The Greatest Atlanta Braves Pitchers of All Time (and How to Experience Their Legacy in Atlanta)

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a game at Truist Park, or just want to understand Braves history better, knowing the best Atlanta Braves pitchers of all time adds a lot of depth to watching baseball in this city.

Below is a fan-focused, locally grounded guide to the Braves’ greatest arms, what made them special, and how you can connect with that history right here in Atlanta.

How to Think About “Best” Braves Pitchers

When Atlanta fans talk about the best Braves pitchers, they usually mean a mix of:

• Dominance on the mound (strikeouts, ERA, awards)
• Longevity with the franchise
• Postseason impact
• Connection to the city and fanbase

This list focuses mainly on the Atlanta era (since 1966), but you’ll see a few names whose legacy stretches back to the Milwaukee and Boston days, since the franchise history is honored throughout the ballpark and team museums.

The Mount Rushmore of Atlanta Braves Pitching

These are the pitchers most Atlanta fans would put at the very top.

Greg Maddux – The Professor

Why he’s one of the best:

• Hall of Famer, multiple Cy Young Awards with the Braves
• Famous for incredible control and pitch movement, not overpowering velocity
• Anchored the rotation through much of the 1990s dynasty era

In Atlanta, Maddux is remembered for his almost surgical approach to pitching. Watching old highlights, you’ll see how he could seemingly put the ball on a dime, inning after inning.

Where you’ll see his legacy in Atlanta:

• Truist Park: Maddux appears frequently in historical video packages and on graphics honoring Braves legends.
• Monument Garden (inside Truist Park): This museum-style area celebrates players from all eras; Maddux is typically featured among the franchise greats.

Tom Glavine – The Lefty Ace

Why he’s one of the best:

• Hall of Famer and longtime Braves workhorse
• Known for his changeup and ability to live on the edges of the strike zone
• Key pitcher in the 1995 World Series championship, including a legendary performance in Game 6

For Atlanta fans, Glavine represents consistency and big-game reliability. He was a central figure during the Braves’ long run of division titles.

Experience his story in Atlanta:

• Braves Hall of Fame displays at Truist Park often highlight Glavine’s milestones.
• Game-day features at the park sometimes revisit his 1995 playoff performances, especially during special anniversary nights.

John Smoltz – The Fierce Competitor

Why he’s one of the best:

• Hall of Famer who excelled as both a starter and elite closer
• Known for a power fastball and devastating slider
• One of the most intense postseason competitors in Braves history

Smoltz has a special place in Atlanta sports culture because he adapted roles to help the team—transitioning from frontline starter to dominant closer, then back.

Where his impact shows up:

• His name and highlights appear throughout Truist Park’s in-game history segments.
• Many Atlanta sports bars around Cumberland and The Battery Atlanta still show classic playoff clips, often featuring Smoltz, especially in October.

Phil Niekro – The Iconic Knuckleballer

Why he’s one of the best:

• Hall of Famer and one of the most durable pitchers in Braves history
• Famous for his knuckleball, a pitch that baffled hitters for decades
• Spent a long stretch with the Braves, including their early years in Atlanta

Niekro connects the early Atlanta Braves era to the modern one. Longtime local fans who grew up in the 60s, 70s, or early 80s often mention him first when you ask about great Braves pitchers.

How his legacy lives on in Atlanta:

• You’ll often find Niekro’s story recognized in Monument Garden and historic signage at Truist Park.
• Local Braves-focused tours and fan groups frequently highlight his career as part of the city’s baseball roots.

Other Legendary Braves Pitchers Every Atlanta Fan Should Know

These pitchers might not all be on the absolute top tier, but they are central to Braves history and to what Atlanta fans talk about.

Warren Spahn – The Franchise Great from Earlier Eras

Why he matters, even to Atlanta fans:

• One of the greatest left-handed pitchers in MLB history
• Starred mainly in the Boston and Milwaukee years, but the franchise honors him across all eras
• Symbol of the Braves’ long pitching tradition

You’ll see Spahn included in franchise history displays at the park, making it clear that the team’s legacy is bigger than just the Atlanta years.

Steve Avery – The Young Star of the Early 90s

Why Atlanta remembers him well:

• Left-handed starter who emerged in the early part of the Braves’ 1990s run
• Pitched several huge games in the postseason as a very young pitcher

Older Atlanta fans still talk about what Avery meant to the early 90s Braves turnaround, even though his peak was relatively short.

