manu/mldr-zoomed-100char-total-queries-documents

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41_58	fifteen years. Smoltz and Maddux easily dispatched the Yankees to give the Braves a 2-0 lead as the
41_59	series shifted from New York to Atlanta. In Game 3, Glavine was matched against David Cone (who had
41_60	started against the Braves for the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series). Glavine was
41_61	outmatched by the resurgent Yankee lineup (which had scored once in the two previous games), as
41_62	they scored two runs on Glavine by the time he left in the seven and added three more in the eighth
41_63	to win 5-2; the ensuing Game 4 proved horrific, as Atlanta blew a six run lead and lost 8-6 in ten
41_64	innings. Smoltz, now in a tied series as the starter for Game 5, could not slow the bleeding. This
41_65	was his seventh career start in a World Series (two wins, four no-decisions). Unfortunately, this
41_66	would be his first loss, which came at the hands of a fourth inning flyball that went past the
41_67	fielders for a two-base error that was followed by a double to score the only run of the game.
41_68	Maddux was tasked to save the Braves in Game 6 in New York. However, the Yankees scored all the
41_69	runs they needed in third innings on four hits to prevail 3-2 and win the Series. Over the next two
41_70	years the Big Three continued to perform well, with Maddux finishing second in Cy Young voting in
41_71	1997 and Glavine capturing his second Cy Young Award in 1998. Unfortunately the Braves failed to
41_72	reach the World Series in both years (with the trio combining for one win and save in the League
41_73	Championship Series for 1997 and 1998)
41_74	Although their stats didn't look so bright the following year, the group still led the Braves to a
41_75	league-best 103–59 record. Maddux pitched seven strong innings in Game 1, only surrendering two
41_76	runs, but reliever Mike Remlinger surrendered four runs in the ninth inning and the Braves lost to
41_77	the Astros 6–1. The Braves won Game 2 5–1 to even the series at 1-1 heading to Houston for Games 3
41_78	and 4. In Game 3, after giving up two runs in the first inning, Glavine went five innings without
41_79	surrendering another run as the Braves went on to beat the Astros 5–3 in twelve innings. In Game 4,
41_80	Smoltz went the first seven innings only giving up one run and the Braves held a 7–0 lead. Then in
41_81	the 8th inning, he gave up a three-run homer to Ken Caminiti, which resulted in Smoltz being pulled
41_82	out of the Game as John Rocker halted the Astros rally with three outs. The Braves won the game 7-5
41_83	and advanced to the NLCS for the eighth consecutive season. Maddux got off to a solid start in the
41_84	NLCS against the New York Mets as he gave up only one run in seven innings to lead the Braves to a
41_85	4–2 win in Game 1. Smoltz pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to seal a 4–3 win for the Braves in
41_86	Game 2 and take a 2–0 series lead heading to New York. Glavine pitched seven scoreless innings n
41_87	Game 3 to lead the Braves to a 1–0 win over the Mets and put them one game away from advancing to
41_88	the World Series. Smoltz did his part on Game 4 as he only allowed two runs in innings, but Mike
41_89	Remlinger could not seal it for the Braves as he gave up another run which ultimately cost them the
41_90	game, as they lost 3–2. After allowing two runs in the first inning of Game 5, Maddux pitched six
41_91	scoreless innings, but the game was tied 2–2 at that point and the Braves ultimately lost 4–3 in 15
41_92	innings. The Braves won Game 6 10–9 in eleven innings to capture the NL Pennant and advance to the
41_93	1999 World Series. Maddux started the World Series strong as he pitched seven scoreless innings;
41_94	however, he put four consecutive hitters on base to start the 8th inning and all four of them
41_95	scored, which gave the Yankees a 4–1 lead and the Yankees ended up winning 4–1. After the Braves
41_96	lost Game 2 7–2, Glavine gave up five runs in seven innings as the Braves lost 6–5 in ten innings
41_97	and faced a 3-0 hole. Smoltz gave up three runs in seven innings in Game 4 and the Braves were
41_98	swept in the World Series, losing Game 4 4–1.
41_99	Smoltz Moves to the Bullpen: 2000 - 2002 Seasons.
41_100	The 2000 season was a rough one for the Braves, as Smoltz missed the entire season due to
41_101	undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, Maddux and Glavine still did what they had to do to lead
41_102	the Braves to their ninth consecutive division title, and sixth consecutive NL East title as Maddux
41_103	had a 19–9 record, a 3.00 ERA, and 190 strikeouts and Glavine had a NL-leading 21 wins, a 3.40 ERA,
41_104	and 152 strikeouts. The postseason did not go well for them as Maddux gave up seven runs in just
41_105	four innings in Game 1 and Glavine gave up seven runs in just innings in Game 2 and the Braves
