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The Atlanta Braves is the oldest franchise in Major League Baseball that can boast that the franchise has played in every Major League season since the inception of the Major Leagues.
The franchise started on January 20, 1871 with an organization known as the Boston Red Stockings. After a couple of relocations and several name changes, the Red Stockings eventually settled in Atlanta, Georgia. 1876-1882 Boston Red Stockings
1883-1906 Boston Beaneaters
1907-1908 Boston Doves
1909-1911 Boston Pilgrims
1912-1935 Boston Braves
1936-1940 Boston Bees
1941-1952 Boston Braves
1953-1965 Milwaukee Braves
1966-Present Atlanta Braves
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Whitney Adams founded the Boston Red Stockings on January 20, 1871 with $15,000 in cash. The organization proved to be a powerhouse in baseball winning six of the first eight pennants in the National League. In 1875 the Stockings won 26 straight games and all of their home games.
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The ‘Miracle Braves’ of 1914 is one of the best-known teams in World Series history. After losing 18 of their first 22 games, the team would find themselves in last place in the middle of July. The Braves went on to win 51 of their next 67 games and would sweep the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series of 1914. With the team in last place at the middle of the season, the 1914 World Series Braves gained their reputation as the team that pulled off a ‘Miracle’.
The Boston Braves would again return to the World Series in 1948 only to record a loss to the Cleveland Indians.
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In 1953, the Braves moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin after the fan support dwindled in Boston. The Boston Red Sox had become the preferred team of the fans.
While playing in the Braves minor leagues, future hall-of-famer Hank Aaron was called up in 1954 to replace an outfielder that broke his ankle while sliding into third base. Hank Aaron would eventually become the all-time home run leader, bypassing legendary Babe Ruth.
Lead by ace pitcher Warren Spahn and sluggers Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews, the 1957 Braves would defeat the New York Yankees for title of World Series Champions. Aaron was named league MVP that year after leading the league in home runs and RBI’s.
In 1958 the Braves would again win the National League Championship but could not take the World Series in a repeat against the Yankees.
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