Boston Braves Best Players of All Time

Kevin Smith

The Boston Braves were a Major League Baseball franchise that operated in the city of Boston, Massachusetts from 1871 until 1952. During its long history, the team went through several name changes and was home to many star players. The team was also the first to be broadcast on the radio, and the first to appear in a nationally televised game.

The Braves were competitive throughout their time in Boston, winning several pennants and a World Series in 1914. After leaving the city in 1952, the Braves relocated to Milwaukee, and then to Atlanta, where they currently play as the Atlanta Braves.

Table of Contents

1. Deion Sanders

Defensive back

Deion Sanders Career

  • 2× Super Bowl champion (XXIX, XXX)
  • NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1994)
  • 6× First-team All-Pro (1992–1994, 1996–1998)
  • 2× Second-team All-Pro (1991, 1999)
  • 8× Pro Bowl (1991–1994, 1996–1999)
  • NFL kickoff return yards leader (1992)
  • NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
  • PFWA All-Rookie Team (1989)
  • Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor
  • Jim Thorpe Award (1988)
  • 2× Unanimous All-American (1987, 1988)
  • Florida State Seminoles Jersey No. 2 honored

Deion Sanders was a professional football player for 14 seasons, playing for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. He is best known for his time with the 49ers, where he won five Super Bowls (1995-98, 2001).

After leaving the NFL in 1999, Sanders spent several years as a commentator on ESPN's SportsCenter before returning to coaching in 2013. In 2015 he took over as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team. Deion Sanders was an accomplished NFL player and coach.

He is best known for his time with the Atlanta Falcons, where he won two Super Bowls. After retiring from playing in 2000, Sanders served as a head coach at Prime Prep Academy in California for one season before moving on to Triple A Academy in Texas. 

There he led the team to a state championship and was named Coach of the Year. In 2017, Sanders became the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Texas after spending three years as head coach of Jackson State University (MS). 

As of 2019, Sanders holds the distinction of being both a head coach and offensive coordinator in both college football and professional football leagues - the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).

Also Played For: college football, dallas cowboys

2. Dave Bancroft

Dave Bancroft Career

  • 2× World Series champion (1921, 1922)

Dave Bancroft was a shortstop and manager in the Major Leagues for over 30 years. He played his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies, appearing in 1,026 games between 1915 and 1930.

His batting average was .279, with 32 home runs and 591 RBIs recorded during that time span. After playing his final game with the Giants on May 31st of 1930.

He retired as a player but continued to manage throughout the remainder of his career; including stints with the St Louis Browns (1936-37), Washington Senators (1939-41) and Chicago White Sox (1951).

Dave Bancroft passed away at age 81 on October 9th of 1972 after a long illness. Dave Bancroft was a Hall of Fame player and manager. 

He won two World Series titles as a player, and another as manager. He is remembered for his batting skills and leadership abilities on the field. He died in 2009 at the age of 100 years old.

Also Played For: philadelphia phillies

3. Red Schoendienst

Red Schoendienst Career

  • 10× All-Star (1946, 1948–1955, 1957), 5× World Series champion (1946, 1957, 1964, 1967, 1982), NL stolen base leader (1945), St. Louis Cardinals No. 2 retired, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame

Red Schoendienst was a major league second baseman and manager who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1945 to 1963. After playing in the minor leagues, he made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 1945 and had a successful career, averaging .289 with 2,449 hits over 13 seasons.

He led the National League in assists twice (1951 and 1955) and finished third once (1956). In 1956 he became player-manager of the Cards, leading them to their only World Series appearance that year before being fired after compiling a record of 59-103 (.361). 

Shoendienst returned to manage briefly in 1964 but resigned after one season due to health problems; he retired as a player at age 45 following that campaign.

Red Schoendienst was a successful player and manager in both the National League (NL) and American League (AL). He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1945 to 1956, winning five World Series championships with them.

After retiring as a player, he became the manager of the Cardinals from 1965 to 1976, 1980, and 1990. In total, he compiled an overall record of 1,041–955 (.522 win percentage), leading his teams to victory in nine out of ten seasons during his managerial career.

Also Played For: st louis cardinals, st. louis cardinals

4. Bruce Sutter

Bruce Sutter Career

  • 6× All-Star (1977–1981, 1984), World Series champion (1982), NL Cy Young Award (1979), 4× NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (1979, 1981, 1982, 1984), 5× NL saves leader (1979–1982, 1984), St. Louis Cardinals No. 42 retired, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

Bruce Sutter pitched in the majors for over two decades, mostly with the Chicago Cubs. He had a 68-71 record and an ERA of 2.83. In 1988, he was traded to Atlanta where he would finish his career four years later.

After his playing days were complete, Sutter became a baseball coach and worked with various teams before passing away in 2022 at the age of 69 from cancer One of the most dominant relief pitchers in Major League Baseball history, Bruce Sutter helped lead three teams to World Series championships.

A six-time All-Star and four-time NL Relief Man Award winner, Sutter was a key part of St. Louis' 1982 championship team. He also finished fifth in Cy Young voting that year after putting up stellar numbers for the Braves in 1985 and 1986 before signing with Chicago Cubs later on in his career.

After retiring from playing baseball, he served as pitching coach for the Cardinals from 2006 to 2011 before joining Atlanta's front office as their Director of Player Personnel in 2012.

Also Played For: chicago cubs

5. Joe Torre

Infielder

Joe Torre Career

  • 9× All-Star (1963–1967, 1970–1973), 4× World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000), NL MVP (1971), Gold Glove Award (1965), NL batting champion (1971), NL RBI leader (1971), 2× AL Manager of the Year (1996, 1998), New York Yankees No. 6 retired, Braves Hall of Fame, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, Monument Park honoree

Joe Torre is a three-time World Series champion manager, most notably with the New York Yankees in 1996 and 1999. He also managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2003 to 2007 before joining ESPN as an analyst in 2008.

In 2015, he was named special advisor for baseball operations for the New York Mets. Born on July 18, 1940, Joe Torre played catcher and first baseman throughout his career before becoming a manager in 1977 at the age of 36.

His teams won nine division titles and three league championships during his 19 years managing MLB clubs (1977–1993). 

Torre has been honored numerous times by various organizations including being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ulysses S Grant III in 2013.

He also won induction into both the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (2014) and the Brooklyn Jewish Veteran's Memorial Park Athletic Association Hall of Fame (2015).

Also Played For: atlanta braves, new york yankees

6. Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron Career

  • 25× All-Star (1955–1975), World Series champion (1957), NL MVP (1957), 3× Gold Glove Award (1958–1960), 2× NL batting champion (1956, 1959), 4× NL home run leader (1957, 1963, 1966, 1967), 4× NL RBI leader (1957, 1960, 1963, 1966), Atlanta Braves No. 44 retired, Milwaukee Brewers No. 44 retired, Braves Hall of Fame, American Family Field Walk of Fame, Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor, Major League Baseball All-Century Team, , MLB records, , 2,297 career runs batted in, 6,856 career total bases, 1,477 career extra-base hits

Hank Aaron was one of the most outstanding baseball players in history and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in MLB history. He retired with a .305 batting average, 3,771 hits, and 382 home runs.

