The Bats That Built Atlanta: The Braves’ Greatest Hitters

Last Updated: August 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz

Georgia has a rich sports history. It's one of the cornerstones of athletics in the South. It's also hard to believe that it took Major League Baseball until 1966 to put a team in Atlanta. Going to a Braves game now, you couldn't imagine it being anywhere else. The culture is rich, the talent is big, and we put a list together of some of the best batsmen to have entertained Atlanta.

How We Made This List

I know the stars from the Boston and Milwaukee days deserve their recognition too, and trust me, they are on many of our other lists. We just want to keep the focus on the Atlanta era for the Braves franchise for this one. Even if the history isn't as deep as some other cities, I'm sure we'll have missed some great options, as 20 never seems to be enough. You can let us know your thoughts as you read our top 20.

20. Glenn Hubbard

1978-1987

Glenn Hubbard — Career	Total
G	1354
AB	4441
H	1084
HR	70
RBI	448
SB	35
AVG	.244
OBP	.328
SLG	.349
OPS	.677
All-Star selections	1

Glenn Hubbard might be the most underrated defensive second baseman of all time. Since 1969, no second baseman has had more putouts plus assists per innings played than Hubbard. On Baseball-Reference, that is called range factor/9 (RF/9). He is their all-time leader among qualified players. An amazing thing to discover while doing research. However, having said all that, Hubbard garnered zero Gold Gloves.

19. Mark Lemke

1988-1997

Mark Lemke — Career	Total
G	1069
AB	3230
H	795
HR	32
RBI	270
SB	11
AVG	.246
OBP	.317
SLG	.324
OPS	.641
World Series titles	1

Speaking of reliable second basemen, Mark Lemke took the mantle after Hubbard and anchored the role through those great 90s teams. His .273 batting average kept it steady and applied enough pressure during the 1995 World Series to help the Braves reach the mountaintop.

18. Dansby Swanson

2016-2022

Dansby Swanson — Career	Total
G	1396
AB	5125
H	1270
HR	181
RBI	697
SB	122
AVG	.248
OBP	.316
SLG	.412
OPS	.728
All-Star selections	2
Gold Gloves	2
World Series titles	1

We'll move one position over and highlight the first of a few great shortstops on this list. Dansby is one of the modern names you'll see here, and he certainly earned it with his steady bat and Gold Glove defense. He had a streak of leading the league in at-bats one year, then leading the league in games played the next two. He brought his valuable presence to the field every single day.

17. Jason Heyward

2010-2014

Jason Heyward — Career	Total
G	1824
AB	6174
H	1575
HR	186
RBI	730
SB	125
AVG	.255
OBP	.336
SLG	.408
OPS	.744
All-Star selections	1
Gold Gloves	5
World Series titles	1

I'm sure many in Atlanta remember when this spry outfielder burst onto the scene in 2010. I certainly do. It was enough for me to think that the "J-Hey Kid" was going to become at least a multi-time All-Star. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but it was not from a lack of effort. Heyward became one of the most reliable outfielders in the game, taking home five Gold Gloves in a very crowded position.

16. Jeff Blauser

1987-1997

Jeff Blauser — Career	Total
G	1407
AB	4522
H	1187
HR	122
RBI	513
SB	65
AVG	.262
OBP	.354
SLG	.406
OPS	.760
All-Star selections	2
Silver Sluggers	1

Another steady hand at shortstop, Blauser produced a couple of excellent seasons for the Braves. The two-time All-Star helped shore up the demanding position for the franchise, which was a perennial power during that era. It's telling that Bobby Cox trusted Blauser for 11 years to be a key contributor.

15. Rafael Furcal

2000-2005

Rafael Furcal — Career	Total
G	1614
AB	6477
H	1817
HR	113
RBI	587
SB	314
AVG	.281
OBP	.346
SLG	.402
OPS	.748
All-Star selections	3
World Series titles	1
Rookie of the Year	1

Some athletes in your life, you just know you like. Sometimes, you can't even explain why. Rafael Furcal was that player for me through those early 2000s Braves teams. I wouldn't be looking at Chipper or Andruw Jones, Javy Lopez, or John Smoltz when he would come in for the ninth.

It was that spunky, gritty shortstop. He played the game with great energy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm sure many in Atlanta would agree.

