Atlanta Braves

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1871

  • Original Name/City: Boston Red Stockings

  • Current Ballpark: Truist Park

  • World Series Titles: 4 (1914, 1957, 1995, 2021)

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Braves, America's Team, The Bravos

A History of the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball, with a lineage that dates back to 1871. Originally based in Boston as the Red Stockings, the team underwent several name changes before becoming the Braves in 1912. The franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and finally settled in Atlanta in 1966, becoming the first Major League team in the Deep South.

The Braves won their first World Series title in 1914, led by the “Miracle Braves” who surged from last place in July to champions by October. Their second title came in 1957 while in Milwaukee, thanks to a dominant team featuring Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, and Eddie Mathews.

The franchise’s golden era began in the 1990s after a long period of struggle. Under manager Bobby Cox and powered by one of the greatest pitching rotations in history—Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz—the Braves dominated the National League East, winning 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005. Despite multiple postseason appearances, the Braves won just one World Series during that stretch, capturing the 1995 championship over the Cleveland Indians.

After a rebuilding phase in the 2010s, the Braves returned to dominance behind a new core including Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies.

Their efforts culminated in the 2021 World Series title, a thrilling postseason run that saw them defeat the Houston Astros despite significant injuries to key players. That championship reaffirmed the Braves as one of baseball’s premier franchises.

Franchise Timeline

  • 1871: Founded as the Boston Red Stockings.

  • 1914: Won their first World Series as the Boston Braves.

  • 1953: Moved to Milwaukee and renamed the Milwaukee Braves.

  • 1957: Won their second World Series, led by Hank Aaron.

  • 1966: Relocated to Atlanta, renamed the Atlanta Braves.

  • 1991-2005: Won 14 consecutive division titles.

  • 1995: Won their third World Series title.

  • 2017: Moved into Truist Park.

  • 2021: Won their fourth World Series, defeating the Astros.

Legendary Players

Hank Aaron (1954–1976)

  • One of the greatest players in baseball history, Aaron hit 755 home runs—a record that stood for over 30 years. More than just a slugger, he was a consistent hitter and a model of grace in the face of racism and adversity. He remains the Braves' most iconic figure.

Greg Maddux (1993–2003)

  • A master of control and strategy, Maddux won four consecutive Cy Young Awards (three with the Braves) and was the cerebral anchor of the Braves' dominant pitching staff in the 1990s. He is one of the few pitchers to win over 350 games in the modern era.

Chipper Jones (1993–2012)

  • A lifelong Brave and switch-hitting third baseman, Jones was the 1999 National League MVP and a key part of the team’s success in the late '90s and 2000s. He finished his career with over 2,700 hits and a .303 average, earning first-ballot Hall of Fame induction in 2018.

John Smoltz (1988–2008)

  • The only pitcher in MLB history with both 200 wins and 150 saves, Smoltz excelled as both a starter and a closer. He was a postseason force and the only member of the Braves’ Big Three pitchers who played his entire career with the franchise.

Tom Glavine (1987–2002, 2008)

  • A crafty left-hander and two-time Cy Young winner, Glavine won over 300 games and was the MVP of the 1995 World Series. His clutch performances and cool demeanor made him one of the faces of the Braves' 1990s dynasty.