1996 Atlanta Braves season

The 1996 Atlanta Braves season was the 126th season in the history of the franchise and 31st season in the city of Atlanta. They had a regular season record of 96–66 and reached the World Series, where they lost to the underdog New York Yankees in six games, failing to defend their championship in 1995. Heavily favored and seen as one of the greatest Braves teams in history and despite taking a 2–0 lead, the Braves unexpectedly lost the next 4 games. This World Series appearance was their fourth appearance in the last 5 years as a franchise, excluding the strike-abbreviated 1994 season. Atlanta won its seventh division title (second in the National League East, the other five in the NL West) and its fifth in six years. In the previous round, Atlanta completed a miraculous comeback. After trailing in the NLCS to St. Louis three games to one, Atlanta outscored St. Louis 32–1 in games five through seven to complete the comeback.

1996 Atlanta Braves
National League champions National League East champions
League	National League
Division	East
Ballpark	Fulton County Stadium
City	Atlanta
Record	96–66 (.593)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Ted Turner
General managers	John Schuerholz
Managers	Bobby Cox
Television	WTBS TBS Superstation (Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray, Don Sutton, Joe Simpson) SportSouth (Tim Brando, Ernie Johnson, Ernie Johnson, Jr.)
Radio	WSB (AM) (Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray, Don Sutton, Joe Simpson)
← 1995 Seasons 1997 →

The 1996 season was the Braves' final season at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, with Game 5 of the 1996 World Series being the last game played in the stadium. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium also served as a venue during the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, prompting the Braves to go on an extended road trip as their stadium hosted the baseball competition. Following the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Paralympics, Centennial Olympic Stadium was reconstructed as planned into Turner Field, which would become the home of the Braves for the next 20 seasons. This was also the final season for Ted Turner as the owner of the Braves. The team would be acquired (along with TBS) by Time Warner in October 1996, following the World Series.

Atlanta had an excellent pitching staff, which set an MLB record with 1,245 strikeouts, besting the 1969 Houston Astros. The record was surpassed by 4 teams in 2001.^[1][2]

Offseason

• January 3, 1996: Jerome Walton was signed as a free agent.^[3]
• January 9, 1996: Mike Kelly was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later and Chad Fox. The Reds sent Ray King (June 11, 1996) to the Braves to complete the trade.^[4]
• March 31, 1996: Mike Bielecki was signed as a free agent.^[5]

Regular season

Season standings

• v
• t
• e

NL East

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Atlanta Braves	96	66	.593	—	56‍–‍25	40‍–‍41
Montreal Expos	88	74	.543	8	50‍–‍31	38‍–‍43
Florida Marlins	80	82	.494	16	52‍–‍29	28‍–‍53
New York Mets	71	91	.438	25	42‍–‍39	29‍–‍52
Philadelphia Phillies	67	95	.414	29	35‍–‍46	32‍–‍49

Record vs. opponents

1996 National League record Source: MLB Standings Grid – 1996 v t e
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	COL	FLA	HOU	LAD	MTL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	7–5	7–5	5–7	6–7	6–6	5–7	10–3	7–6	9–4	9–3	9–4	7–5	9–4
Chicago	5–7	—	5–8	5–7	6–6	5–8	8–5	6–6	7–5	7–6	4–9	6–6	7–5	5–8
Cincinnati	5–7	8–5	—	7–6	3–9	7–6	4–8	3–9	6–6	10–2	5–8	9–3	9–4	5–8
Colorado	7–5	7–5	6–7	—	5–8	8–5	6–7	3–9	7–5	6–6	7–5	8–5	5–8	8–4
Florida	7–6	6–6	9–3	8–5	—	7–5	6–7	5–8	7–6	6–7	5–7	3–9	5–7	6–6
Houston	6–6	8–5	6–7	5–8	5–7	—	6–6	4–9	8–4	10–2	8–5	6–6	8–4	2–11
Los Angeles	7–5	5–8	8–4	7–6	7–6	6–6	—	9–3	8–4	7–6	6–6	5–8	7–6	8–4
Montreal	3–10	6–6	9–3	9–3	8–5	9–4	3–9	—	7–6	6–7	7–5	4–8	9–4	8–4
New York	6–7	5–7	6–6	5–7	6–7	4–8	4–8	6–7	—	7–6	8–5	3–10	6–6	5–7
Philadelphia	4–9	6–7	2–10	6–6	7–6	2–10	6–7	7–6	6–7	—	7–5	4–8	6–6	4–8
Pittsburgh	3–9	9–4	8–5	5–7	7–5	5–8	6–6	5–7	5–8	5–7	—	4–9	8–4	3–10
San Diego	4–9	6–6	3–9	5–8	9–3	6–6	8–5	8–4	10–3	8–4	9–4	—	11–2	4–8
San Francisco	5–7	5–7	4–9	8–5	7–5	4–8	6–7	4–9	6–6	6–6	4–8	2–11	—	7–6
St. Louis	4–9	8–5	8–5	4–8	6–6	11–2	4–8	4–8	7–5	8–4	10–3	8–4	6–7	—

