Late in 1911, when he became owner of the Boston Braves, James Gaffney, a construction magnate who was a member of New York’s prominent political group Tammany Hall, decided to rename the club, which had been known as the “Doves.” He settled on the name “Braves” as a sort of inside joke, since an Indian brave with a headdress was the symbol of Tammany Hall.
As owner of the team, Gaffney built Braves Field, at the time of its construction one of the most impressive venues in sports. The nickname “Braves” followed the team to Milwaukee, and ultimately Atlanta.
