wild over the Braves, who were welcomed as genuine heroes. The [[1953 Milwaukee Braves season|Braves]] finished {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|92|62|record=yes}}}} in their [[1953 Milwaukee Braves season|first season]] in Milwaukee, and drew a then-NL record {{nowrap|1.8 million fans.<ref name=bfsnlmk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DZExAAAAIBAJ&pg=5181%2C1406083 |title=Braves fans set NL mark |last=Chapman |first=Lou |date=September 21, 1953 |page=1, part 1 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=ftnlre>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZQgkAAAAIBAJ&pg=6620%2C3560121 |work=Milwaukee Journal |last=Wolf |first=Bob |title=Braves split final with reds as crowd smashes record |date=September 21, 1953 |page=9, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}} The success of the team was noted by many owners. Not coincidentally, the [[Philadelphia Athletics]], [[Baltimore Orioles#St. Louis Browns|St. Louis Browns]], [[Brooklyn Dodgers]], and [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] all relocated over 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), while [[Warren Spahn]], [[Lew Burdette]], and [[Bob Buhl]] anchored the rotation.

====1957====
{{main|1957 Milwaukee Braves season}}

In [[1957 Milwaukee Braves season|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 {{nowrap|4–2}} victory over the [[1957 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] and clinched the league championship. The team drew over {{nowrap|2.2 million}} at home during the regular season, then went on to its first [[1957 World Series|World Series]] win in over 40 years, defeating the [[1957 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] of [[Yogi Berra]], [[Mickey Mantle]], and [[Whitey Ford]] in seven games. Burdette, the [[World Series Most Valuable Player|Series MVP]], threw three complete game victories, giving up only two earned runs, including the seventh game in New York, {{nowrap|a 5–0 shutout.<ref name=bwwti>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ivkjAAAAIBAJ&pg=6287%2C4631748 |work=Milwaukee Journal |last=Wolf |first=Bob |title=Braves win world title, 5-0 |date=October 10, 1957 |page=1, part 1 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=bithwrl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J15QAAAAIBAJ&pg=5196%2C8711 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Thisted |first=Red |title=Best in the world! |date=October 11, 1957 |page=1, part 1 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}}

====1958====
{{main|1958 Milwaukee Braves season}}
In [[1958 Major League Baseball season|1958]], the Braves again won the National League pennant and jumped out to a three games to one lead in the [[1958 World Series|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, the last two in Milwaukee, in large part to World Series MVP [[Bob Turley]], the winning pitcher in games five and seven.

====1959====
{{main|1959 Milwaukee Braves season}}

The [[1959 Major League Baseball season|1959]] season saw the Braves finish the season in a tie with the [[1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]]. Many residents of Chicago and Milwaukee were hoping for a {{nowrap|[[1959 Chicago White Sox season|White Sox]]–Braves}} World Series, as the cities are only about {{convert|75|mi|round=5}} apart along the west shore of [[Lake Michigan]]. It was not to be, as Milwaukee fell in a best-of-3 playoff for the league title with two straight losses to the Dodgers, ending the Braves' pennant streak {{nowrap|at two.<ref name=cblach>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_mlQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5435%2C4893442 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Thisted |first=Red |title='Comeback' L.A. champ! |date=September 30, 1959 |page=1, part 1 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}} Los Angeles defeated the Sox in six games in the [[1959 World Series|World Series]].

===1960–1965===
The next six years were up-and-down for the Braves. The [[1960 Milwaukee Braves season|1960]] season featured two no-hitters by Burdette and Spahn, and Milwaukee finished in second, seven games behind the [[1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]], who won the [[1960 World Series|World Series]] that year. Milwaukee's home attendance slipped under 1.5 million for the first time since the move from Boston. The [[1961 Milwaukee Braves season|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.  The team's home attendance continued its decline; the last season exceeding one million was in 1961.

Aaron hit 45 home runs in [[1962 Milwaukee Braves season|1962]], a Milwaukee career high for him, but this did not translate into wins for the Braves, as they finished fifth. The [[1963 Milwaukee Braves season|next season]], Aaron again hit 44 home runs and notched 130 RBI, and Spahn was once again the ace of the staff, going {{winning percentage|23|7|record=yes}}. 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 Colt .45s]] (now the American League Astros) starting in 1962. Their last campaign in Milwaukee in 1965 saw the team finish 86–76, good for fifth place in the National League; Major League Baseball would not return to Milwaukee until 1970, when a new version of the American League [[Milwaukee Brewers|Brewers]] moved from Seattle (they are now in the National League). The Milwaukee Braves are the only team in the modern era to play more than one season and never had a losing record.

===Move to Atlanta===
Lou Perini sold the Braves to a [[Chicago]]-based group led by [[William Bartholomay]] after the 1962 season. The ink had barely dried on the deal when Bartholomay started shopping the Braves to a larger television market. At the same time, the fast-growing city of [[Atlanta]], led by Mayor [[Ivan Allen, Jr.]], constructed a new $18 million, 52,007–60,606 seat multi-purpose stadium in less than one year, [[Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium|Atlanta Stadium]] (later on known as Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium from 1976 until 1996 with its demolition in 1997), which was officially opened in 1965 in hopes of luring an existing [[Major League Baseball|major league]] and/or [[National Football League|NFL]]/[[American Football League|AFL]] team.

After the city failed to lure the {{nowrap|[[1965 Kansas City Athletics season|Kansas City A's]]}} (who moved to [[Oakland]] in [[1968 Oakland Athletics season|1968]]), Allen courted the Braves, who announced their intention to move to Atlanta for the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|1965]] season. However, an injunction filed in Wisconsin forced the Braves to play a lame-duck season in Milwaukee, but the home attendance was less than 560,000.<ref name="bsfwisb">{{Cite news |last=Wolf |first=Bob |date=1965-09-23 |title=Braves say farewell in 7-6 setback |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/ufaqlpqxerfclhgtcxpgbdqzawsfwngd_ip-10-166-46-160_1740036286944 |access-date=2025-02-20 |work=Milwaukee Journal |page=16, part 2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref> In the interim, Atlanta Stadium played host to the Braves' new Triple-A affiliate, the [[Atlanta Crackers]] of the [[International League]]. The Braves had bought the Crackers in order to secure the major-league rights to the Atlanta area; in those days, the owner of a minor-league team also owned the major league rights to that city.

The Braves completed the move to Atlanta prior to the [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]] season, and drew over 1.5 million in the new stadium that {{nowrap|first year.<ref name=btbr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7nZQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3370%2C7176856 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=wire services |title=Giants beat Braves, 5-2; Perry's 21st |date=September 29, 1966 |page=1, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}} Before that season, they moved the Crackers to [[Richmond, Virginia]] as the [[Richmond Braves]].

==Atlanta==

===1966–1975: early years in Atlanta===
The Braves were a .500 team in their first few years in Atlanta &ndash; 85–77 in [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]], 77–85 in [[1967 Atlanta Braves season|1967]], and 81–81 in [[1968 Atlanta Braves season|1968]]. The 1967 season was the club's first losing campaign since [[1952 Boston Braves season|1952]], its last year in Boston. In [[1969 Atlanta Braves season|1969]], with the onset of divisional play, the Braves won the first-ever [[National League West]] pennant, but were swept in three games by the "[[1969 New York Mets season|Miracle Mets]]" in the inaugural [[1969 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]]. Atlanta would not be a factor in the division in the next decade, posting only two winning seasons between 1970 and 1981 – in some cases fielding squads as bad as the worst Boston teams.

