Willie McCovey becomes first player to hit 2 homers an in inning twice
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Willie McCovey becomes the 12th player in major league history to hit 500 home runs

    On June 30, 1978 On an 0-2 pitch from Atlanta Braves pitcher Jamie Easterly, San Francisco Giant first baseman Willie McCovey launches his 500th career home run over the left field fence at Fulton County Stadium becoming the 12th player to accomplish the feat. The historic homer occurs in the 2nd inning of…

jim bouton braves
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Ball Four Book author Jim Bouton begins a comeback with the Savannah Braves

On May 1, 1978, former major league pitcher and controversial book author Jim Bouton begins a comeback with the Savannah Braves of the Southern League. The 39-year-old Bouton will eventually earn a promotion to the Atlanta Braves, where he will struggle in a late-season stint.

ozzie smith barehanded play

ozzie smith barehanded play

Padres’ rookie Ozzie Smith, a future Hall of Famer due to his defensive prowess at short, makes what he will rate as his best play ever when he dives to his left to field a grounder hit by Jeff Burroughs of Atlanta. Although the ball takes a bad hop and scoots behind the ‘Wizard’s’ head, he promptly sticks out his bare right hand, snagging the ball before popping to his feet to get the out at first base.

Andre Dawson

Andre Dawson hits first career homerun

  May 18, 1977 At Atlanta Fulton County Stadium Montreal Expos rookie Andre Dawson hits his first career homerun off Buzz Capra in the 5th inning of a 10-8 Expos loss to the Braves. Dawson will hit 438 homeruns in his career and be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box…

Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner decides to take the managerial reigns of his team
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Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner decides to take the managerial reigns of his team

On May 11, 1977, Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner decides to take the managerial reigns of his team, which has lost 16 straight games. The Braves lose their 17th in a row in Turner’s debut, as coach Vern Benson makes most of the strategic decisions. The Pittsburgh Pirates Won 2-1 at Three Rivers Stadium. It…

Ted Turner
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MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner for one year

On January 2, 1977 MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner for one year as a result of tampering charges in the Gary Matthews free agent signing. The Braves are permitted to keep the outfielder, however. The Braves owner, an accomplished sailor, uses his free time to pursue another goal, winning this…

Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves

On June 23, 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers trade onetime Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall to the Atlanta Braves for infielder-outfielder Lee Lacy and pitcher Elias Sosa. Marshall, who set a major league record by appearing in 106 games in 1974, had struggled in his first 30 appearances of 1976… @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

The Mets sweep the Giants in a twin bill at Candlestick Park, The Gaints pick up Darrell Evans in a trade

The Mets sweep the Giants in a twin bill at Candlestick Park, The Gaints pick up Darrell Evans in a trade

On June 13 1976, The Mets sweep the Giants in a twin bill at Candlestick Park, 4-2 and 4-1. The victories mark the first time in 17 tries that the team has won two games on the same day. The Giants also acquire Darrell Evans by trading flashy first baseman Willie Montanez to the Atlanta…

Joe Niekro takes his brother Phil deep for only homerun of his career

Joe Niekro takes his brother Phil deep for only homerun of his career

On May 29, 1976, Houston Astros pitcher Joe Niekro hits the only home run of his 22-year major league career (973 At Bats). Strangely enough, Niekro reaches the seats against his brother, Phil, the ace of the Atlanta Braves. The seventh-inning blast comes on a knuckleball that Joe sends over the left field fence. Ken…