2005 Atlanta Braves season

Offseason

In October 2004, DeWayne Wise was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. Julio Franco was re-signed as a free agent in December. Dan Kolb was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later and José Capellán, with Alec Zumwalt sent to complete the trade. Tim Hudson was traded from the Oakland Athletics for Juan Cruz, Dan Meyer, and Charles Thomas. Raúl Mondesí signed as a free agent in January 2005, and Jorge Sosa was traded from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Nick Green in March.

Regular season

On April 5, the Braves opened the season with a 0–9 loss to the Marlins. They won the next two games against Miami, including a 2–1 victory in 13 innings on April 6 and a 4–2 win on April 7. After taking three of four from the Mets at home, the Braves split a series with the Nationals. In mid-April, they lost two of three to the Phillies and split a two-game set in Houston.

On September 15, Andruw Jones hit his 300th career home run, a 430-foot shot off Phillies reliever Geoff Geary in a 12–4 loss at Citizens Bank Park; the ball landed in the upper deck in left field. Jones became one of the quickest players in Major League history to reach 300 home runs. John Foster signed as a free agent on April 15. Raúl Mondesí was released on June 1.

On July 31, the Braves acquired a player from the Detroit Tigers for Román Colón and Zach Miner. Todd Hollandsworth was traded from the Chicago Cubs on August 29 for Angelo Burrows and Todd Blackford. Notable picks in the 2005 Draft included Joey Devine (26th overall), Yunel Escobar (2nd round), and Jordan Schafer (3rd round).

Awards and honors

Bobby Cox was voted National League Manager of the Year for the second consecutive year and third time overall. Andruw Jones led the National League in home runs and runs batted in, earning a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and the Hank Aaron Award; he finished second in National League Most Valuable Player voting. Jeff Francoeur finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. At the 2005 All-Star Game, Andruw Jones hit a home run and John Smoltz took the loss.