2004 Atlanta Braves season explained

Atlanta Braves
Season:	2004
Misc:	National League East Champions
League:	National League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Turner Field
City:	Atlanta
Record:	96–66 (.593)
Divisional Place:	1st
Owners:	Time Warner
General Managers:	John Schuerholz
Managers:	Bobby Cox
Television:	TBS Superstation Turner South (Don Sutton, Joe Simpson, Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray) FSN South (Tom Paciorek, Bob Rathbun)
Radio:	WSB (AM) (Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray, Don Sutton, Joe Simpson) WWWE (Luis Octavio Dozal, Jose Manuel Flores)

The 2004 Atlanta Braves season marked the franchise's 39th season in Atlanta and 134th overall. The Braves won their tenth consecutive division title, finishing 10 games ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

On September 29, 2004, Bobby Cox won his 2,000th game as a manager. He became the ninth manager to achieve the feat, doing so with a 6–3 win over the New York Mets at Turner Field in the final home game of the year ^[1] He was named Manager of the Year after the season ended.

J. D. Drew replaced Gary Sheffield (lost to the Yankees in free agency) in the outfield, free agent John Thomson joined the rotation, and rookies Adam LaRoche and Charles Thomas saw significant playing time on a younger 2004 Braves team.

The Braves would face the Houston Astros in the NLDS (the fourth time that these two teams met in seven years, all of which were won by Atlanta), but the Braves lost three games to two.

Offseason

October 25, 2003: DeWayne Wise was signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.^[2]
November 14, 2003: Jorge Velandia was signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.^[3]
December 10, 2003: John Thomson signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.^[4]
December 13, 2003: J. D. Drew was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Eli Marrero to the Atlanta Braves for Jason Marquis, Ray King, and Adam Wainwright.^[5]
December 23, 2003: Antonio Alfonseca signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.^[6]
January 12, 2004: Julio Franco was re-signed from free agency to the Atlanta Braves.^[7]
February 5, 2004: Russell Branyan was signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.^[8]
March 26, 2004: Chris Reitsma was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Atlanta Braves for Bubba Nelson (minors) and Jung Bong.^[9]

Regular season

Opening Day starters

! Position !! Name
Starting Pitcher	Russ Ortiz
Catcher	Johnny Estrada
First Baseman	Julio Franco
Second Baseman	Marcus Giles
Third Baseman	Mark DeRosa
Shortstop	Rafael Furcal
Left Fielder	Chipper Jones
Center Fielder	Andruw Jones
Right Fielder	J. D. Drew

^[10]

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

April 25, 2004: Russell Branyan was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Cleveland Indians for Scott Sturkie (minors).
June 7, 2004: Clint Sammons was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 6th round of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed July 12, 2004.^[11]

Roster

2004 Atlanta Braves
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		Outfielders		ManagerCoaches (bench) (bullpen) (third base) (first base) (hitting)

