The Braves–Mets rivalry is a
rivalry
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant ...
between the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
and
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
. Both clubs are members of
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
's
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
(NL)
East
East is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth.
Etymology
As in other languages, the word is formed from the fact that ea ...
division. The rivalry between the two clubs was particularly fierce during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Background
The Mets joined the NL in as an expansion team, before the leagues were split into divisions, and when the Braves were still in
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
. Due to Major League Baseball wishing to keep the
Cardinals and Cubs together in the same division when each league was split into divisions in 1969, Atlanta was forced to join the
National League West
The National League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created for the 1969 season when the National League (baseball), National League (NL) expanded to 12 teams by adding the San Diego Padres and the Montr ...
and were led by
Hank Aaron
Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. Considered one ...
. In 1966, pitching prospect
Tom Seaver
George Thomas Seaver (November 17, 1944 – August 31, 2020), nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "the Franchise", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the New York Mets, Cin ...
signed a contract with the Braves when they drafted him in the first round of the secondary June draft (20th overall). But the contract was voided by
Baseball Commissioner
The commissioner of baseball is the chief executive officer of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the associated Minor League Baseball (MiLB) – a constellation of leagues and clubs known as "organized baseball". Under the direction of the commissi ...
William Eckert
William Dole Eckert (January 20, 1909 – April 16, 1971) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force,
and later the fourth commissioner of Major League Baseball from to .
Personal life, career, and death
William Eckert was born ...
because Seaver's college team had played two exhibition games already that year, despite the fact that Seaver himself did not play in the games. Seaver intended, then, to finish the college season, but because he had signed a pro contract, the
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...
ruled him ineligible. After Seaver's father complained to Eckert about the unfairness of the situation and threatened with a lawsuit, Eckert ruled that other teams could match the Braves' offer. The Mets were subsequently awarded his signing rights in a lottery drawing among the three teams (the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
and
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
being the two others) that were willing to match the Braves' terms. Seaver went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Mets, having his jersey retired by the organization.
1969 NLCS
Seaver's impact was heavy as he led a staff that boasted excellent pitching, including then prospect
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive. Over a record 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB), Ryan pitched for the New Yo ...
in 1969. Perennial losers, the Mets came back to win the division and face off against the Braves in the
NLCS
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a Playoff format#Best-of-seven playoff, best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Major League Baseball po ...
. The "Miracle Mets" swept the Braves in the series, en route to their first World Series championship against the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
in the
1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1969 season. The 66th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Baltimore Orioles and the National L ...
. The series against the Braves was the first playoff appearance and series win by an expansion team and their
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
win by extension was the first won by an expansion team.
Despite the early confrontation, the rivalry did not become especially heated until the 1990s, when division realignment put the Mets and Braves in the same division.
[ During this time period, the Braves became one of the most dominant teams in professional baseball. The rivalry came to a visible head with the John Rocker controversy, where Atlanta pitcher Rocker made a number of derogatory comments about residents of New York City in 1999. This led to incidents of items such as full cups of beverages, and even batteries being thrown at Braves players, namely Rocker, when visiting the Mets.] With the end of the Braves' fourteen-season National League East winning streak in 2006, when the Mets won their first division title since 1988
1988 was a crucial year in the early history of the Internet—it was the year of the first well-known computer virus, the Morris worm, 1988 Internet worm. The first permanent intercontinental Internet link was made between the United State ...
, the rivalry hit a cooling period.
Division realignment: rivalry established
The main cause of the rivalry was division realignment. With the Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
and Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
The ...
entering play as expansion teams in the National League in , MLB Commissioner
The commissioner of baseball is the chief executive officer of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the associated Minor League Baseball (MiLB) – a constellation of leagues and clubs known as " organized baseball". Under the direction of the commiss ...
Fay Vincent ordered realignment of the league, ordering the Braves and the Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
moved to the NL East, and the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
and rival
A rivalry is the state of two people or Social group, groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each ...
