6 most exciting game-ending moments in recent Atlanta Braves history
Braves fans have been treated to some of the most exciting game endings over the years.
Each day that passes, we move closer to having Atlanta Braves baseball back. With our excitement and anticipation, we thought it would be fun to reminisce on some of the most adrenaline-packed finishes the Braves have had in recent memory.
There are likely a plethora of moments popping into your head right now. Atlanta has been lucky to feature some of the best talent over the years and that helps lead to some exciting plays.
While we know there are many options to consider, here is a list of a few of the most exciting moments.
19-inning marathon at Turner Field
On July 26th, 2011, the Atlanta Braves took on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field. The game took nearly seven hours and turned into a 19-inning marathon. Atlanta came out victorious thanks to what many recognize as one of the worst calls ever by an umpire in an MLB game. Julio Lugo slides in and appears to be out by a mile. He even gives himself up and shows his surprise when Jerry Meals indicates he is safe and the game is over.
Clint Hurdle was obviously not pleased in the slightest as Meals clearly missed the call. I assume Meals was ready to go get a meal of his own after 19 innings of baseball. This has become an iconic moment due the absurdity of the call. You will certainly find this on many of the "worst umpire calls" compilations online.
Brooks Conrad surprise walk-off slam
May 20th, 2010 is one of the most memorable comebacks in Atlanta Braves history as Atlanta trailed the Cincinnati Reds by 8 runs. Thanks to a combination of great at-bats and costly errors for the Reds, the Braves found themselves down by just three runs with the bases juiced in the bottom of the 9th.
Brooks Conrad came off the bench and did this:
Conrad’s reaction makes this moment priceless, thinking he had been robbed and then realizing he just won the Braves the game. The ball barely cleared the wall and probably should have been caught but the baseball gods decided Atlanta deserved the win on this fateful day.
Game Ender
Walk-off hits are always exciting and one of the best feelings when watching baseball. However, one could argue that game-ending defensive plays are just as if not more exciting. Atlanta Braves fans will be familiar with an iconic catch in Gotham that proves this point.
Back on September 21st, 2016, the rebuilding Atlanta Braves took on their NL East rivals, the New York Mets, in Queens. With a 4-3 lead and 2 outs, the game ended dramatically. The Mets had two runners on and Yoenis Cespedes demolished an 0-1 pitch from Jim Johnson to center field. The ball looked destined for the outfield seats.
New York was hoping to break the hearts of every Atlanta Braves fan watching with a walk-off home run but what happened next was mind-blowing. Ender Inciarte, who read the ball perfectly off the bat, tracked the ball all the way to the wall and at the last moment, leapt into the air stealing a home run from Cespedes and sealing one of the most exciting wins in any baseball game.
Chipper Jones takes Papelbon deep
There were two outs in the inning with runners on second and third and the Braves trailed 7-5. The Phillies made the interesting decision to pitch to Jones and that was a mistake. Turner Field erupted as Jones blasted a baseball into the right-center field bleachers to walk it off.
In 2012, Chipper Jones launched his 468th career long ball which turned out to be his last. It was a good one. After rallying back from a six-run deficit, he stepped into the left-handed batter's box, facing All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon.
This moment also features one of the most iconic broadcast calls in Chip Caray's career. It perfectly captured the excitement of the moment and is one of the best Braves moments during the 2010s.
Atlanta Braves repeat history against Marlins
It seems that May 20th and Atlanta Braves comebacks go together like peanut butter and jelly. We have already mentioned Brooks Conrad’s walk-off slam that happened on May 20th, 2010. Eight years to the date, the Braves put together another incredible comeback.
The inning started off on a sour note as Dansby Swanson struck out. Fortunately for him, his teammates would pick him up and provide him an opportunity to play the hero.
Atlanta entered the bottom of the 9th inning down by five runs but able to string together impressive at-bats and take advantage of Miami's mistakes. Miami had the chance to win the game on a grounder off the bat of Freddie Freeman but Brad Ziegler whiffed and didn't catch the ball while running toward first base. This gave Atlanta momentum and they were not to be denied.
A lot of the damage in the final inning came with two outs, including the dagger, this Dansby Swanson rope:
Michael Harris II calls game
The most recent moment that Braves fans think of is this incredible catch from Michael Harris II during game 2 of the 2023 NLDS.
Atlanta had fought their way back into the game after being down 4 runs and took the lead on a clutch home run from Austin Riley. All the bullpen had to do was not allow a run and the series would be tied. The Phillies didn't go quietly as Bryce Harper reached base and Nick Castellanos obliterated a ball to center.
It looked destined for the Atlanta bullpen and absolute heartbreak for the Braves. Harris never conceded and followed the ball all the way to the fence, leaping and making an insane catch. Without hesitation, he launched the ball back toward the infield in hopes of doubling off the runner.
He missed his intended cut-off man as the ball sailed by Ozzie Albies but luckily Austin Riley was in the right place at the right time. He picked up the ball and threw a dart to first, doubling up Harper and sending Matt Olson and the rest of Truist Park into a frenzy.
Despite the Braves losing that series, Harris' catch will be a moment fans constantly think of for many years to come. 2024 is bound to provide fans with even more exciting moments as Atlanta features one of baseball's best rosters.
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