A Look Back at the Atlanta Braves and the World Series
Let’s take a look back at the Atlanta Braves’ history in the World Series and what they need in order to win it all in the years to come.
Even though the Atlanta Braves season did not end the way fans wanted, the 2019 World Series is bound to be a good one with the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros going head to head.
Which team will end their season in victory?
Will it be the team that surprised everyone two years ago by winning the World Series for the first time in franchise history or will it be the team that has yet to even make an appearance since their creation?
The Astros, undoubtedly, have an intimidating defense but as far as their offense goes, that may be where they fall short. Despite dominating offensively in the regular season, the team has a .208 postseason batting average. This can be compared to their .274 batting average from the regular season.
As for the Nationals, I believe their offensive skills and talent is what will help them come out on top.
For now, let’s take a look back at the Braves postseason history.
The Glory Years
From 1991 to the present, they have made five World Series appearances in ‘91, ‘92, ‘95, ‘96 and ‘99.
Sadly, four out of those five appearances ended in them coming up short against whomever they were playing.
Although their 1991 loss was tough, the Braves were new to the playoffs and did not expect much. Despite that, they took the Minnesota Twins to the brink with an epic series.
In 1992, against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Braves lost the World Series 4-games-to-2 and were determined to make the changes necessary to win in the years to come.
Obviously losing always hurts but most fans can attest that the most disheartening year was 1996 when they dominated the New York Yankees in Game 1 and 2 giving fans hope that they would win the World Series for the second year in a row. To their dismay, the Yankees ended up winning the following four games leaving Atlanta fans heartbroken.
Because of this, in 1999, when we faced the Yankees yet again, we did not really expect to win. That does not mean it did not hurt when we were unable to win one game against them in that series.
Let’s take a deeper look at their 1995 appearance against the Cleveland Indians.
Putting it All Together
That year, the Braves had gone into the postseason with a record of 90-54 and dominated against the Colorado Rockies in the National League Division Series and the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series.
All of their hard work and perseverance had gotten them to October 21, 1995. It was Game 1 in Atlanta, Georgia and with Chipper Jones, Dave Justice and Greg Maddux, the Braves secured their first win of the series with a score of 3-2.
The following day, Tom Glavine pitched six crucial and solid innings only giving up two runs. Greg McMichael came in to pitch for the seventh inning and gave up one run resulting in him getting pulled and Alejandro Pena was put in for him.
Despite it being another close one, Game 2 ended 4-3 with another win for the Braves.
Atlanta suffered their first loss of the series in Game 3 when the Indians came out on top. They did not lose without putting up a fight as the game ended in the 11th inning with the end score being 7-6.
In Game 4, the first five innings went scoreless leaving all the action to the last four innings resulting in the Braves winning 5-2 giving them back the confidence they needed to go into the next game.
Game 5 did not end the way fans wanted to with Greg Maddux pitching seven innings and giving up four runs. Brad Clontz then came in for the eighth inning and gave up one more run.
That game ended 5-2 with the Braves coming up short.
On October 28, 1995, Tom Glavine pitched one of the best games of his career for Game 6. The Indians were unable to score and Atlanta favorite (though not necessarily before this plate appearance) Dave Justice, hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning resulting in the Atlanta Braves winning their franchise’s first World Series since 1957.
After looking at how the Braves were able to win it all in ‘95, what will it take for Atlanta to do that again next season?
Echos of ’95?
This current Atlanta Braves team is athletic and talented. That is a given and that is what got them as far as they went.
What they seem to be lacking in is playoff experience which can be crucial and challenging to have for such a young team and they do not have the necessary pitching strength and depth.
From 1991 to 1999, the Braves made five World Series appearances but in the last twenty years, they have yet to make it past the NLCS.
Indeed, it’s been since 2001 since the Atlanta Braves have even gotten that far in a post-season.
Until their young team gains more learning experiences, they will continue to fall short. In addition to experience, they lack the two or three aces needed to dominate as a World Series-winning team.
It’s not coincidental that both the Astros and Nationals are the last teams standing this year – having amassed the arms they boast.
The Braves are certainly working on doing the same, but to this point they don’t quite measure up. Whether their own ‘aces’ ultimately come from inside or outside the organization is yet to be determined, but will be something to continue following as this ‘window’ remains open to them.
They must continue to work hard and grow as a team in the off-season and prepare to come back stronger and better than ever.
Next. Minor Considerations. dark
Still: this Braves team is on the right track after entering this postseason with 97 wins which is the most that they have had in the regular season since 2003.