The 1982 Atlanta Braves: The Season That Electrified Atlanta Baseball

If you live in Atlanta, love the Braves, or you’re visiting and trying to understand why this city is so passionate about its team, the phrase “1982 Atlanta Braves” comes up often. That season is one of the most memorable in franchise history and still shapes how many Atlantans feel about Braves baseball today.

This guide walks through what made the 1982 Braves special, why that year mattered in Atlanta, and how you can still experience and celebrate that legacy around the city.

Why the 1982 Atlanta Braves Season Still Matters in Atlanta

The 1982 Atlanta Braves are remembered as the team that helped re-energize baseball in the city.

Key reasons the season stands out:

• The team started the year with a stunning 13-game winning streak.
• Atlanta won the National League West division title, bringing postseason baseball back to the city.
• The roster featured stars who are still beloved in Atlanta, like Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, and Bob Horner.
• Games were broadcast nationally on TBS, turning the Braves into “America’s Team” and putting Atlanta in the national spotlight.

For many longtime locals, 1982 is the season when Atlanta baseball truly felt like it arrived on the national stage.

The 1982 Braves at a Glance

Here’s a simple summary of what the 1982 Atlanta Braves accomplished:

Even though Atlanta now cheers on the Braves at Truist Park in Cobb County, the 1982 season is tightly linked to the old stadium site near downtown, where many Atlantans first fell in love with the team.

The Legendary 13–0 Start: How Atlanta Caught Fire in April

In April 1982, Atlanta sports fans watched something incredible unfold: the Braves started the season 13–0.

What that meant for the city

• Energy around downtown: Games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium drew excited crowds. For fans who remember it, the buzz stretched from the stadium parking lots into nearby neighborhoods and local sports bars.
• Growing pride in Atlanta: National broadcasters were talking about a team from Atlanta day after day, and locals could feel the city’s profile rising.
• Momentum for the season: That hot start helped the Braves stay in the division race all year, making late-summer and early-fall baseball meaningful for Atlanta fans.

If you talk to longtime residents in areas like Grant Park, West End, or Decatur, many can recall following that streak on TV or radio and feeling like something special was happening in their city.

Star Players Who Defined the 1982 Atlanta Braves

Several players from the 1982 roster are still beloved names around Atlanta. When you attend a Braves game today, you’ll often hear them mentioned during in-park features or see them recognized in team history displays.

Dale Murphy

• Position: Outfield
• Why he mattered: Murphy was the face of the 1982 Braves and one of the most popular athletes in Atlanta at the time. He combined power, defense, and quiet leadership.
• Local legacy: Many Atlantans who grew up in the 1980s still list Dale Murphy as their all-time favorite player. You’ll often see his jerseys at Truist Park on game days.

Phil Niekro

• Position: Pitcher (knuckleballer)
• Why he mattered: Niekro was a veteran presence and a link between earlier Braves teams and the rising 1982 group.
• Local connection: His unique knuckleball and long tenure in Atlanta helped build loyalty among local fans before, during, and after 1982.

Bob Horner and Others

• Bob Horner: A powerful hitter who added excitement to the lineup.
• Claudell Washington and Chris Chambliss: Contributed key offense in big moments.
• Gene Garber: Anchored the bullpen in late-game situations.

For Atlanta fans today, these names are part of the city’s baseball vocabulary, often brought up when comparing modern Braves stars to past greats.

Where the Braves Played in 1982 vs. Where They Play Now

Understanding the 1982 Braves also means understanding how Atlanta’s baseball geography has changed.

1982: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium

• Location: Near downtown Atlanta, south of I-20 and east of the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
• Role in the city: It was a key sports landmark that also hosted football and major events.
• What’s there now: The stadium was demolished, and the site is now part of the Georgia State University athletics complex and surrounding development.

If you drive through that area today, you’re passing the grounds where the 1982 Braves played their home games and where many Atlantans experienced playoff baseball for the first time.

