Things didn’t start well (1900)

The Boston Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves) had seen some pretty good days under Manager Frank Selee but 1900 brought a continued decline under his leadership. They ended up 66-72, 17 games behind in fourth place. Closer to last than third.

They year started out on a bad note. In 1899, several players didn’t like how moody catcher Marty Bergen was. So much so, they said they wouldn’t play with him next year. I guess no one really knew how troubled he was. On January 19, Marty’s father discovered how bad it was. Bergen used a razor and ax to kill his wife, three year old son, new born daughter and himself.

Things did not start well and did not finish well.

$15,000 (1871)

Ivers Whitney Adams knew a very good thing when he saw it. He was very interested in professional baseball. He had seen the Cincinnati Red Stockings and what professional players could do. Cincinnati had won the first 89 games they played. Imagine that!!!

So on January 20, 1871 he invested $15,000 to create the Boston Red Stockings (now the Atlanta Braves). They joined the National Association. Mr. Adams became the first President of the club. It started at Boston's Parker House. Harry Wright and his younger brother George were at that meeting. They had played for Cincinnati. They would both play for Boston.

And so ... it began. That is all it took. They still play today. They are the Atlanta Braves.

Bobby couldn’t have been happy (1979)

When the Braves are in a funk, they are really bad. 1979 was about as bad as it could get. It was Bobby Cox second season as manager. They maintained their ability to stay in the cellar ending the year 66-94 and in sixth place in the West Division. A full 23 1/2 games behind.

As is many times the case, pitching was a challenge for the Braves in 1979. The Braves pitchers had a combine ERA of 4.18, the worst in the league. And to make things worse, the defense committed 20 more errors than any other team. Bad pitching and a worse defense. A combination for disaster. I am sure Bobby wasn't a happy man.