The 2008 Atlanta Braves season was the 43rd in Atlanta and the 138th overall. The Braves attempted to reclaim a postseason berth for the first time since 2005. They were once again skippered by Bobby Cox, now in his 19th season (of his second stint) managing Atlanta. As a result of John Schuerholz taking the position of team president, the Braves entered the offseason with Frank Wren as their general manager.
The team wore a patch on the right sleeve "BEACH" in honor of former Braves player and bench coach Jim Beauchamp, who had died after the previous season ended.Bowman, Mark. Late Beauchamp in Braves' minds. MLB.com. March 30, 2008.
2008 saw the departure of two of the team's longtime radio and television announcers. Skip Caray died on August 3, while Pete van Wieren announced his retirement on October 21. Both men had been broadcasting for the team since 1976.
Offseason
October October 25: Claimed RHP Chris Resop off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and designated RHP Chad Paronto for assignment.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves claim Resop for bullpen depth October 29: Acquired OF Gorkys Hernández and RHP Jair Jurrjens from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for SS Édgar Rentería and cash considerations. Sent RHP Chad Paronto outright to Triple-A Richmond. He refused the assignment, becoming a free agent.
November November 16: Acquired OF Josh Anderson from the Houston Astros in exchange for RHP Óscar Villarreal.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves acquire Anderson from Astros November 19: Signed Tom Glavine to a one-year, $8 million contract.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves, Glavine agree on one-year deal November 20: Designated INF Pete Orr for assignment. Orr was later released by the organization on November 28.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Notes: Three righties join 40-man roster November 30: Designated RHP Lance Cormier for assignment.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Cormier designated for assignment
December December 4: Acquired LHP Will Ohman and INF Omar Infante from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP José Ascanio. December 4: Designated OF Willie Harris for assignment. Harris was released and became a free agent on December 12.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Harris designated for assignment December 17: Signed C Javy López to a minor-league contract and an invitation to spring training.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Lopez lands Minor League deal
January January 14: Acquired CF Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for RHP Joey Devine and minor league RHP Jamie Richmond.ESPN – Sources: A's to trade outfielder Kotsay to Braves for pitcher Devine – MLB January 17: Acquired LHP Jeff Ridgway from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for utility infielder Willy Aybar and minor league infielder Chase Fontaine.
March March 22: Javy López announces he will retire after being told he will not make the opening day roster.The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Lopez decides to retire after being cut March 26: Tyler Yates traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond. March 28: Rubén Gotay claimed off of waivers from the New York Mets.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves pick up Gotay from Mets March 31: Scott Spiezio signed to minor league contract. Released April 12.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves sign Spiezio to Minors deal
May May 5: Acquired utility-man Greg Norton from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations.The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Braves acquire Norton from Mariners
Regular season
Season standings
National League East
Record vs. opponents
Roster 2008 Atlanta Braves Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
Other batters Manager
Coaches (bench) (first base)
(hitting) (bullpen) (third base)
Game log
Legend Braves Win Braves Loss Game postponed
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 1 || March 30 || @ Nationals || 2–3 || Rauch (1–0) || Moylan (0–1) || || 39,389 || 2:22 || 0–1 || ESPN || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 2 || March 31 || Pirates || 11–12 (12) || Osoria (1–0) || Boyer (0–1) || || 45,269 || 4:28 || 0–2 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL
|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || April 2 || Pirates || 10–2 || Jurrjens (1–0) || Gorzelanny (0–1) || || 17,893 || 2:57 || 1–2 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 3 || Pirates || 3–4 (12) || Yates (1–0) || Resop (0–1) || Capps (1) || 19,240 || 3:21 || 1–3 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | — || April 4 || Mets || colspan="6"|Rescheduled for May 20|| 1–3 || colspan="2"| |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || April 5 || Mets || 11–5 || Hudson (1–0) || Maine (0–1) || || 36,130 || 3:27 || 2–3 || FOX || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 7 || April 6 || Mets || 3–1 || Smoltz (1–0) || Santana (1–1) || Soriano (1) || 39,414 || 2:35 || 3–3 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 8 || April 7 || @ Rockies || 1–2 || Herges (1–0) || Boyer (0–2) || Corpas (2) || 24,304 || 2:05 || 3–4 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 8 || @ Rockies || 3–4 || Jiménez (1–1) || Jurrjens (1–1) || Corpas (3) || 24,640 || 2:24 || 3–5 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 10 || April 9 || @ Rockies || 6–12 || Redman (1–1) || James (0–1) || || 23,210 || 2:44 || 