Golden State Warriors

Bench. In 2002, 2003, and 2004 the Braves won their division again, but lost in the NLDS in all three years 3 games to 2, to the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros respectively. Starters. In 2001, Atlanta won the National League East division, swept the NLDS against the Houston Astros, then lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS. At the 2005 trading deadline, he further added to the team by bringing in the first superstar the Warriors have had since Mullin himself, Baron Davis. With their strong pitching being a constant, the Braves would also appear in the 1996 and 1999 World Series, and have not failed to win a division title since 1990 as of this writing. Pitching is not the only constant in the Braves organization; as of the end of the 2004 season, Cox is still the Braves' manager and Schuerholz remains the team's GM. He is building the team around Richardson, Dunleavy, and Murphy, complementing them with experience in Derek Fisher, a free agent signed by Golden State after 3 championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Calbert Cheaney, a playoff-tested sharpshooter. With this World Series victory, the Braves became the first team in Major League Baseball to win world championships in three different cities.

Chris Mullin took over as VP of Basketball Operations, hiring Mitch Richmond as his assistant and former teammates Mario Elie as an assistant coach and Rod Higgins as the general manager. The Braves would win a World Series in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians in six games. With rising star Antawn Jamison leading the team, the Warriors seemed on the rise, however, a string of injuries kept them from making it on top in the competitive Western conference. In 1993, the Braves signed Cy Young Award winning pitcher Greg Maddux, leading many baseball insiders to declare the pitching staff the best of all-time. from Duke University, and Troy Murphy from University of Notre Dame. In the 1992 season, the Braves would reach the NLCS again and defeat, once again, in seven games, the Pirates, only to lose in the World Series to a dominating Toronto Blue Jays team. He did, however, draft several players who are the core of the most recent Warriors, including 2-time NBA slam dunk champion Jason Richardson from Michigan State, NCAA champion Mike Dunleavy, Jr. Despite the loss, the Braves' success would continue.

He also drafted several busts such as Todd Fuller, Chris Porter, and Vonteego Cummings. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a tightly contested seven-game NLCS only to lose the World Series, also in seven games, to the Minnesota Twins. Jean's team philosophy centered around "experienced veterans" and a college star when in reality, he brought in several has-been players and former standouts who were in the twilights of their career, such as Mark Price, Terry Cummings, John Starks, and Mookie Blaylock. Meanwhile, behind position players Dave Justice, Ron Gant and unexpected league Most Valuable Player and batting-average leader Terry Pendleton, the Braves overcame a slow start to go 47-22 over the last three months of the season and win 8 of their last 9, edging the Los Angeles Dodgers by one game in one of baseball history's more memorable playoff races. GM Garry St. The following season, Glavine, Avery, and Smoltz would be recognized as the best young pitchers in the league, winning 52 games between them. For eleven years, to this day, the Warriors have not made the playoffs. Immediately after the season, John Schuerholz was hired as general manager.

The team had another successful string of wins in the late 80s/early 90s with the high scoring trio of point guard Tim Hardaway, guard Mitch Richmond, and forward Chris Mullin (collectively known as Run T-M-C). However, with then coach Don Nelson wishing to go with a bigger lineup, he made a trade that not only broke up the RUN T-M-C, core by sending Richmond to the Sacramento Kings for draft day bust Billy Owens, but also sent the Warriors into a tailspin as an organization. Perhaps the Braves' most important move, however, was not on the field, but in the front office. As a result, the home games of the Warriors' only West Coast championship were played not in Oakland but at the Cow Palace in Daly City. However, pitching coach Leo Mazzone began training young pitchers Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, and John Smoltz. So little was felt of the team's chances in the playoffs, even by their home fans, that the Coliseum Arena scheduled other events during the dates of the NBA playoffs. Not only was this season a losing effort, the Braves traded Dale Murphy to the Philadelphia Phillies after it was clear he was becoming a less dominant player. That team was coached by former Warrior Al Attles, and led on the court by Rick Barry, Jamaal Wilkes, and Phil Smith. Bobby Cox was rehired as manager in 1990.

In what many consider the biggest upset in the history of the NBA, the Warriors defeated the heavily-favored Washington Bullets in a four-game sweep. Murphy, excelling in defense, hitting, and running, was consistently recognized as one of the league's best players, but the Braves averaged only 65 wins per season between 1985-1990. As the Golden State Warriors, the franchise has only won one NBA championship, in 1974-1975. Murphy also won a Most Valuable Player award the following season, but the Braves began a period of decline that defined the team throughout the 1980s. Six "home" games were played in San Diego during that season but more significantly, none were played in San Francisco or Daly City. Strong performances from Bob Horner, Chris Chambliss, pitcher Phil Niekro, and short relief pitcher Gene Garber helped the Braves, but no Brave was more acclaimed than Murphy, who won both a Most Valuable Player and a Gold Glove award. They changed their name to the Golden State Warriors for the 1971-1972 season, playing almost all home games in Oakland. Cox was fired after the 1981 season and replaced with Joe Torre, under whose leadership the Braves attained their first divisional title since 1969.

