The Best Atlanta Braves Of All Time

Ranker Sports
Updated October 15, 2024 115.4K views 80 items
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57.7K votes
5.9K voters
30 reranks
Voting Rules
Please only rank the players based on their time with the Braves

This is a list of the greatest Atlanta Braves ever, whether top Braves pitchers or top hitters. Since the early 90s, the Atlanta Braves have established themselves as one of the model franchises in Major League Baseball. Over that time, the Braves won an unprecedented 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005 (1994 is excluded due to the player's strike). Although the franchise won only one World Series title over that time, Atlanta established itself as one of baseball's premier teams and through shrewd trades, smart free agent acquisitions and a scouting department that is able to identify the best young talent through the draft, the Braves are on a short list of teams that are perennial contenders. Many of these moves brought the greatest Braves players to Atlanta where they eventually became some of the greatest baseball players of all time.

The best Atlanta Braves of all time span the team's long history, which began in Boston as the Beanstockings in 1871. In 1953, the Braves left Boston for Milwaukee, where the club stayed for 12 years before settling in Atlanta in 1966. The franchise's most iconic player is long time Home Run King Hank Aaron. Outside of winning World Series titles, the greatest Braves moment is when Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974 at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium.

Some of the greatest Atlanta Braves players were with the team throughout it's recent stretch of excellence. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux were all integral parts of the Braves teams that won 14 division titles. 

This list of the greatest Atlanta Braves of all time includes all players who were associated with the franchise in one incarnation of another. That is why Warren Spahn and Eddie Matthews are on this list. Players on this list are considered some of the greatest baseball players in history. Feel free to vote for your favorite Atlanta Braves players and add any players who you believe should be on this list and are not included.

Most divisive: Jason Heyward
Over 5.9K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Atlanta Braves
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  • Hank Aaron
    1
    Age: 91
    3,106 votes

    Undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in not just Braves history, but also Major League Baseball, Hank Aaron's impact on the sport transcends statistics and awards. Hammerin' Hank's grace, poise, and determination amidst the intense pressure and racial prejudice he faced while chasing Babe Ruth's home run record exemplified true greatness. A transformative and trailblazing talent, Aaron will forever remain etched in the annals of baseball history for shattering records and inspiring generations of ballplayers to come.

    • Birthplace: USA, Mobile, Alabama
    • Team: Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Braves
    • Position: Right fielder, Outfielder
  • Greg Maddux
    2
    Age: 59
    2,699 votes

    A masterful artist on the mound, Greg Maddux's uncanny ability to outwit batters with his cerebral approach to pitching made him a singular talent in baseball history. While lacking overpowering velocity, Maddux relied on his pinpoint control, deceptive movement, and an unparalleled knowledge of his opponents to dominate games. His cerebral tactics and unflappable demeanor led to a storied career that saw "The Professor" redefine what it meant to be an elite starting pitcher.

    • Birthplace: San Angelo, Texas, USA
    • Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves
    • Position: Pitcher
  • Chipper Jones
    3
    Age: 53
    3,139 votes

    An Atlanta Braves lifer, Chipper Jones dazzled fans throughout his 19-year career with his elite combination of power and precision while manning the hot corner. A switch-hitting terror, Jones consistently frustrated opposing pitchers with his innate ability to drive the ball to all fields from both sides of the plate. With his unmatched consistency and unwavering dedication to the game, Chipper firmly cemented his legacy as one of the finest third basemen of all time.

    • Birthplace: DeLand, Florida, USA
    • Team: Atlanta Braves
    • Position: Outfielder, Left fielder, Third baseman
  • John Smoltz
    4
    Age: 57
    2,227 votes

    Versatility personified, John Smoltz etched his name in Braves lore with his remarkable career that saw him thrive as both a dominant starter and a lights-out closer. Boasting an electric arm, sharp breaking stuff, and a fierce competitive fire, Smoltz's ability to transition seamlessly between roles speaks volumes about his commitment to winning. Beyond his on-field exploits, Smoltz's longevity and unwavering work ethic serve as a testament to his place among the all-time Braves greats.

    • Birthplace: Warren, Michigan, USA
    • Team: Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals
    • Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
  • Tom Glavine
    5
    Age: 59
    2,039 votes

    A crafty southpaw who made batters look foolish time and time again, Tom Glavine's superb command and devastating changeup helped define an era of pitching dominance in Atlanta. With impeccable poise and a steely determination, Glavine anchored a legendary Braves rotation that terrorized opposing teams throughout the 1990s. His unrelenting pursuit of excellence and unparalleled consistency made him one of the most respected and feared lefties of his generation.

    • Birthplace: Concord, Massachusetts, USA
    • Team: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
    • Position: Pitcher
  • Eddie Mathews
    6
    Dec. at 69 (1931-2001)
    1,785 votes

    A fearsome slugger whose prodigious power left opposing pitchers quaking, Eddie Mathews was an integral part of the Braves' success during their Milwaukee days. His tape-measure home runs and steady glove at third base made him one of the most complete players of his era. A fierce competitor and consummate team player, Mathews' unwavering dedication to the game remains an enduring source of inspiration for aspiring sluggers.

    • Birthplace: Texarkana, Texas
    • Team: Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers
    • Position: Third baseman