1973 Atlanta Braves season


The 1973 Atlanta Braves season was the eighth season in Atlanta along with the 103rd season as a franchise overall. The highlight of the season was Hank Aaron finishing the season just one home run short of Babe Ruth as baseball's all-time home run king. The 1973 Atlanta Braves were the first team to boast three 40 home run hitters. They were Aaron, Darrell Evans, and Davey Johnson.

Offseason

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Opening Day starters

At the age of 39, Aaron managed to slug 40 home runs in 392 at bats, ending the season with 713, which at that time one home run short of the record. He hit home run number 713 on September 29, 1973, and with one day remaining in the season, many expected him to tie the record. But in his final game that year, playing against the Houston Astros, he was unable to hit one out of the park. After the game, Aaron stated that his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. That statement was not just about the death threats: one year earlier, September 30, 1972, was the last day that the legendary Roberto Clemente ever played, as he perished in the offseason.
Home RunDatePitcherInningLocation
700July 21, 1973Ken BrettBottom 3rdFulton County Stadium
701July 31, 1973Pedro BorbónBottom 9thFulton County Stadium
702August 16, 1973Jack AkerTop 8thWrigley Field
703August 17, 1973Steve RenkoTop 6thParc Jarry
704August 18, 1973Steve RogersTop 8thParc Jarry
705August 22, 1973Reggie ClevelandBottom 6thFulton County Stadium
706August 28, 1973Milt PappasBottom 1stFulton County Stadium
707September 3, 1973Clay KirbyTop 3rdSan Diego Stadium
708September 3, 1973Vicente RomoTop 5thSan Diego Stadium
709September 8, 1973Jack BillinghamBottom 7thFulton County Stadium
710September 10, 1973Don CarrithersBottom 3rdFulton County Stadium
711September 17, 1973Gary RossBottom 8thFulton County Stadium
712September 22, 1973Dave RobertsTop 6thAstrodome
713September 29, 1973Jerry ReussBottom 5thFulton County Stadium

Roster

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
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C9332280.248427
1B138513151.2941682
2B157559151.2704399
3B161595167.28141104
SS141501125.250857
LF120392118.3014096
CF159604174.2882199
RF148668200.2991155

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
297421.28402
225812.20700
11201.05000
361.16700

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
38256.115103.41112
1686.2463.4342
1257.2374.9923

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
38177.11184.16130
1337.1027.7120
416.1125.514

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGWLSVERASO
421284.2027
242346.4015
232307.638
122205.3318
400014.542
201018.002

Awards and honors

League records

1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Kinston affiliation shared with New York Yankees