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
to the NL West to rectify the geographical anomaly MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
created when realigning in . However, the Mets and the Cubs voted against the plan.[
Although Vincent's vision never really came into fruition, as he resigned shortly after announcing plans to realign the NL, MLB did in fact realign in , albeit in the form of three divisions in each league, and the addition of an expanded playoff format. When agreeing on the realignment, the ]Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
switched to the newly created Central Division and gave up their spot in the NL East to the Braves.
The Braves had already established themselves as one of the dominant teams in baseball prior to realignment with appearances in two World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
prior to the move. The Mets had a reverse of fortune from their dominance in the late 1980s to one of the worst teams in baseball during the early 1990s.
1995: Atlanta's first championship
In 1995, the Braves won the National League East by 21 games, and were the only team in the division to post a winning record.[ However, the Mets were the only team in the league to post a winning record against the eventual champions, posting an 8–5 record with a 5–1 mark at Shea Stadium,] propelled by a sweep on the final weekend of the season, helping the Mets finish the season tied for second with the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
. (Mets won the head-to-head tie-breaker by winning the season series 7–6 against the Phillies.[)
Just a year after realignment the Braves won their first championship in Atlanta by defeating the ]Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
in the 1995 World Series
The 1995 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1995 Major League Baseball season, 1995 season. The 91st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National Lea ...
. It was the franchise's first World Series victory in Atlanta and allowed the franchise to become the first ever to win a World Series in three different cities, having previously done so in Boston () and Milwaukee (). The Braves' dominance over the National League would continue as they would go on to win the pennant again in behind the pitching of Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966), also known as "Mad Dog" and "the Professor," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. ...
, Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008) and New York Mets (2003–2007).
With 164 victories durin ...
, and John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967), nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke", is an American former baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time Ma ...
.
1996–2000: The rivalry intensifies
With the exception of 1996, when the Mets were near the bottom of the National League East, both franchises fielded contenders until deep into each season during this period. In 1997, the Mets overcame a shaky start to the season and were a wild card contender until the final week of the season. Ultimately, though, they finished third place in the NL East and thirteen games back of Atlanta. From 1998 to 2000, the Mets finished second in the standings to the Braves,[ eighteen, six and a half, and one game behind in those respective seasons.][ With the ]St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
sweeping the Braves in the 2000 NLDS, it made the Mets run to their first World Series appearance since their championship season of much easier. The Braves had eliminated the Mets from wild-card contention on the final day of the 1998 season and in six games in the 1999 NLCS.[
]
1999 NLCS
The NLCS was along the backdrop of Atlanta power hitter Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. (born April 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves from 1993 to 2012. The Braves chose Jones with the first overall p ...
cementing his MVP
MVP most commonly refers to:
* Most valuable player, an award, typically for the best performing player in a sport or competition
* Minimum viable product, a concept for feature estimating used in business and engineering
MVP may also refer to:
...
award that year by crushing Mets pitching for 4 home runs in three games, and 5 walks in the last days of the regular season the Braves swept the series and moved 4 games ahead of the Mets with 9 games to play to their eventual division crown. Thinking that the Braves had eliminated the Mets from playoff contention as they had the year before, Chipper Jones infamously remarked: "now all the Mets fans can go home and put their Yankee stuff on." Despite the setback, the Mets made the playoffs for the first time since . Both had moved forward in the NLDS to see each other for the first time in post-season history since division realignment and since their initial post-season meeting during the 1969 NLCS and the "Miracle Mets."
The Braves took an early series lead of 3 games to 0, and looked poised to sweep the Mets out of the playoffs. However, the Mets rallied late in Game 4 off Braves' closer and perpetual Mets' nemesis John Rocker to win Game 4. The drama of the series was intensified in Game 5 when Robin Ventura
Robin Mark Ventura (born July 14, 1967) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and manager. Ventura played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles D ...
hit a walk-off Grand Slam Single to win the game. The Grand Slam Single was ranked the third Greatest Moment in Mets history, behind only the team's two World Series Championships, which included Game 6 in . The Braves, however, would go on to win the series from the Mets in six games to win their 5th National League pennant of the decade. At the end of the 1999 NLCS, Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan (September 19, 1943 – October 11, 2020) was an American professional baseball second baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Houston Colt .45s / Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Fran ...
closed out his NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
telecast by saying, "It was closing night for the greatest Mets show since (their championship season of) 1986
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles.