14. Felix Millan

1966-1972

Felix Millan — Career	Total
G	1480
AB	5791
H	1617
HR	22
RBI	403
SB	67
AVG	.279
OBP	.322
SLG	.343
OPS	.665
All-Star selections	3
Gold Gloves	2

We're staying in the middle of the infield, going back to second base, and highlighting a player who really blossomed for a stretch in Atlanta. Felix Millan had three straight All-Star seasons and earned two Gold Gloves. He was a solid piece for those early Atlanta Braves teams to have.

13. Rico Carty

1966-1972

Rico Carty — Career	Total
G	1651
AB	5606
H	1677
HR	204
RBI	890
SB	21
AVG	.299
OBP	.369
SLG	.464
OPS	.833
All-Star selections	1

I think I've heard some diehard fans say that Rico Carty was their favorite player back in the day. I get it. He saw the transition from Milwaukee to Atlanta, and he helped electrify the offense.

He wasn't always around, but when he was on, he was as good a hitter as any. His 1970 season, when he batted .366 and had a 171 OPS+, is pretty legendary.

12. Ron Gant

1987-1993

Ron Gant — Career	Total
G	1832
AB	6449
H	1651
HR	321
RBI	1008
SB	243
AVG	.256
OBP	.336
SLG	.468
OPS	.804
All-Star selections	2
Silver Sluggers	1

After what I said about Rafael Furcal for the infield, I want to say similar things about Ron Gant in the outfield. He may not have had the eye-popping numbers that some of his teammates were able to produce, but he had a way of playing the game that made you want to watch. Back-to-back 30-30 seasons are the type of seasons that get the crowd excited, as I'm sure Atlanta was.

11. Joe Torre (HOF)

1966-1968

Joe Torre — Career	Total
G	2209
AB	7874
H	2342
HR	252
RBI	1185
SB	23
AVG	.297
OBP	.365
SLG	.452
OPS	.817
MVP	1
All-Star selections	9
Gold Gloves	1

Okay, you have to take away your thoughts of Joe Torre as a Cardinal, a Met, a Yankee manager, and a baseball executive. He arguably had the best stretch of his career with the Braves organization. He was a perennial All-Star in Milwaukee and picked up right where he left off in Atlanta. His 1966 season is actually the season when he produced the most WAR in his entire career. That includes his MVP season in St. Louis.

10. Terry Pendleton

1991-1996

Terry Pendleton — Career	Total
G	1893
AB	7032
H	1897
HR	140
RBI	946
SB	127
AVG	.270
OBP	.316
SLG	.391
OPS	.707
MVP	1
All-Star selections	1
Gold Gloves	3

Sometimes there are signings where you may look at your favorite team and say, "Okay, that's pretty good. Let's see how this guy does for our side." Then he just goes right ahead and wins an MVP.

Then you go, "Whoa, I don't know where this was before, but I'm glad he's on our side now!" That's Terry Pendleton in a nutshell, and that's the experience of a Braves fan during his five-year stint in Atlanta.

9. David Justice

1989-1996

David Justice — Career	Total
G	1610
AB	5625
H	1571
HR	305
RBI	1017
SB	53
AVG	.279
OBP	.378
SLG	.500
OPS	.878
All-Star selections	3
Silver Sluggers	2
World Series titles	2
Rookie of the Year	1

It's my belief that David Justice doesn't get celebrated enough for the career he had. Yeah, I know it could have been better, as he had to fight injuries constantly throughout his career.

But man, he was still able to mash 305 home runs, build up a 129 career OPS+ (Hall of Fame level, if you didn't know), and play an inspiring brand of baseball for those who watched.

8. Bob Horner

1978-1986

Bob Horner — Career	Total
G	1020
AB	3777
H	1047
HR	218
RBI	685
SB	14
AVG	.277
OBP	.340
SLG	.499
OPS	.839
All-Star selections	1
Rookie of the Year	1

One of the greatest college baseball players to ever play saw a rare catapult directly to the MLB. Bob Horner took that opportunity and ran with it all the way to Rookie of the Year recognition. He didn't stop there, as Horner was the yin to Dale Murphy's yang as he stabilized the hot corner and crushed some big home runs, totaling 218 over his short career.

7. Brian McCann

2005-2013, 2019

Brian McCann — Career	Total
G	1755
AB	6067
H	1590
HR	282
RBI	1018
SB	25
AVG	.262
OBP	.337
SLG	.452
OPS	.789
All-Star selections	7
Silver Sluggers	6
World Series titles	1

There are so many great catchers in baseball history. However, not many of them could anchor a lineup offensively, quite like Brian McCann. It was that sweet left-handed swing.

