Best AJC images of Braves' 2008 season

Atlanta Braves

Best AJC images of Braves' 2008 season

Best Atlanta Journal-Constitution images from the 2008 Atlanta Braves season.

Atlanta Braves' Jeff Francoeur is hit with a ball in the elbow in a June 20 game against the Mariners. This was the start of a long slump for hometown hero Jeff Francoeur. At this point in the season, Francoeur had a batting average of .217 over a stretch of 32 games.

Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur sits on the bench after striking out at the plate in the third inning during the Braves 15-6 loss to the Washington Nationals. Francoeur finished the season with a batting average of .239.

The Braves, including Chipper Jones, left, stand as a bagpiper plays "Amazing Grace" in honor of longtime Braves announcer Skip Caray before the Aug. 13 game against the Cubs at Turner Field.

A new sign placed on the door to the Turner Field broadcast booth proclaims it the "Skip Caray Broadcast Booth" in honor of the long-time Braves announcer, who passed away this season.

The Braves faces in September say everything about their faded post-season hopes. Injuries to the pitching rotation and some early road woes led the Braves to finish 20 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who are headed to the World Series. Here, they watch as the team fails to complete a late rally in an 8-5 loss to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on Sept. 6, 2008.

Braves centerfielder Mark Kotsay was traded midseason to the Boston Red Sox. In August, he gestures to the crowd after hitting for the cycle during a game against the Cubs.

Atlanta Braves' third baseman Chipper Jones hits the 400th home run of his career in the 6th inning June 5 against the Florida Marlins at Turner Field. Jones received a standing ovation of 27,238 fans including a video highlight film after the home run of his career. Jones went 4-for-5 at the plate for the night.

Atlanta Braves' Yunel Escobar jumps on home plate as he celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run to end the game for the win over the Florida Marlins' 7-5 in the 10th inning June 2 in Atlanta. This was Escobar's first walk-off home run of his professional career.

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox argues with home plate umpire Chris Guccione of a game with the Washington Nationals. The argument led to an ejection.

Atlanta Braves Corky Miller knocks his helmet off swinging in the 6th inning against the Houston Astros on July 6 at Turner Field. Miller caught for 31 games in the 2008 season.

Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur throws his bat after striking out to end the 8th inning with a runner in scoring position against the Philadelphia Phillies in July at Turner Field.

Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann tags out Philadelphia Phillies Chris Coste during the second inning July 2, 2008 at Turner Field.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones begins his swing on a pitch by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson.

Jeremy Levin, who works at Turner South, carries a Skip Caray newspaper ad from 1965 following longtime Braves announcer Skip Caray's funeral Aug. 11 at The Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church in Buckhead.

Jack Ohman, 2 1/2, waits for a pitch from his dad, Braves pitcher Will Ohman, during a little family day batting practice at Turner Field in August.

It was a rough season for fan favorite Jeff Francoeur. The local star couldn't establish a rhythm this season and was at one point sent to the minors. But in a 3-1 May win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, his two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning was the clincher.

Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar beats the throw to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Gary Bennett as Mark Teixeira drove in two runs in the fifth inning as the Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 at Turner Field. on April 19, 2008. Escobar finished the season with a .288 batting average driving in ten homeruns and 60 RBIs in his second season with the Braves.

Matt Diaz has his arms full with his daughter Anna Grace, 5 months, left, and his son Nathan, 19 months, during a player family day at Turner Field in August.

Milwaukee Brewers' Rickie Weeks breaks his bat on a double in the third inning as Atlanta Braves' catcher Brian McCann is shown on the play in the Braves 4-2 win June 25.

The Braves' Martin Prado dives for but misses a drive by the Giants' Travis Ishikawa in an August game at Turner Field. The Braves many near misses kept them out of the playoffs this season.

Braves catcher Brian McCann tags out Phillies first baseman Ryon Howard as he tries to score during a Phillies-Braves game in September. The Braves were already out of the chase to the eventual N.L. Champions.

John Smoltz made his first start of the 2008 season facing the Mets' Johan Santana, a fellow Cy Young winner. Smoltz left the game after five scoreless innings with complaints of more pain, a problem that nagged him before he had season-ending surgery.

At times, Chipper Jones struggled with injuries. Here, Jones stands on deck during a game against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Jones' third-inning two run home run elevated his batting average to .426 - on May 6.

The Braves' Jeff Francoeur celebrates with teammates after being driven in by Mark Kotsay with a second-inning triple during an August game against the Cubs at Turner Field.

Braves' third-baseman Chipper Jones bare hands a bunt by the Cubs' Reed Johnson and throws him out at first.

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Atlanta Braves' Jeff Francoeur is hit with a ball in the elbow in a June 20 game against the Mariners. This was the start of a long slump for hometown hero Jeff Francoeur. At this point in the season, Francoeur had a batting average of .217 over a stretch of 32 games.

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