Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are one of the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchises in North America. Founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, the team was a charter member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players and joined the National League in 1876. After multiple name changes, including the Boston Beaneaters, Boston Doves, Boston Rustlers, and Boston Bees, the club adopted “Braves” in 1912. The franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and then to Atlanta in 1966, where it has remained ever since.

The Braves have called numerous venues home: Boston’s South End Grounds (1871–1914), Braves Field (1915–1952), and Fenway Park (part-time, 1914–1915); Milwaukee County Stadium (1953–1965); Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1966–1996); Turner Field (1997–2016); and Truist Park, which opened in 2017. The team competes in Major League Baseball’s National League East Division.

The Braves have won four World Series championships: 1914 (as the Boston Braves), 1957 (as the Milwaukee Braves), 1995, and 2021. They also captured National League pennants in 1948, 1958, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1999, and 2021. The franchise is particularly known for its unprecedented run of 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005 (excluding the strike-shortened 1994 season), a streak that included five NL pennants and the 1995 World Series title. The 2021 championship ended a 26-year drought, with the Braves defeating the Houston Astros in six games.

Current roster highlights (as of the 2025 season) include outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., first baseman Matt Olson, third baseman Austin Riley, catcher Sean Murphy, and a pitching staff anchored by Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and closer Raisel Iglesias. The team is managed by Brian Snitker, who took over in 2016 and led the Braves to the 2021 World Series title. Snitker is the 35th manager in franchise history, following a lineage that includes Hall of Famers Bobby Cox (1990–2010), who guided the team through its 14-division-title era, and Casey Stengel (1938–1942), as well as Fredi Gonzalez (2011–2016) and Joe Torre (1982–1984).

The Braves’ primary rivalries are with the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, intensified by close division races in the 1990s and 2000s. A historic rivalry also exists with the Los Angeles Dodgers, stemming from multiple postseason meetings, including the 2021 NLCS. Fan culture is deeply rooted in the Southeast, with the “Tomahawk Chop”, a synchronized arm motion accompanied by a war chant, being a controversial but enduring tradition. Truist Park’s Battery Atlanta entertainment district has become a gathering hub, and the team’s radio and TV broadcasts, led by voices like the late Skip Caray and current announcers, are beloved staples. The Braves enjoy one of baseball’s largest geographic fan bases, often called “Braves Country,” extending across the South.

In recent seasons, the Braves have maintained playoff contention: they won the NL East in 2022 and 2023 before a slightly down 2024 campaign, though they remain a perennial contender. Notable alumni and legends include Hall of Famers Hank Aaron (who hit his record-breaking 715th home run as a Brave), Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, and Phil Niekro, as well as modern icons like Freddie Freeman and Andruw Jones.[edit]

The franchise was founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, a charter member of the National Association. It joined the National League in 1876 and underwent several name changes before adopting "Braves" in 1912. The team won its first World Series in 1914, sweeping the Philadelphia Athletics in a stunning upset after being in last place on July 4.

After moving to Milwaukee in 1953, the Braves won the 1957 World Series behind the pitching of Warren Spahn and the hitting of Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews. The team relocated to Atlanta in 1966, playing in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The 1990s saw the Braves emerge as a dynasty under manager Bobby Cox, winning 14 straight division titles from 1991 to 2005. That era produced five NL pennants and the 1995 World Series championship, led by a legendary pitching rotation of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz.

The Braves moved to Turner Field in 1997 and later to Truist Park in 2017. After a 26-year championship drought, the Braves won the 2021 World Series, defeating the Houston Astros in six games. The team has continued to compete at a high level, winning division titles in 2022 and 2023.[edit]