In the meantime, fans had to be satisfied with the achievements of Hank Aaron, who actually increased his offensive production in the relatively hitter-friendly confines of Atlanta Stadium (nicknamed "The Launching Pad"). By the end of the [[1973 Atlanta Braves season|1973]] season, Aaron had hit 713 home runs, one short of [[Babe Ruth]]'s career home run record. Throughout the winter he received racially motivated death threats, but stood up well under the pressure. The [[1974 Atlanta Braves season|next season]], it was only a matter of time before he set a new record. On April 4, he hit #714 in [[1974 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]], and on April 8, in front of his home fans, he finally beat Ruth's mark, smashing #715 off [[Al Downing (baseball)|Al Downing]] of the [[1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]]. Aaron would eventually hit 755 home runs for his career (the major league record until 2007), with all but 22 coming in a Braves uniform. The team also produced batting champions in [[Rico Carty]] (in 1970) and [[Ralph Garr]] (in 1974) during this time period.

===1976–1989: Ted Turner buys the Braves===
In 1976, media magnate [[Ted Turner]], owner of [[superstation]] [[WPCH-TV|WTCG]] (later known as [[TBS (TV network)|WTBS]], now known as [[WPCH-TV]]), purchased the Braves as a means of keeping 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. Turner used the Braves as a major programming draw for his fledgling cable channel, a move that made the team one of the first Major League Baseball franchises to have a regular, nationwide audience and fanbase, along with the Chicago Cubs (who were also distributed nationally via another superstation, [[WGN-TV|WGN]]). WTCG marketed the Braves as "[[America's Team]]", a nickname that still sticks in some areas of the country, especially [[Southern United States|the South]], today.

Turner quickly gained a reputation as a quirky, hands-on baseball owner. Among other things, in 1976 he suggested the nickname "Channel" for his new free agent acquisition, pitcher [[Andy Messersmith]], along with jersey number 17, in order to indirectly promote WTCG (which broadcast on Channel 17 in the local Atlanta market). Major League Baseball quickly vetoed the idea. 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, he was ordered to relinquish that position after one game (the [[1977 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] lost 2–1 to the [[1977 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] to bring their losing streak to 17 games).

After three straight losing seasons, [[Bobby Cox]] was hired for his first stint as manager for the [[1978 Major League Baseball season|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 Major League Baseball season|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 Major League Baseball season|1981 season]] and replaced with [[Joe Torre]], under whose leadership the [[1982 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] saw the team win its first 13 games of the season (setting a since-equaled MLB record)<ref>100 Things Braves Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die: Revised and Updated, Jack Wilkinson, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2019, ISBN 978-1-62937-694-3, p.76</ref> and attained their first divisional title since 1969. However, they were swept by the eventual World Series champion [[1982 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in the [[1982 National League Championship Series|NLCS]]. Strong performances from [[Bob Horner]], [[Chris Chambliss]], pitcher [[Phil Niekro]], and short relief pitcher [[Gene Garber]] helped the club, 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. Murphy, excelling in defense, hitting, and running, was consistently recognized as one of the league's best players. However, he was one of the few bright spots during the team's worst stretch since its days in Boston. The Braves averaged only 65 wins per season between 1985 and 1990, bottoming out in 1988 when they lost 106 games, the most in the Atlanta portion of franchise history and their most overall since 1935.

The [[1986 Major League Baseball season|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]].

===1990–2004: successes and stars===

====1990–1994====
Cox returned to the dugout as manager in the middle of the [[1990 Major League Baseball season|1990 season]], replacing [[Russ Nixon]]. The [[1990 Atlanta Braves season|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 (baseball)|Steve Avery]], and [[John Smoltz]] into future stars. That same year, the Braves used the number one overall pick in the [[1990 Major League Baseball Draft|1990 MLB 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 [[1991 Major League Baseball season|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 [[1991 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] overcame a 39–40 start, winning 55 of their final 83 games over the last three months of the season and edging the [[1991 Los Angeles Dodgers season|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 [[1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season|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 [[1991 Minnesota Twins season|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.

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 tomahawk]]s, 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 Seminoles|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 for one year).

Despite the World Series loss, the Braves' success would continue. In the [[1992 Major League Baseball season|1992 season]], the [[1992 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] returned to the [[1992 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] and once again defeated the [[1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]] in seven games, only to lose in the [[1992 World Series|World Series]] to a dominating [[1992 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] team.

In [[1993 Major League Baseball season|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 Atlanta Braves season|1993 team]] posted a franchise-best 104 wins after a dramatic pennant race with the [[1993 San Francisco Giants season|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.

In 1994, in a realignment of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]'s divisions following the 1993 expansion, the Braves moved to the Eastern Division.<ref>{{cite news|quote=The Pirates will switch from the East next season. They opposed the move last week when realignment was approved, but agreed to allow Atlanta to move to the East.|title=Pirates OK new realignment|date=September 16, 1993|first=Hal|last=Bodley|newspaper=USA Today|page=1C}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|quote=The Pittsburgh Pirates, in a sudden turnaround, willingly have agreed to play in the National League's Central Division and have willed their Eastern Division spot to the Atlanta Braves.|title=Pirates Relent on New Alignment|date=September 16, 1993|first=Murray|last=Chass|newspaper=New York Times|page=B14|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/16/sports/baseball-pirates-relent-on-new-alignment.html?pagewanted=print}}</ref> This realignment was the main cause of the team's [[Braves–Mets rivalry|heated rivalry]] with the [[New York Mets]] during the mid to late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Olson |first=Lisa |date=July 8, 2003 |title=Crazy scene at Shea takes luster off Mets-Braves rivalry |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2003/07/08/crazy-scene-at-shea-takes-luster-off-mets-braves-rivalry/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref><ref name=SubwaySeries>{{cite book|title=The subway series: the Yankees, the Mets and a season to remember|year=2000|publisher=The Sporting News|location=St. Louis, Mo.|isbn=0-89204-659-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=From Wild Card to World Series|date=October 17, 2000|first=Murray|last=Chass|newspaper=New York Times|author-link=Murray Chass}}</ref>

The [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|player's strike]] cut short the [[1994 Major League Baseball season|1994 season]], prior to the division championships, with the Braves six games behind the [[1994 Montreal Expos season|Montreal Expos]] with 48 games left to play.

====1995–2004====
The [[1995 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] returned strong the following strike-shortened (teams played 144 games instead of the customary 162) [[1995 Major League Baseball season|year]] and beat the [[1995 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] in the [[1995 World Series|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 – 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 returned to the Braves system as a coach from 2002 to 2017.

A 95–67 record in {{mlby|2000}} produced a ninth consecutive division title. However, a sweep at the hands of the [[2000 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] prevented the [[2000 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]] from reaching the [[2000 National League Championship Series|NLCS]]. In {{mlby|2001}}, [[2001 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta]] won the [[National League East]] division yet again, swept the [[2001 National League Division Series|NLDS]] against the [[2001 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]], then lost to the [[2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona Diamondbacks]] in the [[2001 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] four games to one. One memorable game the Braves played that year came on September 21, when they played [[Braves–Mets rivalry|rival]] [[New York Mets]] in the first major professional sporting event held in New York City since [[September 11 attacks|9/11]].

In [[2002 Major League Baseball season|2002]], [[2003 Major League Baseball season|2003]] and [[2004 Major League Baseball season|2004]], the Braves won their division again, but lost in the NLDS in all three years; 3 games to 2 to the [[2002 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] and [[2003 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]], and 3 games to 1 to the [[2004 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]].

====Cy Young dominance====
Six National League [[Cy Young Award]]s in the 1990s were awarded to three Braves pitchers:
* In 1991, left-handed pitcher [[Tom Glavine]] received his first award.
* Right-handed pitcher [[Greg Maddux]] won three in a row with the Braves, from 1993 through 1995. His first award came in 1992 with the Cubs.
* In 1996, right-handed pitcher [[John Smoltz]] received his only Cy Young Award.
* In 1998, Glavine won his second.