3–6 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | — || April 10 || @ Rockies || colspan="6"|Rescheduled for June 16|| 3–6 || colspan="2"| |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 12 || April 11 || @ Nationals || 3–0 || Hudson (2–0) || Chico (0–2) || Moylan (1) || 28,051 || 2:15 || 4–6 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 12 || @ Nationals || 10–2 || Smoltz (2–0) || Lannan (0–2) || || 32,532 || 2:44 || 5–6 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 14 || April 13 || @ Nationals || 4–5 || Redding (2–1) || Bennett (0–1) || Rauch (2) || 29,151 || 3:06 || 5–7 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 15 || April 15 || @ Marlins || 0–4 || Olsen (2–0) || Jurrjens (1–2) || || 10,462 || 2:36 || 5–8 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 16 || April 16 || @ Marlins || 5–6 || Hendrickson (3–1) || Hudson (2–1) || Gregg (3) || 10,712 || 2:41 || 5–9 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 17 || April 17 || @ Marlins || 8–0 || Smoltz (3–0) || Nolasco (1–1) || || 11,237 || 2:53 || 6–9 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 18 || April 18 || Dodgers || 6–1 || Ohman (1–0) || Lowe (1–1) || || 38,250 || 3:03 || 7–9 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 19 || April 19 || Dodgers || 4–1 || James (1–1) || Billingsley (0–3) || Acosta (1) || 40,451 || 2:40 || 8–9 || FOX || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 20 || April 20 || Dodgers || 6–1 || Jurrjens (2–2) || Kuroda (1–2) || || 36,772 || 3:11 || 9–9 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 21 || April 21 || Nationals || 7–3 || Hudson (3–1) || Chico (0–4) || || 16,706 || 2:50 || 10–9 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 22 || April 22 || Nationals || 0–6 || Lannan (1–2) || Smoltz (3–1) || || 23,482 || 2:48 || 10–10 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 23 || April 23 || Marlins || 2–7 || Miller (1–2) || Bennett (0–1) || || 19,852 || 3:05 || 10–11 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 24 || April 24 || Marlins || 7–4 || James (2–1) || Badenhop (0–2) || Acosta (2) || 19,903 || 2:34 || 11–11 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 25 || April 25 || @ Mets || 6–3 || Jurrjens (3–2) || Pelfrey (2–1) || || 52,495 || 3:06 || 12–11 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 26 || April 26 || @ Mets || 3–4 || Maine (2–2) || Hudson (3–2) || Wagner (5) || 51,339 || 2:56 || 12–12 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 27 || April 27 || @ Mets || 3–6 || Figueroa (2–1) || Smoltz (3–2) || Wagner (6) || 53,487 || 2:46 || 12–13 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 28 || April 29 || @ Nationals || 3–6 || Rivera (2–1) || Boyer (0–3) || Rauch (5) || 25,285 || 2:43 || 12–14 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 29 || April 30 || @ Nationals || 2–3 || Rivera (3–1) || Acosta (0–1) || || 29,473 || 3:17 || 12–15 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL
|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 30 || May 2 || Reds || 2–0 || Hudson (4–2) || Vólquez (4–1) || || 32,057 || 2:21 || 13–15 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 31 || May 3 || Reds || 9–1 || Reyes (1–0) || Belisle (1–2) || || 37,969 || 2:58 || 14–15 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 32 || May 4 || Reds || 14–7 || Ring (1–0) || Arroyo (1–4) || || 33,750 || 3:16 || 15–15 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 33 || May 6 || Padres || 5–3 || Jurrjens (4–2) || Young (2–3) || Bennett (1) || 21,657 || 2:42 || 16–15 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 7 || Padres || 5–2 || Hudson (5–2) || Wolf (2–2) || Acosta (2) || 25,194 || 2:22 || 17–15 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 35 || May 8 || Padres || 5–4 || Acosta (1–1) || Thatcher (0–4) || || 28,337 || 3:19 || 18–15 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 36 || May 9 || @ Pirates || 2–3 || Grabow (2–1) || Bennett (0–2)|| || 21,050 || 2:55 || 18–16 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 37 || May 10 || @ Pirates || 2–5 || Gorzelanny (3–3)|| James (2–2) || Capps (9) || 28,141 || 2:10 || 18–17 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | – || May 11 || @ Pirates || colspan="6"|Rescheduled for May 12|| 18–17 || colspan="2"| |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 39 || May 12 || @ Pirates || 0–5 || Duke (2–2) || Jurrjens (4–3) || || || || 18–18 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 38 || May 12 || @ Pirates || 8–1 || Hudson (6–2) || Van Benschoten (0–1) || || 16,669 || 2:40 || 19–18 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 40 || May 13 || @ Phillies || 4–5 || Kendrick (3–2) || Reyes (0–1) || Lidge (10) || 44,101 || 2:41 || 19–19 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 41 || May 14 || @ Phillies || 8–6 || Glavine (1–1) || Myers (2–4) || Boyer (1) || 36,001 || 2:51 || 20–19 || FSN South || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 42 || May 15 || @ Phillies || 0–5 || Hamels (5–3) || James (2–3) || || 34,120 || 2:13 || 20–20 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 43 || May 16 || Athletics || 3–2 || Acosta (2–1) || Embree (1–2) || || 31,004 || 3:02 || 21–20 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 44 || May 17 || Athletics || 4–5 || Harden (2–0) || Hudson (6–3) || || 38,324 || 2:49 || 21–21 || WPCH || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 45 || May 18 || Athletics || 5–2 || Reyes (2–1) || Duchscherer (3–3) || || 31,025 || 2:47 || 22–21 || SportsSouth || WGST/WUBL |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"