Game log

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1 || April 6 || Mets || 2–7 || Glavine (1–0) || Ortiz (0–1) || — || 49,460 || 0–1|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2 || April 7 || Mets || 18–10 || Gryboski (1–0) || Trachsel (0–1) || — || 22,775 || 1–1|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3 || April 8 || Mets || 10–8 || Cunnane (1–0) || Franco (0–1) || Smoltz (1) || 26,585 || 2–1|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4 || April 9 || Cubs || 1–2 || Mercker (1–0) || Cunnane (1–1) || Borowski (2) || 35,650 || 2–2|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5 || April 10 || Cubs || 5–2 || Alfonseca (1–0) || Pratt (0–1) || Gryboski (1) || 39,685 || 3–2|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6 || April 11 || Cubs || 2–10 || Wood (2–0) || Ortiz (0–2) || — || 27,701 || 3–3|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 7 || April 12 || @ Mets || 6–10 || Trachsel (1–1) || Hampton (0–1) || Looper (2) || 53,666 || 3–4|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 8 || April 14 || @ Mets || 6–1 || Thomson (1–0) || Yates (0–1) || — || 15,894 || 4–4|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 9 || April 15 || @ Mets || 0–4 || Leiter (1–0) || Ramirez (0–1) || — || 33,212 || 4–5|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 10 || April 16 || Marlins || 5–4 || Wright (1–0) || Oliver (1–1) || Smoltz (2) || 29,638 || 5–5|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 11 || April 17 || Marlins || 4–1 || Ortiz (1–2) || Beckett (1–1) || Smoltz (3) || 31,401 || 6–5|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 12 || April 18 || Marlins || 3–2 || Alfonseca (2–0) || Perisho (2–1) || — || 29,829 || 7–5|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 13 || April 20 || @ Reds || 2–3 || Acevedo (2–0) || Thomson (1–1) || Graves (7) || 20,232 || 7–6|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 14 || April 21 || @ Reds || 9–5 || Reitsma (1–0) || Reith (0–1) || — || 29,472 || 8–6|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 15 || April 22 || @ Reds || 3–5 || Lidle (2–1) || Wright (1–1) || — || 19,909 || 8–7|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 16 || April 23 || @ Marlins || 6–1 || Ortiz (2–2) || Beckett (1–2) || — || 32,477 || 9–7|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 17 || April 24 || @ Marlins || 4–7 || Penny (2–1) || Hampton (0–2) || Benítez (9) || 41,226 || 9–8|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 18 || April 25 || @ Marlins || 7–2 || Thomson (2–1) || Bump (0–1) || — || 27,977 || 10–8|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 19 || April 26 || @ Giants || 2–3 || Schmidt (1–2) || Ramirez (0–2) || Herges (7) || 35,866 || 10–9|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 20 || April 27 || @ Giants || 12–3 || Wright (2–1) || Rueter (0–3) || — || 36,371 || 11–9|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 21 || April 28 || @ Giants || 7–10 || Tomko (1–1) || Ortiz (2–3) || — || 36,210 || 11–10|- bgcolor="#cccccc"| – || April 30 || @ Rockies || colspan=7|Postponed (snow); rescheduled for May 1|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 22 || May 1 || @ Rockies || 2–3 || Nunez (3–0) || Reitsma (1–1) || Chacon (6) || 30,176 || 11–11|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 23 || May 1 || @ Rockies || 11–7 || Nitkowski (1–0) || Nunez (3–1) || — || 24,272 || 12–11|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 24 || May 2 || @ Rockies || 4–13 || Estes (4–1) || Ramirez (0–3) || — || 35,234 || 12–12|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 25 || May 4 || Padres || 4–2 || Ortiz (3–3) || Eaton (1–2) || Smoltz (4) || 22,046 || 13–12|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 26 || May 5 || Padres || 0–2 || Wells (2–2) || Wright (2–2) || Hoffman (8) || 21,444 || 13–13|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 27 || May 6 || Padres || 3–7 || Lawrence (4–2) || Hampton (0–3) || — || 26,137 || 13–14|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 28 || May 7 || Astros || 3–5 || Redding (1–3) || Thomson (2–2) || Dotel (5) || 27,902 || 13–15|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 29 || May 8 || Astros || 5–4 || Alfonseca (3–0) || Stone (1–1) || — || 35,220 || 14–15|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 30 || May 9 || Astros || 1–2 || Pettitte (3–1) || Ortiz (3–4) || Dotel (6) || 26,825 || 14–16|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 31 || May 11 || @ Cardinals || 1–5 || Williams (1–3) || Wright (2–3) || — || 35,000 || 14–17|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 32 || May 12 || @ Cardinals || 2–5 || Morris (4–3) || Hampton (0–4) || Isringhausen (6) || 28,921 || 14–18|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 33 || May 13 || @ Cardinals || 6–5 || Alfonseca (4–0) || Suppan (3–4) || Smoltz (5) || 40,472 || 15–18|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 34 || May 14 || @ Brewers || 2–0 || Ramirez (1–3) || Vizcaino (0–2) || Smoltz (6) || 33,061 || 16–18|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 35 || May 15 || @ Brewers || 11–6 || Alfonseca (5–0) || Kinney (1–3) || — || 26,862 || 17–18|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 36 || May 16 || @ Brewers || 1–4 || Sheets (4–2) || Wright (2–4) || — || 20,654 || 17–19|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 37 || May 18 || Diamondbacks || 0–2 || Johnson (4–4) || Hampton (0–5) || — || 23,381 || 17–20|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 38 || May 19 || Diamondbacks || 4–6 || Bruney (2–0) || Almanza (0–1) || — || 19,971 || 17–21|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 39 || May 20 || Diamondbacks || 5–1 || Ramirez (2–3) || Fossum (0–1) || — || 21,044 || 18–21|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 40 || May 21 || Dodgers || 2–0 || Ortiz (4–4) || Perez (2–3) || Smoltz (7) || 27,194 || 19–21|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 41 || May 22 || Dodgers || 4–7 || Weaver (3–5) || Wright (2–5) || — || 31,850 || 19–22|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 42 || May 23 || Dodgers || 5–1 || Hampton (1–5) || Alvarez (2–1) || — || 29,738 || 20–22|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 43 || May 24 || @ Expos || 5–0 || Thomson (3–2) || Day (3–5) || — || 4,675 || 21–22|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 44 || May 25 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Ohka (2–5) || Ramirez (2–4) || Biddle (10) || 4,235 || 21–23|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 45 || May 26 || @ Expos || 6–1 || Ortiz (5–4) || Hernandez (3–4) || — || 4,544 || 22–23|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 46 || May 27 || @ Phillies || 6–1 || Wright (3–5) || Millwood (4–3) || — || 38,802 || 23–23|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 47 || May 28 || @ Phillies || 2–3 || Worrell (1–1) || Alfonseca (5–1) || — || 40,187 || 23–24|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 48 || May 29 || @ Phillies || 9–3 || Thomson (4–2) || Padilla (4–5) || — || 44,057 || 24–24|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 49 || May 30 || @ Phillies || 1–4 || Milton (6–1) || Smith (0–1) || Worrell (7) || 44,304 || 24–25|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 50 || May 31 || Expos || 8–2 || Ortiz (6–4) || Hernandez (3–5) || — || 24,945 || 25–25|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 51 || June 1 || Expos || 7–6 || Almanza (1–1) || Biddle (0–3) || — || 20,271 || 26–25|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 52 || June 2 || Expos || 4–8 || Vargas (4–3) || Hampton (1–6) || — || 21,055 || 26–26|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 53 || June 3 || Phillies || 8–4 || Thomson (5–2) || Hancock (0–1) || — || 23,405 || 27–26|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 54 || June 4 || Phillies || 1–9 || Milton (7–1) || Smith (0–2) || — || 27,699 || 27–27|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 55 || June 5 || Phillies || 3–5 || Myers (4–3) || Ortiz (6–5) || Worrell (8) || 29,252 || 27–28|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 56 || June 6 || Phillies || 6–4 || Wright (4–5) || Millwood (4–4) || Smoltz (8) || 27,775 || 28–28|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 57 || June 8 || @ Tigers || 4–3 || Reitsma (2–1) || Patterson (0–3) || Smoltz (9) || 19,062 || 29–28|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 58 || June 9 || @ Tigers || 2–4 || Dingman (1–0) || Thomson (5–3) || Urbina (8) || 20,577 || 29–29|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 59 || June 10 || @ Tigers || 4–7 || Maroth (5–3) || Alfonseca (5–2) || Urbina (9) || 21,166 || 29–30|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 60 || June 11 || @ White Sox || 6–4 || Wright (5–5) || Schoeneweis (5–4) || — || 23,217 || 30–30|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 61 || June 12 || @ White Sox || 8–10 || Loaiza (7–3) || Thomson (5–4) || Takatsu (1) || 34,719 || 30–31|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 62 || June 13 || @ White Sox || 3–10 || Buehrle (7–1) || Smith (0–3) || — || 32,589 || 30–32|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 63 || June 15 || Royals || 3–2 || Reitsma (3–1) || Grimsley (3–3) || Smoltz (10) || 23,350 || 31–32|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 64 || June 16 || Royals || 4–10 || Cerda (1–1) || Reitsma (3–2) || — || 27,048 || 31–33|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 65 || June 17 || Royals || 4–10 || May (4–8) || Thomson (5–5) || — || 28,578 || 31–34|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 66 || June 18 || Indians || 2–4 || Lee (6–1) || Hampton (1–7) || Jimenez (6) || 28,000 || 31–35|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 67 || June 19 || Indians || 4–0 || Byrd (1–0) || Westbrook (6–3) || Smoltz (11) || 41,987 || 32–35|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 68 || June 