Mississippi Braves

The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they were referred to locally, were a Minor League Baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson, from 2005 to 2024. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and competed in the Southern League. The M-Braves played their home games at Trustmark Park. After the 2024 season, the team relocated to Columbus, Georgia, to become the Columbus Clingstones.

History

In 2005, the Southern League's Greenville Braves relocated to Pearl, Mississippi, from Greenville, South Carolina, due to the poor condition of Greenville Municipal Stadium, and the failure to reach an agreement with the Greenville County council for a new ballpark.

The M-Braves' first season began on April 18, 2005 at Trustmark Park with a loss to the Montgomery Biscuits.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Braves were organized into the Double-A South.<ref name=JMayo2-12-2021>Template:Cite web</ref> They won the 2021 Southern Division title with a first-place 67–44 record.<ref name=BR2021league>Template:Cite web</ref> They qualified for the playoffs by having the best record in the league.<ref name=KHenegan7-1-2021>Template:Cite news</ref> The Braves defeated the Montgomery Biscuits, 3–2, in the best-of-five series to win the Double-A South championship.<ref name=SSheehan2021>Template:Cite news</ref> Shea Langeliers was selected as the league's Top MLB Prospect and Dan Meyer as the Manager of the Year.<ref name=2021awards>Template:Cite web</ref>

In December 2021, Diamond Baseball Holdings bought the Mississippi Braves from Atlanta Braves owner Liberty Media.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2022, the Double-A South became known as the Southern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.<ref name=SLrename>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2024, the Braves announced that the 2024 season would be their final season in Mississippi, and that they would be relocating to Columbus, Georgia, for the start of the 2025 season as the Columbus Clingstones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This move left the Biloxi Shuckers, the Milwaukee Brewers' Double-A affiliate, as Mississippi's only affiliated minor league club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Championships

On September 13, 2008, the Mississippi Braves beat the Carolina Mudcats, 3–2, in the 10th inning of the decisive Game 5 of the Southern League Championship Series. This was the M-Braves first championship and the first Southern League title for Atlanta's Double-A franchise since 1997.<ref>http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/SPORTS09/809140389 The Clarion-Ledger: M-Braves complete mission</ref>Template:Dead link The M-Braves' second title came in 2021 in the Double-A South.<ref name=SSheehan2021/>

• M-Braves former home, Trustmark Park
  M-Braves former home, Trustmark Park
• Trustmark Park, home of the Mississippi Braves
  Trustmark Park, home of the Mississippi Braves

Television and radio

All Mississippi Braves games were televised live on MiLB.TV. Since 2023, all regular and post-season Mississippi Braves games aired on 102.1 The Box.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The broadcasters were Chris Harris and Jack Sadighian. From 2009 to 2022, games aired on WYAB 103.9 FM.

Notable players

File:Alex Wood pitching for the Mississippi Braves in 2013.jpg

Alex Wood pitching for the Mississippi Braves

• Blaine Boyer* (2005)
• Danny Burawa
• Román Colón (2005)
• Chuck James (2005)
• Brian McCann* (2005)
• Jay Powell* (2005)
• Martín Prado* (2005–2006)
• Gregor Blanco (2005-2006)
• Joey Devine* (2005–2007)
• Jeff Francoeur* (2005, 2008)
• Max Fried* (2017)
• Chipper Jones* (2006) (rehab assignment)
• Yunel Escobar (2006)
• Manny Acosta (2006)
• Matt Harrison (2006)
• José Ascanio* (2006–2007)
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia* (2006–2007)
• Kris Medlen (2007-2008)
• Tommy Hanson (2008)
• Matt Diaz (2008)
• Jordan Schafer (2008, 2010)
• Jason Heyward (2009)
• Freddie Freeman (2009)
• Craig Kimbrel (2009)
• Nate McLouth* (2009)
• Julio Teherán (2010)
• Mike Minor (2010, 2014)
• Arodys Vizcaíno (2011, 2015)
• Andrelton Simmons* (2012)
• Evan Gattis (2012)
• Christian Bethancourt (2012-2013)
• Philip Gosselin (2012-2013)
• Tommy La Stella (2013)
• Alex Wood (2013)
• Mallex Smith (2015)
• Brian O'Connor (2005)
• Ronald Acuna Jr. (2017)
• Michael Harris II (2022)

Template:Div col end * Promoted directly to Atlanta.

External links

• Official website
• Manager Phillip Wellman's tirade
• Template:Cite web
• Mississippi Braves photos