The Atlanta Braves franchise has had so many great moments. We set out to capture the top 25 moments in one article but it didn’t take long to realize something. We are gonna need a bigger list. And yes, we are going to be bias to more recent times because those moments stick out to us. We weren’t there in 1914 when the Boston Braves swept the Philadelphia Athletics.
Here’s the thing about this list. It’s not cut and dry. It’s impossible to rank the moments in any reasonable fashion. They are all great moments and the magnitude of the moment partially depends on where you were when you experienced it. So this is a living list. Leave comments at the end about moments you would like to see added. This is about the Braves and Braves’ fans.
When we started compiling this list, we turned to Braves social media and asked for help. We said we were putting an article together to cover the Braves top 25 moments and after we were flooded with responses, one user put it perfectly. She said, “You’re going to need to make it a Top 50😊”
Enjoy the moments listed below and keep in mind, we relied on you and your feedback to compile this list. I want to encourage you to leave your favorite missing moments in the comments so we can add them and keep this list growing. We want this list to be the most comprehensive list of awesome Braves moments for you to re-live in one place. Go Braves!
Go to the next page to begin your journey. Each page has a video capturing the moment for you to re-live!
Jump to a Great Atlanta Braves Moment
- 1995 World Series Victory
- 2021 World Series Victory
- 1957 World Series Victory
- 1914 World Series Victory
- 1991 World Series Game 7
- 14th-Consecutive Division Title (2005)
- 1992 NLCS on Francisco Cabrera’s Walk-off
- Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run
- The Boys are Back! – 2018 Division Title
- Chipper Homers in 2000 All-Star Game at Turner Field
- Soler Power – Game 6 Home Run in the 2021 World Series
- Phil Niekro’s No-Hitter
- The Spiderman Catch by Andruw Jones
- Justice is Served in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series
- Crime Dog Commits Arson – Fulton County Press Box Fire
- Chipper Jones Walks it Off One Last Time
- Acuna’s Grand Slam in 2018 in Game 3 of the 2018 NLDS
- Ronald Acuna Jr. Creates the 40/70 Club
- Rick Camp Sets Off Fireworks on July 4th-5th in 18th Inning
- The Big Cat Returns with a HR After Missing One Year with Cancer
- Money Mike’s Over the Wall Catch
- Greg Maddux’s 78-Pitch Complete Game
- Claudell Washington Keeps the Streak Alive in 1982
- Kent Mercker’s No-Hitter
- Chipper Locks Up 1999 MVP with 4 HRs against Mets
- Chipper HRs From Both Sides to Keep Braves Alive in Game 4 of 2003 NLDS
- Otis Nixon Steals 6 Bases in One Game
- Furcal Turns 12th Unassisted Triple Play in History of MLB
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #1: 1995 World Series Victory
On October 28th, 1995, the Atlanta Braves won their first World Series since moving to Atlanta with Tom Glavine’s dominant Game 6 performance. As with all World Series, it was full of its own great moments.
The Moment: Mark Wohlers gets Carlos Baerga to pop out to Marquis Grissom in left-centerfield. Bob Costas makes the call, “The team of the ’90s has its World Championship!”
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #2: 2021 World Series Victory
On November 2, 2021, the Braves broke their 26-year championship drought. I watched the 1995 World Series when I was 10 years old. This time, I watched the Braves win a championship with my 13-year-old son. How fitting that the final out of the World Series Championship ended up in Freddie Freeman’s glove in what would be his final out wearing an Atlanta Braves uniform. This season was a magical ride. Nobody thought the Braves could win the division, let alone a World Series, after Acuna Jr. went down early on and the team was under .500 halfway through the season. You know, I even wrote a piece at the All-Star break about how the Braves will still win the NL East that year, and the reaction was violently emotional from the readers (they’ve removed the comment section over there, that’s okay, you can use ours!). What a run this duct-taped team went on in the second half!
