An amazing era came to an end on the night of Tuesday, September 12. It was an era in baseball history that made many local fans happy, at least until mid-October, then repeatedly dashed those same fans on the shoals of disappointment. It was an era in which the Atlanta Braves won 14 consecutive National League East divisional titles. The Braves’ unprecedented streak ended last Tuesday night when the Mets clinched the divisional crown. I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at that magical year, 1991, when the streak began. After all, some of our younger Braves’ fans were still in diapers when Atlanta began its run and others, like myself, have memories that are not what they used to be.

One fact puts what the Braves accomplished in 1991 into immediate perspective. Atlanta, in winning the division, went from worst to first. The 1990 version of the Braves finished in dead last place. In 1991, the Braves turned things around under skipper Bobby Cox. Atlanta finished the season with a 94-68 record and many pundits were already declaring that new General Manager John Schuerholz was a baseball genius.

Who were some of those Braves’ players that won the title in 1991 and began Atlanta’s 14-year run? Some of the names have been long forgotten; a few are familiar; and at least one is still with the Braves.

Atlanta’s pitching staff was led by Tom Glavine, a young southpaw who went 20-11 on the year and served notice that his career was going to be a great one. Ironically, Glavine is now a member of the Mets, the team that shut down the Braves this season. Another familiar name on the ’91 pitching staff was John Smoltz. Smoltz had a decent year, going 14-13 and won several key games going down the stretch in September. “Smoltzie,” as he is affectionately known by the Brave faithful, is still with the team and still going strong.

The big surprise of the ’91 mound corps had to be Steve Avery. A flame throwing left-hander, Avery came out of nowhere to go 18-8 and give Atlanta a gifted hurler who consistently kept opposing hitters off balance. The fourth starter of record was an aging but effective Charlie Leibrant. Posting a 15-13 mark for the year, Leibrant was a key cog in the Atlanta rotation, particularly in the post-season.

The back end of the Atlanta bullpen was also impressive, led by lefty Mike Stanton and Alejandro Pena. Another veteran was a key player in long relief, namely, Juan Berenguer. Add to this group a fresh young gun by the name of Mark Wohlers, and it is easy to see why the Braves’ pitching staff was solid from top to bottom.

Behind the plate the Braves started Greg Olsen (remember him?), backed up by Damon Berryhill. Sid Bream manned first base and current hitting coach Terry Pendleton played the hot corner. The pudgy Pendleton had a great year, hitting .319 while belting 22 homers and driving in 86 runs.

Jeff Blauser played shortstop and Jeff Treadway manned the keystone, backed up by Mark Lemke and Rafael Belliard.

The outfield corners were covered by David Justice and Ron Gant. Deion Sanders and Otis Nixon patrolled centerfield. Justice and Gant, along with Pendleton, provided most of the pop in the Atlanta lineup and Nixon, along with Belliard, gave the Braves speed on the basepaths.

Who can forget the classic World Series of ’91? Atlanta and Minnesota battled it out in what has gone down as one of the most memorable Fall Classics in history. Minnesota led three games to two and appeared to have the upper hand in Game Six. Atlanta battled back and won the game, forcing a Game Seven.

Game Seven was one of the greatest games in the history of baseball. With the score knotted at the end of nine innings, both teams headed into the 10th inning with hopes of winning.

Atlanta put runners in scoring position with only one out, but couldn’t plate a run. In the bottom of the tenth, the Twins scored a run on a fly ball hit over the head of the drawn-in outfield and took the game by a run.

It was truly a game to remember, even if the Braves lost.

Since that time, with the exception of 1994, when a strike cancelled the post-season, Atlanta fans have been treated to 14 divisional titles. It was a great and remarkable run, unparalleled in team history.

This season, the Braves’ lack of pitching and inconsistent offense prevented them from making the post-season. Atlanta has a team of gifted young players, and with Cox at the helm and Schuerholz still on board as GM, the future still looks bright for the Braves.

How long will it take for the Braves to once again play deep into October? Stay tuned.