The Greatest Atlanta Braves Players of All Time (For Fans in Atlanta)

If you live in Atlanta, work downtown, or are planning a trip to Truist Park in Cobb County, knowing the best Atlanta Braves players adds a lot of meaning to every game you watch. When a number is retired, a statue is unveiled, or a name flashes on the big screen in right field, it helps to know why that player matters so much to Atlanta.

Below is a fan-focused guide to the top Atlanta Braves players, with a special emphasis on how you can connect with their history when you’re in the city.

How This List Is Focused on Atlanta

The Braves have a long history in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. This guide focuses on:

• Players who played in Atlanta (since 1966)
• Legends whose impact is still felt at Truist Park and around the city
• Names you’ll see in statues, retired numbers, and displays that Atlanta fans regularly encounter

Some players spent time in multiple cities with the franchise, but they’re included here because their legacy is closely tied to Atlanta Braves baseball.

Mount Rushmore of Atlanta Braves Legends

If you’re new to Braves history or showing friends around Atlanta, these are the four names that come up first, almost every time.

Hank Aaron

Why he’s one of the best:

• Broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in Atlanta on April 8, 1974 (Home Run No. 715).
• A symbol of excellence and perseverance, especially meaningful in the South.
• One of the most respected figures in baseball history.

How to connect with Hank Aaron in Atlanta:

• Look for his statue and displays at or around Truist Park.
• You’ll see his retired number 44 prominently featured.
• Many locals still refer to historic Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium’s former site, where markers show where his 715th home run landed.

Chipper Jones

Why he’s one of the best:

• Spent his entire Major League career with Atlanta.
• Key part of the 1990s and early 2000s Braves dynasty.
• One of the greatest switch-hitters in MLB history.

Atlanta connections:

• His No. 10 is retired by the Braves.
• Often recognized around town at Braves-related events, alumni appearances, and special ceremonies at Truist Park.
• A core figure for fans who grew up in Atlanta in the ’90s and 2000s.

Greg Maddux

Why he’s one of the best:

• The face of Braves pitching excellence in the 1990s.
• Known for command, movement, and intelligence more than sheer power.
• Anchored a staff that made Atlanta “a pitching town” in the eyes of many fans.

Atlanta connections:

• His No. 31 is retired by the Braves.
• Often featured in historic highlight reels and special Braves Hall of Fame-style displays.
• If you talk to long-time Atlanta fans, stories about Maddux’s pinpoint control come up quickly.

Tom Glavine

Why he’s one of the best:

• Longtime Braves ace and key playoff performer.
• Pitched the legendary one-hit shutout in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, clinching Atlanta’s first championship.
• One of the defining players of the city’s first major sports title.

Atlanta connections:

• His No. 47 is retired by the Braves.
• The 1995 World Series is a major point of civic pride in Atlanta sports history, and Glavine is at the center of that story.

Core Icons of the 1990s–2000s Atlanta Dynasty

If you drive up to Truist Park from downtown Atlanta or the suburbs, most of the banners, in-game tributes, and fan jerseys will reflect this era.

John Smoltz

• Elite starter and dominant closer — rare versatility at the highest level.
• Huge performances in October helped define the Braves’ playoff identity.
• His No. 29 is retired, and he’s deeply linked to the city’s winning era.

Andruw Jones

• One of the greatest defensive center fielders the game has seen.
• Beloved in Atlanta for seemingly effortless catches in deep center.
• Many fans in Atlanta grew up trying to mimic his smooth fielding style at local parks.

Fred McGriff

• Known as “Crime Dog,” a fan favorite in the mid-’90s.
• Big bat in the middle of the lineup, vital to the Braves’ offensive core.
• Often featured in nostalgia nights and remembered warmly by long-time Atlanta residents.

Javy López

• Among the most notable Braves catchers of the modern era.
• Key bat in the lineup and a major presence in the clubhouse during those playoff runs.
• A name you’ll see often when the Braves honor 1990s teams at Truist Park.

