Atlanta Braves Standings

Historical Rankings

Explore how the Braves have ranked over the years:

The Atlanta Braves, originally based in Milwaukee, moved to Atlanta in 1966, marking the beginning of a new era. The late 1960s were challenging for the Braves as they adjusted to their new home, but the team made its first postseason appearance in Atlanta in 1969. Despite finishing first in the newly formed National League West, the Braves were swept by the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). The rest of the decade saw the Braves struggle to find consistent success, often finishing in the middle or bottom of the division.

The 1970s were a decade of ups and downs for the Braves. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest players in baseball history, broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974 while wearing a Braves uniform, a historic moment not just for the franchise, but for the entire sport. However, the team itself struggled to build a winning culture. They only managed one winning season in the entire decade, in 1974, when they finished 3rd in the National League West. The rest of the decade was marked by losing records and frequent managerial changes.

The 1980s brought more changes and challenges, but also the foundations for future success. The early part of the decade saw a surprising division title in 1982 under manager Joe Torre, where the Braves started the season with 13 straight wins, a feat that hadn't been matched since. However, consistency continued to elude them as they failed to return to the playoffs for the rest of the decade. The late 1980s were particularly tough, with the Braves frequently finishing last in the division. But the decade closed with a promising influx of young talent, including future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.

The 1990s were a golden era for the Braves. After years of frustration, the Braves shocked the baseball world in 1991 by winning the National League pennant and taking the Minnesota Twins to seven games in one of the most thrilling World Series ever, although they ultimately fell short. This was just the beginning, as the Braves would go on to dominate the National League East, winning 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005. The pinnacle came in 1995 when the Braves won their first World Series in Atlanta, defeating the Cleveland Indians in six games. The team was defined by its legendary pitching rotation, including Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, all of whom would be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The 2000s saw the Braves maintain their regular season dominance in the early years, continuing their streak of division titles until 2005. However, the team struggled in the postseason, often being eliminated in the first round, which led to frustrations among fans and management alike. After 2005, the team entered a period of rebuilding. The Braves missed the playoffs in several consecutive seasons as they worked to develop a new core of young talent. This period was crucial in laying the groundwork for the team's future resurgence, as they began to focus on developing players like Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman, who would become key figures in the team's success in the following decade.

The 2010s were a decade of transition and eventual resurgence for the Braves. The early part of the decade saw the team making it back to the playoffs, but they often fell short of advancing deep into the postseason. The turning point came in the mid-2010s, as the Braves' rebuilding efforts began to pay off. By the end of the decade, the team had won the NL East three consecutive times from 2018 to 2020. The emergence of young stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, combined with the leadership of Freddie Freeman, positioned the Braves as a team to watch heading into the next decade.

The 2020s have so far been defined by the Braves' return to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball. In 2021, the Braves won their first World Series since 1995, defeating the Houston Astros in six games. The championship was a culmination of years of rebuilding and perseverance, led by a balanced team that included seasoned veterans and emerging superstars. The Braves continue to be a formidable force in the NL East, with expectations high for continued success as the decade progresses. As the Braves move forward, they carry with them a legacy of resilience and a commitment to excellence that has been built over decades of baseball in Atlanta.