Braves History

14 Jul 1995: Pitcher Kent Mercker of the Atlanta Braves prepares to throw the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Braves won the game 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 50, Mercker

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 51, power

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 52, Walden

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 53, moving West

ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 23: Starter Kris Medlen #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 54, Medlen, HOF, GG

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Pitcher John Smoltz #29 of the Atlanta Braves throws against the New York Mets September 6, 2006 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 55, Smoltz’s second life

382468 01: Former New York Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton signs copies of his new book, "Ball Four: The Final Pitch" November 27, 2000 at a Waldenbooks store in Schaumburg, IL. "Ball Four: The Final Pitch" is a new and final edition of his controversial 1970 book titled "Ball Four" that has sold more than five million copies worldwide its 30-year life. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 56, Ball Four

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 06: A general view of Wrigley Field as renovations continue before the Opening Day game Monday between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates as seen during a media walk through at on April 6, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 58, Campy

PITTSBURGH - MAY 23: Peter Moylan #58 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on May 23, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 58, down under

7 Mar 2000: Paul Assenmacher #77 of the Atlanta Braves winds back to pitch the ball during the Spring Training Game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Field in Lakeland, Florida. The Braves defeated the Tigers 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 59, Undrafted

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 24: Starter Manny Banuelos #60 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on July 24, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 60, TINSTAAP

HOUSTON - APRIL 09: Livan Hernandez #61 of the Atlanta Braves throws against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 9, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 61, veteran arm

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mauricio Cabrera

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 62, young fireballers

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 27: Emilio Bonafacio #64 of the Atlanta Braves knocks in the eventual game winning run with an eighth inning single against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on September 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 64, Emilio!

14 Oct 1995: Pitcher Steve Avery #33 of the Atlanta Braves winds up for the pitch during game four of the NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds at Fulton Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Reds 6-0.. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Atlanta Braves Opening Day Countdown: 65, Avery’s 91 walks

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 66, move to ATL

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 08: General view of John Smoltz's #29 and all of the pennants he won with the Atlanta Braves during his number retirement ceremony before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays at Turner Field on June 8, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Braves franchise began on this day

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 29: Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz unveils the #29 sign on the Games Remaining at Turner Field Countdown sign during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning during the game on July 29, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 67, Smoltz’s worst

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 28: The mask of catcher Brett Hayes #9 of the Florida Marlins (not pictured) is shown between plays against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 28, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves history: A dark day of violence

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 68, Clarkson CG

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 69, Duffy HR

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 24: Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2011 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 71, aging Phil Niekro

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: The New York Mets honor the passing of Major League Baseball executive Katy Feeny before the Opening Day game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on April 3, 2017 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day Countdown: the 70s

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: A general view of third base prior to Opening Day between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Suntrust Park on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves opening day countdown: the 80s

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 06: A general view of Marlins Park during Opening Day between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on April 6, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 90, Billy Nash

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 91, Wally Berger

TORONTO - OCTOBER 20: Deion Sanders #24 of the Atlanta Braves receives congratulations from teammates after scoring during Game three of the 1992 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Skydome on October 20, 1992 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays defeated the Braves 3-2. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 93 and 92, fall heroics

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 31: On Deck circle before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers during Opening Day at Miller Park on March 31, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

Countdown to Atlanta Braves opening day: 94, Eddie Mathews