Atlanta Braves Past Pitchers: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Great Arms of Braves History

Atlanta is a baseball city, and the Braves’ pitching history is one of the biggest reasons why. Whether you grew up going to games off Georgia 400, are visiting Truist Park for the first time, or you’re just trying to understand why Braves fans talk about pitching so much, knowing the past pitchers of the Atlanta Braves helps you appreciate the team on a deeper level.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused walk-through of the Braves’ most important past pitchers, how they shaped the franchise, and how you can connect with that history when you’re in the city.

How Braves Pitching Helped Shape Baseball in Atlanta

When the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, the city was still building its modern sports identity. Over the decades, the team became known for strong pitching, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s.

If you live in or visit Atlanta today, you’ll see reminders of that pitching legacy at Truist Park and in the Battery Atlanta area:

• Retired numbers displayed in the park
• Historic photos and displays in the concourses
• Broadcast references to Braves legends during games

Understanding those names makes a day at the ballpark far more meaningful.

The Most Iconic Atlanta Braves Past Pitchers

Greg Maddux: The Professor on the Mound

Greg Maddux is often the first name that comes up when talking about Braves pitching greatness.

Why Atlanta fans still talk about him:

• Known for elite control and movement, not overpowering velocity
• Key part of the Braves’ 1995 World Series championship
• Helped define the Braves’ identity as a pitching-first franchise in the 1990s

When you’re at Truist Park, any time a current Braves pitcher paints the corners and works quickly, local fans and broadcasters often compare it to “a Maddux-like performance.”

Tom Glavine: The Lefty Ace

Tom Glavine was the consistent left-handed counterpart to Maddux.

What made him special:

• Master of changing speeds and working the outside corner
• Longtime Brave who became a face of the franchise
• Another cornerstone of the 1990s Braves rotation

Glavine’s number is retired by the Braves, and you’ll see his name highlighted around the stadium. Long-time Atlanta residents often remember family nights at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium and Turner Field watching him pitch.

John Smoltz: Starter, Closer, Playoff Force

John Smoltz brought versatility and fire to the Braves’ staff.

Why Atlantans remember him:

• Dominant starting pitcher early in his career
• Transitioned to a lockdown closer after injury, then back to starting
• Famous for clutch postseason performances

In Atlanta sports conversations, Smoltz is frequently mentioned as one of the city’s greatest all-time competitors across any sport.

Earlier Eras: From Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to Turner Field

Before Truist Park, Braves fans cheered past pitchers in two main homes:

• Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1996)
• Turner Field (1997–2016)

Phil Niekro: The Knuckleball Legend

Phil Niekro is a central figure in early Braves-in-Atlanta history.

• Known for his knuckleball, a pitch that danced unpredictably
• Spent the majority of his career with the Braves
• Represented the franchise during the 1970s and early 1980s, when team success was more limited but fan loyalty was strong

Atlanta fans who have been in the city for decades often recall how Niekro gave them a reason to watch even in tough seasons.

Steve Avery: The Young Star of the Early ’90s

Steve Avery was a key young left-hander who helped launch the Braves’ early 1990s run.

• Broke through alongside Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz
• Delivered big performances in the postseason
• Became a sign that the Braves were building something special in Atlanta

In local baseball circles, Avery is often remembered as the “what could have been” story due to injuries, but also as a major piece of the early success that energized the city.

Notable Braves Pitchers Atlanta Fans Still Talk About

Here’s a quick look at other past pitchers who left a mark on Atlanta’s baseball history.

When you attend a game in Atlanta, longtime fans in the stands often compare new pitchers to these names, especially when a pitcher shows command, durability, or big-game calm.

How Past Pitchers Still Shape the Game-Day Experience in Atlanta

At Truist Park

If you’re going to a Braves game in Atlanta, you can connect with past pitchers in several ways:

• Retired numbers and displays
  Look for displays honoring Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and Niekro. These are often located where fans walk through the concourses and communal areas.

• In-game video features
  Pregame and mid-inning video segments sometimes highlight historic performances, including famous pitching outings.

• Broadcast commentary
  Local broadcasters regularly reference how current pitchers are stacking up to the old greats, especially during playoff pushes.

In The Battery Atlanta

The Battery Atlanta, the mixed-use development surrounding the ballpark, is also filled with Braves references:

• Restaurant decor often features photos of past Braves pitchers
• Team stores sell throwback jerseys and shirts with names like Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and Niekro
• On game days, conversations in lines and at tables frequently drift to how today’s pitching compares to the 1990s rotations

Ways to Explore Braves Pitching History While You’re in Atlanta

If you’re a fan or visitor wanting to dive deeper into the Braves’ pitching past, Atlanta offers several practical options.

1. Take a Truist Park Tour

The Braves typically offer guided tours of Truist Park, which can include:

• Access to certain seating areas with historic displays
• Views of retired numbers and commemorative areas
• Occasional behind-the-scenes looks at spots where media talk about the history of the team

Tours generally start at Truist Park, 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339.
For up-to-date tour hours and reservation information, you can contact the Braves’ main line at (404) 522-7630 or check with the Truist Park box office in person.

2. Visit Braves-Related Displays and Museums

From time to time, Braves history has been highlighted in local exhibits and displays around the metro area. If you’re in Atlanta:

• Check for team history exhibits at or around Truist Park
• Look for temporary or rotating sports displays in city cultural venues or public spaces, especially during baseball season or major anniversaries

These often spotlight legendary pitchers and show how they connected to the city’s growth and sports culture.

3. Local Youth and Amateur Ballparks

Atlanta’s love of Braves pitching shows up in how people talk about the game at the local level.

• Coaches at youth leagues around Metro Atlanta often reference Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz when teaching young pitchers about control, work ethic, and preparation.
• At local high school or college games in the Atlanta area, you may hear comparisons to past Braves pitchers when an emerging pitcher shows strong command or poise.

If you’re a local baseball parent or player, these references can help you understand the standards and ideals many Atlanta coaches grew up with.

How Atlanta Fans Talk About Past Braves Pitchers Today

Whether you’re in Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, or Downtown, conversations about the Braves often circle back to one question:

“Are today’s pitchers as good as the ’90s guys?”

Common local perspectives you’ll hear:

• Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz set the bar for what it means to be a Braves ace.
• Niekro is seen as a beloved early icon, especially among long-time residents who remember the Braves’ early Atlanta years.
• Pitchers like Tim Hudson and Kris Medlen are remembered fondly as bridge figures between eras.

If you’re new to Atlanta or just now getting into Braves baseball, learning whose names come up in these conversations can help you feel more connected to the local sports culture.

Watching Today’s Braves with the Past in Mind

When you watch a game at Truist Park or follow the Braves from anywhere in the Atlanta area, you can use the team’s pitching history to add context:

• Notice when a current pitcher is working efficiently and throwing strikes; fans may call it “very Maddux-like.”
• When a starter takes the ball deep into games or comes up big in October, expect comparisons to Smoltz’s playoff performances.
• When a crafty left-hander succeeds without overwhelming velocity, you might hear a Glavine comparison from older fans.

Understanding these connections can turn an ordinary game into a richer experience, especially if you’re sharing it with Atlanta natives who grew up on these legends.

By knowing the past pitchers of the Atlanta Braves—from Phil Niekro in the early Atlanta days to the legendary trio of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz—you’ll get much more out of every visit to Truist Park, every conversation in The Battery, and every Braves broadcast you tune into in Atlanta.