** Spain and Portugal en ...
." Despite their hard-fought win against the Mets, the Braves would go on to get swept by the Mets' cross-town rivals, the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, who had beaten their biggest nemesis, Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
, in the ALCS, in the 1999 World Series
The 1999 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1999 season. The 95th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the defending American League (AL) and World Series champion New York ...
. With the exception of Game 1, all the games were decided by 1 run. Game 1 was decided by 2 runs.
2000
John Rocker controversy
For a story published in the January 2000 issue of ''Sports Illustrated
''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...
'', Braves' closer John Rocker made a number of allegations stemming from his experiences in New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
and answering a question about whether he would ever play for either the Mets or the Yankees. Rocker's response was racist
Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one Race (human categorization), race or ethnicity over another. It may also me ...
, homophobic
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, Gay men, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or ant ...
, and sexist
Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...
:
During the interview, he also spoke of his opinion of the Mets and their fans:
The interview was conducted while driving to a speaking engagement in Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
.
Mets win NL pennant
In June 2000, the Mets achieved a 10-run comeback, In , both the Mets and the Braves defeated each other at Shea Stadium to clinch playoff spots in successive days. First, the Braves won the NL East, defeating the Mets. The next day, the Mets beat the Braves to win the wild card, eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
. While both the Mets and the Braves were favorites to face each other in the National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two Natio ...
for a second straight year, the Braves ended up losing to the Cardinals in the 2000 NLDS. On October 7 during game 3 of NLDS at Shea Stadium, Met fans cheered as the scoreboard showed the Braves loss and elimination at the hands of the Cardinals. This assured Met fans their biggest and toughest rival would not impede their playoff run that year. The Mets easily defeated the Giants to move on to the 2000 National League Championship Series
The 2000 National League Championship Series (NLCS), to determine the champion of the National League in Major League Baseball’s 2000 postseason, was played between the Central Division champion and second-seeded St. Louis Cardinals and the w ...
, where they defeated the Cardinals to move on to the World Series. In defeating the Cardinals, the Mets clinched their first pennant since winning the 1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1986 Major League Baseball season, 1986 season. The 83rd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National Lea ...
. The Mets would go on to lose the 2000 World Series
The 2000 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2000 season. The 96th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between crosstown opponents, the two-time defending World Series champions an ...
to the Yankees in the first post-season Subway Series
A Subway Series in Major League Baseball (MLB) is one played between teams based in New York City, currently the New York Yankees and New York Mets, and historically the Yankees versus the New York Giants or Brooklyn Dodgers. The venues for g ...
since the 1956 World Series
The 1956 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1956 Major League Baseball season, 1956 season. The 53rd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the American Leagu ...
.
2001 to 2021: the rivalry cools
Twice during the season, the rivalry saw peace. The Mets opened the 2001 season playing the Braves at Turner Field
Turner Field was a baseball stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1997 Atlanta Braves season, 1997 to 2016 Atlanta Braves season, 2016, it served as the home ballpark to the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Originally built ...
. When the Mets walked into their clubhouse prior to their workout before opening day, officials at the stadium greeted them by writing on the clubhouse message board: "Welcome to the National League champion New York Mets."[ A week later, the Mets hosted the Braves at Shea Stadium when they raised their 2000 National League Champions banner. During pre-game festivities on September 21, 2001 at Shea Stadium, both the Braves and Mets paused to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington ten days before.] This was the first professional sporting event held in New York since the attacks.[ With the Mets down 2–1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Piazza hit a two-run home run to help the Mets win. The significance of his spirit-lifting home run has been cited as one of the greatest moments in ]Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
history.
In 2003, the Mets signed legendary Braves pitcher Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008) and New York Mets (2003–2007).