===2005:  a new generation===
{{main|2005 Atlanta Braves season}}

In 2005, the Braves won the Division championship for the 14th consecutive time since from 1991. The fourteen consecutive division titles (not counting the interrupted 1994 season) stands as the record for all major league baseball. This particular team would be known as the "Baby Braves", referring to the vast presence of rookies on the roster such as [[Wilson Betemit]], [[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]], [[Pete Orr]], [[Ryan Langerhans]], and [[Jeff Francoeur]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Scott |date=2013-08-16 |title=What Happened To The 2005 'Baby Braves?' |url=https://www.batterypower.com/2013/8/16/4627246/what-ever-happened-to-the-2005-baby-braves |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Battery Power |language=en}}</ref> Catcher Brian McCann, right fielder Jeff Francoeur, and pitcher [[Kyle Davies (baseball)|Kyle Davies]] all grew up near the Atlanta area; as such, the team had a record of 90–72, two games better than the second place team in the [[2005 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].

However, the season would end on a sour note as the Braves lost the [[2005 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]] to the [[2005 Houston Astros season|Astros]] in four games. In Game 4, with the Braves leading by five runs 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 did not end until the 18th inning, becoming the longest game in playoff history at five hours 50&nbsp;minutes. [[Chris Burke (baseball)|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 [[Édgar Rentería]] from the Boston Red Sox.

====2006: struggles====
{{main|2006 Atlanta Braves season}}

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 during June, the worst month ever in Atlanta with a winning percentage of .222; this was only better than the woeful [[1935 Boston Braves season|Boston Braves]] in May 1935 (4–20) with a .166 winning percentage.

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 [[1897 Boston Beaneaters season|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 season|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 [[2006 Cincinnati Reds season|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.<ref>''The Sporting News Baseball Record Book'', 2007, p.&nbsp;29.</ref>

However, on September 18, the New York Mets' win over the [[2006 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] mathematically eliminated the Braves from winning the NL East, ending the Atlanta Braves' 11-year reign over the NL East. On September 24, the Braves' loss to the [[2006 Colorado Rockies season|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.

====Sale to Liberty Media====
In December 2005, team owner [[Time Warner]], which inherited the Braves after purchasing [[Turner Broadcasting System]] in 1996, announced it was placing the team for sale.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1995/09/23/MN70161.DTL|last=Pelline|first=Jeff|date=September 23, 1995|title=Time Warner Closes Deal for Turner|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2005/12/14/news/fortune500/braves_sale/|last=Isidore|first=Chris|date=December 14, 2005|title=Time Warner considers Braves sale|publisher=CNNMoney.com|access-date=April 27, 2011|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180011/http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/14/news/fortune500/braves_sale/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Liberty Media]] began negotiations to purchase the team.

In February 2007, after more than a year of negotiations, Time Warner agreed to a deal to sell the Braves to Liberty Media, which owned a large amount of stock in Time Warner, pending approval by 75 percent of MLB owners and the Commissioner of Baseball, [[Bud Selig]]. The deal included the exchange of the Braves, valued in the deal at $450&nbsp;million, a hobbyist magazine publishing company, and $980&nbsp;million cash, for 68.5&nbsp;million shares of Time Warner stock held by Liberty, worth approximately $1.48&nbsp;billion. Team President Terry McGuirk anticipated no change in the front office structure, personnel, or day-to-day operations of the Braves, and Liberty did not participate in day-to-day operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0505/089.html?boxes=custom |title=Braves' New World – Forbes Magazine |work=Forbes |date=May 5, 2008 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |first=Monte |last=Burke |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524045942/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0505/089.html?boxes=custom |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 16, 2007, Major League Baseball's owners approved the sale.<ref name="BravesSaleApproved">{{cite news|last=Bloom|first=Barry M.|title=Braves sale is approved|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/1968024/|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=MLB.com|date=May 16, 2007|access-date=October 1, 2015|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818173225/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/1968024/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bowman|first=Mark|title=Braves excited by news of team sale|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/1969402|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=Braves.com|date=May 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713200319/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/1969402|archive-date=July 13, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Braves are one of only two Major League Baseball teams under majority corporate ownership (and the only NL team with this distinction); the other team is the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] (owned by Canadian media conglomerate [[Rogers Communications]]).

====2007: more struggles====
{{main|2007 Atlanta Braves season}}
<!-- This section is intended as a summary of the entire season. Please do not add detailed information here. That should now go on the [[2007 Atlanta Braves season]] page, linked above. Thanks -->
[[File:BrianMcCann.JPG|thumb|right|upright|[[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]] bats for Atlanta in July 2007]]

On July 5, [[Chipper Jones]] surpassed Dale Murphy for the Atlanta club record of 372 home runs by belting two against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].

After struggling during the second half of the 2007 season, Atlanta finished over .500 and missed the postseason again. On October 12, 2007, [[John Schuerholz]] stepped down as general manager to take over as team president.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/columnist/bodley/2007-10-11-schuerholz-comment_N.htm | work=USA Today |title=GM Schuerholz was Braves' guiding force |first=Hal |last=Bodley |date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211074645/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/columnist/bodley/2007-10-11-schuerholz-comment_N.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Assistant GM [[Frank Wren]] took over as general manager.

====2009: return of solid pitching====
{{main|2009 Atlanta Braves season}}

On December 4, 2008, the Braves received [[Javier Vázquez (baseball)|Javier Vázquez]] and [[Boone Logan]], while the [[Chicago White Sox]] received prospects catcher [[Tyler Flowers]], shortstop [[Brent Lillibridge]], third baseman Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez.<ref>Bowman. Mark.[http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=3701728&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl "Atlanta adds Vazquez to new-look staff, Braves complete deal for durable veteran starter, reliever Logan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616161444/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=3701728&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |date=June 16, 2011}}. mlb.com, December 4, 2008.</ref>  On January 13, 2009, the Braves signed Japanese pitcher [[Kenshin Kawakami]] to a three-year deal, and two days later signed free agent pitcher [[Derek Lowe]] to a four-year contract. During the course of the offseason, the Braves signed veteran pitcher and former Brave [[Tom Glavine]], while losing long-time Brave [[John Smoltz]] to the [[Boston Red Sox]].

On February 25, 2009, just before the start of spring training, Atlanta agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder [[Garret Anderson]]. The additional outfield depth allowed the Braves to trade [[Josh Anderson (baseball)|Josh Anderson]] to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher [[Rudy Darrow]] on March 30, 2009.<ref>[http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090330&content_id=4090204&vkey=pr_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det "Tigers acquire Josh Anderson from Atlanta Braves"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172834/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090330&content_id=4090204&vkey=pr_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det |date=March 3, 2016}} MLB.com, March 30, 2009.</ref>

On June 3, 2009, the Braves acquired [[Nate McLouth]] from the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] for prospects [[Jeff Locke (baseball)|Jeff Locke]], [[Charlie Morton (pitcher)|Charlie Morton]] and [[Gorkys Hernández]]. They also released veteran pitcher Tom Glavine. On July 10, 2009, the Braves traded outfielder [[Jeff Francoeur]] to the [[New York Mets]] for outfielder [[Ryan Church]]. On July 31, 2009, hours before the trade deadline, the Braves and Boston Red Sox swapped 1st basemen: Atlanta dealt [[Casey Kotchman]] to Boston and reacquired [[Adam LaRoche]], whom the Braves had traded away during the 2006–07 off-season to Pittsburgh.

The Braves made a late-season surge, coming within 2 games of the wild card leading [[2009 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] in late September. On October 1, 2009, with the Braves four games back, Colorado beat the [[2009 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] 9–2 to clinch the wild card spot and end the Braves' 2009 postseason hopes.