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #3: 1957 World Series Victory
On October 10, 1957 the Milwaukee Braves defeated the New York Yankees for the franchise’s second World Series Championship and the only one in Milwaukee for the Braves. I love the way they put those highlights together in the 50s! The slow-mo shows how slow the frame-rate was back then. The cutaway that looks like they somehow have a camera looking up at the hitter for a close-up during the game. I love the enginuity here.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #4: 1914 World Series Victory
The “Miracle” Braves went from last place in July to sweeping the juggernaut Athletics in the World Series.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #5: 1991 World Series Game 7
October 27, 1991: The Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins dueled in one of the greatest games ever played. Both teams went from worst to first in 1991 and climaxed in a pitcher’s duel for the ages. The Braves did not come out on top, but everyone remembers this game fondly and with respect for John Smoltz’s pitching performance against veteran Jack Morris. The epic pitchers’ duel went into extra innings.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #6: 14th-Consecutive Division Title (2005)
On September 26, 2005, the Atlanta Braves clinched their record-setting 14th consecutive division title. It’s an incredible achievement that doesn’t deserve the respect it deserves. The Braves were a model of consistency and excellence under Bobby Cox and John Schuerholtz. Long live the team of the 90s!
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #7: When Sid Slid – 1992 NLCS on Francisco Cabrera’s Walk-off
On October 11, 1992 the Atlanta Braves franchise had one of its most iconic moments. Later on in life I find out people were fellow Braves fans and more than once I was asked, “Where were you when Sid slid?” As we get older, that question isn’t as applicable to everyone so it’s important we preserve the moment here.
Francisco Cabrera walked off the Pirates in Game 7 to clinch the NLCS 1992. First baseman Sid Bream gave it his all, trucking around third and heading to home plate. The throw was up the first baseline and gave Bream enough room to slide in under the tag to send the Braves to the World Series in dramatic fashion!
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #8: Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run
April 8, 1974, Henry Aaron passed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list with a fourth-inning blast off Al Downing. It remains one of the most epic moments in baseball history. Enjoy the clip below and live the moment with the legendary Vin Scully on the call.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #9: The Boys are Back! – 2018 Division Title
The Atlanta Braves clinched the NL East late in the season after a five-year absence from the Postseason. The five years of mediocrity were over, marked by the emergence of young stars like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies. The Braves would go on to win the following five NL East titles, making Tim Kurkjian’s words in the video below prophetic. “It might be the first of many.”
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #10: Chipper Homers in 2000 All-Star Game at Turner Field
On July 11, 2000, Chipper Jones homered in front of his home crowd during the All-Star Game hosted in Turner Field.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #11: Soler Power – Game 6 Home Run in the 2021 World Series
Jorge Soler had one of the most powerful, impressive, and timely home runs in Braves history. He put the Braves up 3-0 in the clinching game of the 2021 World Series Championship for the Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #12: Phil Niekro’s No-Hitter
On August 5, 1973, Phil Niekro threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. Niekro’s no-hitter marked the first no-hitter since the Braves moved to Atlanta. Niekro induced nine groundouts and seven popups in the 9-0 victory. At the same time, his father was in critical condition with blood clots in his lungs as Niekro pitched the gem.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #13: The Spiderman Catch by Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones is arguably the most outstanding defensive centerfielder of all time. Many moments could be preserved here from Jones’ library of defensive highlights. This one sticks out as a moment that lives on. Because his highlights are so damn beautiful, the video below starts with the epic “spiderman” catch that made Willie Mays jealous and runs through four more unbelievable Andrew Jones highlights. He was a wizard with the glove. Art.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #14: Justice is Served in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series
Halle Berry’s husband commented critically about Braves fans and their lack of energy compared to the Indians fans during the 1995 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves.
This World Series would determine which team’s mascot is deemed most racist toward Native Americans. The winner gets to keep their name, and the loser eventually has to change it. For the record, the previous two sentences were sarcastic and in jest. I hope we don’t start seeing that pop up in Google’s AI Overviews—or do I???
After David Justice’s comments were circulated in the media before the game, fans were irate. Despite being one of the best hitters on the Braves in 1995 (we rated Justice as #4 in Top 5 Braves Hitters of 1995) they brought signs and booed Justice loudly. Tom Glavine pitched a gem and said he only needed one run. Well, David Justice turned the jeers into cheers with one swing of his bat.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #15: Crime Dog Commits Arson – Fulton County Press Box Fire
On July 20th, 1993, the Atlanta Braves had traded for slugging first baseman Fred McGriff two days prior. The “Crime Dog” arrived in Atlanta to a fiery welcome. Second baseman Mark Lemke dropped some prophecy on the AJC when he was quoted as saying, “Maybe Fred will be the spark.”