20 || Indians || 2–5 || Davis (2–5) || Ortiz (6–6) || Jimenez (7) || 31,000 || 32–36|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 69 || June 22 || @ Marlins || 3–4 || Pavano (8–2) || Gryboski (1–1) || Benítez (25) || 14,716 || 32–37|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 70 || June 23 || @ Marlins || 0–6 || Penny (7–5) || Thomson (5–6) || — || 15,294 || 32–38|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 71 || June 24 || @ Marlins || 9–4 || Hampton (2–7) || Willis (6–5) || — || 23,856 || 33–38|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 72 || June 25 || @ Orioles || 0–5 || Cabrera (4–3) || Byrd (1–1) || — || 33,579 || 33–39|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 73 || June 26 || @ Orioles || 5–0 || Ortiz (7–6) || Lopez (5–4) || Smoltz (12) || 47,438 || 34–39|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 74 || June 27 || @ Orioles || 8–7 || Cruz (1–0) || Grimsley (3–4) || Smoltz (13) || 39,095 || 35–39|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 75 || June 28 || Marlins || 6–1 || Thomson (6–6) || Penny (7–6) || — || 31,969 || 36–39|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 76 || June 29 || Marlins || 4–5 || Manzanillo (1–1) || Hampton (2–8) || Benítez (26) || 25,105 || 36–40|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 77 || June 30 || Marlins || 9–6 || McConnell (1–0) || Oliver (2–3) || Smoltz (14) || 23,040 || 37–40|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 78 || July 1 || Marlins || 9–1 || Ortiz (8–6) || Tejera (0–1) || — || 20,600 || 38–40|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 79 || July 2 || Red Sox || 6–3 || Cruz (2–0) || Martinez (2–1) || — || 42,231 || 39–40|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 80 || July 3 || Red Sox || 1–6 || Schilling (11–4) || Thomson (6–7) || — || 51,831 || 39–41|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 81 || July 4 || Red Sox || 10–4 || Hampton (3–8) || Lowe (6–8) || — || 41,414 || 40–41|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 82 || July 5 || @ Expos* || 11–4 || Byrd (2–1) || Day (5–9) || — || 13,122 || 41–41|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 83 || July 6 || @ Expos* || 1–0 || Ortiz (9–6) || Downs (0–3) || Smoltz (15) || 7,697 || 42–41|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 84 || July 7 || @ Expos* || 14–2 || Wright (6–5) || Hernandez (6–8) || — || 8,534 || 43–41|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 85 || July 9 || @ Phillies || 6–7 || Wagner (3–0) || Alfonseca (5–3) || — || 44,180 || 43–42|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 86 || July 10 || @ Phillies || 4–0 || Hampton (4–8) || Abbott (2–8) || — || 44,307 || 44–42|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 87 || July 11 || @ Phillies || 6–4 || Ortiz (10–6) || Wolf (3–5) || Smoltz (16) || 44,519 || 45–42|- bgcolor="bbcaff" | colspan=9 | 75th All-Star Game in Houston, Texas|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 88 || July 15 || Expos || 8–0 || Wright (7–5) || Hernandez (6–9) || — || 33,883 || 46–42|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 89 || July 16 || Expos || 1–5 || Horgan (2–0) || Byrd (2–2) || — || 26,424 || 46–43|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 90 || July 17 || Expos || 6–2 || Ortiz (11–6) || Bentz (0–3) || Smoltz (17) || 34,296 || 47–43|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 91 || July 18 || Expos || 16–5 || Thomson (7–7) || Downs (1–4) || — || 23,952 || 48–43|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 92 || July 19 || Phillies || 4–2 || Hampton (5–8) || Abbott (2–9) || Smoltz (18) || 25,790 || 49–43|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 93 || July 20 || Phillies || 3–4 || Worrell (3–3) || Alfonseca (5–4) || Wagner (15) || 36,006 || 49–44|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 94 || July 21 || Pirates || 3–4 || Benson (8–7) || Byrd (2–3) || Mesa (27) || 30,131 || 49–45|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 95 || July 22 || Pirates || 2–1 || Reitsma (4–2) || Torres (6–4) || — || 32,963 || 50–45|- bgcolor="#cccccc"| – || July 23 || @ Mets || colspan=7|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 13|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 96 || July 24 || @ Mets || 5–2 || Thomson (8–7) || Stanton (0–4) || Smoltz (19) || 33,166 || 51–45|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 97 || July 25 || @ Mets || 4–3 || Hampton (6–8) || Trachsel (9–7) || Smoltz (20) || 32,542 || 52–45|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 98 || July 26 || @ Pirates || 4–2 || Wright (8–5) || Benson (8–8) || Smoltz (21) || 19,164 || 53–45|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 99 || July 27 || @ Pirates || 4–8 || Gonzalez (3–0) || Gryboski (1–2) || — || 15,946 || 53–46|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 100 || July 28 || @ Pirates || 1–0 || Ortiz (12–6) || Perez (6–5) || Smoltz (22) || 22,977 || 54–46|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 101 || July 29 || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Cruz (3–0) || Mesa (2–1) || Smoltz (23) || 25,988 || 55–46|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 102 || July 30 || Mets || 3–1 || Hampton (7–8) || Trachsel (9–8) || Smoltz (24) || 40,913 || 56–46|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 103 || July 31 || Mets || 8–0 || Wright (9–5) || Benson (8–9) || — || 51,125 || 57–46|-|colspan="11"|*Games the Montreal Expos played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the 2004 season counted as Expos home games.