====2010: Cox's final season====
{{main|2010 Atlanta Braves season}}
[[File:Bobby Cox signs autograph CROPPED.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Braves manager [[Bobby Cox]] retired in 2010 after 25 years of management.]]

The 2010 Braves' season featured an attempt to reclaim a [[postseason]] berth for the first time since [[2005 Atlanta Braves season|2005]]. The Braves were once again skippered by [[Bobby Cox]], in his 25th and final season managing the team. The Braves started the 2010 season slowly and had a nine-game losing streak in April. Then they had a nine-game winning streak from May 26 through June 3, the Braves longest since [[2000 Atlanta Braves season|2000]] when they won 16 in a row. On May 31, the Atlanta Braves defeated the then-first place [[Philadelphia Phillies]] at [[Turner Field]] to take sole possession of first place in the [[National League East]] standings, a position they had maintained through the middle of August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_05_31_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=wrap |title=MLB.mlb.com |publisher=MLB.mlb.com |date=May 31, 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604233615/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_05_31_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=wrap |url-status=live}}</ref> The last time the Atlanta Braves led the NL East on August 1 was in [[2005 Atlanta Braves season|2005]]. On July 13, 2010, at the [[2010 MLB All-Star Game]] in [[Anaheim]], Braves catcher [[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]] was awarded the [[MLB All-Star Game MVP Award|All-Star Game MVP Award]] for his clutch two-out, three-run double in the seventh inning to give the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] its first win in the All-Star Game since [[1996 MLB All-Star Game|1996]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Barry M. Bloom |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100714&content_id=12242524&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb |title=MLB.mlb.com |publisher=MLB.mlb.com |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105121325/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100714&content_id=12242524&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb |url-status=live}}</ref> He became the first Brave to win the All-Star Game MVP Award since [[Fred McGriff]] did so in 1994. The Braves made two deals before the trade deadline to acquire [[Álex González (shortstop, born 1977)|Álex González]], [[Rick Ankiel]] and [[Kyle Farnsworth]] from the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and [[Kansas City Royals]], giving up shortstop [[Yunel Escobar]], pitchers [[Jo-Jo Reyes]] and [[Jesse Chavez]], outfielder [[Gregor Blanco]] and three minor leaguers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Associated Press |date=July 15, 2010 |title=Braves get Gonzalez; Escobar to Jays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5379421 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808121837/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5379421 |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Associated Press |date=August 1, 2010 |title=Royals trade Ankiel, Farnsworth |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5426623 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101174604/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5426623 |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> On August 18, 2010, they traded three pitching prospects for first baseman [[Derrek Lee]] from the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowman |first=Mark |date=2010-08-19 |title=Braves get Lee from Cubs for prospects |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100818&content_id=13591374&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822001931/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100818&content_id=13591374&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=August 22, 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |publisher=MLB.mlb.com}}</ref> On August 22, 2010, against the [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Mike Minor (baseball)|Mike Minor]] struck out 12 batters across 6 innings, an Atlanta Braves single game rookie strikeout record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=300822116 |title=ESPN |publisher=ESPN |date=August 22, 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226111002/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=300822116 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Braves dropped to second in the NL East in early September, but won the NL Wild Card. They lost to the [[2010 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in the [[2010 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]] in four games. Every game of the series was determined by one run. After the series-clinching victory for the Giants in Game 4, Bobby Cox was given a standing ovation by the fans, also by players and coaches of both the Braves and Giants.

====2011: Fredi González takes over====
{{main|2011 Atlanta Braves season}}
[[File:Craig Kimbrel 9-12-11.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Braves [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Craig Kimbrel]] pitching in 2011]]

On October 13, 2010, the Braves announced that [[Fredi González]] would replace long-time Braves manager [[Bobby Cox]] as manager of the team in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101012&content_id=15605228&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl |title=Braves act quickly, name Gonzalez skipper |publisher=Atlanta.braves.mlb.com |date=October 13, 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616125558/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101012&content_id=15605228&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl |archive-date=June 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> The announcement came just two days after the [[2010 Atlanta Braves season|2010 Braves]] were eliminated from the postseason. It was also announced that pitching coach [[Roger McDowell]], third-base coach [[Brian Snitker]], and bullpen coach [[Eddie Pérez (baseball)|Eddie Pérez]] would retain their current positions, while former hitting coach [[Terry Pendleton]] would replace [[Glenn Hubbard (baseball)|Glenn Hubbard]] as the first-base coach and newcomer [[Carlos Tosca]] would become the new bench coach. Hubbard and former bench coach [[Chino Cadahia]] were not offered positions on the new coaching staff. [[Larry Parrish]] was hired as hitting coach on October 29, 2010.

On November 16, 2010, in an offseason trade, the Braves acquired [[Dan Uggla]] from the Florida Marlins in exchange for left-handed reliever [[Mike Dunn (baseball)|Mike Dunn]] and infielder [[Omar Infante]]. According to [[Elias Sports Bureau]], the Braves had an all-time franchise win–loss record over .500 for the first time since 1923 after their win over the [[2011 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] on June 11, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/espn/elias?date=20110612 |title=ESPN – Elias Says: Sports Statistics – Stats from the Elias Sports Bureau |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205060358/http://espn.go.com/espn/elias?date=20110612 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Braves franchise became the third franchise in MLB history to reach 10,000 wins with their win over the [[2011 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]] on July 15, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajc.stats.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=310715115&final=true |title=MLB Game Recap – Nationals v Braves &#124; ajc.com |publisher=Ajc.stats.com |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713200347/http://ajc.stats.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=310715115&final=true |url-status=dead}}</ref> On July 31, 2011, just sixteen days after registering their 10,000th win, the [[2011 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] defeated the Braves by a score of 3–1, handing the team the 10,000th loss in franchise history. The Braves become only the second team in big league history with 10,000 losses after the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] reached the plateau in 2007.<ref>{{cite journal |date=July 31, 2011 |title=Florida vs. Atlanta Recap: Marlins beat Atlanta 3–1, Braves' 10,000th loss |journal=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/gameflash/2011/07/31/37091_recap.html |access-date=August 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104165525/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/gameflash/2011/07/31/37091_recap.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Players from the Braves' farm system, such as [[Freddie Freeman]] and [[Brandon Beachy]], played regularly with the big league club, while [[Julio Teherán]], [[Randall Delgado]], and [[Mike Minor (baseball)|Mike Minor]] were called up for spot starts. With late season injuries to starters [[Jair Jurrjens]] and [[Tommy Hanson]], these three young pitchers made their way into the starting rotation in their absence.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2010.shtml Atlanta team statistics for 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201140317/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2010.shtml |date=December 1, 2018}}, [https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2011.shtml 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201133003/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2011.shtml |date=December 1, 2018}}. baseball-reference.com. Accessed May 20, 2011.</ref> Eight players made their major league debuts for the team in 2011.