Aaron played his entire career for the Milwaukee Braves (1954-1976). In 1974 he led the Braves to their first World Series championship since 1957 and became only the third player ever to win three MVP Awards (the other two being Willie Mays and Babe Ruth).

After retiring from baseball, Aaron served as a television sportscaster for several networks before passing away at age 86 on January 22nd, 2021. Hank Aaron is one of the most iconic and successful baseball players in history. 

He was a five-time all-star, won three World Series titles with the Atlanta Braves, and holds numerous records.

Hank Aaron was born on February 5th, 1935 in Mobile, Alabama. He made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 at the age of 20 and went on to be one of baseball's greatest hitters during his 14 year career. 

Some of Aaron's most impressive records include being the all-time home run leader (755), batting champion (1957 & 1959), RBI leader (1960 & 1963), as well as having 3 gold gloves award for defensive excellence over that time period.

On September 7th 1974 he passed Babe Ruth for first place on MLB's all-time hits list - a record that still stands today. Hank Aaron has been inducted into both the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.

Well as both the Atlanta Braves Hall Of Fame and American Family Field Walk Of Fame - making him an extremely celebrated figure within America's favorite pastime.

Also Played For: milwaukee brewers, mlb

7. Billy Hamilton

Center fielder

Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton is a center fielder for the Chicago White Sox. In 2017, he led all major league outfielders in stolen bases with 49. He was born on September 9th 1990 in Taylorsville, Mississippi and raised there before moving to Cincinnati at age 17 to pursue his baseball career.

He made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2013 and has since played for Chicago (2014-2017), Kansas City (2018) and now Toronto as of 2019 season. 

Hamilton has won two Silver Slugger Awards (2015, 2018) and three Gold Gloves Award (2016-2018). His speed is unrivaled; he stole 146 bags during the 2018 season alone.

Billy Hamilton's net worth as of 2019 is estimated at $25 million dollars - an impressive figure for such a prolific stealer. Billy Hamilton is an elite baserunner and one of the most exciting players in baseball. He has been a key component to Cincinnati's success over the past few seasons, stealing 324 bases and scoring 189 runs.

The Braves signed him this offseason, and he will be looking to continue his stellar play with Atlanta. He is a dangerous hitter as well, batting .239 with 24 home runs and 189 RBIs in 514 games played over the course of six seasons. 

Hamilton is known for his speed on the basepaths, which makes him very difficult to bring down; he ranks fourth all-time in stolen base percentage at 92%. 

His agility allows him to avoid defenders easily, making it difficult for opposing teams to manhandle him at second or third base; he also boasts good range at shortstop if needed.

Also Played For: cincinnati reds

8. Fred McGriff

Fred McGriff Career

  • 5× All-Star (1992, 1994–1996, 2000), World Series champion (1995), 3× Silver Slugger Award (1989, 1992, 1993), 2× Home run leader (1989, 1992)

McGriff is a first baseman who played in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons, most notably with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was known as an excellent power hitter and led the league in home runs twice.

McGriff announced his retirement from baseball after playing his last game for the Devil Rays on July 15, 2004. Since then he has worked as a broadcaster for Fox Sports Florida.

Fred McGriff was born on October 31, 1963, in Tampa, Florida to parents of Jamaican descent.

As a child he loved playing ball and showed great potential at both football and baseball; however, it wasn't until he attended Hillsborough Community College that he started to make waves within collegiate athletics circles. 

After two years at HCC (where he helped lead them to back-to-back NJCAA World Series championships), McGriff transferred to Miami Dade College where he continued to amass impressive stats (.413 batting average with 49 homers over three seasons).

In 1986 McGriff made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays – hitting .284 with 2,490 hits and 49 home runs over 17 seasons before retiring following the 2004 season. At age 41 due to recurring neck issues stemming from several concussions sustained while playing professional ball.

While never achieving superstar status or being particularly well-liked by fans or teammates alike – largely because of his surly attitude towards reporters (or anyone else). 

Fred McGriff nevertheless remains one of best hitters in MLB history has posted an incredible .284 batting average along with 500+ RBIs & 50 HRs across all competitions.

Also Played For: tampa bay rays, san diego padres

9. Babe Ruth

New York Yankees

Babe Ruth Career

  • 2× All-Star (1933, 1934), 7× World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932), AL MVP (1923), AL batting champion (1924), 12× AL home run leader (1918–1921, 1923, 1924, 1926–1931), 5× AL RBI leader (1919–1921, 1923, 1926), AL ERA leader (1916), New York Yankees No. 3 retired, Monument Park honoree, Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball All-Century Team, Major League Baseball All-Time Team, Other career achievements and records

Babe Ruth was one of the most popular and well-known athletes of his time. He is best known for his record breaking home run totals, but he also played in the outfield and pitcher during his career.

Born in 1895, Babe Ruth made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on July 11th 1914 and would go on to play for seven different teams over a fourteen year career. His final MLB game was played with the Braves on May 30th, 1935.

In 2,873 games played, Babe Ruth hit 342 home runs which is an all-time record that still stands today. Additionally, he led the American League in batting average eight times and won three MVP Awards (1914-15). 

Known as "The Sultan of Swat", Ruth's antics off the field are legendary including bribing umpires and fighting with players from other teams - often leading to riots between fans.

However, despite all this controversy, it is clear that no one ever doubted Babe's talent as a player or person - even when he wasn't winning championships on the field. Although he retired after playing just five seasons in 1935 due to injuries sustained while boxing (he eventually died from them at 53 years old), 

There can be no doubt that without Babe Ruth baseball would not be what it is today - especially given his incredible impact both on and off the field.

Also Played For: baseball, national baseball hall of fame and museum

10. Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers

Freddie Freeman Career

  • 6× All-Star (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), World Series champion (2021), NL MVP (2020), All-MLB First Team (2020), 3x All-MLB Second Team (2019, 2021, 2022), Gold Glove Award (2018), 3× Silver Slugger Award (2019–2021), NL Hank Aaron Award (2020), Babe Ruth Award (2021)

Freddie Freeman is a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner with the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut on September 1, 2010.

In 2018, Freddie Freeman led all National League first basemen in batting average (.291), hits (1,903) and runs batted in (RBIs – 1,042). 

His 292 home runs are fifth most all time among left handed hitters and seventh most overall behind Babe Ruth (535), Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Alex Rodriguez (761) and Willie Mays(726).

Since joining Atlanta as an everyday player in 2010, Freeman has played every game at least once except for one due to injury: between 2015-2018 he missed 54 games due to various injuries but still managed to put up good numbers each year including a batting average over.

300 both years despite not playing every day like he used too do earlier in his career when healthy; after missing 54 games this past season however because of an ankle sprain that required surgery he will miss significant time next year.

