The 2002 Atlanta Braves season marked the franchise's 37th season in Atlanta and 132nd overall. The Braves won their 8th consecutive division title, finishing 19 games ahead of the second-place Montreal Expos. The Braves lost the 2002 Divisional Series to the eventual NL Champion San Francisco Giants, 3 games to 2. This would be the first of four consecutive NLDS losses in as many years, and the first of three consecutive years to do so by losing the deciding Game 5 at Turner Field. 2002 marked the final year that pitchers Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz played on the same team ending the reign of what has been considered by many the greatest pitching trio of all-time. All three would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame a decade later. Smoltz set the Braves' single season record for saves (55). Chipper Jones moved to the outfield in left field to allow for Vinny Castilla to be signed and added to the lineup at third base. Julio Franco became a regular player in the second stint of his Major League career and Gary Sheffield was acquired to the Braves in 2002, playing at right field. Offseason October 26, 2001: Aaron Small was signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves. December 4, 2001: John Smoltz was re-signed from free agency back to the Atlanta Braves. December 11, 2001: Vinny Castilla signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves. December 17, 2001: Julio Franco was re-signed from free agency back to the Atlanta Braves. January 15, 2002: Gary Sheffield was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves for Andrew Brown, Brian Jordan and Odalis Pérez. January 16, 2002: Doug Linton was signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves. March 20, 2002: Henry Blanco was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Atlanta Braves for Paul Bako and Jose Cabrera. Regular season Opening Day starters Vinny Castilla Rafael Furcal Marcus Giles Tom Glavine Andruw Jones Chipper Jones Javy Lopez Gary Sheffield B. J. Surhoff Season standings National League East Record vs. opponents Transactions June 4, 2002: Jeff Francoeur was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed July 8, 2002. September 30, 2002: Aaron Small was released by the Atlanta Braves. Roster Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G