41_106	were swept by the Cardinals in the 2000 NLDS and missed the NLCS for the first time since 1990.
41_107	The 2001 season saw some changes for the Braves as John Smoltz became the Braves closer after
41_108	recovering from Tommy John Surgery and being unable to perform as a starter, filling in for the
41_109	void left by John Rocker, who was traded to the Indians. This left Maddux and Glavine as the two
41_110	left in the starting rotation. As such, they were able to adapt well enough to these changes to
41_111	lead them to their 10th consecutive division title, and seventh consecutive NL East title. After
41_112	Maddux gave up three runs in six innings in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Astros, Smoltz pitched
41_113	two strong innings of relief pitching as the Braves started off the NLDS with a 7–4 win over the
41_114	Astros in Game 1. Glavine pitched eight scoreless innings in Game 2 and Smoltz capped it off with a
41_115	scoreless 9th inning to lead the Braves to a 1–0 win over the Astros in Game 2 to take a 2–0 series
41_116	lead heading home. The Braves went on to win Game 3 6–2 to advance to the NLCS. Maddux pitched
41_117	seven strong innings in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, only surrendering two
41_118	runs, but the Braves lost the game 2–0. Glavine went seven innings in Game 2 and only give up one
41_119	run while John Smoltz pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to lead the Braves to an 8–1 win in Game 2 to even
41_120	the series heading home. After the Braves lost Game 3 5–1, Maddux surrendered six runs in just
41_121	three innings as the Braves lost 11-4 and fell one win away from elimination. Glavine did not have
41_122	a strong Game 5 either, as he allowed three runs in five innings as the Braves lost Game 5 3-2 and
41_123	were eliminated from the postseason. As it would turn out, this began a nineteen year drought of
41_124	postseason series victories, as the Braves lost eight postseason series in a row before the drought
41_125	ended in 2020.
41_126	In what would be their final season together, the trio led the Braves to a 101–59 record and their
41_127	eleventh consecutive division title, and their eighth consecutive NL East title. Glavine did not
41_128	pitch well in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Giants as he gave up eight runs in five innings as the
41_129	Braves lost 8–5. After the Braves won Game 2 7–3, Maddux went six innings while allowing two runs
41_130	to lead the Braves to a 10–2 win over the Giants in Game 3 and put them one win away from a trip to
41_131	the NLCS. However, Glavine pitched poorly in Game 4 as he allowed seven runs in just innings as
41_132	the Braves lost 8–3. The Braves ended up losing Game 5 3-1 and were eliminated from the postseason
41_133	in the NLDS.
41_134	Notable Pitching Teammates
41_135	The Atlanta Braves used many pitchers to complement Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. Listed below are
41_136	some of their notable teammates.
41_137	Steve Avery pitched with the trio from 1993 to 1996 and was an All-star selection in 1993. Avery
41_138	was instrumental in the early 1990s when the Atlanta Braves started their regular season dominance.
41_139	He suffered an injury in 1993 that would ultimately derail his once promising career. In seven
41_140	seasons with Atlanta, Avery posted a 72-62 record with an ERA of 3.83.
41_141	Denny Neagle was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996 to form a "Big Four". He made the
41_142	All-star team in 1997 with Maddux and Glavine. Neagle pitched with the Big Three from 1996 to
41_143	1998, and in those three seasons with Atlanta, he posted a 38-19 record with an ERA of 3.43.
41_144	Kevin Millwood joined Neagle and the Big Three in June 1997. In the following season, all five
41_145	Atlanta starters posted 16 (or more wins), led by Tom Glavine's 20. This feat has only been done
41_146	one other time (by the 1923 New York Yankees.) With a cumulative 2.97 ERA and a combined 88 wins,
41_147	ESPN columnist Jeff Merron writes that the quintet was the greatest of all time. Millwood pitched
41_148	with the Big Three from 1997 to 2002, and in those six seasons with Atlanta, he posted a 75-46
41_149	record with an ERA of 3.73.
41_150	Post-"Big 3"
41_151	After the 2002 season, Tom Glavine signed with the New York Mets, ending the Big Three's time
41_152	together in Atlanta. The duo of Greg Maddux and John Smoltz was still good enough to lead the
41_153	Braves to a 101–61 record and their 12th straight division title, also their 9th consecutive NL
41_154	East title. After the Braves lost Game 1 of the NLDS 4–2 to the Chicago Cubs and with the Braves
41_155	leading 3-2 after the 7th inning of Game 2, Smoltz came into Game 2 and pitch two innings of one
41_156	run baseball (with a perfect 9th inning) to lead the Braves to a 5–3 win in Game 2. After allowing
41_157	two runs in the first inning of Game 3, Maddux pitched five scoreless innings, but that was not