=====September collapse=====
The Braves led the [[List of National League Wild Card winners|National League Wild Card]] standings for much of the 2011 season, with the division-rival [[Philadelphia Phillies]] firmly in control of first place in the [[National League East]]. The Braves entered the final month of the regular season 25 games above .500 with a record of 80–55 and an {{frac|8|1|2}}-game lead in the Wild Card standings. The nearest team trailing them, the [[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]], who also trailed the [[National League Central]]-leading [[Milwaukee Brewers]] by {{frac|8|1|2}} games at the time, were considered a long-shot to gain a spot in the postseason. Just days prior on August 26, the Cardinals found themselves {{frac|10|1|2}} games behind and in third place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7036470/latest-collapse-atlanta-braves-came-playoffs-time|title=Braves collapsed before playoffs|work=ESPN|date=29 September 2011|access-date=December 15, 2011|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306090509/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7036470/latest-collapse-atlanta-braves-came-playoffs-time|url-status=live}}</ref>

With 27 games to play, the Braves went 9–18 in September to finish the season with a record of 89–73 and missed the postseason. The Cardinals, meanwhile, went 18–8 to finish at 90–72. Braves closer [[Craig Kimbrel]], who had not surrendered a single earned run in July or August, carried a 4.76 ERA in September with three blown saves. After being dominant in his role for much of the season, Braves setup man [[Jonny Venters]] posted a 5.11 September ERA. These sharp declines in both relievers led many critics to question the handling of the bullpen by Braves manager [[Fredi González]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlbblogbuzz.com/anatomy-of-a-collapse-or-three/ |title=Anatomy of a Collapse (Or Three) |work=MLB Blog Buzz |date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016012950/http://mlbblogbuzz.com/anatomy-of-a-collapse-or-three/ |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |df=mdy}}</ref> Veteran starter [[Derek Lowe]] posted a [[win–loss record]] of 0–5 in September with an ERA of 8.75.<ref name="AJC chronology">{{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=David|title=Chronology of Braves' collapse|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/chronology-braves-collapse/RXMpkWsIlGOdbZTkgOJiFO/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003040016/http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/chronology-of-braves-collapse-1192706.html|archive-date=October 3, 2011|access-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly into the offseason, Lowe would be traded to the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111031&content_id=25850284&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|title=Lowe dealt to Tribe for Minor League reliever|work=atlantabraves.com|date=31 October 2011|access-date=December 15, 2011|archive-date=December 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210211730/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111031&content_id=25850284&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Braves starters lasted six or more innings only three times over the last 23 games.<ref name="AJC chronology"/> Over the last five games, all of which were losses for the Braves, the team managed to score only seven runs.<ref name="collapse complete">{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=310928115|title=Braves complete colossal collapse, lose to Phils|work=CBS Sports|date=29 September 2011|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=December 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231194732/https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=310928115|url-status=live}}</ref> Braves catcher [[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]], often regarded as the best offensive catcher in the Majors, hit only .183 with two home runs in September.<ref name="AJC chronology"/> The offense as a whole hit for only a .235 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and a .300 [[on-base percentage]] in September, both second-worst in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]. The .195 [[Scoring position|RISP]] average by Braves hitters was second worst in the Majors.<ref name="AJC chronology"/> Hitting coach [[Larry Parrish]] was fired two days following the last game of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110930&content_id=25401480&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|title=Parrish let go as Braves hitting coach|work=atlantabraves.com|date=30 September 2011|access-date=December 15, 2011|archive-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002042458/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110930&content_id=25401480&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2012: Chipper's last season====
[[File:Chipper Jones last reg season game.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Chipper Jones salutes the crowd at [[Turner Field]] prior to his final regular-season game on September 30, 2012. Jones announced he would retire after 19 seasons with the Braves.]]

In 2012, the Braves began their 138th season after an upsetting end to the 2011 season. On March 22, the Braves announced that third baseman [[Chipper Jones]] would retire following the 2012 season after 19 Major League seasons with the team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7721523/chipper-jones-atlanta-braves-retire-end-season|title=Chipper Jones plan to retire|website=ESPN.com|date=March 22, 2012|access-date=March 22, 2012|archive-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228161834/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7721523/chipper-jones-atlanta-braves-retire-end-season|url-status=live}}</ref> The Braves also lost many key players through trades or free agency, including pitcher [[Derek Lowe]], shortstop [[Álex González (shortstop, born 1977)|Alex González]], and outfielder [[Nate McLouth]]. To compensate for this, the team went on to receive many key players such as outfielder [[Michael Bourn]], along with shortstops [[Tyler Pastornicky]] and [[Andrelton Simmons]]. To fill the void of a quality starting pitcher left by Lowe (as well as a mid-season injury to [[Brandon Beachy]]), manager Fredi González elected relief pitcher [[Kris Medlen]] to the starting pitching rotation. The Braves went on to win every game Medlen started, setting the MLB record for most consecutive wins when a single pitcher starts (total of 23). Atlanta stayed close to the [[Washington Nationals]] in the race to win the National League East title. They also stayed on top of the National League Wild Card race. Washington ended up winning their first division title in franchise history, but the Braves remained in first place of the NL wild-card race. Keeping with a new MLB rule for the 2012 season, the top two wild card teams in each league must play each other in a [[2012 National League Wild Card Game|playoff game]] before entering into the [[Division Series]].

The Braves played the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] in the first-ever [[Major League Baseball Wild Card Game|Wild Card Game]]. The Braves were behind 6–3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball to left field that dropped in between the Cardinals shortstop and left fielder. Umpire [[Sam Holbrook]] called Simmons out, citing the [[infield fly rule]]. Had an infield fly not been called, Simmons would have been credited with a single and Atlanta would have had the bases loaded with one out. Fans at Turner Field began to litter the field with debris, prompting the game to be delayed for 19 minutes. The Braves lost the game 6–3, ending their season.

====2013: Braves win the East====
{{main|2013 Atlanta Braves season}}

Following a gut-wrenching exit against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] in the [[Major League Baseball Wild Card Game|Wild Card Game]], the Braves spent the 2012–2013 offseason revamping and retooling their offense. The Braves turned heads across baseball by acquiring [[B.J. Upton]] from the [[Tampa Bay Rays]], signing him to a 5-year $75.25&nbsp;million contract and making him their starting center fielder,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121128&content_id=40445762&c_id=atl|title=B.J. Upton introduced in Atlanta after signing deal|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927235010/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121128&content_id=40445762&c_id=atl|url-status=live}}</ref> and uniting him with his younger brother [[Justin Upton]] from the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in a seven-player trade that sent fan favorite utility man [[Martín Prado]] to the Diamondbacks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130129&content_id=41236404&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|title=Justin Upton introduced, takes his place with Braves|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233151/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130129&content_id=41236404&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl|url-status=dead}}</ref> they also filled a need for a new Third Baseman in [[Chris Johnson (baseball)|Chris Johnson]] after the retirement of [[Chipper Jones]] the previous year. The Braves began the 2013 season with a hot start in April by going 17–9 for the month, which saw the emergence of rookie sensation [[Evan Gattis]], while taking hold of first place in the [[National League East]] division, a lead they would never relinquish for the rest of the season. The Braves suffered many injuries to key players throughout the season, including injuries to [[Jason Heyward]], [[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]], [[Freddie Freeman]], [[Eric O'Flaherty]], [[Jonny Venters]], [[Ramiro Pena]] and others, but found a way to win despite these blows to the team. Leading up to the All Star break, First Baseman Freddie Freeman was voted in to play for the 2013 National League All-Star Team, in the 2013 All Star Game, which he did not play. The Braves also witnessed the emergence of rookie pitcher [[Julio Teherán]] after much hype during Spring training. From July 26 to August 10, the Braves won 14 games in a row.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/08/09/braves-beat-marlins-for-14th-straight-win/2638017/ | work=USA Today |title=Atlanta Braves beat Miami Marlins for 14th straight win |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910172612/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/08/09/braves-beat-marlins-for-14th-straight-win/2638017/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The winning streak was the longest of its kind since April–May 2000.

On June 28, 2013, the Atlanta Braves retired former third baseman Chipper Jones' jersey, number 10, before the game against the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]. He was honored before 51,300 fans at [[Turner Field]] in [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9434696/atlanta-braves-retire-chipper-jones-no-10-jersey|title=Braves retire Chipper's No. 10 before game|date=June 29, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=September 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928071237/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9434696/atlanta-braves-retire-chipper-jones-no-10-jersey|url-status=live}}</ref> He served as a staple of the Braves franchise for 19 years before announcing his retirement at the beginning of the 2012 season. [[Chipper Jones]] played his last regular-season game for the Braves on September 30, 2012.