While still under contract with Atlanta which could impact his legacy somewhat given how long hes been one of their better players 2nd only to Chipper Jones among current Brave starters?

Also Played For: fantasy baseball, los angeles dodgers

11. Greg Maddux

Atlanta Braves

Greg Maddux Career

  • 8× All-Star (1988, 1992, 1994–1998, 2000), World Series champion (1995), 4× NL Cy Young Award (1992–1995), 18× Gold Glove Award (1990–2002, 2004–2008), 3× NL wins leader (1992, 1994, 1995), 4× MLB ERA leader (1993–1995, 1998), Chicago Cubs No. 31 retired, Atlanta Braves No. 31 retired, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, Braves Hall of Fame

Greg Maddux was one of the most successful pitchers in MLB history. He won 355 games and lost 227, with a 3.16 ERA and 3,371 strikeouts. Maddux was born in San Angelo, Texas on April 14th 1966.

His baseball career started with the Chicago Cubs in 1986 and he spent his entire 18-year career there before moving to the Dodgers in 2008. 

Greg Maddux is widely considered to be one of the best pitchers ever, winning three Cy Young Awards (1994–1996) as well as seven other major awards throughout his career including MVP honors in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

He retired from professional baseball at the end of 2008 having achieved an overall record of 355 wins against 227 losses - making him one of only six players ever to have amassed over 300 victories while playing at least 20 years professionally.

12. Tom Glavine

Pitcher

Tom Glavine Career

  • 10× All-Star (1991–1993, 1996–1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), World Series champion (1995), 2× NL Cy Young Award (1991, 1998), World Series MVP (1995), 4× Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1995, 1996, 1998), 5× NL wins leader (1991–1993, 1998, 2000), Atlanta Braves No. 47 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

Tom Glavine is a former pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. He had a win-loss record of 305–203 and an earned run average of 3.54.

Glavine was born on March 25, 1966, in Concord, Massachusetts. Glavine batted left and threw left-handed. Tom Glavine made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1987 and ended his career with the same team in 2008.

In 2,607 appearances over 17 seasons (1987–2008), Tom Glavine struck out 2,607 batters while compiling a winning percentage of .605%. After retiring from baseball, TomGlavin has worked as an analyst for Turner Sports' coverage of Major League Baseball on TNT.

Tom Glavine was an All-Star pitcher for 10 seasons and won two Cy Young Awards. He is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and his uniform number 47 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves. Tom Glavine helped lead the Atlanta Braves to their only World Series victory in 1995.

13. Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro Career

  • 5× All-Star (1969, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1984), 5× Gold Glove Award (1978–1980, 1982, 1983), Roberto Clemente Award (1980), 2× NL wins leader (1974, 1979), MLB ERA leader (1967), NL strikeout leader (1977), Pitched a no-hitter on August 5, 1973, Atlanta Braves No. 35 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

Phil Niekro was one of the most successful pitchers in MLB history. He had a 318-274 win-loss record and an ERA of 3.35. In his MLB career, Niekro pitched for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and New York Mets.

Phil Niekro is known for his distinctive windmill motion while pitching and helped lead the Braves to two World Series championships in his career (1986 & 1995). 

On December 26th 2020, at the age of 81 years old, Phil Niekro passed away after a long battle with cancer Phil Niekro had a prolific career in the majors and was an All-Star five times.

He led the National League twice in strikeouts and pitched a no-hitter, which is a rarity for pitchers. Phil Niekro also won several awards during his career including three Gold Gloves and the Roberto Clemente Award. The Braves retired his number 35 after he finished his playing days with them in 1987.

14. John Smoltz

Pitcher

John Smoltz Career

  • 8× All-Star (1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007), World Series champion (1995), NL Cy Young Award (1996), NLCS MVP (1992), Silver Slugger Award (1997), NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2002), Roberto Clemente Award (2005), 2× NL wins leader (1996, 2006), 2× NL strikeout leader (1992, 1996), NL saves leader (2002), Atlanta Braves No. 29 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

John Smoltz is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who enjoyed a lengthy and successful career with the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox.

John Smoltz was born on May 15th, 1967 in Warren, Michigan and grew up playing baseball for his school team before signing with the Braves as an undrafted free agent in 1988.

After debuting that summer, he quickly became one of Atlanta's top pitchers and won three consecutive National League Cy Young Awards from 1991 to 1993. 

His success continued into the late 1990s when he helped lead the Cardinals to their first World Series championship since 1926 en route to four more division titles between 1999 and 2003.

In 2009 however, after suffering two knee injuries that forced him out of action for almost half a season, Smoltz retired at age 38 after 19 seasons in professional baseball. 

Since then he has become a popular analyst on MLB broadcasts alongside his son Brennan, working most notably for Fox Sports Midwest and Turner Broadcasting's coverage of Major League Soccer.

15. Chipper Jones

Infielder

Chipper Jones Career

  • 8× All-Star (1996–1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2011, 2012), World Series champion (1995), NL MVP (1999), 2× Silver Slugger Award (1999, 2000), MLB batting champion (2008), Atlanta Braves No. 10 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

Chipper Jones enjoyed a long and successful career with the Atlanta Braves, playing for them from 1993 to 2012. 

Chipper Jones was one of the most feared hitters in baseball during his time with the Braves, as he batted .303 with 2,726 hits and 470 home runs.

Chipper Jones also excelled at third base and left field, being named an All-Star six times whilewith the Braves. After leaving the Atlanta Braves in 2012, Chipper Jones joined ESPN as a commentator for their coverage of MLB games. 

In 2018, Chipper Jones announced his retirement from professional baseball after 19 seasons in which he amassed 3,141 hits and 1,,514 RBIs across all levels of play.

Chipper Jones is one of the most successful hitters in Major League Baseball history and was a key player on two world championship teams. Chipper Jones has also been a great coach, helping lead the Atlanta Braves to victory in 2021. 

Chipper Jones will be remembered for his impressive batting record, which includes 8 All-Star appearances and 2 Silver Slugger Awards.

16. Eddie Mathews

Eddie Mathews Career

  • 12× All-Star (1953, 1955–1961², 1962²), 2× World Series champion (1957, 1968), 2× NL home run leader (1953, 1959), Atlanta Braves No. 41 retired, Braves Hall of Fame, American Family Field Walk of Fame

Eddie Mathews made his MLB debut with the Boston Braves in 1952 and played for them until 1968. 

He was a third baseman throughout his career but also managed for part of it, including stints with the Detroit Tigers (1968-1970) and Philadelphia Phillies (1971).

In all, he hit 2,315 hits in 14 seasons and had a .271 batting average along the way. After retiring from baseball, Eddie Mathews worked as an announcer for various teams before passing away in 2001 at the age of 69 years old. 

Eddie Mathews was a 12-time All-Star and 2x World Series champion as a player with the Boston Braves. He also led the NL in home runs twice, and his number 41 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves. 

After retiring as a player, Mathews served as manager of the Atlanta Braves for two seasons (1972–1974). In total, he managed 986 games over 14 seasons in professional baseball.

