2008 Atlanta Braves season
Encyclopedia
The Atlanta Braves
' 2008
season featured the team's attempt to reclaim a postseason berth for the first time since 2005
. The Braves were once again skippered by Bobby Cox
, now in his 19th season (of his second stint) managing Atlanta. As a result of John Schuerholz
taking the position of team president, the Braves entered the offseason with Frank Wren
as their general manager
.
The team wore a patch on the right sleeve "BEACH" in honor of former Braves player and bench coach Jim Beauchamp
.
2008 saw the departure of two of the team's longtime radio and television announcers. Skip Caray
died on August 3, while Pete van Wieren
announced his retirement on October 21. Both men had been broadcasting for the team since 1976
.
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....
' 2008
2008 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29...
season featured the team's attempt to reclaim a postseason berth for the first time since 2005
2005 Atlanta Braves season
-Offseason:*October 15, 2004: DeWayne Wise was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Atlanta Braves.*December 3, 2004: Julio Franco was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves....
. The Braves were once again skippered by Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert 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...
, now in his 19th season (of his second stint) managing Atlanta. As a result of John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
taking the position of team president, the Braves entered the offseason with Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Franklin E. Wren is an American front office executive in Major League Baseball. Since the end of the baseball season, he has been the general manager of the Atlanta Braves....
as their general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
.
The team wore a patch on the right sleeve "BEACH" in honor of former Braves player and bench coach Jim Beauchamp
Jim Beauchamp
James Edward Beauchamp was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. He attended Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University...
.
2008 saw the departure of two of the team's longtime radio and television announcers. Skip Caray
Skip Caray
Harry Christopher "Skip" Caray, Jr. was an American sportscaster, best known for his long career as a radio and television play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball...
died on August 3, while Pete van Wieren
Pete Van Wieren
Pete van Wieren is a former American sportscaster best known for his long career calling play-by-play for Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves.-Atlanta Braves:...
announced his retirement on October 21. Both men had been broadcasting for the team since 1976
1976 Atlanta Braves season
- Offseason :* November 17, 1975: Dusty Baker and Ed Goodson were traded by the Braves to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jerry Royster, Lee Lacy, Tom Paciorek, and Jimmy Wynn....
.
October
- October 25: Claimed RHP Chris ResopChris ResopChristopher Paul Resop is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Florida Marlins:Resop was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft....
off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and designated RHP Chad ParontoChad ParontoChad Michael Paronto is an American Baseball player. Paronto attended the University of Massachusetts before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round of the amateur draft. Paronto's best pitches include a 90-94 mph fastball and a heavy sinker which he uses mainly with men...
for assignment.
- October 29: Acquired OF Gorkys HernandezGorkys HernándezGorkys Gustavo Hernández is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization currently assigned to their triple A Indianapolis Indians of the International League....
and RHP Jair JurrjensJair Jurrjens-Childhood:Jurrjens grew in a quiet neighborhood called ´Kura Piedra´ pronounced in Dutch as ´Steenkoraal or Stenenkoraal´, and was always active in baseball. His older brother, Carl Jr., also played baseball.Jurrjens speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu....
from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in exchange for SS Edgar RenteríaEdgar RenteríaEdgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
and cash considerations. Sent RHP Chad Paronto outright to Triple-A RichmondRichmond BravesThe Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. He refused the assignment, becoming a free agentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
November
- November 16: Acquired OF Josh AndersonJosh Anderson (baseball)Joshua Aaron Anderson is an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed...
from the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in exchange for RHP Óscar VillarrealÓscar VillarrealÓscar Eduardo Villarreal is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in the majors for the Arizona Diamondbacks , Atlanta Braves , and Houston Astros .-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
.
- November 19: Signed Tom GlavineTom GlavineThomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
to a one-year, $8 million contract.
- November 20: Designated INF Pete OrrPete OrrPeterson Thomas "Pete" Orr is a Canadian professional baseball infielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organziation.-College:Orr attended Galveston Community College in Galveston, Texas...
for assignment. Orr was later released by the organization on November 28.
- November 30: Designated RHP Lance CormierLance CormierLance Robert Cormier is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:Cormier went to Lafayette High School, and graduated in...
for assignment.
December
- December 4: Acquired LHP Will OhmanWill OhmanWilliam McDaniel Ohman is a left-handed pitcher, who is currently a member of the Chicago White Sox. He lives in Agoura Hills, California.-Chicago Cubs:...
and INF Omar InfanteOmar InfanteOmar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
from 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...
in exchange for RHP José AscanioJose AscanioJosé Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
.
- December 4: Designated OF Willie HarrisWillie HarrisWilliam Charles Harris is a Major League Baseball outfielder and infielder. Harris is known for his quick feet and base-stealing abilities, with currently 94 career stolen bases. Harris was formerly a member of the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves , and...
for assignment. Harris was released and became a free agent on December 12.
- December 17: Signed C Javy LópezJavy LópezJavier López Torres is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
to a minor-league contract and an invitation to Spring Training.
January
- January 14: Acquired CF Mark KotsayMark KotsayMark Steven Kotsay is an American professional baseball outfielder with the San Diego Padres...
from the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in exchange for RHP Joey DevineJoey DevineJoseph Neal "Joey" Devine is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Atlanta Braves:...
and minor league RHP Jamie Richmond.
- January 17: Acquired LHP Jeff RidgwayJeff RidgwayJeffrey Allen Ridgway is a Major League Baseball player who is currently in the Washington Nationals organization. A pitcher, Ridgway made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on September 17, .In 2007, Ridgway had an ERA of 189.00...
from the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in exchange for utility infielder Willy AybarWilly AybarWilly Del Jesus Aybar is an infielder who currently plays for the Yuma Scorpions in the North American League. Aybar has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays...
and minor league infielder Chase Fontaine.
March
- March 22: Javy LópezJavy LópezJavier López Torres is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
announces he will retire after being told he will not make the opening day roster.
- March 26: Tyler YatesTyler YatesTyler Kali Yates is a right-handed pitcher in Minor League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization....
traded to 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 exchange for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond.
- March 28: Ruben GotayRubén Gotay-Kansas City Royals:Gotay made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on August 4, , when they played the Chicago White Sox. He went 1-for-3 and got his first major league hit off José Contreras. Gotay played in 44 games for the Royals in 2004. He hit .270 with one home run and 16 RBI....
claimed off of waivers from the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
- March 31: Scott SpiezioScott SpiezioScott Edward Spiezio is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He is currently an infielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League . He is well known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the...
signed to minor league contract. Released April 12.
May
- May 5: Acquired utility-man Greg Norton from the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for cash considerations.
Roster
| 2008 Atlanta Braves | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (bench) (first base) (hitting) (bullpen) (third base) |
||||||
Game log
| Legend | ||
|---|---|---|
| Braves Win | Braves Loss | Game Postponed |
| 2008 Regular Season Game Log | |
|---|---|
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 599 | 70 | 143 | 33 | 3 | 11 | 71 | .239 | 0 | |
| 150 | 547 | 86 | 157 | 39 | 6 | 11 | 71 | .239 | 11 | |
| 145 | 509 | 68 | 153 | 42 | 1 | 23 | 87 | .301 | 5 | |
| 144 | 430 | 52 | 108 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 38 | .251 | 13 | |
| 136 | 514 | 71 | 148 | 24 | 2 | 10 | 60 | .288 | 2 | |
| 128 | 439 | 82 | 160 | 24 | 1 | 22 | 75 | .364 | 4 | |
| 111 | 171 | 27 | 42 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 31 | .246 | 0 | |
| 103 | 381 | 63 | 108 | 27 | 0 | 20 | 78 | .283 | 0 | |
| 96 | 317 | 45 | 93 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 40 | .293 | 0 | |
| 88 | 318 | 39 | 92 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 37 | .289 | 2 | |
| 88 | 102 | 10 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 8 | .235 | 1 | |
| 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 78 | 228 | 36 | 73 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 33 | .320 | 3 | |
| 72 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 68 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .222 | 0 | |
| 45 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 | 0 | |
| 43 | 152 | 18 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 20 | .237 | 0 | |
| 43 | 135 | 9 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | .244 | 4 | |
| 43 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 41 | 116 | 16 | 31 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 17 | .267 | 1 | |
| 40 | 136 | 21 | 40 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 12 | .294 | 10 | |
| 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 38 | 45 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .178 | 0 | |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 36 | 58 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .103 | 0 | |
| 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 31 | 60 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .083 | 0 | |
| 29 | 80 | 9 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 | .200 | 2 | |
| 23 | 54 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .148 | 0 | |
| 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 22 | 30 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .133 | 0 | |
| 21 | 41 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .146 | 0 | |
| 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 14 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .059 | 0 | |
| 14 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 | 0 | |
| 14 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .105 | 0 | |
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 13 | 24 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .208 | 0 | |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | 0 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 4 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .118 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| Totals | 162 | 5604 | 753 | 1514 | 316 | 33 | 130 | 721 | .270 | 58 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 3.57 | 46 | 0 | 3 | 53.0 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 31 | |
| 3 | 7 | 3.70 | 72 | 4 | 3 | 97.1 | 44 | 40 | 47 | 68 | |
| 2 | 6 | 5.88 | 76 | 0 | 1 | 72.0 | 51 | 47 | 25 | 67 | |
| 8 | 7 | 3.91 | 39 | 25 | 0 | 158.2 | 74 | 69 | 38 | 107 | |
| 2 | 0 | 3.59 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 62.2 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 59 | |
| 2 | 4 | 5.54 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 63.1 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 37 | |
| 0 | 3 | 4.28 | 36 | 0 | 14 | 33.2 | 21 | 16 | 14 | 44 | |
| 3 | 4 | 4.85 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 78.0 | 45 | 42 | 28 | 38 | |
| 11 | 7 | 3.17 | 23 | 22 | 0 | 142.0 | 53 | 50 | 40 | 85 | |
| 2 | 5 | 9.10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 29.2 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 22 | |
| 13 | 10 | 3.68 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 144.1 | 87 | 77 | 51 | 139 | |
| 4 | 8 | 6.15 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 74.2 | 56 | 51 | 41 | 48 | |
| 0 | 1 | 1.59 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 5.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| 1 | 2 | 3.86 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 32.2 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 24 | |
| 4 | 1 | 3.68 | 83 | 0 | 1 | 58.2 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 53 | |
| 0 | 1 | 5.89 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 18.1 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | |
| 3 | 11 | 5.81 | 23 | 22 | 0 | 113.0 | 77 | 73 | 52 | 78 | |
| 1 | 0 | 4.84 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 22.1 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 3.72 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 9.2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2 | 1 | 8.46 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 22.1 | 25 | 21 | 10 | 16 | |
| 3 | 2 | 2.57 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 28.0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 36 | |
| 0 | 1 | 2.57 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 14.0 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 16 | |
| 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7.1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | |
| 1 | 4 | 4.71 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 42.0 | 30 | 22 | 19 | 45 | |
| Totals | 72 | 90 | 4.47 | 118 | 162 | 26 | 1048.2 | 519 | 714 | 586 | 1076 |