41_58

fifteen years. Smoltz and Maddux easily dispatched the Yankees to give the Braves a 2-0 lead as the

41_59

series shifted from New York to Atlanta. In Game 3, Glavine was matched against David Cone (who had

41_60

started against the Braves for the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series). Glavine was

41_61

outmatched by the resurgent Yankee lineup (which had scored once in the two previous games), as

41_62

they scored two runs on Glavine by the time he left in the seven and added three more in the eighth

41_63

to win 5-2; the ensuing Game 4 proved horrific, as Atlanta blew a six run lead and lost 8-6 in ten

41_64

innings. Smoltz, now in a tied series as the starter for Game 5, could not slow the bleeding. This

41_65

was his seventh career start in a World Series (two wins, four no-decisions). Unfortunately, this

41_66

would be his first loss, which came at the hands of a fourth inning flyball that went past the

41_67

fielders for a two-base error that was followed by a double to score the only run of the game.

41_68

Maddux was tasked to save the Braves in Game 6 in New York. However, the Yankees scored all the

41_69

runs they needed in third innings on four hits to prevail 3-2 and win the Series. Over the next two

41_70

years the Big Three continued to perform well, with Maddux finishing second in Cy Young voting in

41_71

1997 and Glavine capturing his second Cy Young Award in 1998. Unfortunately the Braves failed to

41_72

reach the World Series in both years (with the trio combining for one win and save in the League

41_73

Championship Series for 1997 and 1998)

41_74

Although their stats didn't look so bright the following year, the group still led the Braves to a

41_75

league-best 103–59 record. Maddux pitched seven strong innings in Game 1, only surrendering two

41_76

runs, but reliever Mike Remlinger surrendered four runs in the ninth inning and the Braves lost to

41_77

the Astros 6–1. The Braves won Game 2 5–1 to even the series at 1-1 heading to Houston for Games 3

41_78

and 4. In Game 3, after giving up two runs in the first inning, Glavine went five innings without

41_79

surrendering another run as the Braves went on to beat the Astros 5–3 in twelve innings. In Game 4,

41_80

Smoltz went the first seven innings only giving up one run and the Braves held a 7–0 lead. Then in

41_81

the 8th inning, he gave up a three-run homer to Ken Caminiti, which resulted in Smoltz being pulled

41_82

out of the Game as John Rocker halted the Astros rally with three outs. The Braves won the game 7-5

41_83

and advanced to the NLCS for the eighth consecutive season. Maddux got off to a solid start in the

41_84

NLCS against the New York Mets as he gave up only one run in seven innings to lead the Braves to a

41_85

4–2 win in Game 1. Smoltz pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to seal a 4–3 win for the Braves in

41_86

Game 2 and take a 2–0 series lead heading to New York. Glavine pitched seven scoreless innings n

41_87

Game 3 to lead the Braves to a 1–0 win over the Mets and put them one game away from advancing to

41_88

the World Series. Smoltz did his part on Game 4 as he only allowed two runs in innings, but Mike

41_89

Remlinger could not seal it for the Braves as he gave up another run which ultimately cost them the

41_90

game, as they lost 3–2. After allowing two runs in the first inning of Game 5, Maddux pitched six

41_91

scoreless innings, but the game was tied 2–2 at that point and the Braves ultimately lost 4–3 in 15

41_92

innings. The Braves won Game 6 10–9 in eleven innings to capture the NL Pennant and advance to the

41_93

1999 World Series. Maddux started the World Series strong as he pitched seven scoreless innings;

41_94

however, he put four consecutive hitters on base to start the 8th inning and all four of them

41_95

scored, which gave the Yankees a 4–1 lead and the Yankees ended up winning 4–1. After the Braves

41_96

lost Game 2 7–2, Glavine gave up five runs in seven innings as the Braves lost 6–5 in ten innings

41_97

and faced a 3-0 hole. Smoltz gave up three runs in seven innings in Game 4 and the Braves were

41_98

swept in the World Series, losing Game 4 4–1.

41_99

Smoltz Moves to the Bullpen: 2000 - 2002 Seasons.

41_100

The 2000 season was a rough one for the Braves, as Smoltz missed the entire season due to

41_101

undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, Maddux and Glavine still did what they had to do to lead

41_102

the Braves to their ninth consecutive division title, and sixth consecutive NL East title as Maddux

41_103

had a 19–9 record, a 3.00 ERA, and 190 strikeouts and Glavine had a NL-leading 21 wins, a 3.40 ERA,

41_104

and 152 strikeouts. The postseason did not go well for them as Maddux gave up seven runs in just

41_105

four innings in Game 1 and Glavine gave up seven runs in just innings in Game 2 and the Braves

41_106

were swept by the Cardinals in the 2000 NLDS and missed the NLCS for the first time since 1990.