Also Played For: sports illustrated baseball

17. Dale Murphy

Outfielder

Dale Murphy Career

  • 7× All-Star (1980, 1982–1987), 2× NL MVP (1982, 1983), 5× Gold Glove Award (1982–1986), 4× Silver Slugger Award (1982–1985), Roberto Clemente Award (1988), 2× NL home run leader (1984, 1985), 2× NL RBI leader (1982, 1983), Atlanta Braves No. 3 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

Dale Murphy was a prolific hitter in the majors and is one of only five players to have 2,000 hits and 500 home runs. Dale Murphy played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves before joining the Colorado Rockies for three seasons.

His best season came in 1988 when he hit .290 with 27 home runs and 103 RBIs. Dale Murphy retired after playing 15 seasons in the major leagues, finishing his career with an batting average of .265 and 2,111 hits. 

In 1996, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Atlanta Braves' inaugural class along with John Smoltz and Greg Maddux Dale Murphy was a five-time all-star and two time MVP, who led the National League in home runs twice.

Dale Murphy's number 3 jersey was retired by the Atlanta Braves. Dale Murphy is one of only four players to have won three Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards, as well as being named an NL MVP twice. 

He has also been awarded Roberto Clemente Award which is given annually to the best player in baseball who embodies the spirit of community involvement off the field.

18. Dansby Swanson

Shortstop

Dansby Swanson Career

  • All-Star (2022), World Series champion (2021), Gold Glove Award (2022)

Swanson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2016 and has since played for them as well as other teams, including Chicago Cubs.

Swanson is a right-handed shortstop who bats and throws right-handed. In 2018, he won both an NL Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove Award, making him one of only two players ever to win both awards in their rookie season (the other being Eric Gagne).

Swanson announced his retirement from professional baseball on January 24th 2019 after appearing in just 41 games over two seasons due to injury A 22-year-old first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, Dansby Swanson is one of the brightest hitters in all of baseball.

Nicknamed "Dizzy," Swanson has already won two world championships and an All Star Game award during his short career. He was drafted by the Braves with the third overall pick in the 2016 draft and quickly showed that he belonged on a championship team. 

With power to both left field and right field, Swanson gives any team serious competition at either position.

His speed on the bases makes him very difficult to catch, even for experienced catchers like Gary Sanchez or Alex Avila. Fans can look forward to watching him continue his success into the future as one of baseball's best players.

Also Played For: vanderbilt university baseball

19. Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones Career

  • MLB, 5× All-Star (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), 10× Gold Glove Award (1998–2007), Silver Slugger Award (2005), NL Hank Aaron Award (2005), MLB home run leader (2005), NL RBI leader (2005), Braves Hall of Fame, , NPB, , All-Star (2013), Japan Series champion (2013)

Andruw Jones was a highly successful outfielder in MLB and NPB. He batted right and threw right-handed, making him an all-around threat on the field. Jones is one of only two players to win three MVP Awards (the other being Barry Bonds).

After spending most of his career with the Braves, he joined the Yankees in 2012 and played for them until 2014. Injuries limited him to just 116 games during that time, but still managed to hit 34 home runs while batting.

Overall. At 45 years old, Jones retired from professional baseball after playing in Japan for Rakuten Golden Eagles in October 2014 season finale.

Jones was an All-Star for many years and won several awards, such as the Hank Aaron Award. Jones also had a very successful career in Japan with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He is currently playing for the New York Yankees and has been doing well this season.

20. Warren Spahn

Warren Spahn Career

  • 17× All-Star (1947, 1949–1954, 1956–1959², 1961–1963), World Series champion (1957), Cy Young Award (1957), 8× NL wins leader (1949, 1950, 1953, 1957–1961), 3× NL ERA leader (1947, 1953, 1961), 4× NL strikeout leader (1949–1952), Pitched two no-hitters, Atlanta Braves No. 21 retired, Braves Hall of Fame, American Family Field Walk of Fame, Major League Baseball All-Century Team

Warren Spahn was a pitcher in the Major Leagues for over 30 years, and is most famous for his time with the San Francisco Giants. He won 363 games and lost 245, averaging 3.09 ERA during that span.

Warren Spahn was born on April 23, 1921 in Buffalo, New York. After starting his career with the Braves in 1942, he spent most of his time with the Giants (1965-2003). Warren Spahn is considered one of baseball's all-time greats, as he helped lead several teams to championships throughout his career.

His last appearance came just two seasons before he passed away at age 82 Warren Spahn was a dominant pitcher in the late 1940s and early 1950s. 

He won three NL ERA titles, led the league in strikeouts four times, and pitched two no-hitters. Warren Spahn is one of only six pitchers to win an MVP award (1951) while pitching for more than one team.

After playing his entire career with the Braves, Spahn was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.

21. Bob Horner

Bob Horner Career

  • All-Star (1982), NL Rookie of the Year (1978), Hit four home runs in one game on July 6, 1986, Golden Spikes Award (1978), College World Series Most Outstanding Player (1977)

Bob Horner played in the MLB for the Atlanta Braves from 1978-1988. He was a three time All-Star and won two Gold Gloves while with St. Louis. 

After playing his final season in 1988, he retired from baseball and returned to Junction City, Kansas where he still resides today.

In 1997, Bob made a return to professional baseball as manager of the Yakult Swallows in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league (NPB). 

He led his team to an NPB Championship that year before retiring again following the championship game victory, having managed over 2,500 games during his career overall.

Bob is widely considered one of the all time great third basemen and first baseman in MLB history and is also currently a member of both the Central League Hall of Fame as well as The Sporting News' American League all-time team at those positions.

22. Brian McCann

Catcher

Brian McCann Career

  • 7× All-Star (2006–2011, 2013), World Series champion (2017), 6× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2008–2011, 2015)

McCann was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2003 amateur draft. McCann made his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2005 and has been a consistent player for them over the past decade.

In 2019, McCann announced his retirement from baseball after 14 seasons with the Braves. McCann is a two-time All-Star and has won three Gold Gloves during his career with Atlanta. 

He will be remembered as one of Atlanta's all-time greats and an important part of their history McCann has been one of the best hitters in baseball for many years now. He's won a World Series title and is an All-Star seven times. 

McCann also excels at batting average, home runs, and RBIs. His 281 homers are second all-time behind only Barry Bonds' 762. McCann signs with the Braves this offseason as he looks to continue his success into 2019 with Atlanta.

23. Steve Avery

Career

  • All-Star (1993), World Series champion (1995), NLCS MVP (1991)

Avery made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1990. He played for the Detroit Tigers from 2003 to 2003, and had a 96-83 record during that time span.

Avery is best known for being convicted of the 1985 murder of 25-year-old Teresa Halbach, which eventually led to his eventual release from prison in 2003 after serving 18 years behind bars.

Following his release from prison, Avery has since devoted himself to advocating against wrongful convictions and seeking more fair treatment for inmates throughout America's criminal justice system.

