If you look closely at this 1995 photograph, now 20 years old, you will notice former Braves manager Bobby Cox is standing off to the left side and is not happy. The reason: He is looking at his pitchers at spring training and none of them are named Glavine, Maddux or Smoltz.
This is a photo of a group of Braves replacement players, brought in to replace the major-leaguers during the player strike which began in August 1994. At the time, it appeared the season would not start while owners and players had a contentious offseason trying to negotiate a new settlement.
Many of the replacements players were current and former minor-leaguers as well as a few former major-leaguers like Terry Blocker. They were guaranteed $5,000 for reporting to spring training and another $5,000 if they made the opening day rosters
Out of respect to the major-league players, Braves management would not let the replacement players dress in their spring clubhouse, instead putting them in the minor-league facility.
Replacement players would never play in an official game. U.S. District Court judge Sonia Sotomayor, now on the U.S. Supreme Court, issued a preliminary injunction against the owners three days before season was supposed to start. Two days later, the strike was settled, the replacement players were released, some going back to the minor leagues. The real Braves headed back to spring training for three weeks and would go on to win the 1995 World Series.
— I.J. ROSENBERG
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