The Atlanta Braves in the 1990s were good. To this day, fans are still amazed that the Braves only won one World Series in the 90s, with the string of division titles and pennants they won. Eight division titles, five pennants but only one World Series trophy.
In 1991 the Braves took on the Twins in the World Series. Both teams were coming off seasons where they went from worst to first. It was a hard-fought series going seven games. Jack Morris, the World Series MVP, went 2-0 in 3 starts with a 1.17 ERA. Morris also pitched ten innings in that game 7 to win, turning in one of the most iconic pitching performances ever.
In 1992 the Braves made it back to the World Series, this time facing the Toronto Blue Jays. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays won in 6 games. This Blue Jays team was loaded with talent such as Roberto Alomar, Dave Winfield, and Joe Carter. There should be no shame in losing to this Blue Jays team.
In 1993 the Braves made a big move by signing starting pitcher Greg Maddux, hoping to get over the hump. Maddux went 20-10 with a 2.36 ERA. Many thought the move would put them over the top giving them three number one-like starters to close the deal. Unfortunately, the play didn’t go as planned, and the Braves were upset by the Philadelphia Phillies in six games in the NLCS, marking another significant postseason loss for the Braves.
In 1995 the Braves finally broke through against the Cleveland Indians. Chipper Jones got called up to be their everyday third baseman. Chipper batted .265 with 23 homers to help lead the Braves to the World Series title. The Braves also had solid years from Fred Mcgriff and Ryan Klesko. Greg Maddux had a phenomenal season going 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA. The Indians were a loaded team with the likes of Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez, and Eddie Murray. Few thought the Braves could beat the Indians with all that firepower, but they were determined to win it all in 1995 and this time wouldn’t be denied.
The Braves made it back to the World Series in 1996, facing Steinbrenner’s New York Yankees. The Braves started fast behind a young Andruw Jones, who hit two home runs in Game 1. Atlanta cruised to wins in Game 1 and 2 in Yankee stadium. However, the series turned in game 4 in Atlanta with the Braves up two games to one and possessing a six-run lead in game 4. That is until Jim Leyritz, the Yankees backup catcher, hit a game-tying three-run shot. After that, the Braves were pretty much cooked and subsequently lost the next two games.
Closing out the decade, the Braves made it back to the World Series in 1999, once more facing the Yankees, but this time they were no match. They ran into a well-oiled machine in New York and got swept 4-0.
The Braves faced some tough teams in the 90s, but they had some great players and likely should have won more than one World Series with all that talent. Fans would have to wait another 26 years before their Braves would get to hoist another WS trophy. Some would call it worth the wait, others believe those loaded Atlanta teams in the 90’s left a lot to be desired.
-LaMarr Fields
Twitter: @raiderway83