Columbus Clingstones

The franchise's modern history began in 1984 when the Atlanta Braves established a Double-A affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. The Greenville Braves, or "G-Braves," became one of the most productive development operations in minor league baseball during their two decades in the Upstate.

The talent that passed through Greenville during this era was extraordinary. Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones—cornerstones of the Braves' dynasty of the 1990s—all played for the G-Braves on their way to Atlanta. The franchise was a critical step in the development pipeline that produced fourteen consecutive division titles for the parent club from 1991 to 2005, one of the most remarkable runs in baseball history.

Despite the on-field success of its alumni, the G-Braves faced challenges with their aging stadium in Greenville. Disagreements with the Greenville City Council over a new ballpark ultimately led to the franchise's departure after the 2004 season, ending a beloved chapter but setting the stage for a new one in Mississippi.

The franchise relocated to Pearl, Mississippi, in 2005 and became the Mississippi Braves, playing at Trustmark Park just outside Jackson. The M-Braves continued the franchise's tradition of developing elite talent, serving as the proving ground for the next generation of Braves stars.

Freddie Freeman, who would become the 2020 NL MVP and one of the most beloved Braves in franchise history, played for the M-Braves. Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, and Andrelton Simmons all passed through Pearl. Perhaps most notably, Ronald Acuna Jr.—who would become the face of the franchise and win the 2023 NL MVP—played for the Mississippi Braves in 2017 before his meteoric rise.

The 2021 season was a highlight, as manager Dan Meyer led the team to a first-place 67-44 record and won the Southern Division title. But by the mid-2020s, the franchise's future in the Jackson market was uncertain, and Diamond Baseball Holdings made the decision to relocate to Columbus, Georgia, where a new ballpark and a market closer to Atlanta awaited.