The Top 10 Greatest Atlanta Braves Players of All Time
The Atlanta Braves are a beloved and historic baseball franchise, with a rich tradition of great players. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 players in the history of the franchise, and explain why they have earned their place in Braves lore.
#10 - Freddie Freeman: Freeman is an active player, but already considered one of the best in the history of the franchise. He has spent his entire career with the Braves, earning four All-Star selections, one MVP award, and leading the league in RBIs once. He has also been a key member of the Braves teams that reached the playoffs in 2010, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
#9 - Dale Murphy: Murphy spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning two MVP awards and making the All-Star team 7 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that reached the World Series in 1982.
#8 - Warren Spahn: Spahn spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning an MVP award in 1957 and making the All-Star team 13 times. He was considered one of the best left-handed pitchers of all time and holds several Braves records.
#7 - Andruw Jones: Jones spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning five Gold Gloves and making the All-Star team 5 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that reached the World Series in 1996.
#6 - Phil Niekro: Niekro spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning five All-Star selections and making the All-Star team 5 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that reached the World Series in 1982.
#5 - John Smoltz: Smoltz spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning an Cy Young award and making the All-Star team 8 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that won the 1995 World Series.
#4 - Chipper Jones: Jones spent his entire career with the Braves, earning an MVP award in 1999 and making the All-Star team 8 times. He is considered one of the best third basemen in baseball history and holds several Braves records.
#3 - Tom Glavine: Glavine spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning two Cy Young awards and making the All-Star team 10 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that won the 1995 World Series.
#2 - Greg Maddux: Maddux spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning four Cy Young awards and making the All-Star team 8 times. He was also a key member of the Braves team that won the 1995 World Series.
#1 - Hank Aaron: Aaron spent the majority of his career with the Braves, earning an MVP award in 1957 and making the All-Star team 25 times. He is considered one of the best players in baseball history and holds several records including all-time home run leader.
These players have left an indelible mark on the Braves franchise and baseball history. Their statistics speak for themselves, but it's their impact on the field and in the hearts of Braves fans that truly cements their legacy as some of the greatest players toever wear the Braves uniform. From Hank Aaron to Freddie Freeman, these players have set records and led their teams to the heights of success. Their contributions will be remembered for years to come and have solidified the Atlanta Braves as a team with a rich tradition of baseball excellence.
The Braves teams of the 1990s, led by Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz, known as "The Big Three", were one of the most successful in baseball history, winning the National League pennant in 1991, 1992, 1995 and 1996, and the World Series in 1995. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Dale Murphy were also key contributors to that teams, and solidified the Braves as a team with a strong lineup and excellent defensive play.
The Braves of the 21st century, with players like Freeman, Brian McCann, and Jason Heyward, continue to be a competitive team and have reached the playoffs several times, and have also had a strong farm system that has developed many talented players that have contributed to the team's success.