|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 104 || August 1 || Mets || 6–5 || Byrd (3–3) || Glavine (8–9) || Smoltz (25) || 34,203 || 58–46|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 105 || August 3 || @ Astros || 2–3 || Miceli (4–5) || Reitsma (4–3) || Lidge (12) || 40,709 || 58–47|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 106 || August 4 || @ Astros || 5–4 || Thomson (9–7) || Munro (2–3) || Smoltz (26) || 37,712 || 59–47|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 107 || August 5 || @ Astros || 6–5 || Cruz (4–0) || Miceli (4–6) || Smoltz (27) || 37,015 || 60–47|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 108 || August 6 || @ Diamondbacks || 4–2 || Jar. Wright (10–5) || BWebb (4–13) || Reitsma (1) || 29,368 || 61–47|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 109 || August 7 || @ Diamondbacks || 6–2 || Byrd (4–3) || Gonzalez (0–5) || — || 33,249 || 62–47|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 110 || August 8 || @ Diamondbacks || 11–4 || Ortiz (13–6) || Fossum (2–11) || — || 29,601 || 63–47|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 111 || August 10 || Brewers || 2–3 || Adams (2–1) || Martin (0–2) || Kolb (32) || 21,681 || 63–48|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 112 || August 11 || Brewers || 10–3 || Hampton (8–8) || Santos (9–8) || — || 21,673 || 64–48|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 113 || August 12 || Brewers || 4–2 || Jar. Wright (11–5) || Sheets (9–9) || Smoltz (28) || 21,013 || 65–48|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 114 || August 13 || Cardinals || 1–4 || Williams (9–6) || Byrd (4–4) || Isringhausen (32) || 38,843 || 65–49|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 115 || August 14 || Cardinals || 9–7 || Alfonseca (6–4) || King (4–2) || Smoltz (29) || 44,413 || 66–49|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 116 || August 15 || Cardinals || 4–10 || Haren (1–2) || Thomson (9–8) || — || 28,983 || 66–50|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 117 || August 16 || @ Padres || 5–4 || Hampton (9–8) || Hitchcock (0–2) || Smoltz (30) || 34,426 || 67–50|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 118 || August 17 || @ Padres || 6–11 || Peavy (9–3) || Jar. Wright (11–6) || — || 36,184 || 67–51|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 119 || August 18 || @ Padres || 6–5 || Reitsma (5–3) || Hoffman (2–3) || Smoltz (31) || 36,827 || 68–51|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 120 || August 19 || @ Dodgers || 6–5 || Reitsma (6–3) || Gagne (4–3) || Smoltz (32) || 42,287 || 69–51|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 121 || August 20 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 || Carrara (3–0) || Cruz (4–1) || — || 54,993 || 69–52|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 122 || August 21 || @ Dodgers || 4–7 || Weaver (11–10) || Hampton (9–9) || Carrara (1) || 52,398 || 69–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 123 || August 22 || @ Dodgers || 10–1 || Jar. Wright (12–6) || Alvarez (7–4) || — || 49,513 || 70–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 124 || August 24 || Rockies || 6–5 || Gryboski (2–2) || Harikkala (5–3) || Smoltz (33) || 27,914 || 71–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 125 || August 25 || Rockies || 8–1 || Thomson (10–8) || Francis (0–1) || — || 25,534 || 72–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 126 || August 26 || Rockies || 6–4 || Hampton (10–9) || Jam. Wright (1–2) || Smoltz (34) || 28,360 || 73–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 127 || August 27 || Giants || 5–3 || Jar. Wright (13–6) || Rueter (7–10) || Smoltz (35) || 37,178 || 74–53|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 128 || August 28 || Giants || 9–3 || Byrd (5–4) || Schmidt (15–5) || — || 42,549 || 75–53|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 129 || August 29 || Giants || 5–9 || Christiansen (4–2) || Ortiz (13–7) || Hermanson (7) || 24,631 || 75–54|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 130 || August 30 || Giants || 7–6 || Colon (1–0) || Hermanson (5–6) || — || 22,776 || 76–54|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 131 || August 31 || @ Phillies || 5–3 || Hampton (11–9) || Milton (13–3) || — || 36,028 || 77–54|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 132 || September 1 || @ Phillies || 7–2 || Wright (14–6) || Padilla (5–7) || — || 35,031 || 78–54|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 133 || September 3 || @ Expos || 7–1 || Byrd (6–4) || Downs (2–5) || — || 8,617 || 79–54|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 134 || September 4 || @ Expos || 9–0 || Ortiz (14–7) || Patterson (3–4) || — || 9,772 || 80–54|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 135 || September 5 || @ Expos || 3–4 || Tucker (4–2) || Cruz (4–2) || — || 10,015 || 80–55|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 136 || September 6 || Phillies || 3–1 || Smith (1–3) || Milton (13–4) || Smoltz (36) || 31,949 || 81–55|- bgcolor="#cccccc"| – || September 7 || Phillies || colspan=7|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 8|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 137 || September 8 || Phillies || 3–5 || Madson (8–2) || Reitsma (6–4) || Wagner (17) || N/A || 81–56|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 138 || September 8 || Phillies || 1–4 || Jones (9–5) || Byrd (6–5) || Worrell (18) || 20,320 || 81–57|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 139 || September 9 || Phillies || 4–9 || Madson (9–2) || Colon (1–1) || — || 20,285 || 81–58|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 140 || September 10 || Expos || 4–3 || Thomson (11–8) || Patterson (3–5) || Smoltz (37) || 22,086 || 82–58|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 141 || September 11 || Expos || 8–1 || Cruz (5–2) || Hernandez (10–13) || — || 28,860 || 83–58|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 142 || September 12 || Expos || 9–8 || Cruz (6–2) || Ayala (5–10) || — || 25,865 || 84–58|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 143 || September 13 || @ Mets || 7–9 || Heilman (1–1) || Wright (14–7) || — || N/A || 84–59|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 144 || September 13 || @ Mets || 7–1 || Byrd (7–5) || Seo (4–10) || — || 21,476 || 85–59|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 145 || September 14 || @ Mets || 0–7 || Benson (12–11) || Ortiz (14–8) || — || 21,545 || 85–60|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 146 || September 15 || @ Mets || 2–0 || Thomson (12–8) || Leiter (9–7) || Smoltz (38) || 29,704 || 86–60|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 147 || September 16 || @ Mets || 4–9 || Trachsel (11–13) || Capellan (0–1) || — || 19,885 || 86–61|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 148 || September 17 || @ Marlins || 8–1 || Byrd (8–5) || Kensing (0–2) || — || 26,084 || 87–61|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 149 || September 18 || @ Marlins || 4–2 || Wright (15–7) || Beckett (7–9) || Smoltz (39) || 34,714 || 88–61|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 150 || September 19 || @ Marlins || 0–3 || Valdez (13–8) || Ortiz (14–9) || Benítez (43) || 41,525 || 88–62|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 151 || September 21 || Reds || 5–4 || Thomson (13–8) || Claussen (2–6) || Smoltz (40) || 20,359 || 89–62|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 152 || September 22 || Reds || 8–11 || Norton (2–5) || Smoltz (0–1) || Valentine (2) || 19,573 || 89–63|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 153 || September 23 || Reds || 2–3 || Hudson (4–2) || Wright (15–8) || White (1) || 21,519 || 89–64|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 154 || September 24 || Marlins || 8–7 || Smith (2–3) || Mota (9–7) || Smoltz (41) || 28,632 || 90–64|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 155 || September 25 || Marlins || 1–0 || Hampton (12–9) || Pavano (17–8) || Reitsma (2) || 42,772 || 91–64|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 156 || September 26 || Marlins || 6–3 || Thomson (14–8) || Willis (10–11) || — || 31,351 || 92–64|- bgcolor="#cccccc"| – || September 27 || Mets || colspan=7|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 28|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 157 || September 28 || Mets || 1–2 || Trachsel (12–13) || Byrd (8–6) || Looper (29) || N/A || 92–65|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 158 || September 28 || Mets || 5–2 || Colon (2–1) || Glavine (10–14) || Smoltz (42) || 35,729 || 93–65|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 159 || September 29 || Mets || 6–3 || Ortiz (15–9) || Heilman (1–3) || Smoltz (43) || 22,000 || 94–65|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 160 || October 1 || @ Cubs || 5–4 || Hampton (13–9) || Wood (8–9) || Gryboski (2) || 38,795 || 95–65|- bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 161 || October 2 || @ Cubs || 8–6 || Gryboski (3–2) || Farnsworth (4–5) || Smoltz (44) || 38,695 || 96–65|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 162 || October 3 || @ Cubs || 8–10 || Maddux (16–11) || Byrd (8–7) || Hawkins (25) || 38,420 || 96–66|-| Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Braves team member