Game log

1996 Game Log: 96–66 (Home: 56–25; Away: 40–41)
April: 16–11 (Home: 8–6; Away: 8–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 1 Giants 10–8 Maddux (1–0) Leiter Borbon (1) 48,961 1–0 2 April 3 Giants 15–2 Glavine (1–0) VanLandingham — 28,728 2–0 3 April 4 Giants 1–7 Watson Smoltz (0–1) — 30,271 2–1 4 April 5 Cardinals 4–5 (14) Bailey Bielecki (0–1) Eckersley 31,071 2–2 5 April 6 Cardinals 2–3 (12) Parrett Clontz (0–1) — 34,649 2–3 6 April 7 Cardinals 13–3 Schmidt (1–0) Busby — 28,498 3–3 7 April 8 @ Dodgers 0–1 Nomo Glavine (1–1) — 53,180 3–4 8 April 9 @ Dodgers 3–1 Smoltz (1–1) Astacio Wohlers (1) 35,570 4–4 9 April 10 @ Dodgers 2–9 Candiotti Avery (0–1) — 48,194 4–5 10 April 11 @ Padres 1–2 Ashby Maddux (1–1) Hoffman 19,047 4–6 11 April 12 @ Padres 5–3 Schmidt (2–0) Bergman Wohlers (2) 25,747 5–6 12 April 13 @ Padres 2–6 Hamilton Glavine (1–2) Bochtler 45,250 5–7 13 April 14 @ Padres 4–0 Smoltz (2–1) Valenzuela — 45,014 6–7 14 April 16 Marlins 5–2 Avery (1–1) Brown Wohlers (3) 26,625 7–7 15 April 17 Marlins 4–2 Maddux (2–1) Burkett Wohlers (4) 28,884 8–7 16 April 18 Marlins 3–5 Hammond Glavine (1–3) Nen 25,300 8–8 17 April 19 Padres 7–1 Smoltz (3–1) Hamilton — 27,375 9–8 18 April 20 Padres 6–5 McMichael (1–0) Bochtler Wohlers (5) 31,893 10–8 19 April 21 Padres 1–2 (15) Worrell Thobe (0–1) Bochtler 28,829 10–9 20 April 22 Dodgers 4–1 Maddux (3–1) Candiotti — 33,080 11–9 21 April 23 Dodgers 2–3 Osuna Clontz (0–2) Worrell 30,475 11–10 22 April 24 @ Giants 8–3 Smoltz (4–1) Watson — 13,296 12–10 23 April 25 @ Giants 0–8 Gardner Schmidt (2–1) — 12,436 12–11 24 April 26 @ Cardinals 6–1 Avery (2–1) Benes — 34,598 13–11 25 April 27 @ Cardinals 7–2 Maddux (4–1) Osborne — 20,757 14–11 26 April 29 @ Cardinals 4–1 Glavine (2–3) Stottlemyre Wohlers (6) 25,452 15–11 27 April 30 @ Astros 7–5 Smoltz (5–1) Jones McMichael (1) 17,795 16–11
May: 19–6 (Home: 12–3; Away: 7–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 28 May 1 @ Astros 0–3 Hampton Avery (2–2) — 18,546 16–12 29 May 3 Phillies 3–6 Mulholland Maddux (4–2) Bottalico 39,697 16–13 30 May 4 Phillies 6–3 McMichael (2–0) Ryan Clontz (1) 44,429 17–13 31 May 5 Phillies 11–8 Smoltz (6–1) Williams — 35,471 18–13 32 May 6 Rockies 4–1 Avery (3–2) Thompson — 28,725 19–13 33 May 7 Rockies 6–5 (10) Clontz (1–2) Leskanic — 29,976 20–13 34 May 8 Rockies 5–1 Glavine (3–3) Reynoso — 29,363 21–13 35 May 10 @ Phillies 11–0 Smoltz (7–1) Mulholland — 27,068 22–13 36 May 11 @ Phillies 11–3 Avery (4–2) Mimbs — 22,823 23–13 37 May 12 @ Phillies 0–6 Grace Maddux (4–3) — 32,314 23–14 38 May 13 Pirates 9–3 Glavine (4–3) Darwin — 28,583 24–14 39 May 14 Pirates 7–3 Smoltz (8–1) Wagner — 28,175 25–14 40 May 15 Pirates 0–3 Neagle Avery (4–3) — 30,917 25–15 41 May 17 Reds 8–2 Maddux (5–3) Smiley — 40,612 26–15 42 May 18 