The 2008 season wasn’t the Atlanta Braves’ best, ending with a fourth place finish in the NL East. Tired of being at the bottom of the pack, the Braves switched things up in the offseason to address their shortfalls. Though pitcher John Smoltz is a future Hall of Famer, the Braves had some of the lowest numbers in the league in the starting pitching categories last season, so Smoltz was sent to the Red Sox and the team picked up Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami. Though the offense didn’t change much, the Braves have a solid lineup including Chipper Jones and Jeff Francoeur, and if they can stay healthy and focused, the Braves have a legitimate shot at a trip to the playoffs (a trip they haven’t made since 2005). The 2009 Atlanta Braves should produce some truly exciting baseball, so get your tickets to Turner Field and be there to catch all the action!

The Beginning

The team that would become the Atlanta Braves was formed in Boston in 1871. The team was dominant early on, capturing four pennants between 1871 and 1875. The team continued to dominate when they entered the newly established National League in 1876. By 1900 though, the Braves’ fortunes had shifted and they proceeded to win only 2 more pennants before moving to Milwaukee in 1953.