The 1970-1971 season would be the team's last as the San Francisco Warriors. However, in 1980, Murphy was moved to center field and demonstrated excellent range and throwing ability, while the Braves earned their first winning season since 1974. With the opening of the Oakland Coliseum Arena in 1966, the Warriors began scheduling increasing numbers of home games at that venue. Murphy hit 77 home runs over the next three seasons, but struggled on defense, positioned at either catcher or first base while being unable to adeptly play either. After several seasons in the ABA, Barry rejoined the Warriors in 1972. Cox promoted a 22-year-old slugger named Dale Murphy into the starting lineup. Angered by management's failure to pay him certain incentive awards he felt he was due, Barry sat out the 1967-1968 season, joining the Oakland Oaks of the rival American Basketball Association the following year. After three straight losing seasons, Bobby Cox was hired as manager of the franchise for the 1978 season.

Barry was named NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season, then led the Warriors to the NBA finals in the 1966-1967 season, where the team lost (four games to two) to the team that replaced the Warriors in the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia 76ers. In 1977, Turner appointed himself manager, but was ordered to relinquish that position after one game (the Braves lost). In 1965, the Warriors drafted Rick Barry in the first round. Turner quickly gained a reputation as a quirky, hands-on baseball owner. The Warriors won the 1963-1964 Western Division crown, losing the NBA championship series to the Boston Celtics, four games to one. In 1976 the team was purchased by media magnate Ted Turner, owner of superstation WTBS. In 1962, the team moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and became the San Francisco Warriors, playing most of their home games in San Francisco and at the Cow Palace in neighboring Daly City, though occasionally playing home games in nearby cities such as Oakland and San Jose. On April 4 he hit #714 in Cincinnati, and on April 8, in front of his home fans, he finally beat Ruth's mark.

On March 2, 1962, in a Warrior "home" game played in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain scored 100 points against the Knickerbockers, a single-game record that may never be broken. The next season, it was only a matter of time before he set a new record. Known as "Wilt the Stilt," Chamberlain quickly began shattering NBA scoring records and changed the style of play forever. Throughout the winter he received racially motivated death threats, but stood up well under the pressure. In 1959, the team signed their 216-cm tall (7'1") draft pick Wilt Chamberlain. In the relatively hitter friendly confines of Fulton County Stadium ("The Launching Pad"), he actually increased his offensive production, and by the end of the 1973 season had hit 713 home runs, one short of Babe Ruth's record. The Warriors won their only other championship as a Philadelphia team in the 1955-1956 season, defeating the Fort Wayne Pistons four games to one. In the mean time, fans had to be satisfied with the achievements of Aaron.

The Warriors are one of only three original BAA/NBA teams still in existence, the others being the Boston Celtics and New York Knickerbockers. They would not win it again until 1982, under Joe Torre. Gottlieb retained the ABL Sphas until that league disbanded in 1955. A .500 baseball team in the first few years (85-77, 77-85 and 81-81) respectively, they won the 1969 NL West pennant, before being swept by the "Miracle Mets" in the NLCS. (The BAA became the National Basketball Association in 1949.) The team was founded by Eddie Gottlieb, the long-time promoter of the Philadelphia Sphas, one of the mainstays of the original American Basketball League. The next year, the Braves were its new residents. The Philadelphia Warriors were a charter member of the Basketball Association of America, winning the championship in the league's inaugural 1946-1947 season by defeating the Chicago Stags, four games to one. Keen to attract them, the City of Atlanta constructed a new ballpark, Fulton County Stadium, officially opened in 1965.

"Golden State" is the nickname of the state of California, derived from the 1849 Gold Rush. By the early 1960s attendance in Milwaukee had dwindled as well, and a new group of owners once again sought relocation. The Golden State Warriors are a National Basketball Association team based in Oakland, California. Burdette, the Series MVP, threw three complete game victories, giving up only two earned runs. He is now a silent partner and talent scout for the Warriors organization. In 1957, it culminated in their first World Series win for over 40 years, defeating the New York Yankees of Berra, Mantle and Ford. Bowens went to Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School and graduated from SFSU mastering in Criminology/Sociology. Sluggers Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron drove the offense (they would hit a combined 863 home runs as Braves), whilst Spahn, Lew Burdette and Bob Buhl anchored the rotation.

Hailing from San Francisco, he was compared to the likes of Michael Jordan when he dunked on Jason Kidd at Kezar Pavillion in a charity game. As the 1950s the reinvigorated Braves were increasingly competitive. 28 - Nathan Bowens although he never played in the NBA due to multiple knee surgery, his number was retired by the organization for he was suppose to be the next big thing. Attendances steadily dwindled until, on March 13, 1953, then-owner Lou Perini announced he was moving the team to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 42 Nate Thurmond. Their two pennants not withstanding, the Braves term in Boston was not a successful time. 24 Rick Barry. Ironically, in the 1948 season, the Braves actually had a better record in games that Spahn and Sain did not start than in games they did.