Fred McGriff was set to make his Atlanta Braves debut on July 20th. Before the game, the press box caught fire, which made for some memorable photo-ops. Eventually, the fire got big enough for everyone to take shelter as firefighters did their work. They could extinguish the flames for the Braves to defeat the Cardinals 8-5.
McGriff ignited the Braves, blasting his 19th homer of the season in his debut. On July 24th, the Braves found 10 games out of first place in the NL West. They went 51-17 after McGriff arrived on July 20th. The Braves and the Fulton County press box caught fire that day.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #16: Chipper Jones Walks it Off One Last Time
On September 2, 2012, Chipper Jones was nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career and was doing his best to help get the Braves into the Postseason via the Wild Card. Chipper was a 40-year-old man, basically hobbling around on one leg at this point. He still managed to hit .287 with a phenomenal .377 OBP. I wonder if he could have stuck around a little longer if the NL had a DH.
That’s besides the point. The point is the moment. This homer would be the last of Chipper’s 468 career home runs. It was the perfect exclamation point. The Braves completed a five-run rally and returned from a four-run deficit in the ninth thanks partly to Jones’ heroics. Reed Johnson singled, and Paul Janish walked. Lyle Overbay struck out, and Michael Bourn walked to load the bases. Martin Prado found himself with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, facing a 7-4 score. Prado doubled in two runs to set the stage for Chipper Jones’ moment.
The home run was Chipper’s 9th career walk-off homer and his second one against the Phillies of the 2012 season.
Click the video below, and it will start at the part of the documentary that covers Chipper’s final home run.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #17: Acuna’s Grand Slam in 2018 in Game 3 of the 2018 NLDS
On October 7, 2018, Ronald Acuna Jr. capped off a fantastic rookie season with this epic moment in the 2018 NLDS against the Dodgers. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second against starting pitcher Walker Buehler, Acuna took what appeared to be ball three. Acuna stood up and dropped his bat; you could argue he enlarged the strike zone/annoyed the ump. Regardless, it was called a strike despite appearing to be ball four. Acuna showed the world he’s a glass-half-full type of guy and turned the adversity into an opportunity to make history.
Acuna turned on the next pitch and drove it out of the park. Acuna became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the Postseason at 20 and 293 days old, breaking Mickey Mantle’s mark set in 1953. Mantle homered in Game 5 of the ’53 World Series at 21 years and 349 days old.
The Braves would win this game to stay alive in the NLDS. The grand slam by the young superstar was the ultimate treat for the raucous Atlanta crowd in the first Postseason game ever to be played in the new SunTrust Park. This moment came with so much drama, the drama of the missed call on ball four, the drama of the bases being loaded, the drama of the Postseason, and the clutch grand slam. What a freakin’ moment this was.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #18: Ronald Acuna Jr. Creates the 40/70 Club
on September 20, 2023. Ronald Acuna Jr. created a new club in baseball history. Acuna is the lone member of this club. On his way to the NL MVP, Acuna became the first player to hit 40 homers and steal 70 bases in a season. Who will forget that iconic moment when he stole second and hoisted the base in the air to celebrate with the fans?
The one negative takeaway is how silly it looked as he struggled to hold the base because he was wearing oven mitts. It was like he just pulled the base out of the oven. Ozzie Albies followed the steal with a base hit to walk the game off. Braves announcer Brandon Gaudin summed it up best: “What a sequence!”
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #19: Rick Camp Sets Off Fireworks on July 4th-5th in 18th Inning
On July 4-5, 1985 (game started on the 4th and ended at 3:55 AM on the 5th), the Braves found themselves in a precarious position. They were down 11-10 in the 18th inning and out of position players. Relief pitcher Rick Camp had to hit for himself due toa lack of alternative options. The Braves were down one run with two outs in the 18th inning. The New York Mets called the outfielders in like you would in little league when a small, not-so-good player (whose parents make them play baseball against their will) is up to bat to make them feel even more terrible about themselves and exacerbates a growing rift between between mother and son that won’t be resolved without years of therapy.
