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. Also of note, it marked the only time in Johnson's career that he hit 40 home runs in one season.
Offseason
October 27, 1972: Rico Carty was traded by the Braves to the Texas Rangers for Jim Panther. January 10, 1973: Brian Asselstine was drafted by the Braves in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft (secondary phase). January 21, 1973: Curt Blefary was signed as a free agent by the Braves. February 28, 1973: Pat Jarvis was traded by the Braves to the Montreal Expos for Carl Morton. March 26, 1973: Denny McLain was released by the Braves.
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Opening Day starters
Hank Aaron
Dusty Baker
Darrell Evans
Ralph Garr
Gary Gentry
Rod Gilbreath
Davey Johnson
Johnny Oates
Marty Perez
Notable transactions
May 19, 1973: Andre Thornton was traded by the Braves to the Chicago Cubs for Joe Pepitone. June 7, 1973: Pat Dobson was traded by the Braves to the New York Yankees for Frank Tepedino, Wayne Nordhagen, and players to be named later. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Dave Cheadle to the Braves on August 15 and Al Closter to the Braves on September 5. June 19, 1973: Joe Pepitone was released by the Braves.
Hank Aaron's Chase for the Record
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 (led by manager Leo Durocher, who had once roomed with Babe Ruth), 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.
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
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Awards and honors
League records
Davey Johnson, Tied Rogers Hornsby's record for most home runs in one season by a National League second baseman (42)