The Atlanta Braves are arguably one of the best teams of the 1990s. With their World Series win in 1995, their 8 straight division pennants and staggering individual performances, the 1990s were good in Atlanta. The only other team in the argument is the New York Yankees. Here are the Braves top 10 moments of an amazing decade.
Chipper Jones, a career long Atlanta Brave, was selected first in the 1990 amateur draft. He debuted with the Braves in 1993, but tore his ACL and was out for all of the 1994 season. His impact was felt in 1995 becoming a star and coming in 2nd in the rookie of the year race. 1999 was Chipper's best season, hitting over .300, more than 40 home runs and more than 100 RBIs. He won the NL MVP and led the Braves to the World Series against the Yankees.
9. Terry Pendleton wins 1991 NL MVP award and batting title.
A very unlikely MVP, Pendleton was signed by the Braves as a free agent in the winter of 1990. His first year with the Braves was his career year. He finished the year with a .320 batting average and almost 200 hits. This earned him not only the NL MVP award, but the batting title as well. He stayed hot during the post season, leading the Braves to the 1991 World Series.
8. 6 Cy Young Awards.
From 1990-1999, Doug Drabek, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux were the only non Braves pitchers to win the Cy Young Award. Tom Glavine was the first Brave to capture the elite pitching title in the 1990s with his impressive 1991 season. Greg Maddux followed his 1992 Chicago Cubs Cy Young campaign with 3 more for the Braves in 93, 94 and 95. In 1996, John Smoltz completed his Cy Young season. Tom Glavine filled in the second side of his Cy Young bookends, winning the award again in 1998.
7. Worst to first in 1991.
The Braves made major changes after their last place 1990 season, not only on the field, but off it as well. They put Bobby Cox on the bench as the manager of the Braves, and John Schuerholz in the front office as the GM. On field moves included signing Terry Pendleton and Sid Bream, and developing young pitchers Tom Glavine, Steve Avery and John Smoltz. They made it to the World Series in 1991 to face the Twins.
6. Kent Mercker's 2 no-hitters.
A little known fact, but it deserves its time to shine. Kent Mercker was the starting pitcher for 2 no hitters, which is an incredible feat. The first came in September 1991 against the Padres. Kent Mercker started and pitched 6 innings of no hit ball, being relieved by Mark Wholers and Alejandro Pena to complete the hitless performance. The second was a solo effort by Mercker in April of 1994 against the Dodgers.
5. Greg Maddux becomes a Brave in 1993.
After his Cy Young campaign in 1992, Greg Maddux embarked on a successful run as an Atlanta Brave. He made an immediate impact, winning his second Cy Young in 1993 and went on to win 2 more in 94 and 95. His career as a Brave lasted 10 years.
4. Cox returns as manager in 1990.
Bobby Cox's first stint as the Braves manager was unsuccessful. He was hired in 1978, but was fired in 1981. He came back to the Braves as a GM in 1985 . In 1990, he fired manager Russ Nixon and took his spot as Braves manager. Cox has been the Braves manager for 18 years straight and is currently 4th on the all time managerial wins list.
3. Francisco Cabrera's RBI in the 1992 NLCS.
A moment no Braves fan could ever forget. "Swung, line drive left field! One run is in! Here comes Bream! Here's the throw to the plate! He is...safe! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!...Braves win!" Third string catcher Francisco Cabrera single to left scored David Justice and Sid Bream to beat the Pirates in the 1992 NLCS.
2. 8 Straight division championships.
An absolutely staggering statistic. From 1991 to 2005, the Braves finished the regular season in 1st. The only exception was the strike shortened 1994 season. Many people choose to mock this statistic because the Braves were only able to win 1 World Series, but any true baseball fan appreciates it.
1. 1995 World Series Champions
Their lone championship in Atlanta was in 1995. Everything finally came together as the Braves were able to win the division and subsequently beat the Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians to win the championship.
- Atlanta Braves
- Atlanta Braves Official Site
- Under Armour
- Under Armour at BrigadeQM.com
New Guestbook
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