Reds 2–1 Clontz (2–2) Ruffin Wohlers (7) 49,553 27–15 43 May 19 Reds 9–5 Smoltz (9–1) Schourek Wohlers (8) 41,153 28–15 44 May 20 Cubs 18–1 Avery (5–3) Castillo — 29,984 29–15 45 May 21 Cubs 2–4 Telemaco Wohlers (0–1) Patterson 31,045 29–16 46 May 22 Cubs 9–4 Glavine (5–3) Bullinger — 33,186 30–16 47 May 24 @ Pirates 5–3 Smoltz (10–1) Darwin Wohlers (9) 20,238 31–16 48 May 25 @ Pirates 2–6 Neagle Avery (5–4) — 29,273 31–17 49 May 26 @ Pirates 6–3 (13) Wade (1–0) Miceli Bielecki (1) 33,085 32–17 50 May 27 @ Cubs 9–1 Glavine (6–3) Telemaco — 33,070 33–17 51 May 29 @ Cubs 2–0 Smoltz (11–1) Trachsel — 30,601 34–17 52 May 31 @ Reds 9–1 Avery (6–4) Schourek — 33,455 35–17
June: 15–13 (Home: 11–6; Away: 4–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 53 June 1 @ Reds 2–3 Portugal Maddux (5–4) Brantley 34,023 35–18 54 June 2 @ Reds 6–2 Glavine (7–3) Smiley — 23,482 36–18 55 June 3 Mets 5–4 Clontz (3–2) Macdonald Wohlers (10) 30,162 37–18 56 June 4 Mets 6–12 Wilson Schmidt (2–2) — 32,199 37–19 57 June 5 Mets 8–6 McMichael (3–0) Mlicki Wohlers (11) 31,998 38–19 58 June 7 @ Rockies 8–19 Painter Bielecki (0–2) — 48,027 38–20 59 June 8 @ Rockies 12–13 Holmes McMichael (3–1) Ruffin 48,015 38–21 60 June 9 @ Rockies 8–3 Smoltz (12–1) Thompson — 48,036 39–21 61 June 10 @ Mets 3–8 Jones Avery (6–5) — 17,439 39–22 62 June 11 @ Mets 4–3 (13) Borbon (1–0) Byrd Wade (1) 19,256 40–22 63 June 12 @ Mets 2–3 Clark Maddux (5–5) Franco 18,896 40–23 64 June 13 Dodgers 3–6 Valdez Glavine (7–4) Worrell 39,463 40–24 65 June 14 Dodgers 3–1 Smoltz (13–1) Astacio Wohlers (12) 45,389 41–24 66 June 15 Dodgers 2–6 Nomo Avery (6–6) Worrell 49,726 41–25 67 June 16 Dodgers 2–3 Candiotti Schmidt (2–3) Worrell 44,784 41–26 68 June 17 Padres 9–3 Maddux (6–5) Bergman — 32,934 42–26 69 June 18 Padres 5–3 Clontz (4–2) Hamilton Wohlers (13) 32,730 43–26 70 June 19 Padres 5–1 Smoltz (14–1) Tewksbury — 34,823 44–26 71 June 21 Giants 8–7 (11) Wade (2–0) Beck — 38,432 45–26 72 June 22 Giants 6–0 Maddux (7–5) Gardner — 49,365 46–26 73 June 23 Giants 1–0 Glavine (8–4) Fernandez Wohlers (14) 35,645 47–26 74 June 24 Cardinals 2–9 Benes Smoltz (14–2) — 31,971 47–27 75 June 25 Cardinals 4–3 Schmidt (3–3) Stottlemyre Wohlers (15) 30,942 48–27 76 June 26 Cardinals 7–11 Benes Avery (6–7) — 31,191 48–28 77 June 27 Cardinals 3–0 Maddux (8–5) Morgan Wohlers (16) 32,243 49–28 78 June 28 @ Marlins 0–2 Leiter Glavine (8–5) Nen 30,661 49–29 79 June 29 @ Marlins 3–5 Rapp Smoltz (14–3) — 40,952 49–30 80 June 30 @ Marlins 5–4 Clontz (5–2) Burkett Wohlers (17) 34,023 50–30
