Atlanta Braves History: How America’s Team Became Atlanta’s Team

The Atlanta Braves are woven into the identity of the city. Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a game at Truist Park, or you’re just trying to understand what this franchise means to the region, knowing the team’s history helps you see why baseball matters so much here.

Below is a clear walk-through of the Braves’ journey, with a special focus on their Atlanta era and how it shaped local culture, neighborhoods, and game-day life in the metro area.

From Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta: How the Braves Got Here

Long before the Braves took the field in Atlanta, the franchise had a long history in other cities.

Early Roots: Boston Braves

• Founded in the 1870s in Boston, the team went through several names before settling on the Braves.
• They won a World Series in 1914 and were one of the National League’s charter franchises.

The Milwaukee Years

• In 1953, the team moved to Milwaukee, becoming the Milwaukee Braves.
• Led by Hank Aaron, they won the 1957 World Series and built a strong fan base in the Midwest.

The Move to Atlanta (1966)

Atlanta’s growth, location, and new stadium helped draw the Braves south.

• In 1966, the Braves relocated to Atlanta, becoming the city’s first major league franchise.
• They moved into Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, near downtown, signaling Atlanta’s push to become the “capital of the New South.”

For Atlanta residents, this move marked the beginning of big-league sports in the city and paved the way for other teams like the Falcons and Hawks.

The Early Atlanta Years: 1960s–1980s

When the Braves first arrived, Atlanta was still figuring out its identity as a modern, growing metropolis.

Hank Aaron and History in Atlanta

Although Hank Aaron’s career began elsewhere, many of his most famous moments happened here.

• On April 8, 1974, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Aaron hit his 715th home run, passing Babe Ruth’s all-time record.
• That moment is still one of the most important events in American sports history and a point of pride for Atlanta.

If you visit Atlanta today, you’ll see Aaron honored all around the city, including at Truist Park, where a statue and displays recognize his impact both on and off the field.

Ups and Downs on the Field

Through much of the 1970s and early 1980s, the Braves were inconsistent.

• They had bright spots, including star players and brief playoff appearances, but they were not yet the powerhouse most Atlantans now remember from the 1990s.
• Still, those early decades built a local baseball culture, with families in Atlanta and the suburbs making trips downtown for summer games.

“America’s Team”: The TBS Era and Growing the Fan Base

One of the most important parts of Braves history for people in Atlanta is how the team went from a local club to a national brand.

TBS and National Exposure

• In the late 1970s and 1980s, Braves games were broadcast on WTBS, Atlanta’s “superstation.”
• Because the station was carried across the country, the Braves picked up fans far beyond Georgia.

For Atlantans, this meant the local team had national visibility, and out-of-town friends or relatives could watch the same games you watched at home.

Building a Regional Identity

As Atlanta grew—especially the metro area around Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton counties—so did the Braves’ following.

• Youth leagues around Atlanta often took inspiration from Braves players.
• The team became part of the rhythm of Atlanta summers, with people planning trips downtown and later to Cobb County to catch games.

The 1990s Dynasty: Atlanta’s Golden Era of Baseball

For many in Atlanta, the 1990s Braves are the core of their baseball memories. This decade turned the Braves into one of baseball’s most respected franchises.

The Pitching Powerhouse

The team became famous for its starting pitchers, including:

• Greg Maddux
• Tom Glavine
• John Smoltz

Combined with strong lineups and sharp defense, the Braves became a constant presence in the postseason.

World Series and Division Titles

• The Braves won the 1995 World Series, giving Atlanta its first major professional championship.
• Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, they captured numerous division titles, making October baseball part of life here.

For Atlanta residents, this meant:

• Packed trains on MARTA heading to games.
• Local businesses rallying around the team with banners and promotions.
• Neighborhoods across metro Atlanta scheduling watch parties and celebrations.

Turner Field Era: 1997–2016

After Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Braves moved a short distance south to a stadium built for the Games.

From Olympic Stadium to Turner Field

• The Olympic baseball stadium was converted into Turner Field, which opened for Braves baseball in 1997.
• Located southeast of downtown, near what is now the Summerhill neighborhood, Turner Field became a long-time home for the team.

Fan Experience in Town

For fans living in or visiting Atlanta during this era:

• Game days meant navigating downtown and the connector (I-75/85).
• Many fans would park nearby, tailgate, or stop in local businesses in surrounding neighborhoods before and after games.

