Atlanta Braves Announcer Joe Simpson: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Voice in the Booth

If you watch Atlanta Braves games regularly, you’ve almost certainly heard Joe Simpson on the broadcast. For many Atlanta fans, his voice is part of the rhythm of baseball season—whether you’re catching a Sunday afternoon game at Truist Park or listening from home in metro Atlanta traffic.

This guide breaks down who Joe Simpson is, how he fits into Braves broadcasts in Atlanta, what fans tend to notice about his style, and how you can experience his work if you live in or are visiting Atlanta.

Who Is Joe Simpson?

Joe Simpson is a longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster and a former Major League Baseball player.

• He was a big-league outfielder in the 1970s and 1980s.
• He joined the Braves broadcast team in the late 1980s.
• Over the years he has worked on both television and radio broadcasts.

For Braves fans in Atlanta, Simpson is one of the recognizable voices that connect the franchise’s different eras—from the early years on TBS through the current Bally Sports South/Southeast and 680 The Fan / Braves Radio Network era.

Where You’ll Hear Joe Simpson in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, you may encounter Joe Simpson in a few main ways:

1. TV Broadcasts (Bally Sports South / Bally Sports Southeast)

Simpson has been best known in Atlanta for his work on television broadcasts. Over the years he has:

• Served as a color commentator next to play-by-play announcers such as Chip Caray and others.
• Contributed insights based on his playing experience, explaining what hitters and pitchers may be thinking.

When he is on TV duty, you’ll typically hear him:

• Breaking down pitch selection and swing mechanics
• Commenting on defensive positioning
• Reacting to in-game strategy like bunts, hit-and-runs, or bullpen usage

To watch and hear him locally, Atlantans normally:

• Tune in on Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast (depending on the game), if you have access through your TV or streaming package.
• Look for him during regular-season Braves broadcasts, especially home games at Truist Park in Cumberland.

2. Radio Broadcasts (Braves Radio Network – 680 The Fan in Atlanta)

In addition to television, Simpson has worked on radio coverage for the Braves.

In the Atlanta metro area:

• Braves games are commonly carried on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan (and sometimes simulcast on other local partners).
• Joe Simpson may be on the radio broadcast team, offering analysis alongside the primary play-by-play announcer.

Radio is especially popular in Atlanta for:

• Fans driving on I-75, I-85, or the Perimeter (I-285) during game time
• People listening from offices, shops, or restaurants around the city
• Fans at Truist Park who like to listen on earbuds while watching live

Joe Simpson’s On-Air Style: What Atlanta Fans Notice

Many Atlanta fans describe Joe Simpson’s style as:

• Traditional baseball commentary – He often focuses on fundamentals, “doing the little things right,” and classic ideas about how the game should be played.
• Player-focused – He frequently draws from his own experience to talk about what’s going through a hitter’s or pitcher’s mind.
• Detail-oriented – He may break down specific at-bats, pitch-by-pitch, with emphasis on execution and approach.

Common Themes in His Commentary

You’ll often hear Simpson talk about:

• Situational hitting – moving runners over, two-strike approaches, productive outs
• Defensive effort and focus
• Veteran vs. rookie mindset – how younger players adjust to the majors
• Game tempo and hustle – whether teams are locked in or flat

Many long-time Atlantans associate his voice with the Braves’ run of success in the 1990s and 2000s, giving him a sense of continuity for fans who have followed the team for decades.

Joe Simpson and Braves History in Atlanta

For locals, Joe Simpson isn’t just a broadcaster; he’s part of the Braves’ Atlanta identity.

From Playing Field to Booth

While he never played for Atlanta, his major-league career and subsequent decades in the booth have made him closely tied to the team. Over his broadcasting tenure, he has called:

• Regular-season games from Fulton County Stadium, Turner Field, and now Truist Park
• Memorable Braves seasons with stars like Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Freddie Freeman, and the current core led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and others.

Part of the “Sound” of Braves Baseball

For many Braves fans in and around Atlanta, Joe Simpson’s voice is woven into:

• Childhood memories of games on TV in Atlanta-area living rooms
• Summer nights listening to the Braves Radio Network on the porch or in the car
• The transition from the TBS “America’s Team” era to a more regionally-focused Atlanta broadcast environment

How to Hear Joe Simpson if You Live in or Visit Atlanta

If you want to catch a broadcast with Joe Simpson while you’re in Atlanta, here are practical ways to do it:

1. Watch at Home or Your Hotel

If your cable or streaming package in Atlanta includes Bally Sports South / Bally Sports Southeast, you can:

• Look up the Braves game schedule for that day
• Check your on-screen guide for which Bally channel is carrying the game
• Listen for Simpson during pregame, in-game, or postgame analysis when he is part of the crew

2. Listen on the Radio

In the Atlanta area, check:

• 680 AM / 93.7 FM (The Fan) – A primary local flagship for the Braves Radio Network

Turn this on:

• While driving to Truist Park from Midtown, Buckhead, Cobb County, or the suburbs
• While commuting on MARTA or rideshares, using a portable or app-based radio stream (if available in your setup)

3. Watch at Local Sports Bars and Restaurants

Many Atlanta-area venues routinely show Braves games with sound on, especially during key series. In and around the Battery Atlanta and Cumberland area near Truist Park, you’ll commonly find:

• Sports bars and restaurants tuned to Bally Sports with the broadcast feed that may feature Simpson.

Elsewhere in the city—such as Midtown, Buckhead, or the Perimeter—sports-focused spots often default to Braves games when they’re on.

Quick Reference: Joe Simpson and Braves Broadcasts in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview for local fans:

Tips for Enjoying Braves Broadcasts as an Atlanta Fan

If you’re trying to get more out of Braves broadcasts that include Joe Simpson:

• Pair TV with radio: Some Atlanta fans like listening to the radio call while watching TV, especially if they prefer a particular mix of play-by-play and analysis.
• Use his insights to learn the game: Simpson’s emphasis on approach and fundamentals can help newer fans understand why a play succeeded or failed.
• Compare perspectives: The Braves often use a rotating group of broadcasters. Listening on nights when Simpson is on versus nights when others are in the booth can give you a broader feel for how the game is analyzed in Atlanta.

How Joe Simpson Fits Into Today’s Atlanta Braves Experience

For people in Atlanta trying to understand the full picture of Braves coverage:

• In-stadium experience at Truist Park is driven by the in-house entertainment team, but the broadcast booths above home plate house the radio and TV crews that include voices like Joe Simpson.
• Local media coverage—sports radio, TV highlights, and digital outlets—often reflect and react to conversations started on the game broadcasts. Simpson’s comments sometimes filter into talk radio segments or social media discussions among Braves fans in the city.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are following the Braves from the area, Joe Simpson remains one of the central, recognizable voices of Braves baseball, connecting generations of fans to the team through his work on both television and radio.