July: 15–11 (Home: 7–3; Away: 8–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 81 July 1 @ Expos 7–2 Avery (7–7) Rueter — 34,116 51–30 82 July 2 @ Expos 1–5 Cormier Maddux (8–6) — 20,075 51–31 83 July 3 @ Expos 3–1 Glavine (9–5) Scott Wohlers (18) 26,837 52–31 84 July 4 Astros 2–5 Reynolds Smoltz (14–4) Hernandez 49,060 52–32 85 July 5 Astros 1–7 Kile Schmidt (3–4) — 36,896 52–33 86 July 6 Astros 4–2 Bielecki (1–2) Hampton — 41,619 53–33 87 July 7 Astros 9–1 Maddux (9–6) Wall — 28,716 54–33 88 July 11 Marlins 8–9 Burkett Avery (7–8) Nen 33,208 54–34 89 July 12 Marlins 6–3 Glavine (10–5) Leiter Wohlers (19) 32,517 55–34 90 July 13 Marlins 3–0 Smoltz (15–4) Brown — 36,953 56–34 91 July 14 Marlins 15–10 McMichael (4–1) Perez — 31,134 57–34 92 July 15 Expos 5–4 Maddux (10–6) Manuel Wohlers (20) 32,708 58–34 93 July 16 Expos 3–2 Wohlers (1–1) Scott — 31,334 59–34 94 July 18 @ Astros 3–2 Smoltz (16–4) Jones Wohlers (21) 35,822 60–34 95 July 19 @ Astros 6–7 Kile Woodall (0–1) Wagner 39,090 60–35 96 July 20 @ Astros 1–2 Wagner Maddux (10–7) — 49,674 60–36 97 July 21 @ Astros 3–4 (10) Hernandez McMichael (4–2) — 45,561 60–37 98 July 22 @ Cardinals 8–6 McMichael (5–2) Mathews Wohlers (22) 36,215 61–37 99 July 23 @ Cardinals 3–2 Smoltz (17–4) Stottlemyre Wohlers (23) 35,520 62–37 100 July 24 @ Cardinals 4–1 Wade (3–0) Benes McMichael (2) 35,411 63–37 101 July 25 @ Giants 3–4 Watson Maddux (10–8) Beck 16,871 63–38 102 July 26 @ Giants 2–1 Glavine (11–5) Leiter Wohlers (24) 17,560 64–38 103 July 27 @ Giants 5–7 Gardner Woodall (0–2) Beck 38,761 64–39 104 July 28 @ Giants 3–10 Estes Smoltz (17–5) Beck 34,525 64–40 105 July 30 @ Padres 1–2 Valenzuela Maddux (10–9) Hoffman 24,110 64–41 106 July 31 @ Padres 7–4 Glavine (12–5) Tewksbury Wohlers (25) 24,254 65–41
August: 19–10 (Home: 10–5; Away: 9–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 107 August 1 @ Padres 3–2 Bielecki (2–2) Worrell Wohlers (26) 24,089 66–41 108 August 2 @ Dodgers 1–2 Radinsky Smoltz (17–6) Guthrie 49,012 66–42 109 August 3 @ Dodgers 5–3 (18) Woodall (1–2) Martinez — 42,575 67–42 110 August 4 @ Dodgers 6–4 Borbon (2–0) Guthrie Wohlers (27) 45,903 68–42 111 August 6 Phillies 10–4 Bielecki (3–2) Springer — 32,036 69–42 112 August 7 Phillies 14–1 (8) Smoltz (18–6) Munoz — 29,920 70–42 113 August 8 Phillies 1–4 Beech Maddux (10–10) Bottalico 32,401 70–43 114 August 9 Rockies 4–6 Wright Glavine (12–6) Ruffin 41,275 70–44 115 August 10 Rockies 7–9 (10) Reed Wohlers (1–2) Ruffin 46,064 70–45 116 August 11 Rockies 4–1 Smoltz (19–6) Freeman Wohlers (28) 32,961 71–45 117 August 13 @ Phillies 2–0 Maddux (11–10) Hunter — — 72–45 118 August 13 @ Phillies 5–2 Hartgraves (1–0) Beech Wohlers (29) 25,196 73–45 119 August 14 @ Phillies 1–4 West Glavine (12–7) Bottalico 28,206 73–46 120 August 15 @ Phillies 8–5 Wade (4–0) Schilling — 28,011 74–46 121 August 16 Pirates 5–4 Smoltz (20–6) Neagle Wohlers (30) 39,210 75–46 122 August 17 Pirates 7–1 Bielecki (4–2) Ruebel — 49,024 76–46 123 August 18 Pirates 2–1 (14) Borowski (1–0) Cordova — 31,587 77–46 124 