The home run was the lone homer of Rick Camp’s career. Following the homer, Camp would give up five runs to the Mets in the 19th inning. The Braves rallied and lo and behold, Camp came up again in the 19th representing the tying run. He struck out.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #20: The Big Cat Returns with a HR After Missing One Year with Cancer
Andres Galarraga missed the entire 1999 season to battle non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In the spring of 1999, Galaragga felt pain or discomfort in his lower back that would not subside. Scans revealed the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis. The treatment would require Galarraga to miss the entire 1999 season. He battled through six rounds of chemo and a month of radiation treatment. He suffered severe nausea and barely recognized himself.
Miraculously, he returned to his old self and triumphantly homered in his return on April 3, 2000, on Opening Day! Galaragga would hit .302 with 28 homers and 100 RBI in 2000.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #21: Money Mike’s Over the Wall Catch
On August 31, 2024, Michael Harris II made one of the most spectacular home run robberies of all time. This is one of the most difficult catches I’ve ever seen. Michael Harris II went over the fence to make this spectacular catch. Even Phillies fans left comments on the YouTube video (below) giving this catch credit as the most outstanding catch they’ve ever seen in a game.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #22: Greg Maddux’s 78-Pitch Complete Game
On July 22, 1997 Greg Maddux pitched a complete-game, one-run gem on 78 pitches with just 15 balls. This 78-pitch complete game is a masterpiece. It’s so difficult even to imagine a pitcher getting through a complete game nowadays, it will never be not impressive to see it done in 78 pitches. Here’s more information on What is a Maddux in MLB?
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #23: Claudell Washington Keeps the Streak Alive in 1982
On April 21, 1982, Claudell Washington hit a two-run walk-off single to keep “The Streak” alive for the Braves 1982. The Braves opened the 1982 season with 13-straight wins, and this clutch walk-off had the stadium rocking to get Braves fans jacked up for what would be a successful 1982 campaign. The Braves would finish first in the NL West and lose to the Cardinals in the NLCS. Dale Murphy had four homers and 12 RBI during the 13-game winning streak.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #24: Kent Mercker’s No-Hitter
April 8, 1994 Kent Mercker no-hit the Dodgers in what remains as the most recent Atlanta Braves no-hitter. Mercker was also a part of a combined no-hitter in 1991 for the Braves. Mercker is an underrated pitcher in Braves history. With all the great pitching in Atlanta it can be easy to overlook anyone not named John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, or Tom Glavine. Mercker spent parts of eight seasons with Atlanta going 31-25 with a 3.41 ERA.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #25: Chipper Locks Up 1999 MVP with 4 HRs against Mets
On September 23, 1999, Chipper Jones locked up his 1999 MVP Award by doing what he did best, destroying the Mets. Chipper blasted four homers in the series en route to a 45-homer, 110-RBI season.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #26: Chipper HRs From Both Sides to keep Braves Alive in Game 4 of 2003 NLDS
Chipper Jones hit two two-run homers in Game 4 of the 2003 NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. The Braves were facing elimination in Game 4 but Chipper’s outstanding performance would keep the Braves alive to fight another day. They would go on to lose in Game 5.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #27: Otis Nixon Steals 6 Bases in One Game
On June 16, 1991, Otis Nixon tied the Major League record with six steals in one game against the Montreal Expos. Nixon set the Braves franchise record for most steals in a season that year, finishing with 72. He swiped 8.3% of his record-setting total in this one game.
Atlanta Braves Best Moment #28: Furcal Turns 12th Unassisted Triple Play in History of MLB
On August 10, 2003, Rafael Furcal found himself in the right place at the right time. The Cardinals employed a hit-and-run that backfired historically. Furcal caught a line drive, stepped on second, and tagged the runner arriving at second from first base. This was a traditionally rare and smooth moment in Braves history.
Keep this going in the comments. We relied on your feedback to put this list together. We will keep this list live and continue adding to it. State your case in the comments to help keep this list as the number one resource to re-live all of the great Atlanta Braves moments.
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