Wytheville Braves

• Location: Wytheville, VA
• League: Appalachian League 1971-1973
• Affiliation: Atlanta Braves 1971-1973
• Ballpark:

From 1971 through 1973 Wytheville, VA was home to an Atlanta Braves farm team in the Appalachian League. The Wytheville Braves, managed by Paul Snyder, went 35-34 their first year, finishing third in the four-team northern division. They drew 15,036 fans, 6th in the 8-team Appy. The team's All-Star was SS-3B Junior Moore, who made the All-Star team at third. Moore hit .310/~.380/.438 and stole 13 bases in 13 tries; he was fourth in the league in average, behind teammate J. Roger Williams (.318/~.400/.399), who led the league's outfielders in fielding percentage (.989). SS Taylor Duncan (.381/~.469/.524) and OF Jimmie Collins (.339/~.393/.536) did well in limited time. Reliever Wilfredo Rios (4-1, 1 Sv, 1.44, 14 hits and 25 K in 25 IP) was the top hurler.

In 1972 the Braves finished second in the north at 35-30, 3 and a half games behind the Covington Astros. Eddie Haas was the new manager and the team doubled their number of All-Stars with C Harold Workman (.275/~.389/.533, 15 HR) and P John Travis (9-1, 2 Sv, 2.68). Travis finished fifth in the Appalachian League in ERA, won the most games, struck out 100 while walking 29 in 74 innings and gave up just 37 hits in that span. 12,518 fans came out, 7th in the Appy.

The 1973 Wytheville team went 37-32, finishing third in the divisionless league. They drew 12,851 fans, again 7th in the league and with the same digits as a year earlier, in a slightly different order. They had no All-Stars on the team, which again was managed by Snyder. Bob Buford (6-2, 2.79) was fourth in the circuit in ERA. No player went on to a significant major-league career from that squad.

After the Braves left, it would be 12 years until the next team came to town, the Wytheville Cubs.

Sources: 1972-1974 Baseball Guides

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1971	35-34	4th	Paul Snyder	none
1972	35-30	4th	Eddie Haas	none
1973	37-32	3rd	Paul Snyder	none