August 20 Reds 4–1 Glavine (13–7) Burba Wohlers (31) 32,658 78–46 125 August 21 Reds 4–3 Borbon (3–0) Brantley — 29,213 79–46 126 August 22 Reds 2–3 (13) Carrasco Borowski (1–1) Brantley 31,729 79–47 127 August 23 Cubs 4–3 Maddux (12–10) Trachsel Wohlers (32) 38,210 80–47 128 August 24 Cubs 6–5 Clontz (6–2) Casian — 46,804 81–47 129 August 25 Cubs 2–3 Foster Wohlers (1–3) Wendell 35,176 81–48 130 August 27 @ Pirates 2–3 Neagle Smoltz (20–7) Plesac 14,603 81–49 131 August 28 @ Pirates 9–4 Wade (5–0) Loaiza — 14,591 82–49 132 August 29 @ Pirates 5–1 Maddux (13–10) Lieber Wohlers (33) 12,101 83–49 133 August 30 @ Cubs 2–3 Foster Glavine (13–8) Patterson — 83–50 134 August 30 @ Cubs 6–5 Borowski (2–1) Bottenfield Wohlers (34) 31,548 84–50 135 August 31 @ Cubs 0–12 Castillo Neagle (0–1) Adams 38,691 84–51
September: 12–15 (Home: 8–2; Away: 4–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 136 September 1 @ Cubs 1–2 (12) Campbell Borowski (2–2) — 40,192 84–52 137 September 2 @ Reds 6–7 Shaw McMichael (5–3) Brantley 20,879 84–53 138 September 3 @ Reds 1–5 Burba Bielecki (4–3) Shaw 18,844 84–54 139 September 4 @ Reds 6–12 Salkeld Glavine (13–9) — 19,532 84–55 140 September 6 Mets 8–7 Wohlers (2–3) Henry — 37,660 85–55 141 September 7 Mets 6–1 Smoltz (21–7) Jones — 47,130 86–55 142 September 8 Mets 2–6 Clark Maddux (13–11) — 39,045 86–56 143 September 10 @ Rockies 8–9 Holmes Clontz (6–3) Ruffin 48,051 86–57 144 September 11 @ Rockies 5–6 Wright Neagle (0–2) Swift 48,091 86–58 145 September 12 @ Rockies 8–16 Burke Smoltz (21–8) — 48,052 86–59 146 September 13 @ Mets 4–6 Dipoto Borowski (2–3) Wallace 17,331 86–60 147 September 14 @ Mets 5–6 (12) Wallace Borowski (2–4) — 22,857 86–61 148 September 15 @ Mets 3–2 Glavine (14–9) Wilson Wohlers (35) 23,718 87–61 149 September 16 @ Mets 5–2 Neagle (1–2) Harnisch — 14,980 88–61 150 September 17 Astros 5–4 Smoltz (22–8) Kile Wohlers (36) 32,109 89–61 151 September 18 Astros 6–2 Maddux (14–11) Hampton — 29,885 90–61 152 September 19 Expos 1–5 Urbina Wohlers (2–4) — 37,193 90–62 153 September 20 Expos 3–2 Glavine (15–9) Leiper Wohlers (37) 46,260 91–62 154 September 21 Expos 5–4 Neagle (2–2) Daal Wohlers (38) 49,285 92–62 155 September 22 Expos 8–2 Smoltz (23–8) Fassero — 49,238 93–62 156 September 23 Expos 3–1 Maddux (15–11) Leiter Bielecki (2) 49,083 94–62 157 September 24 @ Marlins 1–12 Rapp Avery (7–9) — 18,245 94–63 158 September 25 @ Marlins 0–3 Brown Glavine (15–10) Nen 29,178 94–64 159 September 26 @ Marlins 1–7 Leiter Neagle (2–3) — 25,553 94–65 160 September 27 @ Expos 6–4 Smoltz (24–8) Fassero Wohlers (39) 33,133 95–65 161 September 28 @ Expos 4–0 Woodall (2–2) Leiter — 34,125 96–65 162 September 29 @ Expos 3–6 Alvarez Avery (7–10) Rojas 30,646 96–66
Legend:        = Win        = Loss Bold = Braves team member