16 Al Attles. The poem received such a wide audience that the sentiment, usually now paraphrased as "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain", entered the baseball vocabulary. 14 Tom Meschery. The remainder of the rotation was so thin that in September the Boston Post journalist Gerald Hern characterised them by the poem. 13 Wilt Chamberlain. In 1948 the team won the pennant, behind the pitching of Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain who won 39 games between them. Free. A miraculous season of these proportions has never again been seen in professional sports.

World B. The team was at the top of the league in both pitching, and hitting, and its leader, Evers, won the Chalmers Award, which is equivalent to today's MVP. Bernard King. The turnaround was complete. Manute Bol. They were now World Champions. Larry Smith. Nevertheless, the Braves dominated the series in every phase, and swept away the favored Athletics.

Jamaal Wilkes. The team entered the World Series as a heavy underdog to Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's. Chris Webber. Not only did they finish first, but they ended up 10.5 games up on the second place Giants. Latrell Sprewell. The Braves went 51-16 in the second half of the season, winning 34 of their last 44 games. Mitch Richmond. From there came a romp unmatched in baseball history.

Chris Mullin. When the team rallied to sweep the Reds in a doubleheader on July 19th, Stallings declared that the team was playing ball better than any other in the league, and was ready to catch New York. Sarunas Marciulionis. At midseason, on July 15th, the team was still in last place, 11.5 games out of first. Antawn Jamison. It had solidified around the phenomenal double-play tandem of Rabbit Maranville and Johnny Evers (of Evers to Tinker to Chance fame), and a strong starting rotation led by Lefty Tyler, Dick Rudolph, and Bill James. Tim Hardaway. Slowly, the team began to turn itself around.

Nate Thurmond. The only man left believing was the team's manager, "Miracle Man" George Stallings. Andy Phillip. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. Robert Parish. After a dismal 4-18 start to the season, the fanbase was turned off, as it looked like the Braves were headed for another bottom-feeder season. Jerry Lucas. None were more remarkable than the mid-season last-to-first transformation of the 1914 "Miracle" Braves.

Neil Johnston. The Boston franchise that became known as the Braves took part in some of baseball's most memorable moments, achievements, and penant races. Tom Gola. They are most recently known for their ongoing record of 13 consecutive division championships (1991-2004, except for the strike-shortened 1994 season), the most in any professional North American sport, while collecting one World Series championship in that time (in 1995, also a strike-shortened season). Joe Fulks. They are in the Eastern Division of the National League. Wilt Chamberlain. The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rick Barry. Danville Braves
Orlando Braves. Paul Arizin. Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Rome Braves. SF - #3 Rodney White (Charlotte). Mississippi Braves. PF - #20 Nikoloz Tskitishvili (ნიკოლოზ ცქიტიშვილი) (Republic of Georgia). Richmond Braves.

G/F - #2 Mickael Pietrus (Guadeloupe). National League
. PG - #4 Derek Fisher (Arkansas-Little Rock). Pitching saves: John Smoltz, 55 (2002). G/F - #40 Calbert Cheaney (Indiana). Pitching ERA: Greg Maddux, 1.56 (1994). F - #11 Zarko Cabarkapa (Clemson). Pitching strikeouts: Charlie Buffinton, 417 (1884).

F/C - #15 Andris Biedrins (Latvia). Pitching wins: John Clarkson, 49 (1889). SF - #34 Mike Dunleavy, Jr. (Duke). Strikeouts: Andruw Jones, 147 (1948). PF - #1 Troy Murphy (Notre Dame). Walks: Bob Elliott, 131 (1948). C - #36 Adonal Foyle (Colgate). Hitting streak: Tommy Holmes, 37 games (1945).

SG - #23 Jason Richardson (Michigan State). Stolen bases: King Kelly, 84 (1887). PG - #5 Baron Davis (UCLA). Triples: Dick Johnston and Harry Stovey, 20 (1897 and 1891). Doubles: Hugh Duffy, 51 (1894). Runs: Hugh Duffy, 160 (1894).

Hits: Hugh Duffy, 237 (1894). Runs batted in: Hugh Duffy, 145 (1894). Home runs: Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews, 47 (1971 and 1953). Batting average: Hugh Duffy, .440 (1894).

44 Hank Aaron. 42 Jackie Robinson (this number is retired throughout baseball). 41 Eddie Mathews. 35 Phil Niekro.

21 Warren Spahn.   3 Dale Murphy. Johnny Estrada (2004). Mike Hampton (2003).

Javy Lopez (2003). Gary Sheffield (2003). Chipper Jones (1999, 2000). Jeff Blauser (1997).

John Smoltz (1997). David Justice (1993). Fred McGriff (1993). Ron Gant (1991).

Tom Glavine (1991, 1995, 1996, 1998). Dale Murphy (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985). Silver Slugger