1 Ted Turner Fact Braves Fans May Not Know

American businessman Ted Turner had several ventures, including founding CNN and owning the Atlanta Braves. The Brown University alum purchased the Braves in 1976, and the club won the World Series under his ownership in 1995.

The Braves were struggling when Turner bought the team, so much so that he stepped in as the manager. After going 70-92 in 1976, they started 8-21 in 1977 before the media mogul sent manager Dave Bristol home for 10 days.

Turner managed Atlanta's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 11 of that season. His presence didn't change the club's fortunes, as it lost its 17th straight contest.

Turner deferred almost all of the managerial decisions to third-base coach Vern Benson, but he did insert backup infielder Darrel Chaney as a pinch-hitter in the ninth. The Braves were down 2-1 with a runner on first, and the switch-hitter hit a ground-rule double. However, Hall of Fame closer Goose Gossage then came in to seal the Pirates' victory.

MLB then banned Turner from the dugout due to the rule that team owners couldn't manage.

“They must have put that rule in yesterday,” Turner told The Washington Post. “If I’m smart enough to save $11 million to buy the team, I ought to be smart enough to manage it.”

Ted Turner Revolutionized Atlanta Sports

Atlanta Hawks former team owner Ted Turner (center). © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Turner, who passed away on Wednesday at 87, also bought the NBA's Atlanta Hawks the year after he bought the Braves. The team made the playoffs 15 times during his tenure and retired a jersey with his name on it in 2004.