41_107

The 2001 season saw some changes for the Braves as John Smoltz became the Braves closer after

41_108

recovering from Tommy John Surgery and being unable to perform as a starter, filling in for the

41_109

void left by John Rocker, who was traded to the Indians. This left Maddux and Glavine as the two

41_110

left in the starting rotation. As such, they were able to adapt well enough to these changes to

41_111

lead them to their 10th consecutive division title, and seventh consecutive NL East title. After

41_112

Maddux gave up three runs in six innings in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Astros, Smoltz pitched

41_113

two strong innings of relief pitching as the Braves started off the NLDS with a 7–4 win over the

41_114

Astros in Game 1. Glavine pitched eight scoreless innings in Game 2 and Smoltz capped it off with a

41_115

scoreless 9th inning to lead the Braves to a 1–0 win over the Astros in Game 2 to take a 2–0 series

41_116

lead heading home. The Braves went on to win Game 3 6–2 to advance to the NLCS. Maddux pitched

41_117

seven strong innings in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, only surrendering two

41_118

runs, but the Braves lost the game 2–0. Glavine went seven innings in Game 2 and only give up one

41_119

run while John Smoltz pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to lead the Braves to an 8–1 win in Game 2 to even

41_120

the series heading home. After the Braves lost Game 3 5–1, Maddux surrendered six runs in just

41_121

three innings as the Braves lost 11-4 and fell one win away from elimination. Glavine did not have

41_122

a strong Game 5 either, as he allowed three runs in five innings as the Braves lost Game 5 3-2 and

41_123

were eliminated from the postseason. As it would turn out, this began a nineteen year drought of

41_124

postseason series victories, as the Braves lost eight postseason series in a row before the drought

41_125

ended in 2020.

41_126

In what would be their final season together, the trio led the Braves to a 101–59 record and their

41_127

eleventh consecutive division title, and their eighth consecutive NL East title. Glavine did not

41_128

pitch well in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Giants as he gave up eight runs in five innings as the

41_129

Braves lost 8–5. After the Braves won Game 2 7–3, Maddux went six innings while allowing two runs

41_130

to lead the Braves to a 10–2 win over the Giants in Game 3 and put them one win away from a trip to

41_131

the NLCS. However, Glavine pitched poorly in Game 4 as he allowed seven runs in just innings as

41_132

the Braves lost 8–3. The Braves ended up losing Game 5 3-1 and were eliminated from the postseason

41_133

in the NLDS.

41_134

Notable Pitching Teammates

41_135

The Atlanta Braves used many pitchers to complement Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. Listed below are

41_136

some of their notable teammates.

41_137

Steve Avery pitched with the trio from 1993 to 1996 and was an All-star selection in 1993. Avery

41_138

was instrumental in the early 1990s when the Atlanta Braves started their regular season dominance.

41_139

He suffered an injury in 1993 that would ultimately derail his once promising career. In seven

41_140

seasons with Atlanta, Avery posted a 72-62 record with an ERA of 3.83.

41_141

Denny Neagle was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996 to form a "Big Four". He made the

41_142

All-star team in 1997 with Maddux and Glavine. Neagle pitched with the Big Three from 1996 to

41_143

1998, and in those three seasons with Atlanta, he posted a 38-19 record with an ERA of 3.43.

41_144

Kevin Millwood joined Neagle and the Big Three in June 1997. In the following season, all five

41_145

Atlanta starters posted 16 (or more wins), led by Tom Glavine's 20. This feat has only been done

41_146

one other time (by the 1923 New York Yankees.) With a cumulative 2.97 ERA and a combined 88 wins,

41_147

ESPN columnist Jeff Merron writes that the quintet was the greatest of all time. Millwood pitched

41_148

with the Big Three from 1997 to 2002, and in those six seasons with Atlanta, he posted a 75-46

41_149

record with an ERA of 3.73.

41_150

Post-"Big 3"

41_151

After the 2002 season, Tom Glavine signed with the New York Mets, ending the Big Three's time

41_152

together in Atlanta. The duo of Greg Maddux and John Smoltz was still good enough to lead the

41_153

Braves to a 101–61 record and their 12th straight division title, also their 9th consecutive NL

41_154

East title. After the Braves lost Game 1 of the NLDS 4–2 to the Chicago Cubs and with the Braves

41_155

leading 3-2 after the 7th inning of Game 2, Smoltz came into Game 2 and pitch two innings of one

41_156

run baseball (with a perfect 9th inning) to lead the Braves to a 5–3 win in Game 2. After allowing

41_157

two runs in the first inning of Game 3, Maddux pitched five scoreless innings, but that was not