Avery is currently working on a book about his experiences as an inmate and advocate called "The Innocent Man: A Memoir." In 2007, he was awarded $36 million by a Wisconsin court in a civil suit filed by Brendan Dassey.

Who was also convicted of Halbach's murder – alleging that false confession testimony provided at Avery's trial helped secure their convictions.

24. Craig Kimbrel

Pitcher

Craig Kimbrel Career

  • 8× All-Star (2011–2014, 2016–2018, 2021), World Series champion (2018), NL Rookie of the Year (2011), NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2012), Delivery Man of the Year (2013), 2× Reliever of the Year (2014, 2017), 4× NL saves leader (2011–2014), Pitched a combined no-hitter on June 24, 2021, 300 save club

Craig Kimbrel is an elite pitcher in the MLB and has been for a number of years. He has won 41 games in his career and lost 36, while posting an ERA of 2.31 and striking out 1,098 batters.

Craig Kimbrel was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round (29th overall) of the 2010 draft. In his rookie season he had a win-loss record of 4-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 56 innings pitched split between Double A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.

Craig Kimbrel made his Major League debut on May 7th, 2010 against the Houston Astros at Turner Field. In that game he allowed one run on four hits over six innings en route to earning himself victory. 

Craig Kimbrel is known for having outstanding control both on and off the mound, as well as being able to make hitters uncomfortable with his devastating fastball.

His secondary pitches are also highly effective, including a wicked slider, which makes him difficult to hit no matter what pitch sequence he throws during any given at bat. It's not just Craig's ability to dominate opponents on the field that has drawn attention.

It's also how community-minded he is outside of baseball commitments such as participating in Make-A-Wish Foundation events or hosting charity golf tournaments to raise money for various causes close to his heart.

As per Sporting News' projections released prior to each season, these numbers may change based off performances from year-to-year.

25. Terry Pendleton

Infielder

Terry Pendleton Career

  • All-Star (1992), NL MVP (1991), 3× Gold Glove Award (1987, 1989, 1992), NL batting champion (1991), Braves Hall of Fame

Terry Pendleton was a third baseman who played for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals in his 14-year MLB career. He had a batting average of .270 with 140 home runs and 946 RBIs.

Terry Pendleton is best known for hitting two home runs in Game 7 of the 1998 World Series, which led to the Braves winning their first championship since 1975. 

After playing his final game in September 1998, Terry Pendleton retired from baseball as an all-star player and member of three different teams' Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

In 2006, he became coach of the Atlanta Braves minor league team where he remained until his retirement in 2018 at age 70 years old due to health concerns stemming from a stroke suffered earlier that year. 

Terry Pendleton was an all-around player who excelled at both batting and fielding. He won three Gold Glove Awards, two MVP Awards, and led the National League in batting twice. Terry Pendleton played for eight different teams during his 14-year professional career.

26. Kid Nichols

Kid Nichols Career

  • 3× NL wins leader (1896–1898), Braves Hall of Fame

Nichols was a pitcher who played in the Majors for over 20 years. He had an impressive win-loss record, and his ERA was also very low. Nichols began his career with the Boston Beaneaters, and he spent most of his time with them.

He later played for Philadelphia, but it is largely remembered that he had the best season of his career with Boston in 1903. Nichols retired after playing in 1906 for Philadelphia, but he continued to pitch into the early 1920s as a minor leaguer and instructor.

Nichols passed away at age 83 in 1953 after a long illness, and he remains one of baseball's all-time great pitchers. Kid Nichols was one of the most successful catchers in baseball history. He played for Boston, St. Louis and Philadelphia and led his teams to three NL championships.

2. Nichols also had a stellar record as a manager, winning 80% of his games. 3. Kid Nichols is now known mostly for being the grandfather of actor Jason Robards Jr., who portrayed President John F Kennedy in the movie JFK (1991).

27. Andrelton Simmons

Infielder

Andrelton Simmons Career

  • 4× Gold Glove Award (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)

Andrelton Simmons is a shortstop who has played in the MLB for the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft and made his debut with them in 2012.

Simmons has been a consistent performer, earning Gold Gloves Awards and All-Star selections during his time in baseball. In 2017, he became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where he continues to play at shortstop.

Andrelton Simmons is a three-time Gold Glove Award Winner as the best defensive player in baseball. Andrelton Simmons was born on July 28, 1984 in Dominica and moved to the United States when he was just 2 years old. 

He attended high school at San Diego State University where he played for the Aztecs from 2002 to 2004 before being drafted by Atlanta Braves in the first round of 2005 MLB Draft. 

In his 10 seasons with Atlanta, Simmons has averaged .263 batting average with 70 home runs and 444 RBIs while playing both shortstop and second base. 

After four successful seasons with Los Angeles Angels (2016-2020), Andrelton Simmons joined Minnesota Twins for 2021 season which ended up being his final year as an active player in Major League Baseball due to injuries sustained during spring training of the 2022 campaign with the Chicago Cubs.

28. Rafael Furcal

Rafael Furcal Career

  • 3× All-Star (2003, 2010, 2012), World Series champion (2011), NL Rookie of the Year (2000)

Rafael Furcal is a shortstop who has played in the MLB for over a decade. Furcal was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2000 and made his debut with them that year.

He spent most of his career with the Braves, but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins during that time. Furcar left baseball after 2014 to spend more time with his family, but he will always be remembered as one of the best shortstops in MLB history.

Rafael Furcal is a veteran outfielder who has played for the Atlanta Braves (2000-2005), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-2011) and St. Louis Cardinals (2011-2012). He was an All Star in 2003, 2010 and 2012 and won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. 

Furcal possesses good batting average (.281) and home runs (#113) stats over his career which have earned him awards such as Rookie of the Year from 2000, NL All-Star Selection three times consecutively from 2003 to 2005.

Silver Slugger Award twice consecutively from 2007 to 2008, Gold Glove Award once in 2009 by unanimous vote by all 30 MLB clubs.

29. Tommy Holmes

Tommy Holmes Career

  • 2× All-Star (1945, 1948), NL home run leader (1945), Braves Hall of Fame

Tommy Holmes was an outfielder and manager in MLB for over 50 years. He started his career with the Boston Braves, playing there until 1952. After leaving the Braves, he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers before retiring in 1956.

Tommy Holmes then became a manager, coaching teams including the Cleveland Indians (1957-1964), Kansas City Royals (1965-1967), Baltimore Orioles (1968-1973) and San Diego Padres (1974).

 He passed away at 91 years old on April 14th 2008 after a long and successful career in baseball Holmes played for the Boston Braves from 1942-1951, and compiled a batting average of .302 with 88 home runs.

After being released by the Braves, Holmes signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers where he enjoyed more success as a player and manager. He led the Dodgers to two consecutive National League championships in 1952 and 1953. 

Holmes was inducted into both the Baseball Hall of Fame (in 1985) and the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame (in 1994). Holmes died in 1993 at age 80 after a long battle with cancer.