Postseason Game log

1996 Postseason Game Log
National League Division Series: 3–0 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 October 2 @ Dodgers 2–1 (10) Smoltz (1–0) Osuna (0–1) Wohlers (1) 47,428 1–0 2 October 3 @ Dodgers 3–2 Maddux (1–0) Valdez (0–1) Wohlers (2) 51,916 2–0 3 October 5 Dodgers 5–2 Glavine (1–0) Nomo (0–1) Wohlers (3) 52,529 3–0
National League Championship Series: 4–3 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 October 9 Cardinals 4–2 Smoltz (1–0) Petkovsek (0–1) Wohlers (1) 48,686 1–0 2 October 10 Cardinals 3–8 Stottlemyre (1–0) Maddux (0–1) — 52,067 1–1 3 October 12 @ Cardinals 2–3 Osborne (1–0) Glavine (0–1) Eckersley (1) 56,769 1–2 4 October 13 @ Cardinals 3–4 Eckersley (1–0) McMichael (0–1) — 56,764 1–3 5 October 14 @ Cardinals 14–0 Smoltz (2–0) Stottlemyre (1–1) — 56,782 2–3 6 October 16 Cardinals 3–1 Maddux (1–1) Benes (0–1) Wohlers (2) 52,067 3–3 7 October 17 Cardinals 15–0 Glavine (1–1) Osborne (1–1) — 52,067 4–3
World Series: 2–4 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 October 20 @ Yankees 12–1 Smoltz (1–0) Pettitte (0–1) — 56,365 1–0 2 October 21 @ Yankees 4–0 Maddux (1–0) Key (0–1) — 56,340 2–0 3 October 22 Yankees 2–5 Cone (1–0) Glavine (0–1) Wetteland (1) 51,843 2–1 4 October 23 Yankees 6–8 (10) Lloyd (1–0) Avery (0–1) Wetteland (2) 51,881 2–2 5 October 24 Yankees 0–1 Pettitte (1–1) Smoltz (1–1) Wetteland (3) 51,881 2–3 6 October 26 @ Yankees 2–3 Key (1–1) Maddux (1–1) Wetteland (4) 56,375 2–4

Detailed records

National League Opponent W L WP RS RA NL East Atlanta Braves Florida Marlins 6 7 0.462 54 64 Montreal Expos 10 3 0.769 52 38 New York Mets 7 6 0.538 61 66 Philadelphia Phillies 9 4 0.692 83 46 Total 32 20 0.615 250 214 NL Central Chicago Cubs 7 5 0.583 61 43 Cincinnati Reds 7 5 0.583 59 45 Houston Astros 6 6 0.500 47 44 Pittsburgh Pirates 9 3 0.750 59 35 St. Louis Cardinals 9 4 0.692 67 47 Total 38 23 0.623 293 214 NL West Colorado Rockies 5 7 0.417 79 89 Los Angeles Dodgers 5 7 0.417 33 40 San Diego Padres 9 4 0.692 56 34 San Francisco Giants 7 5 0.583 62 57 Total 26 23 0.531 230 220 Season Total 96 66 0.593 773 648

Month Games Won Lost Win % RS RA April 27 16 11 0.593 126 91 May 25 19 6 0.760 154 76 June 28 15 13 0.536 132 140 July 26 15 11 0.577 116 103 August 29 19 10 0.655 131 99 September 27 12 15 0.444 114 139 Total 162 96 66 0.593 773 648 Games Won Lost Win % RS RA Home 81 56 25 0.691 434 300 Away 81 40 41 0.494 339 348 Total 162 96 66 0.593 773 648

Opening Day starters

• Jeff Blauser
• Marquis Grissom
• David Justice
• Ryan Klesko
• Mark Lemke
• Javy López
• Greg Maddux
• Fred McGriff
• Mike Mordecai^[6]