With 164 victories durin ...
for four years, $42.5 million. Glavine had poor success in his first year with the team but did help the Mets reach the 2006 NLCS where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
in 7 games. Towards the end of his tenure with the Mets, Glavine started to make grumblings about signing with them and not staying in Atlanta. In his final appearance as a Met on the last day of the season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...
, with a postseason appearance on the line, Glavine gave up 7 runs in the first inning of a loss to the Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
The ...
. The loss caused the Mets to lose the division to the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
, missing the playoffs despite being in first place by 7 games as late as September. Some Mets fans believe Glavine threw the game to hurt the Mets, and that his true loyalty lied with the Braves. Glavine left the Mets following that season and went back to the Braves. The Braves collapsed in a similar way in 2011, for the National League Wild Card, blowing a lead for the National League Wild Card in September and losing the wild card by one game to the eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
. The Mets took two out of three in a late September series at Turner Field to contribute to the collapse.
In 2004, Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. (born April 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves from 1993 to 2012. The Braves chose Jones with the first overall p ...
named his child "Shea" after the Mets' home Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium ( ), typically shortened to Shea Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City.[Citi Field
Citi Field is a baseball park, baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, in the Boroughs of New York, borough of Queens, New York City, United States. Opened in 2009, Citi Field is the home of Major League Baseball's New York M ...](_blank ...<br></span></div>, citing his great success and memories of playing there.
For opening day on April 3, 2017, the Mets and Braves played against one-another at <div class=)
. Prior to that, the Braves had won six straight games at Citi Field. On April 5, 2017, Mets veteran RHP Bartolo Colón made his Braves appearance at Citi Field, stating he was "very happy and excited to go back there and get the opportunity to play against my ex-teammates."
2022: 101 wins
In 2022, both the Braves and Mets made the 2022 postseason with 101 wins. However, the National League East
The National League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. Along with the American League Central, it is one of two divisions to have every member win at least one World Series title.
After having internal, informal divisions for ...
title and first-round bye was decided in a crucial three-game series at Truist Park
Truist Park is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in 2017, it is the ballpark of ...
from September 30 to October 2. The Mets entered the series with a 98–58 record, a game ahead of the Braves (97–59), and leading the season series 9–7. While the Mets had led the NL East for most of the season, the Braves closed the gap in the division race, thanks to a 14-game winning streak in June and a 74–32 stretch during the final three months. In the end, Atlanta swept the three-game series in which the Mets' top starters Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets.
DeGrom began playing baseball as a shortstop ...
, Max Scherzer
Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984), nicknamed "Mad Max", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tige ...
, and Chris Bassitt combined to allow 11 earned runs. This allowed the Braves to win the season series 10–9, claiming the NL East division title and first-round bye while New York finished as the top wild card team. However, neither team advanced beyond their first series they played in, with the Braves losing to the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
in the 2022 NLDS, and the Mets losing to the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...
in the Wild Card series
The Wild Card Series (formerly known as Wild Card Game from 2012 to 2019 and in 2021) are games that serve as the opening round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason. A single wild card game was instituted in 2012. This became a best ...
, the latter becoming the first 100+ win team to fail to reach the Division Series since it was put into effect in 1995.
2024: 89 wins
Despite the Mets being six games out of a playoff spot on May 29 with a 22–33 record, compared to the Braves' record of 31–22 on the same day, the two teams quickly found themselves in a wild card race. The Mets briefly surpassed the Braves on July 26 following an 8–4 win against them, but the Braves shut out the Mets the next game to retake the lead in the standings. As the Padres and Diamondbacks began surging in late July and August, the race for the third wild card spot seemingly came down to the Mets and Braves. However, the Mets began to lose ground on the Braves, and by August 28, the Braves established a four game lead on the Mets with only 29 games remaining. However, following a long win streak, the Mets re-tied the Braves on September 6. Heading into the final series at Truist Park, the Mets were able to take a two game lead over the Braves. However, a loss by the Mets to the Braves on September 24 moved the Braves to just one spot behind the Mets. The remaining two games were postponed to a September 30 doubleheader due to impacts from Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene ( ) was a deadly and devastating tropical cyclone that caused widespread catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across the Southeastern United States in late September 2024. It was the strongest hurricane on record to ...
