The Braves! The Braves! All Glory in Them!

Yes, I know, that is a very dramatic title. It’s just baseball for heaven’s sake. But we are pretty darned excited around here, and I wanted to write down some of the great things about this amazing season. Non-baseball folks can feel free to ignore!
 

MLB Records

•  Tied 2019 Minnesota Twins MLB record with 307 homers.
  
• Team slugging percentage of .501 - highest in MLB history
  
• Ronald Acuna is the only player in history to get 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases.
  
• Ronald is also only the fourth player in MLB history to have a 335 average 40 or more homers, 215 hits or more, 80 extra base hits or more, 100 RBI or more, & 145 runs scored or more, with fewer than 90 strikeouts. The other three? Lou Gehrig (1937), Chuck Cline (1936), & Joe DiMaggio (1937).
  
• Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna, & Marcel Ozuna all had 40 or more homers – this is the 4th time in MLB history that 3 teammates hit 40 or more homers in a single season.

Braves Franchise Records

• Tied the Braves franchise high with 4 players with 100 or more RBI.
  
• Matt Olson set a new franchise record with his 54 homers.
  
• Matt also set a new franchise record with 139 RBI.
  
• Spencer Strider had a 20 win season & broke the franchise record (set by John Smoltz) with 281 strikeouts.
  

And if these aren’t enough stats, check out this article. The title is “Do Braves have the best first-inning offense ever?” The answer is YES, yes they do. The article has stats like this:
 
Most home runs, first inning, since 1961
1-T. 2023 Braves: 47
1-T. 2019 Reds: 46
 
Most extra-base hits, first inning, since 1961
1-T. 2023 Braves: 92
1-T. 2003 Cardinals: 92
3. 2001 Rangers: 89
 
Highest slugging percentage, first inning, since 1961
1. 2023 Braves: .600
2. 2019 Reds: .564
 
Highest OPS, first inning, since 1961
1. 2000 Cardinals: .988
2. 2023 Braves: .982
 
It goes on to say: “If there’s any takeaway from all of this, it’s that the first inning of any Braves game is must-see TV if you like action. And silencing Atlanta’s offense in the first will be both extremely difficult and vitally important for any opponent this month. You don’t want to let this offense gain the upper hand early on. However, the Braves’ lineup has often been called “relentless” this season, and for good reason. While keeping them quiet in the first inning is crucial, you still have to deal with them in innings two through nine as well. Good luck.”
 

The Braves first post-season game is on Saturday. They’ll be playing the Phillies, who are currently on fire. As I told a friend earlier today, I’m beside myself with joy and dread. Whew!

Note: photos from the Bally Sports South & Atlanta Braves Instagram feeds.