Atlanta Braves History: Hank Aaron and Destiny (1974)

1974 would be Eddie Matthews 3rd and last year as Manager for the Atlanta Braves. On April 4th he made a bold move. It is the National League opener in Cincinnati. He pencils in Hank Aaron into the lineup under the premise that Hank has never hit a home run on opening day. If he does, however, he will tie Babe Ruth‘s home run title but it won’t be at home.

So what were the odds he would do it this time? Hard to know but odds are destined to be broken and of course Hank does. In the first inning with Ralph Garr and Mike Lum on base on his very first swing (there was a 3-1 count), he wacks it out over the left field wall.

And so the record will be broken but will it be in Cincinnati or Atlanta?

Atlanta Braves History: Tommy Bond is First Irishman to ML Baseball (1874)

Tommy Bond was one of the first curveball pitchers. Born in Ireland, at age 18 he joined the 1874 National Association Brooklyn Atlantics. He is the first person born in Ireland to play Major League Baseball.

He remained with the Athletics when it moved to Hartford in 1875 and became a pioneer entry in the NL in 1876. He  was with the Boston Red Caps from 1877–1881.

He was virtually his team’s only pitcher for most of his career, particularly while with Boston. In 1880 Boston was shut out in eight of Bond’s games, and Bond began phasing out his pitching career. He coached at Harvard and was a New England League umpire in 1882-83. He lived to be the last survivor of the National League’s first season.

Atlanta Braves History: A First (1950)

There always has to be a first. For the Boston Braves (now known as the Atlanta Braves), integration of the team came in 1950. Sam Jethroe was a speedy center fielder. He was the team’s first African American.

Sam Jethroe

He was a great offensive player. He homered in his first game. And fast he was. He led the National League in stolen bases. To his credit, he was named Rookie of the Year.

Go Braves.

Related articles

• Atlanta Braves History: Continuity since 1871 (thebraveshistory.wordpress.com)
• Atlanta Braves History: New Management (1902) (thebraveshistory.wordpress.com)

The Miracle Braves (1914)

There are seasons and then there are SEASONS. 1914 was an amazing one for the Boston Braves (now in Atlanta). It was George Stallings second season as manager. This was the season known as the “Miracle Braves of 1914”. The Facts: 94-59. Finished first. 10 1/2 games ahead. An amazing year and an amazing story.

George Stallings. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So you are George Stallings. Your team is dead last in the eight team National League on July 18. Not only last but what we know as dead last. No hope. But …

Some more facts. The second half you are 51-16 (.761). You win the last 34 of 44 games (.773). Not only were you last at the second half turn, you end up leading by 10 1/2 games. No cliff hangers or doubts about the end there. So you go to the World Series to face the Philadelphia Athletics. Connie Mack’s team is favored. The Braves sweep them in 4 games for the first time in World Series history. So George is label the “Miracle Man” and the Braves are know as the “Miracle Braves”.