The trade took Cepeda by surprise. After learning that his new team was the Braves, he considered retirement, but decided against it after discussing it with his wife. Cepeda moved to Atlanta with uncertainty, wondering if the effect of the Jim Crow laws was still present, but his concerns disappeared once they settled. Cepeda attended the 1969 spring training on West Palm Beach, being welcomed to the team by Hank Aaron. This marked the first time that baseball's postseason had best-of-five-game playoffs. The Braves won the National League West with a record of 93–69, before losing to the New York Mets in the playoffs. Cepeda compiled a season average of .257, with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs.