Greenville Braves

From BR Bullpen

GreenvilleBraves.jpg


Team History[edit]

There were two Greenville Braves clubs in baseball history. The first played in the Western Carolinas League in 1963 and 1964, capturing a league title in their first season.

The later incarnation of the Braves were an Atlanta Braves AA affiliate in the Southern League. They began play in 1984 and played their home games at Greenville Municipal Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina. The Braves captured league titles in 1992 and 1997. The 1992 club, led by manager Grady Little, became the first Southern League club ever to win 100 games and is considered one of the greatest minor league teams of all time. That season the team was led by catcher Javy Lopez, who hit .321 with 16 homers to capture the League MVP Award, and shortstop Chipper Jones, who hit .346 after joining the club in midseason.

Besides Lopez and Jones, some of the greatest Braves over the years have included Vinny Castilla, Jermaine Dye, Marcus Giles, Tom Glavine, Ryan Klesko, and Mark Wohlers.

After the 2004 season, the club moved to Pearl, Mississippi and became known as the Mississippi Braves.

Year-by-Year Record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs Hitting Coach Pitching Coach
1963 59-65 6th Jim Fanning (20-16) / Paul Snyder (29-39) League Champs
1964 63-63 4th Bill Steinecke & Jimmy Brown Co-managers until Brown resigned June 30
1984 80-61 1st Bobby Dews (57-43) / Leo Mazzone (23-18) Lost in 1st round
1985 70-74 7th Jim Beauchamp Rick Albert Bill Slack
1986 73-71 4th Jim Beauchamp Rick Albert Bill Slack
1987 70-74 5th Jim Beauchamp Sonny Jackson Leo Mazzone
1988 87-57 1st Russ Nixon (22-21) / Buddy Bailey (65-36) Lost League Finals Bill Slack
1989 70-69 4th Buddy Bailey Lost League Finals Randy Ingle Bill Slack
1990 57-87 10th Buddy Bailey Terry Harper Bill Slack
1991 88-56 1st Chris Chambliss Lost in 1st round Terry Harper Bill Slack
1992 100-43 1st Grady Little League Champs Mark Ross Bill Slack
1993 75-67 2nd Bruce Kimm Lost in 1st round Dave Hilton & Brian Snitker Bill Slack
1994 73-63 3rd Bruce Benedict Lost in 1st round Randy Ingle Bruce Dal Canton
1995 59-83 9th Bruce Benedict Randy Ingle
1996 58-82 9th Jeff Cox Mel Roberts Bill Slack
1997 74-66 4th Randy Ingle League Champs Mel Roberts Bruce Dal Canton
1998 67-72 6th Randy Ingle Mel Roberts Mike Alvarez
1999 58-82 10th Paul Runge Bobby Moore Mike Alvarez
2000 68-71 6th Paul Runge Lost in 1st round Bobby Moore Mike Alvarez (- 4/13)
2001 60-79 8th Paul Runge Mel Roberts Bill Champion
2002 65-69 7th Brian Snitker Mel Roberts Bill Champion
2003 68-70 5th Brian Snitker Mel Roberts Mike Alvarez
2004 63-76 9th Brian Snitker Mel Roberts Dave Schuler