Notable transactions

• June 4, 1996: Marcus Giles was drafted by the Braves in the 53rd round of the 1996 MLB draft. He signed May 26, 1997.^[7] Other notable draft picks who signed with the Braves include Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis, and Joe Nelson.^[8]
• June 24: Mark Whiten signed as a free agent with the Braves.^[9]
• August 13: Terry Pendleton was traded by the Florida Marlins to the Braves for Roosevelt Brown.^[10]
• August 14: Mark Whiten was traded by the Braves to the Seattle Mariners for Roger Blanco.^[9]
• August 17: Luis Polonia was signed as a free agent with the Braves.^[11]
• August 28: The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Denny Neagle to the Braves for Ron Wright, Corey Pointer, and a player to be named later. On August 30, Atlanta sent Jason Schmidt to Pittsburgh to complete the trade.^[12]

Roster

1996 Atlanta Braves
Roster
Pitchers 33 Steve Avery 26 Mike Bielecki 51 Pedro Borbón, Jr. 50 Joe Borowski 52 Brad Clontz 47 Tom Glavine 34 Dean Hartgraves 32 Kevin Lomon 31 Greg Maddux 38 Greg McMichael 15 Denny Neagle 46 Jason Schmidt 49 Carl Schutz 29 John Smoltz 49 Tom Thobe 36 Terrell Wade 43 Mark Wohlers 48 Brad Woodall		Catchers 30 Joe Ayrault  8 Javy López 12 Eddie Pérez Infielders  2 Rafael Belliard  4 Jeff Blauser 11,17,30 Ed Giovanola 14 Tony Graffanino  5 Tyler Houston 10 Chipper Jones 20 Mark Lemke  5 Pablo Martínez 27 Fred McGriff 16 Mike Mordecai  5 Terry Pendleton		Outfielders 15 Danny Bautista 24 Jermaine Dye  9 Marquis Grissom 25 Andruw Jones 23 David Justice 18 Ryan Klesko 17 Luis Polonia  7 Dwight Smith 19 Jerome Walton 25 Mark Whiten		Manager  6 Bobby Cox Coaches 37 Jim Beauchamp (bench) 39 Pat Corrales (first base) 28 Clarence Jones (hitting) 54 Leo Mazzone (pitching) 22 Jimy Williams (third base) 42 Ned Yost (bullpen)

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	Javy López	138	489	138	.282	23	69
1B	Fred McGriff	159	617	182	.295	28	107
2B	Mark Lemke	135	498	127	.255	5	37
SS	Jeff Blauser	83	265	65	.245	10	35
3B	Chipper Jones	157	598	185	.309	30	110
LF	Ryan Klesko	153	528	149	.282	34	93
CF	Marquis Grissom	158	671	207	.308	23	74
RF	Jermaine Dye	98	292	82	.281	12	37

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Terry Pendleton	42	162	33	.204	4	17
Eddie Pérez	68	156	40	.256	4	17
Dwight Smith	101	153	31	.203	3	16
Rafael Belliard	86	142	24	.169	0	3
David Justice	40	140	45	.321	6	25
Mike Mordecai	66	108	26	.241	2	8
Andruw Jones	31	106	23	.217	5	13
Mark Whiten	36	90	23	.256	3	17
Ed Giovanola	43	82	19	.232	0	7
Jerome Walton	37	47	16	.340	1	4
Tony Graffanino	22	46	8	.174	0	2
Luis Polonia	22	31	13	.419	0	2
Tyler Houston	33	27	6	.222	1	8
Danny Bautista	17	20	3	.150	0	1
Joe Ayrault	7	5	1	.200	0	0
Pablo Martínez	4	2	1	.500	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
John Smoltz	35	253.2	24	8	2.94	276
Greg Maddux	35	245.0	15	11	2.72	172
Tom Glavine	36	235.1	15	10	2.98	181
Steve Avery	24	131.0	7	10	4.47	86
Jason Schmidt	13	58.2	3	4	6.75	48
Denny Neagle	6	38.2	2	3	5.59	18

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Mike Bielecki	40	75.1	4	3	2.63	71
Terrell Wade	44	69.2	5	0	2.97	79
Brad Woodall	8	19.2	2	2	7.32	20

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Mark Wohlers	77	2	4	39	3.03	100
Brad Clontz	81	6	3	1	5.69	49
Greg McMichael	73	5	3	2	3.22	78
Pedro Borbón, Jr.	43	3	0	1	2.75	31
Joe Borowski	22	2	4	0	4.85	15
Dean Hartgraves	20	1	0	0	4.34	14
Kevin Lomon	6	0	0	0	4.91	1
Tom Thobe	4	0	1	0	1.50	1
Carl Schutz	3	0	0	0	2.70	5

National League Divisional Playoffs

Main article: 1996 National League Division Series

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Atlanta wins the series, 3–0