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	134	462	145	.314	9	76
1B	110	324	90	.278	13	45
2B	102	379	118	.311	8	48
SS	143	563	157	.279	14	59
3B	137	472	117	.248	30	96
LF	83	236	68	.288	7	31
CF	154	570	149	.261	29	91
RF	145	518	158	.305	31	93

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
125	320	99	.309	6	57
118	309	74	.239	3	31
95	264	72	.273	3	26
90	250	80	.320	10	40
74	170	39	.229	3	13
77	162	37	.228	6	17
50	115	29	.252	1	10
29	69	9	.130	2	5
22	47	8	.170	0	3
7	22	8	.364	0	5

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
34	204.2	15	9	4.13	143
33	198.1	14	8	3.72	133
32	186.1	15	8	3.28	159
29	172.1	13	9	4.28	87
19	114.1	8	7	3.94	79
10	60.1	2	4	2.39	31

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	16	40.2	2	3	6.20	26
	3	8.0	0	1	11.25	4

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
73	0	1	44	2.76	85
84	6	4	2	4.07	60
79	6	4	0	2.57	45
69	3	2	2	2.84	24
50	6	2	0	2.75	70
29	0	1	0	3.71	12
22	1	0	0	4.50	16
18	2	1	0	3.32	15
13	1	1	0	6.17	13
11	0	0	0	4.50	7
10	1	0	0	3.86	4
9	1	1	0	7.30	11
2	0	0	0	0.00	1

Postseason

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffcccc"| 1 || October 6 || Astros || 3–9 || Clemens (1–0) || Wright (0–1) || — || 41,464 || 0–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || October 7 || Astros || 4–2 || Alfonseca (1–0) || Miceli (0–1) || — || 40,075 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ffcccc"| 3 || October 9 || @ Astros || 5–8 || Backe (1–0) || Byrd (0–1) || Lidge (1) || 43,547 || 1–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || October 10 || @ Astros || 6–5 || Smoltz (1–0) || Springer (0–1) || — || 43,336 || 2–2|- bgcolor="ffcccc"| 5 || October 11 || Astros || 3–12 || Oswalt (1–0) || Wright (0–2) || — || 54,068 || 2–3

Award winners

2004 Major League Baseball season

Bobby Cox was voted National League Manager of the Year for the second of three times with the Atlanta Braves.^[12]
Andruw Jones (outfield) was once again chosen to receive a Gold Glove award.
Johnny Estrada (catcher) was chosen to receive a Silver Slugger award.

2004 Major League Baseball All-Star GameJohnny Estrada represented the Atlanta Braves as a catcher for the National League All-Star team.

Farm system

External links

2004 Atlanta Braves team at Baseball-Reference

Notes and References

Web site: Atlanta Braves Give Manager Bobby Cox His 2,000th Win. September 29, 2004.
Web site: Dewayne Wise Stats.
Web site: Jorge Velandia Stats.
Web site: John Thomson Stats.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/drewj.01.shtml J. D. Drew Statistics
Web site: Antonio Alfonseca Stats.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/francju01.shtml Julio Franco Statistics
https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/branyru01.shtml Russell Branyan Statistics
Web site: Chris Reitsma Stats.
Web site: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves Box Score, April 6, 2004.
Web site: Clint Sammons Stats.
Web site: 2004 Awards Voting.
Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
Baseball America 2005 Annual Directory