Modern Stars Who Reshaped Braves Baseball for Today’s Atlanta

The last several years have brought a new wave of stars, especially meaningful if you came to Atlanta more recently or started following the Braves after the move to Truist Park.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

• One of the most electrifying players in Braves — and MLB — history.
• Dynamic mix of power, speed, and flair that resonates with younger Atlanta fans.
• If you attend a game at Truist Park, you’ll see countless Acuña jerseys and signs in the crowd.

Freddie Freeman

• Face of the franchise through the transition from Turner Field to Truist Park.
• Beloved in Atlanta for consistency, leadership, and strong community presence.
• Many locals still consider him central to the modern Braves identity, especially for the 2021 World Series run.

Austin Riley

• Key power bat at third base, carrying on the Chipper Jones position legacy.
• Popular with fans who follow the Braves’ farm system and value player development.

Ozzie Albies

• Energetic second baseman with strong hitting and defense.
• Known around Atlanta for his fun demeanor and chemistry with teammates — especially noticeable at home games.

Max Fried

• Ace-level left-handed pitcher.
• Important part of the pitching identity Braves fans in Atlanta want to see continue: strong starting pitching, big-game composure.

Braves Legends with Atlanta Ties Beyond the Field

Some of the best Atlanta Braves players made an impact not just on the diamond, but also in the Atlanta community and in long-term roles.

Bobby Cox (Manager)

• While not a player in Atlanta, he’s inseparable from the Braves dynasty.
• Guided the team through multiple division titles and the 1995 championship.
• Frequently honored at the ballpark; his presence remains a part of Braves culture in the city.

Dale Murphy

• Star outfielder in the 1980s, before the ’90s run.
• Widely admired in Atlanta for both on-field production and character.
• If you talk with older Braves fans around metro Atlanta, Murphy is often mentioned as a personal favorite.

Quick Reference: Key Atlanta Braves Greats You’ll Hear About in the City

Below is a simple snapshot of some of the most important names and how Atlanta fans tend to remember them.

Experiencing Braves History Firsthand in Atlanta

If you’re in or around Atlanta, Georgia, there are several ways to connect with these players’ legacies:

1. Visit Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta

Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta (Cobb County mailing address, often treated as part of the greater Atlanta area)

Things to look for:

• Retired numbers displayed around the park (Aaron, Jones, Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and others).
• Statues and displays highlighting Hank Aaron, the 1995 World Series team, and modern stars.
• Heritage-focused areas in and around the ballpark that showcase photos, plaques, and memorabilia.

Tip: Arrive early and walk the concourses to see the historic references and tributes before first pitch.

2. Explore Historic Braves Sites

Even though the Braves moved ballparks, parts of their history remain visible:

• The site of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (near the old Turner Field area) still has markers for Hank Aaron’s 715th home run.
• Long-time residents of nearby neighborhoods often have personal stories about games from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, adding local flavor to the history.

3. Local Atlanta Sports Culture

Around metro Atlanta, especially:

• Sports bars and restaurants in Midtown, Buckhead, Smyrna, and Cobb County often decorate with photos of Braves legends.
• Youth baseball fields and rec leagues throughout Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties routinely reference players like Acuña, Chipper, and Murphy when coaching and inspiring kids.

How to Talk Braves History Like a Local

If you want to blend in with lifelong Atlanta fans at a game or around town:

• Mention Hank Aaron first when discussing all-time greats.
• Recognize that the 1995 World Series is still a point of pride, with Glavine and Maddux at the center of that story.
• Understand that for many fans raised in the metro area, Chipper Jones and the ’90s rotation are the core of their childhood memories.
• Acknowledge Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr. when talking about the modern Braves era and the renewed excitement around Truist Park.

Whether you’ve just moved to Atlanta, are visiting for a series, or have lived here your whole life, knowing these best Atlanta Braves players makes every trip to Truist Park — and every conversation about Braves baseball in the city — far more meaningful.