. Heading into the doubleheader, the Mets and Braves both found themselves with identical 88–72 records, with both needing one win to clinch a postseason spot; A sweep from either team would eliminate the loser and send the Diamondbacks into the playoffs instead. The first game of the doubleheader became an instant classic, with the Mets overcoming a three-run deficit heading into the eighth inning by scoring six runs in the top of the eighth, only to blow that lead in the bottom of the eighth and fall behind 7–6. However, a go-ahead two-run home run from Francisco Lindor in the ninth inning propelled the Mets to an 8–7 victory, clinching a playoff spot. The Braves won the second game 3–0 to clinch a postseason spot as well. The Braves earned the #5 seed by virtue of winning the season series 7–6, giving the Mets the #6 seed. Due to both teams clinching, both clubhouses held champagne celebrations and congratulated each other despite the rivalry.
Season-by-season results
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves
126
, The Braves take a 7–6 lead on July 24 in the series, a lead they would never relinquish.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Braves, 81
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves
2412
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 144
, style=";" , Braves, 81
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves
3816
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Braves, 90
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves
5121
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 144
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, style=";" , Braves
6525
, The Braves move from Milwaukee to Atlanta
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Mets, 72
, style=";" , Braves
7335
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 1261
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves, 721
, style=";" , Braves
85411
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves
89491
, MLB's expansion and realignment placed the Braves in the NL West and the Mets in the NL East. The new division alignment shortens meetings from 18 to 12 games.
The Mets win 1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1969 season. The 66th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Baltimore Orioles and the National L ...
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1969 NLCS
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 30
, style=";" , Mets, 20
, style=";" , Mets, 10
, style=";" , Braves
89521
, First meeting in the postseason. Mets sweep in three games. Mets proceed to win World Series.
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves
95581
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
102631
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
109681
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves
115741
, Mets lose 1973 World Series
The 1973 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1973 Major League Baseball season, 1973 season. The 70th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American Leag ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
123781
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
127861
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
131941
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
138991
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves
1441051
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
1481131
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
1511221
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 33
, style=";" , Braves, 21
, style=";" , Mets, 21
, style=";" , Braves
1541251
, Strike
Strike may refer to:
People
*Strike (surname)
* Hobart Huson, author of several drug related books
Physical confrontation or removal
*Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm
* Airstrike, ...
-shortened season
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves
1631281
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
1711321
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
1751401
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 102
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
1771501
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
1811581
, Mets win 1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1986 Major League Baseball season, 1986 season. The 83rd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National Lea ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
1881631
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
1921711
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 102
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Mets, 60
, style=";" , Braves
1941811
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
1981891
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves
2071921
, Braves lose 1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1991 season. The 88th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Minnesota Twins (95–67) an ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves
2141971
, Braves lose 1992 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves
2232001
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 54
, style=";" , Braves, 21
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
2282041
, MLB realignment places Braves into NL East with Mets.
Strike
Strike may refer to:
People
*Strike (surname)
* Hobart Huson, author of several drug related books
Physical confrontation or removal
*Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm
* Airstrike, ...
-shortened season. Strike cancels postseason.
MLB adds Wild Card, allowing for both teams to make the postseason in the same year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 85
, style=";" , Braves, 43
, style=";" , Mets, 51
, style=";" , Braves
2332121
, 1994 realignment increases meetings from 12 to 13 meetings per year.