30. Kent Mercker

Kent Mercker Career

  • World Series champion (1995), Pitched a no-hitter on April 8, 1994, Pitched a combined no-hitter on September 11, 1991

Kent Mercker is a veteran pitcher who has spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. He had an impressive 74–67 win-loss record in MLB play and led the league in strikeouts for three consecutive seasons from 2002 to 2004.

Kent Mercker was born on February 1, 1968, in Brownsburg, Indiana. After attending college at Purdue University, he made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1989. 

In 2008, Kent Mercker ended his career with the Cincinnati Reds after pitching 10 games during the season. He left baseball with an impressive 917 strikeouts to his credit Mercker was a reliable starter for most of his career, except for one season.

When he struggled. Mercker is best known for his no-hitters, which he pitched in both the regular and postseasons. He retired with 166 wins and a 2.93 ERA in over 2000 innings pitched.

31. Del Crandall

Atlanta Braves

Del Crandall Career

  • 11× All-Star (1953–1956, 1958–1960², 1962, 1962²), World Series champion (1957), 4× Gold Glove Award (1958–1960, 1962), Braves Hall of Fame

Del Crandall was a catcher and manager in the Majors for over 20 years, playing for the Boston Braves, Cleveland Indians, and Minnesota Twins. He was a two-time All-Star, and was named the American League's Manager of the Year in 1966.

Crandall was known for his strong defensive play, and was a master of handling pitchers. Crandall passed away at the age of 91 in May 2021. Del Crandall was one of the most successful players in Braves history, winning 11 All-Star games and 4 World Series championships.

As a manager, Crandall led the Brewers to a 1972 championship. After a successful playing career, Crandall settled into coaching and managing. 

He is most well-known for his time as manager of the Mariners, where he led the team to two playoff appearances. Crandall passed away at the age of 84 in 2018.

32. Rabbit Maranville

Rabbit Maranville Career

  • World Series champion (1914), Braves Hall of Fame

Rabbit Maranville had a long career in the MLB, playing for the Braves, Reds, and Yankees. He was a consistent hitter, posting a batting average of .258 and 2,605 hits over his career.

In 1935, Maranville was managing the Yankees when he was replaced in the lineup by Lou Gehrig. Gehrig went on to become one of the most famous players in MLB history. Maranville died in 1954 at the age of 62 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955. Rabbit Maranville was an all-time great player and manager. He was a key part of the Boston Braves' dynasty in the late 1920s and 1930s. He led the Braves to two World Series championships and was a key part of the team's success.

He was a powerful hitter who also had excellent fielding skills. He was also a highly respected manager who was able to lead his teams to success. 

He is one of the most famous and accomplished players in baseball history. He is a member of the Braves Hall of Fame and will always be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.

He was a great teammate and was always supportive of his teammates. He was a great role model for young players and was a great inspiration to them.

33. Wally Berger

Wally Berger Career

  • 4× All-Star (1933–1936), NL home run leader (1935), NL RBI leader (1935)

Wally Berger was a right-handed outfielder who played for the Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1930s. Berger was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905.

Berger made his MLB debut with the Boston Braves in 1930 and played with the team until 1940. Berger was a strong hitter and strong thrower who was often used as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.

Berger died in 1988 at the age of 83. He was a well-known and respected player during his time in the major leagues. Berger was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1922. Berger played for the Boston Braves, New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Berger had a batting average of .300 and 242 home runs in his career. Berger was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. Berger died in 2001.

34. Vic Willis

Vic Willis Career

  • World Series champion (1909), MLB ERA leader (1899), MLB strikeout leader (1902), Pitched a no-hitter on August 7, 1899

Vic Willis was a pitcher and batting right fielder in the majors for over a decade. His 249 wins represent a decent percentage of his 205 losses, but he was notoriously inconsistent.

Willis is best remembered for his two great seasons with the Boston Beaneaters in 1898 and 1899. After leaving Boston, Willis played for the St. Louis Cardinals for three more seasons.

Willis died in 1947 at the age of 71. Willis was a dominant pitcher in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was a three-time World Series champion with the Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St.

Louis Cardinals. Willis holds the MLB record for the most strikeouts in a career. Willis was a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted in 1995.

35. Joe Adcock

Joe Adcock Career

  • 2× All-Star (1960, 1960²), World Series champion (1957), Hit 4 home runs in one game on July 31, 1954, Braves Hall of Fame, American Family Field Walk of Fame

Joe Adcock was one of the most successful players in MLB history. He was a first baseman, outfielder and manager, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Adcock was born in Louisiana in 1927, and played his first game for the Cincinnati Reds in 1950. He was a key player for the Reds in the 1950s, and was named MVP of the 1964 season.

Adcock was traded to the California Angels in 1966, and played his final game for them in 1966. He finished his career with a .277 batting average and 336 home runs. Adcock was a part of three World Series teams (the Reds in 1950, the Angels in 1966, and the Milwaukee Braves in 1968).

He was also named MVP of the 1966 World Series. Adcock was manager of the Reds from 1970 to 1976, and the Angels from 1980 to 1982. 

He is best known for leading the Reds to their first ever World Series win in 1990. Adcock died of a heart attack in 1999 at the age of 71. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

36. Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan Career

  • 4× All-Star (1955, 1957, 1958, 1959²), World Series champion (1957), Japan Series champion (1964), American Family Field Walk of Fame

Johnny Logan was born in Endicott, New York, on March 23, 1927. He made his MLB debut with the Boston Braves in 1951 and remained with the team until 1963.

In 1964, he signed with the Nankai Hawks of the NPB and played with them until 1964. He would go on to have a successful career in the MLB, with stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and San Francisco Giants.

He retired as a player in 1973, but continued to work as a broadcaster for MLB and NPB teams until his death in 2013. Johnny Logan was a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Born in 1935, Johnny Logan was one of the most successful and popular Japanese-American baseball players of the 1950s. A four-time All-Star, Logan batted over .300 in five of his seven seasons in the majors, and led the league in home runs twice.

He also won a World Series championship with the Braves in 1957, and was a Japan Series champion with the Nankai Hawks in 1964. 

After retiring from baseball, Logan became a successful businessman and philanthropist, and was inducted into the American Family Field Walk of Fame in 2004.

37. Joe Burns

Joe Burns was a three-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner with the Philadelphia Athletics. Burns made his MLB debut with the Boston Braves in 1943 and was a key part of the team's pennant-winning campaign that year.

Burns was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1951 and enjoyed a lengthy and productive career with the team. 

Burns was a key member of the Athletics' 1955 World Series-winning team and was also named MVP of the series. Burns retired from baseball in 1969 and later served as a player-coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Burns passed away from a heart attack at the age of 58 in 1974. Joe Burns was a two-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and MVP of a World Series. He was an all-around great player and a true pioneer in the history of baseball. 

Burns' legacy will live on forever in the hearts of baseball fans all over the world. He was a great ambassador for the sport and will always be remembered as one of the most legendary players in the history of the game.

Thank you, Joe Burns, for all that you have done for baseball over the years. You will be missed.