The Braves opened up a 15-game lead on the [[Washington Nationals]] in the [[National League East]] on September 3, 2013, riding that lead en route to its first division title since 2005, the last of 14 straight division titles. This was also Braves manager [[Fredi González]]'s first division title since beginning his managerial career in 1990; including his first since becoming the manager of the Braves after the 2010 season. The Braves clinched the 18th division title in team history on September 22, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/braves-overcome-injuries-to-capture-national-league-east-title?ymd=20130922&content_id=61400758&vkey=news_mlb|title=Braves overcome injuries to capture National League East title|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023034723/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/braves-overcome-injuries-to-capture-national-league-east-title?ymd=20130922&content_id=61400758&vkey=news_mlb|url-status=live}}</ref> after a Nationals loss to the Marlins in the first game of a double header; the Braves also won their game that day, beating the [[Chicago Cubs]] 5–2 at [[Wrigley Field]].

After clinching the division title, they lost to the Dodgers 3–1 in the Division Series.

====2014: losing season====
[[File:Heywardb2014.jpg|right|thumb|[[Jason Heyward]] runs the bases in 2014.]]

On November 11, 2013, the Braves announced that they would vacate Turner Field for a [[SunTrust Park|new stadium]] in [[Cobb County]], in the northwest suburbs outside of Atlanta in 2017. The move is to follow the expiration of the Braves' 20-year lease on Turner Field in 2016. The new stadium is to be constructed in a public/private partnership.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Braves are leaving Turner Field after the 2016 season |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/11/report-the-braves-are-leaving-turner-field-after-the-2016-season |newspaper=NBCSports.com |date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113031347/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/11/report-the-braves-are-leaving-turner-field-after-the-2016-season/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-plan-build-new-stadium-cobb/g4N4VC7nuSPUX62DykwQ9K/|title=Braves plan to build new stadium in Cobb|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=November 11, 2013|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111164924/http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-plan-to-build-new-stadium-in-cobb/nbpNQ/|url-status=live|last1=Tucker|first1=Tim}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2013/11/11/atlanta-braves-plan-on-moving-into-new-672-million-ballpark-in-cobb-co/ | work=Forbes |first=Maury |last=Brown |title=Atlanta Braves Plan On Moving Into New $672 Million Ballpark In Cobb Co. – Forbes |date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527083344/http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2013/11/11/atlanta-braves-plan-on-moving-into-new-672-million-ballpark-in-cobb-co/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/braves/2013/11/11/atlanta-braves-moving-new-stadium-cobb-county-turner-field/3494835/ | work=USA Today |title=Atlanta Braves announce plans to move to new stadium |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112051650/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/braves/2013/11/11/atlanta-braves-moving-new-stadium-cobb-county-turner-field/3494835/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mdjonline.com/bookmark/24025051-Atlanta-Braves-moving-to-Cobb-County |title=The Marietta Daily Journal – Braves headed to Cobb in 2017<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111183522/http://mdjonline.com/bookmark/24025051-Atlanta-Braves-moving-to-Cobb-County |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/mark-bradley/2013/nov/11/stunning-news-atlanta-braves-moving-cobb/|title=Stunning news: Atlanta Braves moving to Cobb|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=November 11, 2013|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111183951/http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/mark-bradley/2013/nov/11/stunning-news-atlanta-braves-moving-cobb/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23932916/report-braves-leaving-turner-field-for-cobb-county Braves leaving Turner Field, building new stadium in Cobb Co. – Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111174244/http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23932916/report-braves-leaving-turner-field-for-cobb-county |date=November 11, 2013}}</ref>  During the offseason the Braves signed few of their young talents to multi year contracts; Craig Kimbrel (4 years/$42&nbsp;million), Freddie Freeman (8 years/$135M), Kris Medlen (1 year/$5.8M), Jason Heyward (2 years/$13.3M), Julio Teherán (6 years/$32.4M) and Andrelton Simmons (7 years/$58M).

The Braves finished the season in a distant second place with a 79–83 record, which was their first losing season since 2008 and only their third since 1990.

====2015–2016: rebuilding====
Prior to the 2015 season, the Braves fired general manager [[Frank Wren]], and [[John Hart (baseball)|John Hart]] replaced him as interim general manager, choosing to only take the title of president of baseball operations. The Braves promptly traded [[Gold Glove Award]] winner [[Jason Heyward]] to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] along with pitcher [[Jordan Walden]] for pitchers [[Shelby Miller]] and [[Tyrell Jenkins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11892064/atlanta-braves-trade-jason-heyward-jordan-walden-st-louis-cardinals-shelby-miller-tyrell-jenkins|title=Braves ship Heyward to Cards in 4-player deal|date=November 17, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421071732/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11892064/atlanta-braves-trade-jason-heyward-jordan-walden-st-louis-cardinals-shelby-miller-tyrell-jenkins|url-status=live}}</ref> Hart traded All-Star left fielder [[Justin Upton]] to the [[San Diego Padres]] for [[Max Fried]], [[Jace Peterson]], [[Dustin Peterson]], and [[Mallex Smith]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/12/19/justin-upton-trade-braves-padres/20633823/ |title=Padres land Justin Upton in trade with Braves |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405195058/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/12/19/justin-upton-trade-braves-padres/20633823/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Catcher [[Evan Gattis]] and minor league [[Prospect (sports)|prospect]] [[James Hoyt (baseball)|James Hoyt]] were traded to the [[Houston Astros]] for minor leaguers [[Mike Foltynewicz]], [[Rio Ruiz]], and [[Andrew Thurman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12167911/evan-gattis-traded-houston-astros-atlanta-braves|title=Braves trade Gattis to Astros for 3 prospects|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=April 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404124538/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12167911/evan-gattis-traded-houston-astros-atlanta-braves|url-status=live}}</ref> A day before the season began, the Braves made a final trade involving former All-Star [[Craig Kimbrel]] and outfielder [[Melvin Upton Jr.]] They were traded to the San Diego Padres for outfielders [[Cameron Maybin]], [[Carlos Quentin]], pitcher [[Matt Wisler]], and the 41st overall pick in the [[2015 Major League Baseball draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12624348/atlanta-braves-trade-craig-kimbrel-melvin-upton-jr-san-diego-padres|title=Padres acquire Kimbrel, M. Upton from Braves|date=April 5, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420225630/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12624348/atlanta-braves-trade-craig-kimbrel-melvin-upton-jr-san-diego-padres|url-status=live}}</ref> By the beginning of the season, the Braves made 11 trades in all.

Prior to the start of the 2016 regular season, the Braves continued their offseason rebuilding by trading [[Andrelton Simmons]] to the Los Angeles Angels for [[Erick Aybar]] and pitching prospects [[Sean Newcomb]] and [[Chris Ellis (baseball)|Chris Ellis]] and $2.5&nbsp;million. They agreed to one-year contracts with [[Kelly Johnson (baseball)|Kelly Johnson]], [[Chris Withrow]], and [[Arodys Vizcaino]], and agreed to terms on a minor league contract for [[Carlos Torres (pitcher)|Carlos Torres]] and [[Jeff Francoeur]]. The Braves purchased the major league contract of Francoeur.

On April 13, 2016, Hector Olivera was arrested and charged with the assault of a woman at the team hotel when the Braves were in Washington D.C. facing the Nationals. He was placed on administrative leave by MLB and was placed on the Braves restricted list.<ref>{{cite web |last=Perez |first=A.J. |date=2016-04-13 |title=Braves' Hector Olivera arrested for assault, placed on leave by MLB |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/braves/2016/04/13/hector-olivera-arrested-assault/82979822/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>

The Braves began the season on a nine-game losing streak, which is the worst opening by the franchise since 1988, when they dropped the first 10 games of that season.