The Turner Field period also helped shape nearby areas, though parking and access were frequent talking points among Atlanta residents.

The Move to Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta

In 2017, the Braves opened a new chapter in Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta proper.

Why the Move Mattered Locally

The team moved from Turner Field to a new ballpark in the Cumberland area:

• Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is located near the junction of I-75 and I-285, making it central for many metro-area residents.
• Around the stadium, a mixed-use development called The Battery Atlanta was built, combining restaurants, shops, housing, offices, and entertainment.

For people in Atlanta and nearby suburbs, this changed the game-day experience:

• Fans can now arrive early, have dinner, shop, or enjoy live music before first pitch.
• It created a walkable entertainment district that stays active even when the Braves are on the road.

Truist Park Details for Visitors

If you’re planning to see Braves history in action today:

• Truist Park
  • Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
  • Located just outside the Atlanta city limits in Cobb County, but considered part of the greater Atlanta sports landscape.

Many Atlantans use rideshare, carpooling, or specific parking lots around The Battery to manage traffic and get in and out efficiently on game days.

The Modern Braves: New Stars, New Championships

The Braves’ story didn’t end with the 1990s. The team has rebuilt into a modern powerhouse.

Building a New Core

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the Braves assembled a new generation of stars, including:

• Ronald Acuña Jr.
• Ozzie Albies
• Austin Riley
• Other key contributors from both the farm system and smart acquisitions.

Atlanta fans have watched this young core grow up at Truist Park, bringing back that regular-playoff-energy feel from the 1990s.

2021 World Series: A New Atlanta Milestone

In 2021, the Braves captured another World Series title, this time with Truist Park and The Battery as the team’s home base.

For Atlantans, that championship:

• Revived city-wide celebrations, from Buckhead to the Westside to the suburbs.
• Led to a victory parade that traveled through downtown and up to Cobb County, highlighting how the team connects multiple parts of the metro region.

Key Moments in Braves History at a Glance

Here’s a simple timeline focusing on events that matter most to Atlanta’s story with the Braves:

How Braves History Shapes Atlanta Today

Understanding Braves history also helps you understand parts of Atlanta’s layout, culture, and growth.

Neighborhoods and Former Stadium Sites

• Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site: Near where the former stadium stood, you can still find markers and outlines indicating where Hank Aaron’s legendary home run landed. This area is near the Georgia State University campus and the redeveloped Summerhill neighborhood.
• Turner Field (now Center Parc Stadium): The old Braves home has been repurposed for college football and other events, but longtime Atlanta residents still know it as a major part of Braves history.

If you’re visiting, driving around these sites gives a sense of how the team’s homes have shifted along with the city’s patterns of growth.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Braves history is tied to:

• Local jobs and businesses, especially around former stadium sites and now at The Battery.
• Regional identity, with fans coming from across Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Tennessee into Atlanta for big series.
• Community programs, youth baseball, and charity events that reach into neighborhoods across metro Atlanta.

Game days still influence traffic, transit, and nightlife, especially around Cumberland, Vinings, and parts of the city where fans gather to watch.

Experiencing Braves History When You’re in Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to connect with the team’s history, here are practical ways to do it:

1. Visit Truist Park and The Battery

• Take a ballpark tour (available on non-game days) to see behind-the-scenes areas and historical exhibits.
• Walk through The Battery and look for displays, statues, and plaques that highlight Braves legends.

2. Look for Hank Aaron Tributes

Around Atlanta and at Truist Park, you’ll see multiple tributes to Hank Aaron, including:

• Statues
• Retired number displays
• Historical markers describing his impact on baseball and civil rights

3. Explore Former Stadium Areas

• Drive or walk near the old Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site and former Turner Field area (near Georgia Avenue SE and Hank Aaron Drive SE).
• Look for any remaining markers that show where iconic plays happened and how the city has redeveloped those spaces.

Why the Braves Matter So Much in Atlanta

For Atlanta residents and frequent visitors, the Braves are more than just a team:

• They’ve been here since 1966, through population booms, economic shifts, and changing neighborhoods.
• The franchise has anchored summer traditions, from listening to games on the radio to spending evenings at Truist Park under the lights.
• The Braves’ championships in 1995 and 2021 serve as shared memories across generations of Atlantans.

Whether you’re catching a game in Cobb County, driving past historic sites near downtown, or just talking sports with lifelong locals, knowing the Atlanta Braves history helps you understand a big piece of what makes this city feel like home.