The Greatest Atlanta Braves Players of All Time
The Atlanta Braves are one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball history. Since their inception in 1876, they have won 18 National League pennants and three World Series championships.
Over the years, the Braves have had several legendary players who have donned their iconic uniform. In this article, we will look at the greatest Atlanta Braves players of all time and highlight their achievements.
1. Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is arguably the greatest player in Braves history.
He played 21 seasons for the Braves, first in Milwaukee and later in Atlanta. Aaron was a 25-time All-Star, won three Gold Gloves, two batting titles, and was named the National League MVP in 1957.
Aaron set several career records during his time in the league, including the most home runs (755), RBIs (2,297), and total bases (6,856). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982 and his number 44 was retired by the Braves.
2. Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn played for the Braves from 1942 to 1964.
He was a seven-time All-Star, won three Cy Young Awards, and was named to the All-Star team 17 times in his career. Spahn finished his career with 363 wins, which is the most by a left-handed pitcher in history.
He also had 2,583 strikeouts and a career ERA of 3.09. Spahn was part of the Braves’ 1957 World Series championship team and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.
3. Eddie Matthews
Eddie Matthews played for the Braves from 1952 to 1966.
He was a 12-time All-Star, won two National League pennants, and was part of the Braves’ 1957 World Series championship team. Matthews is the only Brave to have played in all three cities that the franchise has been based in (Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta).
He finished his career with 512 home runs, 1,453 RBIs, and a .271 batting average. Matthews was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978.
4. Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux played for the Braves from 1993 to 2003.
He won four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 and was named to the All-Star team eight times in his career. Maddux had a career record of 355 wins, 3,371 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.16.
He helped the Braves win a World Series championship in 1995 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014. 5.
Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones played for the Braves from 1993 to 2012. He was a seven-time All-Star, won the National League MVP award in 1999, and was part of the Braves’ 1995 World Series championship team.
Jones is the only switch-hitter in MLB history to have a career batting average above .300 and hit more than 400 home runs. He had a career batting average of .303, 468 home runs, and 1,623 RBIs. Jones was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018.
6. Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro played for the Braves from 1964 to 1983.
He won five Gold Gloves, was named to the All-Star team five times, and finished his career with 318 wins and 3,342 strikeouts. Niekro is one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers in MLB history.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. 7.
Kid Nichols
Kid Nichols played for the Braves from 1890 to 1901. He won 360 games in his career and helped the Braves win their first National League pennant in 1891.
Nichols was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1949. 8.
John Smoltz
John Smoltz played for the Braves from 1988 to 2008. He won the Cy Young Award in 1996 and was named to the All-Star team eight times.
Smoltz had a career record of 213 wins, 3,084 strikeouts, and a 3.33 ERA. He helped the Braves win a World Series championship in 1995 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
9. Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine played for the Braves from 1987 to 2002 and again in 2008.
He won two Cy Young Awards, was named to the All-Star team 10 times, and won a World Series championship with the Braves in 1995. Glavine had a career record of 305 wins, 2,607 strikeouts, and a 3.54 ERA.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014. 10.
Dale Murphy
Dale Murphy played for the Braves from 1976 to 1990. He won back-to-back National League MVP awards in 1982 and 1983 and was named to the All-Star team seven times in his career.
Murphy had a career batting average of .265, 398 home runs, and 1,266 RBIs. He was also the 1988 Roberto Clemente Award winner and won five Gold Gloves. Murphy has yet to be elected to the Hall of Fame but is a beloved figure in Braves history.
Closing Words
The Atlanta Braves have had many great players over the years, but the players mentioned above stand out as the greatest in franchise history. From Hank Aaron’s legendary career to Chipper Jones’ switch-hitting prowess, these players have left lasting legacies both on and off the field.
Their accomplishments and contributions to the game of baseball will forever be remembered by Braves fans. 3.
Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn was born on April 23, 1921, in Buffalo, New York. He was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era and was known for his impressive longevity.
Spahn’s 21-year career in the major leagues is a testament to his skill and durability. In this article, we will delve into Spahn’s early career, career records, and legacy.
3.1 Early Career
Spahn’s early career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the United States Army, where he was a member of the 9th Armored Division.
During his service, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart. Spahn returned to baseball after the war and signed with the Boston Braves in 1946.
He quickly became one of the best pitchers in the league, earning his first All-Star selection in 1947. 3.2 Career Records
Spahn finished his career with a record of 363 wins, which is the most by a left-handed pitcher in history.
He also had 2,583 strikeouts and a career ERA of 3.09. Spahn holds several major league records, including the most complete games pitched by a left-handed pitcher (382), the most innings pitched by a left-handed pitcher (5,242.2), and the most shutouts by a left-handed pitcher (63).