After a 9–28 start in 2016, Fredi González was fired on May 17 and replaced by [[Gwinnett Braves]]' manager [[Brian Snitker]] as interim manager. Snitker replaced González once before in the 2006–07 offseason as the Braves third base coach when González left the Braves to manage the Marlins. The Braves finished the season 68–93 and in last place in NL East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Braves 2016 Season Summary |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2016.shtml |access-date=December 9, 2016 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

During the 2016 offseason, the Braves signed pitchers [[R. A. Dickey]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/sports/baseball/ra-dickey-atlanta-braves-knuckleball.html|title=R. A. Dickey Isn't Done; Signs One-Year Deal With Atlanta Braves|last=Waldstein|first=David|date=2016-11-10|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-11-18|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115053736/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/sports/baseball/ra-dickey-atlanta-braves-knuckleball.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Bartolo Colón]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://savannahnow.com/sports/2016-11-17/baseball-atlanta-braves-officially-sign-pitcher-bartolo-colon#|title=BASEBALL: Atlanta Braves officially sign pitcher Bartolo Colon|newspaper=savannahnow.com|access-date=2016-11-18|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119064616/http://savannahnow.com/sports/2016-11-17/baseball-atlanta-braves-officially-sign-pitcher-bartolo-colon|url-status=live}}</ref> and promoted interim manager Brian Snitker to full-time manager.

====2017: new ballpark and front office changes====
[[File:SunTrust Park Opening Day 2017.jpg|right|thumb|300px|SunTrust Park (now [[Truist Park]]) prior to its first regular-season game]]

The Braves opened their new stadium, SunTrust Park (now [[Truist Park]]), on April 14, 2017, with a four-game sweep of the [[San Diego Padres]]. The park received positive reviews. Woody Studenmund of the [[Hardball Times]] called the park a "gem" saying that he was impressed with "the compact beauty of the stadium and its exciting approach to combining baseball, business and social activities."<ref name="htreview">{{cite news|title=Atlanta's SunTrust Park: The First of a New Generation?|first=Woody|last=Studenmund|url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/atlantas-suntrust-park-the-first-of-a-new-generation/|work=[[Hardball Times]]|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826234732/http://www.hardballtimes.com/atlantas-suntrust-park-the-first-of-a-new-generation/|url-status=live}}</ref> J.J. Cooper of [[Baseball America]] praised the "excellent sight lines for pretty much every seat."<ref name="bareview">{{cite news|title=Braves' New Ballpark Has All Modern Touches, But It's What Surrounds SunTrust Park That Makes It Stand Out|first=J.J.|last=Cooper|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/business/beyond-gates-atlanta-braves-new-ballpark-modern-touches-surrounds-suntrust-park-makes-stand|work=[[Baseball America]]|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827013014/http://www.baseballamerica.com/business/beyond-gates-atlanta-braves-new-ballpark-modern-touches-surrounds-suntrust-park-makes-stand/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper also noted that "the Wi-Fi works and it's very fast, even with a park full of smartphone users."<ref name="bareview"/> The Braves also introduced "The Freeze" as between-innings entertainment—a former college sprinter, dressed in aqua spandex, has a footrace with a fan; The Freeze wins the majority of the races, despite the fan being given a significant head start.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/the-freeze-popular-with-mlb-fans-and-players-c238991708 |title=Big chill: The Freeze blazes path to stardom |first=Joe |last=Posnanski |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-date=June 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627184235/https://www.mlb.com/news/the-freeze-popular-with-mlb-fans-and-players-c238991708 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 2, 2017, [[John Coppolella]] resigned as general manager of the Braves amid a Major League Baseball investigation into Atlanta's international signings, having committed what the Braves termed "a breach of MLB rules regarding the international player market".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/02/atlanta-braves-john-coppolella-resigns-investigation|title=Braves GM John Coppolella Resigns Amid MLB Investigation Over International Signings|date=October 2, 2017|access-date=November 13, 2017|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114013040/https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/02/atlanta-braves-john-coppolella-resigns-investigation|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 13, 2017, the Braves announced [[Alex Anthopoulos]] as the new general manager and executive vice president.<ref name=aajh>{{cite news|title=Braves hire former Dodgers, Blue Jays exec Alex Anthopoulos as GM|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21402952/atlanta-braves-hire-former-dodgers-blue-jays-exec-alex-anthopoulos-gm|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=November 13, 2017|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114090129/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21402952/atlanta-braves-hire-former-dodgers-blue-jays-exec-alex-anthopoulos-gm|url-status=live}}</ref> John Hart was removed as team president and assumed a senior adviser role with the organization.<ref name="aajh" /> Braves chairman Terry McGuirk apologized to fans "on behalf of the entire Braves family" for the scandal.<ref name="aajh" /> McGuirk described Anthopoulos as "a man of integrity" and that "he will operate in a way that will make all of our Braves fans proud."<ref name="aajh" /> On November 17, 2017, the Braves announced that John Hart had stepped down as senior advisor for the organization.<ref name=jhsa>{{cite news|title=John Hart steps down as senior advisor for Braves|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21446168/john-hart-steps-senior-advisor-atlanta-braves|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-date=November 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118153721/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21446168/john-hart-steps-senior-advisor-atlanta-braves|url-status=live}}</ref> Hart said in a statement that "with the hiring of Alex Anthopoulos as general manager, this organization is in great hands."<ref name="jhsa" />

=====MLB investigation and penalties=====
On November 21, 2017, Major League Baseball Commissioner [[Rob Manfred]] announced the findings of the MLB investigation into Atlanta's international signings.<ref name=jcban>{{cite news|title=Ex-Braves GM John Coppolella permanently banned; team loses prospects|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21506598/ex-atlanta-braves-gm-john-coppolella-placed-mlb-banned-list-team-loses-prospects|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 21, 2017|archive-date=November 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121234619/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21506598/ex-atlanta-braves-gm-john-coppolella-placed-mlb-banned-list-team-loses-prospects|url-status=live}}</ref> Manfred ruled that the Braves must forfeit 13 international prospects, including highly touted [[Kevin Maitan]], an infielder from [[Venezuela]] who signed for $4.25&nbsp;million in 2016.<ref name="jcban" /> The team also forfeited a third-round draft pick in the 2018 draft. Former Braves general manager John Coppolella was placed on baseball's [[List of people banned from Major League Baseball|permanently ineligible list]].<ref name="jcban" />

Additionally, the Braves shall be prohibited from signing any international player for more than $10,000 during the 2019–20 signing period and their international signing bonus pool for the 2020–21 signing period will be reduced by 50%.<ref name="jcban" />

====2018–2023: return to the postseason and World Series title====

The Braves introduced a new mascot named [[Blooper (mascot)|Blooper]] on January 27, 2018 at the Atlanta Braves fan fest.<ref name="blooper1">{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/fans-react-blooper-the-new-braves-mascot/LUdGUgRzJtDUXjiN41KqdJ/|title=Fans react to Blooper, the new Braves mascot|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=January 27, 2018|access-date=March 8, 2022}}</ref> Blooper succeeded the Braves' "Homer of the Brave" mascot after he went into retirement.<ref name="b11">{{cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/mlb/atlanta-braves/atlanta-braves-mascot-blooper/85-244af252-741c-4c25-a57b-2752f49b20a6|title=Houston Astros fans confused by Braves mascot|first1=Jessica|last1=Brown|newspaper=[[WXIA-TV]]|date=October 31, 2021|access-date=March 8, 2022}}</ref> The Braves began a new streak of NL East division titles in 2018, when they went 90–72. In 2019, their 97–65 record was their best since 2003. However, in neither season did the Braves advance past the Division Series. In the [[2020 National League Championship Series]] against the Dodgers, the Braves led 3–1 before the Dodgers came back to win the series and advance to the World Series.<ref name="NLCS2020">{{cite news |last1=Waldstein |first1=David |title=Dodgers Rally to Win N.L.C.S. and Reach 3rd World Series in 4 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/18/sports/baseball/dodgers-braves-game-7.html |access-date=8 February 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 18, 2020 |ref=NLCS2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206215208/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/18/sports/baseball/dodgers-braves-game-7.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Braves returned to the NLCS in 2021 after beating the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] 3–1 in the [[2021 National League Division Series|2021 NLDS]] on the heels of a [[Freddie Freeman]] game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th inning in Game 4. With the score tied at 4, Freeman delivered a blast to left center field to give the Braves a 5–4 lead headed to the top of the 9th. After allowing a lead off single to [[Eduardo Escobar]], [[Will Smith (pitcher)|Will Smith]] subsequently retired the side in order to secure the Braves berth in the NLCS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Braves vs. Brewers score: Freddie Freeman's home run sends Atlanta to NLCS for second year in a row|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/braves-vs-brewers-score-freddie-freemans-home-run-sends-atlanta-to-nlcs-for-second-year-in-a-row/amp/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.cbssports.com}}</ref>

