Aaron, Joneses lead all-time list of Braves

The history of the Atlanta Braves is a storied one. Tracing their history back to the 1800's in Boston, the franchise has seen 57 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame suit up for it at least once, with others claiming a legitimate case to join them in Cooperstown. Along the way, the Braves have won four World Series across three different cities. They won their first title in Boston in 1914 and wouldn't win their next until 1957 in Milwaukee. Atlanta has seen the organization double its championship count, once in 1995 and again in 2021. With such a deep history of success, choosing the Braves' representatives for an all-time lineup was no easy task. The list includes a modern-day batting nine, a left-handed and a right-handed starter, a closer, and a manager. C — Joe Torre (1960-68) While winning an MVP in St. Louis and making the Hall as a skipper, Torre had a strong start to his playing career with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. He made five All-Star Games, finished top-20 in MVP voting thrice, and hit .294 with the organization. 1B — Freddie Freeman (2010-21) One of the top first basemen of the 21st century, Freeman was an Atlanta stallworth for over a decade. The 2020 NL MVP hit .295 as a Brave and averaged nearly 30 homers and 100 RBI for his career. A World Series win finalized any doubt for Freeman's place in Braves history. 2B — Ozzie Albies (2017-Pres.) The only current Brave on the list proper, Albies does benefit from a lighter crop of second basemen. However, he does have a championship, two Silver Sluggers and three All-Star to his name. Plus, he has the most hits of any second baseman in franchise history. 3B — Chipper Jones (1993-2012) Arguably the best switch-hitter in baseball history, Jones' inclusion was a no-brainer. The 1995 NL MVP and a champion, Jones was a notorious Met killer and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He finished his career with a .303 average and a .930 OPS. SS — Jeff Blauser (1987-97) Twice an All-Star, Blauser was a staple in the middle infield throughout the Braves' run in the '90s. The sure-handed shortstop hit a career-best .308 in his final season in Atlanta, earning him the 1997 Silver Slugger. LF — Dale Murphy (1976-90) A two-time Most Valuable Player, Murphy was one of the few highlights of the dark 1980s. One of the most well-rounded outfielders of the era, "Murph" matched five Gold Gloves with four Silver Sluggers. A shame Cooperstown has yet to come calling for one of baseball's true good guys. CF — Andruw Jones (1996-2007) Widely regarded as one of the sport's best defenders, Jones has 10 Gold Gloves to his name. He was also the owner of the franchise's single-season home run record (51 in 2005) until Matt Olson hit 54 in 2023. Jones remains trending towards a spot in Cooperstown as his time on the ballot winds down. RF — Hank Aaron (1954-74) Aaron was one of baseball's most prolific hitters, who just happened to have a ton of power. Ending his career with 755 home runs, Hammerin' Hank hit at least 10 long balls every season without ever eclipsing 50. He also left his mark off the field as a Civil Rights activist, on top of being one of the best to ever play. DH — Eddie Mathews (1952-66) Mathews has an argument to being the best third baseman the franchise has seen, even with the accomplishments of Chipper. He hit .273 with the Braves with an OPS of .896. Not bad in a career that spanned from the tail of the Boston era all the way to the start of the Atlanta era. RHP — Greg Maddux (1993-2003) While not the hardest thrower the organization has seen, Maddux still won three Cy Youngs in Atlanta on the back of pinpoint location. As a Brave, "The Professor" won the ERA title four times and only missed the 200 innings mark in a season once. He threw 199 ⅓ instead. LHP — Warren Spahn (1942-64) The 1957 Cy Young, Spahn was a workhorse for the Braves throughout his career. The southpaw won three ERA titles on his way to the Hall, throwing over 300 innings in a season in 1949 and 1951. Spahn was also a 20-game winner 13 times. CP — Craig Kimbrel (2010-14, '25) A major part of the tail end of the Braves' pennant streak, Kimbrel was one of the most electric arms of the 2010s. The 2011 Rookie of the Year carried an astonishing 14.8 strikeouts per nine as a Brave. He also holds the franchise record for career saves. MGR — Bobby Cox (1978-81, 1990-2010) The only manager in franchise history with his number retired, Cox is one of the highest-regarded skippers in the sport. A four-time Manager of the Year, Cox's Braves won five pennants and a World Series, on top of 55.7% of games. Plus, he has been ejected from the most games of any manager. Honorable Mentions Ronald Acuña Jr. (2018-Pres.) — 2018 Rookie of the Year, 2023 MVP, 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger Fred McGriff (1993-97) — Hall of Famer, 1995 World Series, 3x All-Star, 1993 Silver Slugger Tom Glavine (1987-2002) — Hall of Famer, 1995 World Series, 8x All-Star, 2x Cy Young, 4x Silver Slugger, 1995 World Series MVP John Smoltz (1988-2008) — Hall of Famer, 1995 World Series, 8x All-Star, 1996 Cy Young, 1997 Silver Slugger, 1992 NLCS MVP, 2005 Roberto Clemente Award Phil Niekro (1964-83, '87) — Hall of Famer, 4x All-Star, 5x Gold Glove, 1967 ERA Title