1996 Season - Atlanta Braves

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Followed up '95 The Sporting News Rookie of the Year campaign (voted on by the players) by posting legitimate National League Most Valuable Player numbers in just his second season

First Brave to hit over .300 (.309), slug 30 home runs (30), reach 100 RBI (110), and score 100 runs (114) in one year since Dale Murphy reached these milestones in 1985

Finished tied for eighth in the league in runs scored, sixth in walks with 87, and tied for 10th in on-base percentage at .396

Became the first Braves third baseman to hit at least 30 doubles and 30 home runs since Eddie Mathews hit 31 doubles and 47 home runs in 1953

Proved versatile in the field again, starting at third base (117 games), shortstop (38 games), and right field (one game)

Selected to his first All-Star team

Started the game in place of the injured Matt Williams and went 1-for-2, 1 run

Had four separate 11-game-plus hitting streaks on the year

Had a career-high 18-game hitting streak (26-for-69, .377, 5 home runs, 16 RBI) August 6-August 24

Had a 14-game hitting streak (18-for-52, .346, 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 14 RBI) June 9-June 23

Fashioned a 12-game hitting streak (18-for-44, .409, 1 home run, 6 RBI) September 2-September 19

Hit in 11 straight games (22-for-48, .458, 3 home runs, 13 RBI) May 15-May 27

Had three two-home run games: May 22 vs. Cubs, July 3 at Montreal and August 23 vs. Cubs

Collected a career-high five RBI May 20 vs. Chicago

Had a streak of reaching base safely in 34 straight games May 15-June 24; this tied an Atlanta record

Hit .315 with eight home runs and 21 RBI in July

In June, hit seven home runs and 23 RBI with a .320 batting average...Had four 4-hit games: April 7 vs. St. Loius, April 24 at San Francisco, May 19 vs. Cincinnati and June 5 vs. Mets

Missed first five days of season after March 25 surgery to remove a bone chip from his right knee (placed on 15-day disabled list March 30-retroactive to March 22); activated from disabled list April 6

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