LaMarr’s sports take: The 1990s Atlanta Braves left a lot to be desired

The Atlanta Braves in the 1990s had some good baseball teams. To this day, fans are still amazed that the Braves only won one World Series in the 90s; they won eight division titles and five pennants, but only one World Series trophy.

In 1991, the Braves faced the Minnesota Twins in the World Series. Both teams were coming off seasons where they went from worst to first. It was a hard-fought series that lasted seven games. Jack Morris, the World Series MVP, went 2-0 in three starts with a 1.17 ERA. Morris also pitched ten innings in Game 7 to lead the Twins to victory, producing one of the most iconic pitching performances of all time.

In 1992, the Braves returned to the World Series, this time against the Toronto Blue Jays. Unfortunately for the Braves, the Blue Jays won in six games. This Blue Jays team was loaded with talent, like Roberto Alomar, Dave Winfield, and Joe Carter. There should be no shame in losing to this Blue Jays team.

In 1993, the Braves took a big step forward by signing starting pitcher Greg Maddux, hoping to overcome the obstacle. Maddux went 20-10 with a 2.36 ERA. Many believed the move would put them over the top, giving them three number one starters to seal the deal. Unfortunately, the game did not go as planned and the Braves were upset by the Philadelphia Phillies in six games in the NLCS, marking another significant playoff loss for the Braves.

In 1995, the Braves finally broke through against the Cleveland Indians. Chipper Jones was called up to be their everyday third baseman. Chipper hit .265 with 23 home runs to help the Braves win the World Series title. The Braves also had strong years thanks to Fred McGriff and Ryan Klesko. Greg Maddux had a phenomenal season, going 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA.

The Indians were a loaded team with Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez and Eddie Murray. Few thought the Braves could beat the Indians with all that firepower, but they were determined to win it all in 1995, and this time they wouldn’t be denied.

The Braves returned to the World Series in 1996, facing George Steinbrenner’s New York Yankees. The Braves started fast behind a young Andruw Jones, who hit two home runs in the opener. Atlanta was victorious in games one and two at Yankee Stadium.

However, the series ended in Game 4 in Atlanta, with the Braves trailing two games to one in the series and owning a six-run lead in Game 4. That is until Jim Leyritz, the Yankees’ backup catcher, hit a game-tying three-run shot. The Yankees won the game and tied the series at two.

After that, the Braves were cooked and lost the next two games.

Closing out the decade, the Braves returned to the World Series in 1999, again facing the Yankees, but this time they were no match. New York was a well-oiled machine and swept Atlanta 4-0.

The Braves faced some tough teams in the 1990s, but they had great players, and with all that talent, they probably should have won more than one World Series. Fans would have to wait another 26 years before their Braves could win another World Series trophy when the Braves defeated the 2021 Houston Astros 4-2 in the World Series.

Some would say it was worth the wait, while others think Atlanta’s loaded teams in the 1990s left a lot to be desired.

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