On October 23, 2021, the Braves defeated the Dodgers in the [[2021 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]], a rematch of the 2020 NLCS, in six games to advance to the World Series for the first time since [[1999 World Series|1999]], thereby securing their first pennant in 22 years. They defeated the [[Houston Astros]] in six games to win their fourth World Series title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/02/sports/baseball/braves-win-world-series.html|title=Atlanta Overcomes Decades of Frustration to Win World Series|last=Waldstein|first=David|date=November 11, 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, the Braves tied with the [[2022 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] for the best record in the National League East. The Braves were awarded the division title since they were 10–9 against the Mets in the regular season, while the Mets were named the fourth NL seed in the new 12-team postseason format. The Braves were eliminated in the [[2022 National League Division Series|NLDS]] in four games by the [[2022 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].

In 2023, the Braves had their best season since 1998, leading the major leagues with a 104–58 record. Right fielder [[Ronald Acuña Jr.]] became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a season and was unanimously named the National League MVP. Once again, the Braves were eliminated in the [[2023 National League Division Series|NLDS]] in four games by the [[2023 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].

==Uniforms==

===1966–1967===
The Atlanta Braves originally wore the same uniform design from their final years in Milwaukee, save for the red-brimmed navy cap which was changed from a block "M" to a script "A". Both the home and road uniforms have navy piping and the "Braves" script in red with navy trim, along with chest numbers which were also red with navy trim. The "screaming Indian" patch was added on the left sleeve.

===1968–1971===
During this period navy became the team's primary color, and pinstripes were worn on the home uniform. The chest numbers and piping were removed, with red only used exclusively on the road uniform. The original navy/red cap was only used at home, while an all-navy cap was used on the road. By 1969, the all-navy cap served as the primary, retiring the navy/red cap.

===1972–1975===
The Braves entered the polyester era with a new look, changing from navy to royal blue while keeping red as a trim color. Home uniforms were white with blue sleeves, while road uniforms were blue with white sleeves. Chest numbers returned with this uniform. Both sleeves contain a feather patch. Caps became royal blue with white panels, along with a lowercase "a" in red with white and blue trim.

===1976–1979===
The Braves returned to wearing pinstripes and gray uniforms with this set. The home uniform removed the blue sleeves and feather patch, and replaced them with red pinstripes and collar. The road uniform kept the previous template but returned to a gray base with blue sleeves, with the feather patch exclusive only to the left sleeve. The road uniform also featured a script "Atlanta" in front, with the first "a" in lowercase. In 1979, blue player names were added to the road uniform.

===1980–1986===
The Braves' home uniform again removed the pinstripes and added player names in blue. Collars and sleeves featured red, white and blue stripes. The road uniform was changed to powder blue minus the contrasting sleeve colors and red trim. In 1981, the road uniform was tweaked slightly, adopting the uppercase "A" script on the word "Atlanta". The Braves also wore two all-blue caps: the home cap featured the white "A" script with red trim, while the road cap lacked the red trim on the "A"; the 1970s caps were worn for the first season of this uniform set in 1980 only.

===1987–present===
The Braves updated their uniform set in 1987, returning to buttoned uniforms and belted pants. This design returned to the classic look they wore in the 1950s.

The white home uniform features red and navy piping, the "Braves" script and tomahawk in front, and radially arched (vertically arched until 2005; sewn into a nameplate until 2012) navy letters and red numbers with navy trim at the back. The gray road uniforms are identical to the white home uniforms save for the "Atlanta" script in front.<ref>{{cite web|title=Braves Uniforms|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/history/uniforms|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=Braves.com|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418025008/https://www.mlb.com/braves/history/uniforms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Initially, the cap worn with both uniforms is the red-brimmed navy cap with the script "A" in front. In 2008, an all-navy cap was introduced and became the primary road cap the following season.

The Braves have had three different versions of their Friday red alternate home uniform. The first uniform, worn from 2005 to 2013, featured navy and white piping, navy "Braves" script and tomahawk in front, and white letters and navy numbers with white trim at the back. It was paired with a navy cap with red brim featuring the alternate "tomahawk A" logo. From 2014 to 2018, the Braves tweaked the uniform; the "Braves" script was now adorned with stars while the tomahawk was removed. The "tomahawk A" cap was also retired. In 2019, the Braves reverted to a variation of the original red alternate uniform minus the white piping.

The cream alternate uniforms were introduced in February 2012 as a tribute to the Braves' first season in Atlanta in 1966. This set is similar to the primary home uniform, but with chest numbers in place of the tomahawk and blue piping minus the red accents. An alternate "crossing tomahawks" logo featuring the team name and foundation date was added to the left sleeve.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atlanta Braves unveil a new alternate home uniform|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-unveil-new-alternate-home-uniform/c-26583682|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|date=February 6, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420010428/https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-unveil-new-alternate-home-uniform/c-26583682|url-status=live}}</ref> The Braves did not wear the cream alternate uniforms during the 2020 season, and retired the unifroms after the 2021 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=What happened to the Braves' alternate jerseys?|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/what-happened-to-the-braves-alternate-jerseys/SSWERRW3D5BZXPTPJTFERFCLFU/|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=May 18, 2022|access-date=September 20, 2022|first1=Justin|last1=Toscano}}</ref>

The Braves have worn three versions of their alternate navy blue road jerseys. The first iteration was introduced on opening night of the 2008 season against the Washington Nationals, and featured navy lettering. The only red elements on the uniform can be seen on the tomahawk. For 2019, the Braves drastically changed the uniform to feature red lettering, a red tomahawk and silver piping. For 2024, the Braves have slightly changed the uniform again by adding  a red piping, replacing the silver piping. 

In 2023, the Braves unveiled their [[City Connect]] uniform, with a design inspired by their early 1970s home uniform, including blue sleeves and a red, white and blue triangle as a nod to the "feather" decal on each sleeve. "The A" was emblazoned on the left chest as a nod to Atlanta, and tributes to Hank Aaron's 715th home run in 1974 were placed on the collar and underbrim of the team cap. The cap itself has a white panel with the blue "A" trimmed in white and red.

Unlike the home uniforms, which are worn based on a schedule, the road uniforms are chosen on game day by the starting pitcher. However, they are also subject to [[Major League Baseball]] rules requiring the road team to wear uniforms that contrast with the uniforms worn by the home team. Due to this rule, the gray uniforms are worn when the home team chooses to wear navy blue, and sometimes when the home team chooses to wear black.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{MLBHistory}}
{{Atlanta Braves}}

[[Category:Atlanta Braves]]
[[Category:History of Major League Baseball by team|Atlanta Braves]]
[[Category:History of Atlanta|Braves]]
[[Category:History of Milwaukee|Braves]]