Sure, there have been terrific switch-hitting catchers, but McCann was exclusively batting from the left side, making it even more challenging for opposing pitching staffs to strategize how to pitch to those Braves lineups.

6. Javy Lopez

1992-2003

Javy Lopez — Career	Total
G	1503
AB	5319
H	1527
HR	260
RBI	864
SB	8
AVG	.287
OBP	.337
SLG	.491
OPS	.828
All-Star selections	3
Silver Sluggers	1
World Series titles	1

From one slugging catcher to another, Javy Lopez is that stalwart who helped lead those great 90s Braves teams. Not only was he able to catch one of the greatest pitching staffs of all time, but he was also able to help with those dynamic Braves offenses, capping it off with his 43-home-run season in 2003. Somehow, he was only awarded the Silver Slugger once. Criminally low for his talent.

5. Andruw Jones (HOF)

1996-2007

Andruw Jones — Career	Total
G	2196
AB	7599
H	1933
HR	434
RBI	1289
SB	152
AVG	.254
OBP	.337
SLG	.486
OPS	.823
All-Star selections	5
Gold Gloves	10
Silver Sluggers	1

Ok, Andruw Jones is not just one of the most iconic center fielders in Braves history; he may have been THE iconic center fielder of his time. Jones made a premium position look easy with his 10 Gold Gloves while crushing 434 career home runs. I'm glad he is now immortalized in Cooperstown. He could've even nabbed an MVP in 2005, but it went to some guy named Albert Pujols.

4. Dale Murphy

1976-1990

Dale Murphy — Career	Total
G	2180
AB	7960
H	2111
HR	398
RBI	1266
SB	161
AVG	.265
OBP	.346
SLG	.469
OPS	.815
MVP	2
All-Star selections	7
Gold Gloves	5
Silver Sluggers	4

We go straight to the other iconic Braves center fielder. Dale Murphy had it all. He had the MVPs, the All-Stars, the Gold Gloves, and the Silver Sluggers. And he did it all with a smile. I'm sure fans in Atlanta feel lucky to have been able to watch a player like Murphy throughout his 15 years there, accruing 1,901 hits, 371 home runs, and 1,143 RBI.

3. Freddie Freeman

2010-2021

Freddie Freeman — Career	Total
G	2294
AB	8549
H	2563
HR	382
RBI	1377
SB	109
AVG	.300
OBP	.386
SLG	.509
OPS	.895
MVP	1
All-Star selections	10
Gold Gloves	1
Silver Sluggers	3
World Series titles	3

Speaking of smiling, I'm sure many major leaguers have been excited to reach first base and greet the great Freddie Freeman. Of all the current players who have yet to complete their Hall of Fame resumes, Freeman is a no-doubter. I'm sure everyone in Atlanta is happy that Freeman was at least able to bring home a World Series trophy for them before he left.

2. Chipper Jones (HOF)

1993-2012

Chipper Jones — Career	Total
G	2499
AB	8984
H	2726
HR	468
RBI	1623
SB	150
AVG	.303
OBP	.401
SLG	.529
OPS	.930
MVP	1
All-Star selections	8
Silver Sluggers	2
World Series titles	1

I'm sure everyone has been waiting for this one. It's only fitting that he comes right after Freddie, as those two have had such a great relationship over the years. The Hall of Famer Chipper Jones was that consistent elite presence in the lineup for 19 years.

For some reason, he only collected eight All-Star selections. That is such a high number for regular players, yet mind-bogglingly low for this one.

1. Hank Aaron (HOF)

1966-1974

Hank Aaron — Career	Total
G	3298
AB	12364
H	3771
HR	755
RBI	2297
SB	240
AVG	.305
OBP	.374
SLG	.555
OPS	.929
MVP	1
All-Star selections	21
Gold Gloves	3
World Series titles	1

Why did I mention All-Stars with the last entry? It's because I knew who was coming next. Well, we all knew. The great Henry Aaron collected 25 All-Star selections (nine of them in Atlanta) throughout his legendary career.

Never mind the home run and RBI totals; Hammerin' Hank was just a revolutionary athlete for the Braves organization, the game of baseball, and especially the city of Atlanta.

The Conclusion

I'm sure it's no secret that a lot of this list was easy to make; that's just how talented these players were and are. If you had to make your top 20 Braves greats since they moved to Atlanta, I'm curious about what your additions and subtractions would be. Let us know, and maybe we'll revisit this later.

Keep reading

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• Chipper Jones Owned the Mets Like No Other Rival