1966 Atlanta Braves season
Encyclopedia
The Atlanta Braves
season was the first for the franchise in Atlanta, following their relocation from Milwaukee
, where the team had played the previous 13 seasons. The Braves finished their inaugural year in Atlanta in fifth place in the National League
with a record of 85-77, ten games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
. The Braves played their first season of home games at Atlanta Stadium
.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
season was the first for the franchise in Atlanta, following their relocation from Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, where the team had played the previous 13 seasons. The Braves finished their inaugural year in Atlanta in fifth place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a record of 85-77, ten games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
1966 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League championship with a 95–67 record , but lost to the Baltimore Orioles in four games in the World Series.-Regular season:...
. The Braves played their first season of home games at Atlanta Stadium
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, often shortened to "Fulton County Stadium," was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.-History:...
.
Offseason
- November 29, 1965: Jesse GonderJesse GonderJesse Lemar Gonder , was a professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
was drafted from the Braves by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the 1965 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - January 29, 1966: Tom SeaverTom SeaverGeorge Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
was drafted by the Braves in the secondary phase of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft1966 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
, but the pick was voided.
Regular season
- July 3, 1966: Tony CloningerTony CloningerTony Lee Cloninger , is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves , the Cincinnati Reds , and the St. Louis Cardinals...
became the first National League player -- and, as of 2010, the only pitcher -- to hit two grand slams in one game. - September 11, 1966: Rookie pitcher Pat JarvisPat Jarvis (baseball)Robert Patrick Jarvis is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played eight seasons for the Atlanta Braves and the Montreal Expos from to in the National League. Jarvis, who stood tall and weighed , is best known for being Nolan...
of the Braves became the first of 5,714 strikeout victims of Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
’s career.
National transactions
- April 4, 1966: Marty KeoughMarty KeoughRichard Martin Keough is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , Cincinnati Reds , Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs...
was purchased by the Braves from the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. - April 5, 1966: Frank Thomas was released by the Braves.
- April 28, 1966: Billy CowanBilly CowanBilly Rolland Cowan is a retired professional baseball player who played eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
was traded by the Braves to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for future Braves manager Bobby CoxBobby CoxRobert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
and cash. - May 29, 1966: Marty KeoughMarty KeoughRichard Martin Keough is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , Cincinnati Reds , Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs...
and Arnold EarleyArnold EarleyArnold Carl Earley was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Born in Lincoln Park, Michigan, Earley played eight seasons in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , and Houston Astros...
were traded by the Braves to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for John HerrnsteinJohn HerrnsteinJohn Ellett Herrnstein was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder, first baseman and pinch hitter in the Major Leagues from 1962–1966. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves...
. - June 7, 1966: Al SantoriniAl SantoriniAlan Joel Santorini is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the majors, from until , for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.-External links:...
was drafted by the Braves in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft1966 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the...
.
Roster
| 1966 Atlanta Braves | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 91 | 25 | .275 | 0 | 5 | |
| 31 | 44 | 4 | .091 | 0 | 2 | |
| 17 | 18 | 4 | .222 | 0 | 1 | |
| 17 | 17 | 1 | .059 | 0 | 1 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 257.2 | 14 | 11 | 4.12 | 178 | |
| 16 | 67.2 | 3 | 7 | 5.32 | 34 | |
| 10 | 62.1 | 6 | 2 | 2.31 | 41 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 48.1 | 2 | 3 | 3.91 | 22 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 2.37 | 67 | |
| 47 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 4.23 | 41 | |
| 38 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.86 | 42 | |