Braves win 1995 World Series
The 1995 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1995 Major League Baseball season, 1995 season. The 91st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National Lea ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 76
, style=";" , Braves, 76
, style=";" , Mets, 43
, style=";" , Braves
2402181
, Braves lose 1996 World Series
The 1996 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1996 Major League Baseball season, 1996 season. The 92nd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (bas ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 75
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Mets, 42
, style=";" , Braves
2452251
, Introduction of interleague play
Interleague play in Major League Baseball refers to regular-season baseball games played between an American League (AL) team and a National League (NL) team. Interleague play was first introduced during the 1997 Major League Baseball season. ...
decreases meetings from 13 to 12.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Braves, 60
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves
2542281
, MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 1998 due to MLB's expansion and realignment, resulting in 12–13 meetings per year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves
2632311
, Braves lose 1999 World Series
The 1999 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1999 season. The 95th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the defending American League (AL) and World Series champion New York ...
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1999 NLCS
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Braves, 30
, style=";" , Mets, 21
, style=";" , Braves
2672331
, Second meeting in the postseason. Braves proceed to lose World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 76
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Mets, 43
, style=";" , Braves
2742391
, Mets lose 2000 World Series
The 2000 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2000 season. The 96th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between crosstown opponents, the two-time defending World Series champions an ...
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 109
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
2842481
, MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 18–19 meetings per year
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves, 64
, style=";" , Braves
2962551
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 118
, style=";" , Braves, 73
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves
3072631
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves
3192701
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 136
, style=";" , Braves, 81
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves
3322761
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Mets, 63
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves
3392871
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 99
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
3482961
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Braves, 81
, style=";" , Mets, 63
, style=";" , Braves
3593031
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, style=";" , Braves
3723081
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
3833151
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 99
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
3923241
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 126
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
4043301
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 109
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
4143391
, Both AL and NL having balanced teams leads to a balanced schedule of 19 games per season.
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 109
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves
4233491
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 118
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Mets, 63
, style=";" , Braves
4313601
, Mets lose 2015 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 109
, style=";" , Mets, 73
, style=";" , Braves, 72
, style=";" , Braves
4413691
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Mets, 73
, style=";" , Mets, 54
, style=";" , Braves
4483811
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 136
, style=";" , Braves, 63
, style=";" , Braves, 73
, style=";" , Braves
4613871
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 118
, style=";" , Braves, 64
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, style=";" , Braves
4723951
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 73
, style=";" , Braves, 31
, style=";" , Braves, 42
, style=";" , Braves
4793981
, Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 109
, style=";" , Braves, 54
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Braves
4894071
, Braves win 2021 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 109
, style=";" , Braves, 73
, style=";" , Mets, 63
, style=";" , Braves
4994161
, Braves win NL East tiebreaker by winning the season series 10–9, by sweeping Mets in final series of the season.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 103
, style=";" , Braves, 51
, style=";" , Braves, 52
, style=";" , Braves
5094191
, New schedule structure started this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games.
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 76
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Braves, 43
, style=";" , Braves
5164251
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 30
, style=";" , Braves, 30
, ''Upcoming, June 2326, August 1214''
, style=";" , Braves
5194251
, ''Upcoming at Braves, August 2224''
, -
, Milwaukee Braves vs New York Mets
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 5121
, style=";" , Braves, 315
, style=";" , Braves, 2016
,
, -
, Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 4643981
, style=";" , Braves, 247183
, style=";" , Braves, 2172161
,
, -
, Overall Regular season games
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 5154201
, style=";" , Braves, 278188
, style=";" , Braves, 2372321
, -
, Postseason games
, style=";" , Mets
, style=";" , 54
, style=";" , Braves, 32
, style=";" , Mets, 31
,
, -
, Postseason series
, Tie
, 11
, Tie, 11
, style=";" , Mets, 20
, NLCS: 1969
1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1969th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 969th year of the 2nd millennium, the 69th year of the 20th century, and the ...
, 1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
, -
, Overall Regular Season and Postseason
, style=";" , Braves
, style=";" , 5194251
, style=";" , Braves, 281190
, style=";" , Braves, 2382351
,
See also
*Major League Baseball rivalries
Throughout its history, Major League Baseball rivalries have occurred between many teams and cities. Rivalries have arisen for many different reasons, the primary ones including geographic proximity, familiarity with opponents, various incidents, ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Braves-Mets rivalry
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Major League Baseball rivalries