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 secured 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 its 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 shortened 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. The collapse was remembered as one of the largest in North American sports history.

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.

Offseason

 * January 3, 1996: Jerome Walton was signed as a free agent by the Braves.
 * January 9, 1996: Mike Kelly was traded by the Braves 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.
 * March 31, 1996: Mike Bielecki was signed as a free agent with the Braves.

Game log

 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Braves team member
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Braves team member

Opening Day starters

 * Jeff Blauser
 * Marquis Grissom
 * David Justice
 * Ryan Klesko
 * Mark Lemke
 * Javy López
 * Greg Maddux
 * Fred McGriff
 * Mike Mordecai

Notable transactions

 * June 4, 1996: Marcus Giles was drafted by the Braves in the 53rd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed May 26, 1997.
 * June 24, 1996: Mark Whiten signed as a free agent with the Braves.
 * August 13, 1996: Terry Pendleton was traded by the Florida Marlins to the Braves for Roosevelt Brown.
 * August 14, 1996: Mark Whiten was traded by the Braves to the Seattle Mariners for Roger Blanco (minors).
 * August 17, 1996: Luis Polonia was signed as a free agent with the Braves.
 * August 30, 1996: Jason Schmidt was sent by the Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete an earlier deal made on August 28, 1996. The Braves sent a player to be named later, Ron Wright, and Corey Pointer (minors) to the Pirates for Denny Neagle. The Braves sent Jason Schmidt (August 30, 1996) to the Pirates to complete the trade.

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Atlanta wins the series, 3–0

Game 1
October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 2
October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 3
October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 4
October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 5
October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 6
October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 7
October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 1
October 20, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Game 2
October 21, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Game 3
October 22, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 4
October 23, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 5
October 24, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 6
October 26, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in New York City

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