Game	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Date	Series
1	Los Angeles	1	Atlanta	2	October 2	1–0 (ATL)
2	Los Angeles	2	Atlanta	3	October 3	2–0 (ATL)
3	Atlanta	5	Los Angeles	2	October 5	3–0 (ATL)

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1996 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	5	1
Atlanta	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	X	4	9	0
WP: John Smoltz (1–0)   LP: Mark Petkovsek (0–1) SV: Mark Wohlers (1) Home runs: STL: None ATL: None

Game 2

October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	1	0	2	0	0	0	5	0	0	8	11	2
Atlanta	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	5	2
WP: Todd Stottlemyre (1–0)   LP: Greg Maddux (0–1) Home runs: STL: Gary Gaetti (1) ATL: Marquis Grissom (1)

Game 3

October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	8	1
St. Louis	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	X	3	7	0
WP: Donovan Osborne (1–0)   LP: Tom Glavine (0–1) SV: Dennis Eckersley (1) Home runs: ATL: None STL: Ron Gant 2 (2)

Game 4

October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	9	1
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	X	4	5	0
WP: Dennis Eckersley (1–0)   LP: Greg McMichael (0–1) Home runs: ATL: Mark Lemke (1), Ryan Klesko (1) STL: Brian Jordan (1)

Game 5

October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	5	2	0	3	1	0	0	1	2	14	22	0
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
WP: John Smoltz (2–0)   LP: Todd Stottlemyre (1–1) Home runs: ATL: Fred McGriff (1), Javy López (1) STL: None

Game 6

October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	6	1
Atlanta	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	X	3	7	0
WP: Greg Maddux (1–1)   LP: Alan Benes (0–1) SV: Mark Wohlers (2) Home runs: STL: None ATL: None

Game 7

October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2
Atlanta	6	0	0	4	0	3	2	0	X	15	17	0
WP: Tom Glavine (1–1)   LP: Donovan Osborne (1–1) Home runs: STL: None ATL: Javy López (2), Andruw Jones (1), Fred McGriff (2)

World Series

Main article: 1996 World Series

Game 1

October 20, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	0	2	6	0	1	3	0	0	0	12	13	0
New York	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	1
WP: John Smoltz (1–0)   LP: Andy Pettitte (0–1) Home runs: ATL: Andruw Jones 2 (2), Fred McGriff (1) NYY: None

Game 2

October 21, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	4	10	0
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
WP: Greg Maddux )   LP: Jimmy Key (0–1)

Game 3

October 22, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	5	8	1
Atlanta	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	6	1
WP: David Cone (1–0)   LP: Tom Glavine (0–1)   Sv: John Wetteland (1) Home runs: NYY: Bernie Williams (1) ATL: None

Game 4

October 23, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0	2	8	12	0
Atlanta	0	4	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	6	9	2
WP: Graeme Lloyd (1–0)   LP: Steve Avery (0–1)   Sv: John Wetteland (2) Home runs: NYY: Jim Leyritz (1) ATL: Fred McGriff (2)

Game 5

October 24, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	1
Atlanta	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
WP: Andy Pettitte (1–1)   LP: John Smoltz (1–1)   Sv: John Wetteland (3)

Game 6

October 26, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	8	0
New York	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	X	3	8	1
WP: Jimmy Key (1–1)   LP: Greg Maddux (1–1)   Sv: = John Wetteland (4)

Award winners

• Tom Glavine, P, Silver Slugger Award
• Marquis Grissom, OF, Gold Glove Award
• Javy López, C, NLCS MVP
• Greg Maddux, P, Gold Glove Award
• John Smoltz, P, Pitcher of the Month Award, April
• John Smoltz, P, Pitcher of the Month Award, May
• John Smoltz, P, National League Cy Young Award
• John Smoltz, Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award

1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

• Fred McGriff, 1B, starter
• Chipper Jones, 3B, starter
• John Smoltz, P, starter
• Tom Glavine, P, reserve
• Greg Maddux, P, reserve
• Mark Wohlers, P, reserve

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Richmond Braves	International League	Bill Dancy
AA	Greenville Braves	Southern League	Jeff Cox
A	Durham Bulls	Carolina League	Randy Ingle
A	Macon Braves	South Atlantic League	Paul Runge
A-Short Season	Eugene Emeralds	Northwest League	Jim Saul
Rookie	Danville Braves	Appalachian League	Brian Snitker
Rookie	GCL Braves	Gulf Coast League	Robert Lucas and Chino Cadahia

Source^[13]