John “Admiral” Sain and Kid Nichols – Deep Franchise History

While they pitched long before the Braves settled in Atlanta, their names still appear in franchise historical material you’ll encounter at Truist Park. They help connect modern fans in Atlanta to more than a century of Braves baseball.

Modern Era Stars: Pitchers Atlanta Fans Watch Today

If you’re a newer fan catching games at Truist Park, some more recent pitchers stand out as faces of the current and just-past eras.

Tim Hudson

Why Atlanta respects him:

• Veteran right-hander who brought stability to the rotation in the 2000s and early 2010s
• Known for his competitiveness and leadership in the clubhouse

His time in Atlanta helped bridge the gap between the 1990s dynasty and the current wave of young talent.

Craig Kimbrel

Why he’s unforgettable here:

• One of the most dominant closers in Braves (and MLB) history
• Known for his unique pre-pitch stance and overpowering fastball
• Was a major reason late leads felt “safe” at Turner Field during his peak

Kimbrel is often brought up by locals when talking about lockdown ninth-inning arms.

Recent and Current Standouts

While active players and very recent stars can’t yet be fully evaluated as “all-time best,” some names are already discussed among Atlanta fans as potentially historic if they continue their trajectories. If you’re going to a game at Truist Park today, you’ll likely hear about:

• Homegrown rotation arms who anchor the current staff
• Key postseason performers from the recent championship run

These pitchers are still writing their stories, and Atlanta fans often compare them to the greats listed above.

Quick Reference: All-Time Great Atlanta Braves Pitchers

Below is a simple summary to help you keep the biggest names straight when you’re talking baseball around Atlanta:

How to Experience Braves Pitching History in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to go beyond just watching the current game, there are several ways to connect with the history of Braves pitching.

1. Visit Truist Park and Monument Garden

Location:
Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

Inside Truist Park you’ll find Monument Garden, a museum-style area that features:

• Statues and displays of Braves Hall of Famers
• Historical plaques and interactive exhibits
• Memorabilia from great pitchers and iconic games

If you’re a fan of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, or Niekro, spending time in this area before first pitch is one of the best ways in Atlanta to connect with their legacy.

2. Take a Ballpark Tour

The Braves typically offer guided tours of Truist Park on non-game days or earlier on game days. These tours often include:

• Behind-the-scenes views of the ballpark
• Access to historical exhibits and vantage points you don’t see with a regular ticket
• Background stories about legendary players, including the rotation that defined the 1990s Braves

If you’re visiting Atlanta, this can be a good way to get a crash course in Braves pitching history in just a couple of hours.

3. Explore The Battery Atlanta

Around the ballpark, The Battery Atlanta offers:

• Sports bars and restaurants where classic Braves games are often shown
• Team stores with jerseys and gear featuring legendary pitchers’ names and numbers
• Game-day events and fan experiences tied to milestones and anniversaries

If you’re meeting friends before a game, this is a natural spot to talk Braves history and get a feel for how these pitchers still shape local fan culture.

4. Engage with Local Braves Fan Groups

Across Atlanta, especially in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, and around Cobb County, you’ll find:

• Fan meetups at sports bars during big games
• Local baseball discussion groups and youth leagues that encourage kids to learn about classic players
• Community events where alumni sometimes appear for signings or Q&A sessions

These are places where you’ll hear firsthand stories about watching Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and others dominate from the mound.

Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta 🧢

If you’re newer to Braves baseball or just passing through Atlanta:

• Learn the big four names first: Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Niekro — you’ll hear them constantly in Atlanta baseball conversations.
• Arrive early to games: Give yourself time to walk through Monument Garden and the historical displays before first pitch.
• Listen to local broadcasts: Atlanta-based TV and radio broadcasts often reference classic pitching performances, especially during rivalry games or key series.
• Ask longtime fans: Many Atlantans have vivid memories of the 1990s dynasty and are happy to explain what made those rotations so special.

Atlanta prides itself on being a pitching-rich franchise, and that tradition is visible everywhere from the plaques inside Truist Park to the conversations you’ll overhear in The Battery. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a visitor catching your first Braves game, knowing these best Braves pitchers will make watching baseball in Atlanta a lot more meaningful.