Today: Truist Park in Cobb County

• Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta address but physically in Cobb County, near the I-75/I-285 interchange.
• Relevance to 1982: While the ballpark is new, the franchise’s history—including the 1982 season—is highlighted in on-site exhibits and references.

Even though the physical ballpark moved, the Atlanta baseball tradition that took a big step forward in 1982 is still front and center at Truist Park.

How the 1982 Season Changed Braves Fandom in Atlanta

Before 1982, the Braves had passionate fans, but not every season drew big attention in Atlanta. That year helped reshape how the city connected with the team.

Increased local pride

• The division title gave Atlanta something to rally around.
• Braves merchandise became more visible around the metro area—from small shops in neighborhoods to larger retailers in places like Buckhead and Cumberland.

TBS and “America’s Team”

• Braves games were widely available on TBS, which was based in Atlanta.
• As the team gained national fans, people across the country began associating baseball success with Atlanta, boosting the city’s image.

Many fans who later moved to Atlanta from other states first discovered the team by watching those early-1980s broadcasts, including the 1982 season.

Experiencing 1982 Braves History in Atlanta Today

Even if you weren’t around in 1982, you can still connect with that season while you’re in the Atlanta area.

1. Visit Truist Park and Look for Team History

While Truist Park is a modern stadium, there are many nods to the past:

• Team history displays: Inside the park, look for displays celebrating previous division winners and standout seasons. The 1982 division title is typically noted among key milestones.
• Jersey numbers and tributes: You may see mentions of players like Dale Murphy and Phil Niekro, especially in historical timelines and video features shown before and during games.

If you’re attending a game, arrive early and walk the concourses to spot references to the 1982 team and other classic seasons.

2. Explore the Old Stadium Area

Around the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium location:

• You’re standing on the ground where the 1982 Braves played and where Atlanta gathered for postseason games.
• The area is near central neighborhoods and not far from Downtown Atlanta and Summerhill, making it easy to combine with a day exploring the city.

You won’t find a full stadium there anymore, but knowing the history adds depth when you’re driving or walking through that part of town.

How the 1982 Braves Compare to Today’s Atlanta Teams

If you follow the modern Braves at Truist Park, you might notice some parallels with 1982:

• Exciting lineups: Just like the 1982 Braves had power bats, current teams often feature strong offensive talent that keeps games exciting.
• Community connection: Both eras emphasize engaging fans across metro Atlanta—from the city center out to suburbs like Marietta, Smyrna, Stone Mountain, and beyond.
• Winning expectations: After seasons like 1982, fans in Atlanta came to expect more from the franchise. That mindset carries into how the city views the team today.

For many Atlantans, talking about recent playoff runs naturally brings up memories or comparisons to 1982, especially among fans who’ve been following the team for decades.

Tips for Fans in Atlanta Wanting to Learn More About the 1982 Braves

If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to dig deeper into the 1982 Braves:

• Talk to longtime local fans: In neighborhoods all across Atlanta—whether it’s East Atlanta Village or Sandy Springs—you’ll find residents who followed the 1982 season in real time and have personal stories of games, watch parties, and the division race.
• Check local libraries:
  • The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System branches often carry sports history books and local newspapers on microfilm or in digital archives, which may include coverage of the 1982 season.
• Watch classic game clips: Many fans revisit old footage to understand the energy of that year. While you’ll likely stream that content at home, experiencing it while living in or visiting Atlanta gives added context when you pass former and current ballpark sites.

Why the 1982 Atlanta Braves Still Resonate With the City

For Atlanta, the 1982 Braves represent:

• A turning point in the city’s baseball history
• The rise of beloved stars who helped shape the franchise’s identity
• A season when Atlanta took a central place in the national baseball conversation

Whether you’re catching a game at Truist Park, driving past the old stadium area near downtown, or talking baseball with longtime residents, you’ll find that the 1982 Atlanta Braves are still part of how this city understands and celebrates its team.