Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones agrees to restructure his contract, reducing his salary by $6 million next season. The new deal could save the Braves about $15 million over three seasons and free up money for free agents.
2004 – Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. with a chance to advance. Then Chad Qualls gives up a three-run homer to Adam Laroche and the Braves push across the winning run in the ninth to steal a 6-5 verdict and fly back to Atlanta for a decisive fifth game. Jeff Kent rolls into a double play with two men on in the bottom of the ninth to end a painful day – made worse by the news of ex-teammate Ken Caminiti’s death in New York at age 41.
On May 18, 2004, At the age of 40, Randy Johnson becomes the oldest pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game, retiring all 27 hitters to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Atlanta Braves, 2 – 0. It is the 17th perfect game in major league history and the first since David…
When Rafael Furcal, Mark DeRosa, and Gary Sheffield all go deep off the Reds’ Jeff Austin in the bottom of the first inning, the Braves become only the second team in big league history to begin a game with three consecutive home runs. In San Diego’s home opener in 1987, the Padres wasted no time making up a two-run first inning deficit as each of the first three batters, Marvell Wynn, Tony Gwynn, and John Kruk, all went yard in the bottom of the first inning off Giant starter Roger Mason.
2001 – Tom Glavine and John Smoltz combine on a seven-hit shutout to blank the Astros, 1-0, in Game Two of the N.L.D.S. The only run is scored by B.J. Surhoff on a double-play grounder after a double and an error by Julio Lugo.
The Mets donate their day’s pay, which totals approximately $500,000, from tonight’s game with the Braves at Shea to a rescue fund for the families of the firefighters and policemen killed in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. The contest is the first professional baseball game played in New York since the tragedy.
Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa hits the longest home run in Turner Field history when his two-run shot, the outfielder’s 53rd of the season, travels 471 feet to straight away center field. The historic homer comes in the first inning off four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux in the team’s 5-3 victory in Atlanta.
Atlanta’s Greg Maddux notches the 250th win of his career with a 9 – 5 decision over Philadelphia.
The Braves trade John Rocker along with minor league third baseman Troy Cameron to the Indians in a four-player deal in return for relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed as well as cash. The Atlanta fireballer became a national figure after his negative comments about New Yorkers, homosexuals, unwed mothers and immigrants appeared in Sports Illustrated.
The Braves beat the Brewers, 1 – 0, as Greg Maddux hurls a two-hitter and strikes out a career-high 14, including 8 of the last 10 batters he faces. It is his 100th complete game, as B.J. Surhoff’s solo home run in the 3rd inning off Paul Rigdon is the only run he needs.