Kid Nicolas won 20 games as a pitcher and in other positions. In 1942, Waren Sphan played for the Braves his first time. In 1953, Eddie Matthews was the first rookie to hit 3 home runs in a game. In his first season, Hank Aaron slammed 13 homers and had a .280 batting average. In 1977, owner Ted Turner managed the Braves. He lost to Pittsburgh 2-1. In 1991, led by pitcher John Smolts the Braves were one of the up and coming teams in the National League.One favorite expression in Georgia is, "The south shall rise agian." The city of Atlanta's growth during the past thirty years proved that statement true. Atlanta also says, "THE BRAVES SHALL RISE AGAIN!"