38. John Clarkson

John Clarkson Career

  • Triple Crown (1889), 3× NL wins leader (1885, 1887, 1889), NL ERA leader (1889), 3× NL strikeout leader (1885, 1887, 1889), Pitched a no-hitter on July 27, 1885, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

John Clarkson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1861. He made his MLB debut with the Worcester Ruby Legs in 1882 and played for the Cleveland Spiders until 1894.

Clarkson had a 328-178 win-loss record and an earned run average of 2.81 in his career. After playing MLB, Clarkson became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He died in 1909 at the age of 47.

John Clarkson is one of the most decorated pitchers in baseball history. He is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and was the first pitcher to win a Triple Crown. He was also an outstanding strikeout pitcher, leading the NL in that category three times.

Clarkson also enjoyed a lengthy career, pitching for six different teams over the course of 18 seasons.

39. Lew Burdette

Lew Burdette Career

  • 2× All-Star (1957, 1959), World Series champion (1957), World Series MVP (1957), NL wins leader (1959), NL ERA leader (1956), Pitched a no-hitter on August 18, 1960, Braves Hall of Fame, American Family Field Walk of Fame

Burdette was a pitcher for the Yankees, Angels, and Minnesota Twins in his career. He won 203 games in his career and lost 144. His ERA was 3.66. Burdette was a right-handed pitcher.

He was born on November 22, 1926, in Nitro, West Virginia. Burdette died on February 6, 2007, in Winter Garden, Florida. He was 80 years old. Lew Burdette was a pitcher in the Major Leagues for over 20 years, and was a six-time All-Star.

He was a key part of the Braves' World Series-winning teams in 1957 and 1959. He also pitched a no-hitter on August 18, 1960. Lew Burdette was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 1984. He was also named to the American Family Field Walk of Fame in 2001.

40. Bob Elliott

Boston Braves

Bob Elliott Career

  • 7× All-Star (1941, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951), NL MVP (1947)

Bob Elliott was a third baseman and outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox during his MLB career. He was one of the most successful hitters in the league, posting a batting average of .289 and 2,061 hits.

He was also a good fielder, recording 2,401 total bases in his career. Elliott retired from MLB in 1953 and went on to manage in the minors. He died in 1966 at the age of 49. Elliott was a highly successful player in the 1940s and 1950s, winning seven All-Star games and MVP honors in 1947.

Elliott played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, and New York Giants, and managed the Kansas City Athletics. Elliott was known for his powerful hitting and strong defensive play. Elliott is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

41. Johnny Sain

Johnny Sain Career

  • 3× All-Star (1947, 1948, 1953), 6× World Series champion (1951–1953, 1961, 1962, 1968), NL wins leader (1948), Braves Hall of Fame

Johnny Sain was a pitcher in the Major Leagues for over 20 years, and was a key figure on several championship teams. He was born in Havana, Arkansas, in 1917, and played for the Boston Braves in 1942.

He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, and enjoyed his most successful years with the team. He retired from playing in 1967, and later worked as a baseball coach. Johnny Sain died in 2006, at the age of 89.

As a player, Johnny Sain was known for his powerful batting and excellent fielding. He won three All-Star games and six World Series championships during his career. After retiring as a player, Johnny Sain served as a coach for the Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and Minnesota Twins.

He is most famous for coaching the Atlanta Braves to their first World Series championship in 1977. Johnny Sain was born in 1929 and passed away in 2006. He was a well-respected figure in baseball and is remembered for his dedication to the game and his love of the fans.

42. Hugh Duffy

Hugh Duffy Career

  • Triple Crown (1894), NL batting champion (1894), 2× NL home run leader (1894, 1897), MLB record .440 batting average, single season, Braves Hall of Fame

Hugh Duffy was one of the most successful hitters in baseball history, amassing over 2,300 hits and 106 home runs. Duffy made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Stockings in 1888 and played for the Philadelphia Phillies until 1906.

Duffy was a versatile player, batting right and throwing right, and is considered one of the best outfielders in baseball history. 

Duffy is remembered for his strong defense and his ability to drive in runs. Duffy passed away in 1954 at the age of 87 after a long and successful career in baseball. Hugh Duffy was a player and manager in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was a very successful player, amassing 574 stolen bases in his career. 

However, his managerial record was much more impressive, as he led his teams to win %s of .444. Duffy is most famous for his time as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, where he led them to two championships.

He is also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

43. Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox Career

  • 2× World Series champion (1977, 1995), 4× Manager of the Year (1985, 1991, 2004, 2005), Atlanta Braves No. 6 retired, Braves Hall of Fame

Bobby Cox was a third baseman and manager in the MLB for over 30 years. Cox played for the Yankees and Braves, and is most recognized for his time with the Braves.

Cox was a two-time Manager of the Year, and led the Braves to their only World Series victory. Cox is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and was named the Braves' manager emeritus in 2003.

Cox currently serves as a special advisor to the team's president. Cox is a popular figure in Atlanta, and regularly appears at Braves games. Cox is also a popular speaker, and has spoken at various events across the United States.

Cox is a fan of golf, and has won numerous tournaments. Cox is a beloved figure in Atlanta, and is often referred to as "The Mayor of Braves Land". Bobby Cox was a legendary manager and coach in the MLB. He was a 2-time World Series champion as a player and 4x Manager of the Year.

Cox was born on November 20, 1936 in the small town of Toccoa, Georgia. He played baseball collegiately at the University of Georgia and made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 1968. 

Cox was one of the most successful managers in MLB history. He led the Braves to 4x Manager of the Year Awards, including the first of his 2 championships in 1977.

Cox also had a successful coaching career. He served as the manager of the Yankees from 1977-1978, the Braves from 1978-1981, and the Blue Jays from 1982-1985. Cox retired as a manager in 1990, but continued to work as a coach for the Braves until 2010. He passed away on January 24, 2015 at the age of 80.

44. Billy Southworth

Billy Southworth Career

  • 3× World Series champion (1926, 1942, 1944), St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame

Billy Southworth was a right fielder and manager in the Major Leagues for over twenty years. He was born in Nebraska in 1893, and played for the Cleveland Indians in 1913.

He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1929 and played his final MLB game in 1929. Southworth had a batting average of .297 and 52 home runs in his career. He also had 561 runs batted in during his career.

He managed the Cardinals from 1928 to 1929. Billy Southworth died in 1969 at the age of 76. Billy Southworth was one of the most successful managers in Cardinals history. He led the team to three World Series titles and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Southworth was born in 1892 in New York City. He started his career as a pitcher in the minor leagues, but he soon switched to managing. Southworth managed the Cardinals from 1929 to 1945. He led them to two more World Series titles and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

After his coaching career was over, Southworth settled in Florida. He died in 1996 at the age of 98.

45. Bill Bruton

Bill Bruton Career

  • 3× NL stolen base leader (1953–1955)

Bruton was one of the most successful and respected players in the history of baseball. He was a key player on the Philadelphia Phillies' World Series-winning team of 1980.