He won three ERA titles, two strikeout titles, and one win title. Spahn was a 17-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award in 1957.
3.3 Legacy
Spahn was part of the Braves’ 1957 World Series championship team. He was known for his consistency and was a workhorse for the Braves.
Spahn pitched 20 or more complete games in 13 seasons and had 13 seasons with 200 or more innings pitched. He was an integral part of the Braves’ success during the 1950s and 1960s.
Spahn was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 and his number 21 was retired by the Braves. 4.
Eddie Matthews
Eddie Matthews was born on October 13, 1931, in Texarkana, Texas. He was a third baseman for the Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and was one of the most feared power hitters of his time.
In this article, we will explore Matthews’ early career, career records, and legacy. 4.1 Early Career
Matthews was known for his perfect swing, which helped him hit for power and average.
He began his professional career in the minor leagues in 1949 and was called up to the major leagues in 1952. Matthews quickly established himself as one of the most dominant third basemen in the league, earning his first All-Star selection in 1953.
4.2 Career Records
Matthews finished his career with 512 home runs, the second-most by a third baseman in history. He had 1,453 RBIs, 2,315 hits, and a .271 batting average.
Matthews was part of the Braves’ 1957 World Series championship team and won two National League pennants. He was a 12-time All-Star and won two home run titles and one RBI title.
Matthews was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. 4.3 Legacy
Matthews is the only player in Braves history to have played in all three cities that the franchise has been based in (Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta).
He was known for his consistency and durability and was an important part of the Braves’ success during the 1950s and 1960s. Matthews’ number 41 was retired by the Braves and he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was also inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Closing Words
Warren Spahn and Eddie Matthews are two of the greatest players in Braves history. They were both instrumental in the team’s success and left indelible marks on the game of baseball.
Spahn’s longevity and consistency set him apart as one of the all-time greats, while Matthews’ power and perfect swing made him a feared opponent. Their accomplishments and contributions to the game will forever be remembered by Braves fans.
5. Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
He won four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 and was known for his precision pitching and ability to control the game. In this article, we will explore Maddux’s early career, career records, and legacy.
5.1 Early Career
Maddux was born on April 14, 1966, in San Angelo, Texas. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 1984 MLB draft.
Maddux made his major league debut in 1986 and quickly established himself as one of the best young pitchers in the game. He joined the Braves in 1993 and became part of a dominant pitching trio that included Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
5.2 Career Records
Maddux finished his career with a record of 355 wins, 3,371 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.16. He won 18 Gold Glove Awards, which is the most by any player at any position in baseball history.
Maddux also won four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 and was named to the All-Star team eight times. He helped guide the Braves to a World Series championship in 1995.
5.3 Legacy
Maddux is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He was known for his precise control and ability to get batters out without overpowering them.
Maddux’s 18 Gold Glove Awards are a testament to his defensive prowess on the mound. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 and his number 31 was retired by the Braves.
6. Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones is another Braves legend who had a storied career.
He was a switch-hitting third baseman who played for the Braves from 1993 to 2012. Jones was known for his versatility and longevity, and is considered one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history.
In this article, we will explore Jones’ early career, career records, and legacy. 6.1 Early Career
Jones was born on April 24, 1972, in DeLand, Florida.
He was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 1990 MLB draft. Jones drew comparisons to Mickey Mantle in his early years due to his ability to switch-hit and hit for power.
He made his major league debut in 1993 and quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the league. 6.2 Career Records
Jones finished his career with a .303 batting average, 468 home runs, and 1,623 RBIs. He was a seven-time All-Star, won two Silver Slugger Awards, and was named the National League MVP in 1999.
Jones was the only switch-hitter in MLB history to have a career batting average above .300 and hit more than 400 home runs. He played 19 seasons for the Braves and helped lead them to a World Series championship in 1995.
6.3 Legacy
Jones’ legacy in Braves history is undeniable. He is one of the greatest players in franchise history and his number 10 was retired by the team in 2013.
Jones was known for his professionalism and versatility on the field. He played multiple positions, including third base, left field, and even first base.
Jones was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing his place as one of the all-time greats.
Closing Words
Greg Maddux and Chipper Jones are two of the greatest players in Braves history. Both players had storied careers and contributed significantly to the team’s success on and off the field.
Maddux’s precision pitching and defensive prowess made him a dominant force on the mound, while Jones’ versatility and longevity made him a beloved figure in Braves history. Their accomplishments and contributions to the game of baseball will forever be remembered by Braves fans.
7. Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro was a legendary knuckleball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball.
He was known for his longevity, durability, and consistency on the mound. In this article, we will explore Niekro’s early career, career records, and legacy.
7.1 Early Career
Niekro was born on April 1, 1939, in Blaine, Ohio. His father, a coal miner, was largely responsible for his love of baseball.