The 1973 Braves led the NL in runs and OPS, fitting since they played their home games in the Launching Pad. Unfortunately, opponents got to play there, too. And they got to hit against an average rotation and abysmal bullpen that recorded the league’s highest ERA.
They entered 1974 with virtually the same cast, acquiring a middling middle infielder (Craig Robinson) and a back-up catcher (Vic Correll). A week before the season opened, they signed a 26-year-old reliever with a career 4.49 ERA.
Buzz Capra proved to be the steal of the year. He didn’t start his first game until May 15 but pitched like an ace, completing 11 games with 5 shutouts, good for a league-best 2.