Bruton was also a key member of the Philadelphia Phillies' championship teams of 1980 and 1993. Bruton was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. Bruton died of a heart attack in 1995 at the age of 70.

Bill Bruton was a member of the Milwaukee Braves from 1953 to 1960. He played in 596 games and had a batting average of .273 and a home run total of 94. He also had 545 runs batted in during his career. Bruton is most well-known for his stolen base totals, which he led the National League three times.

After playing his final year with the Detroit Tigers, Bruton retired from the game.

46. Earl Torgeson

Earl Torgeson Career

  • World Series champion (1961)

Earl Torgeson was a first baseman who played in MLB for the Boston Braves and the New York Yankees. Torgeson was born in Snohomish, Washington in 1924 and died in 1990.

Torgeson had a successful MLB career, batting .269 with 131 home runs and 511 RBIs. Torgeson was a three-time All-Star and won two Gold Gloves. Torgeson spent nine seasons with the Braves, before joining the Yankees in 1961.

Torgeson was a popular player with fans, who loved his home run power and aggressive batting style. Torgeson is considered one of the best first baseman of his era. Torgeson is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.

Earl Torgeson was a first baseman for the New York Yankees from 1961 to 1965. He was a part of the team that won the 1961 World Series. Earl Torgeson was known for his powerful batting average and home runs. He hit 149 home runs in his career and was named to the All-Star team three times.

Earl Torgeson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1955. He played for the team until 1957. Earl Torgeson was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1957. 

He played for the team until 1961. Earl Torgeson was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1961. He played for the team until 1965. Earl Torgeson was traded to the Boston Braves in 1965.

He played for the team until 1972. Earl Torgeson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972. He played for the team until 1975. Earl Torgeson retired from baseball in 1975. He died in 2003 at the age of 74. 

Earl Torgeson was a powerful hitter and was known for his stunning home runs. He was a part of the New York Yankees team that won the 1961 World Series.

47. Bill McKechnie

Bill McKechnie Career

  • 3× World Series champion (1925, 1940, 1948), Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

Bill McKechnie was a third baseman and manager in the Major Leagues. McKechnie played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1907 to 1920. He was a .251 hitter with 8 home runs and 240 RBI in 3,647 games.

McKechnie was also a manager for the Pirates, Kansas City Blues, and Cleveland Indians. McKechnie died in October 1965 at the age of 79. McKechnie was a player and manager in the early days of baseball.

He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1907 to 1912 and managed them from 1922 to 1926. His most successful years as a player were with the Pirates, where he had a .524 winning percentage. He later managed the St.

Louis Cardinals and the Boston Braves. He is credited with helping to introduce modern baseball tactics to the game. He died in 1966 at the age of 82.

48. Jim Whitney

Jim Whitney Career

  • NL wins leader (1881), NL strikeout leader (1883)

Whitney was a pitcher for the Boston Red Caps in 1881 and for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1890. Whitney was killed in a carriage accident in 1891. Whitney was a left-handed pitcher and batted and threw right-handed.

Whitney was born in Conklin, New York, in 1857. Whitney died in Binghamton, New York, in 1891. 

Jim Whitney was a professional baseball player who played for the Boston Red Caps, Kansas City Cowboys, Washington Nationals, and Indianapolis Hoosiers.

He was known for his powerful batting and throwing abilities. Whitney was born in 1868 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He played baseball in college and was drafted by the Boston Red Caps in 1881. Whitney played for the Boston Red Caps until 1885. He then played for the Kansas City Cowboys until 1886.

Whitney then played for the Washington Nationals from 1887 to 1888. Whitney then played for the Indianapolis Hoosiers from 1889 to 1890. 

Whitney played in 2,711 games over his career, accumulating 1,571 strikeouts and 191 wins. Whitney was a four-time All-Star and won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Caps in 1881 and 1887.

Whitney retired from baseball in 1891. He later worked as a baseball coach and scout. Whitney died in 1965.

49. Julio Teherán

Atlanta Braves

Julio Teherán Career

  • 2× All-Star (2014, 2016)

Julio Teherán is a talented pitcher that has been in the MLB for just over 4 years. He has had successful stints with the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres.

Teherán throws a fastball, slider, and changeup. He is known for his ability to locate his pitches and get strikeouts. Teherán is under contract with the Padres for the next two seasons.

He has stated that he wants to continue to play in the MLB. Teherán is married and has two children. He is a devout Christian and is involved in humanitarian work. Teherán is a crowd favorite and is always welcomed by fans in the MLB.

He is considered a future star in the MLB. Teherán is a Colombian national and is eligible for the Colombian national team. 

The 26-year-old Teherán has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball over the past few seasons. He has a 78-77 record with a 3.80 ERA and 1,207 strikeouts in 1,266 innings pitched.

Teherán was a key part of the Atlanta Braves' run to the 2017 World Series. He went 7-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 11 postseason appearances, helping the Braves to their first championship in over a decade. Teherán is a left-handed pitcher who throws a fastball, slider, and changeup. 

He has a good eye and command on his pitches, which has helped him stay in the game for a long time.

Teherán is likely to be a free agent at the end of the 2021 season, which means he'll likely be looking for a new team to play for. He is a quality pitcher who can help any team in the league.

 Teherán is a great role model for young pitchers, as he has worked hard to achieve success in the majors. He is always willing to learn and improve his game. Teherán is a member of the Venezuelan national team and has represented his country in several international competitions.

He is a versatile pitcher who can start or relieve in any situation. Teherán is a great ambassador for baseball in Latin America. He is responsible for helping to grow the game in his home country and across the continent. Teherán is a fierce competitor who never gives up on a game.

 He is a tough opponent for any team, and he will continue to be a key player in the MLB for years to come. Teherán is one of the most successful Latin American players in history and he is sure to go down as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history.

50. Johnny Evers

Chicago Cubs

Johnny Evers Career

  • 3× World Series champion (1907, 1908, 1914), NL MVP (1914), Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

Johnny Evers was a second baseman who played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves. Evers had a batting average of .270 and 12 home runs in his career.

Evers was born in Troy, New York, in 1881. He played baseball for the Orphans in the American League and the Braves in the National League. Evers died in Albany, New York, in 1947 at the age of 65.

Johnny Evers played for the Chicago Orphans and the Chicago Cubs from 1902 to 1913. Evers was a three-time World Series champion, and was NL MVP in 1914. Evers played in a total of 2,148 games, and had 2,256 hits in his career.

Evers died in 1988.

Final Words

The Boston Braves had some of the best players in baseball during their time, including Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Joe Dimaggio. These players helped the Braves win several championships during the 1950s and 1960s.

Photo of author

Kevin Smith

I am a dedicated learner who is constantly pursuing my dreams in many areas of life. I am a Finance major at the University of Maryland, a professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and the owner of my personal brand, Elevate Baseball. I hope to inspire younger learners of all sports and interests to tirelessly pursue their dreams, whatever that may be. LinkedIn

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