The 1991 Atlanta Braves Roster: A Complete Guide for Atlanta Fans

For Atlanta sports fans, 1991 is more than a year on the calendar — it’s the season the Atlanta Braves shocked the baseball world and helped turn Atlanta into a true baseball city. If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just want to understand the team that changed the franchise’s history, knowing the 1991 Braves roster is a great place to start.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of who played on that team, what roles they had, and how you can connect with that history today at Truist Park, the Battery Atlanta, and around the city.

Why the 1991 Braves Matter in Atlanta

Before 1991, the Braves had gone through several losing seasons. Then, almost overnight, Atlanta went from “rebuilding” to “worst to first” in the National League West. That turnaround:

• Re-energized baseball in downtown Atlanta and across the metro area
• Helped create a new generation of Braves fans in neighborhoods from Buckhead to Decatur
• Laid the foundation for the Braves’ long run of success through the 1990s

If you’re at a game in Cobb County today, many long-time Atlantans still talk about that team — making the 1991 roster a core part of local sports culture.

Snapshot: Key Players on the 1991 Braves Roster

Here is a simplified look at some of the most important names you’ll hear when people in Atlanta talk about the 1991 Braves:

What follows is a more detailed, position-by-position guide so you can really learn the names and roles.

Starting Pitchers: The Foundation of the 1991 Braves

For many Atlanta fans, the pitching staff is what defined the Braves of the 1990s. In 1991, the rotation was already taking shape.

Core Starting Rotation

• Tom Glavine (LHP)
  A future Hall of Famer, Glavine was a cornerstone for the Braves. He quickly became a fan favorite across metro Atlanta, known for his command and calm presence on the mound.

• John Smoltz (RHP)
  Another future Hall of Famer, Smoltz was known for his intensity. Atlantans who followed the team at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium remember his big-game performances starting to emerge in this era.

• Steve Avery (LHP)
  A young left-hander who broke out in 1991. Atlantans who grew up in the early ’90s often remember Avery as one of the first signs that the Braves’ young talent was real.

• Charlie Leibrandt (LHP)
  A veteran presence who helped stabilize the rotation. For many local fans, he represented the “steady” arm among the younger stars.

Other pitchers who started games or provided depth included Armando Reynoso, Jimmy Kremers (as a catcher but briefly part of the staff connection), and Kent Mercker, who would grow into a bigger role in later seasons.

Relief Pitchers and Closer

Late-game pitching was crucial in 1991 as Atlanta fought through tight games in a division race.

• Alejandro Peña (RHP – Closer)
  Acquired late in the season, Peña became a key piece in the bullpen and closed important games down the stretch. Long-time fans in Atlanta still mention how important he was to the team’s push.

• Kent Mercker (LHP)
  A versatile pitcher used out of the bullpen. Mercker would later become more familiar to Atlanta fans as a starter and reliever in the mid‑1990s.

• Mike Stanton (LHP)
  A key left-handed reliever, often used in late-inning matchups. If you hear fans in Atlanta talk about the “bullpen by committee” feel of the early ’90s Braves, Stanton is usually part of that conversation.

• Mark Wohlers (RHP)
  A young power arm who would go on to close games later in the decade. In 1991 he was still emerging, but fans could already see his potential.

• Other relievers included Jim Clancy, Marvin Freeman, Paul Assenmacher, and Jose Alvarez, each filling important innings during the season.

Catchers: Guiding the Pitching Staff

The catchers helped manage the famous Braves rotation that Atlanta came to love.

• Greg Olson
  The primary catcher in 1991, Olson was well-known among Braves fans for his steady defense and work with the pitching staff. His name still comes up when Atlantans reminisce about that era.

• Mike Heath
  A veteran backup catcher who provided experience behind the plate and depth for a long season.

Other catchers who appeared or provided depth around that time included Jim Kremers, though Olson and Heath carried the bulk of the work that season.

Infielders: Defense, Grit, and a New MVP

Inside Atlanta sports conversations, the 1991 infield is often remembered for its hustle and leadership.

Corner and Middle Infield

• Terry Pendleton (3B)
  Perhaps the most important new face for the 1991 Braves. Pendleton joined Atlanta and immediately became a leader. He had a standout season both offensively and defensively, and Atlanta fans credit him with changing the team’s culture.

• Jeff Blauser (SS/IF – part-time)
  Shared time at shortstop early on and became more established as the seasons progressed. For local fans, Blauser represents the beginning of the stable infield core that carried through the decade.

• Rafael Belliard (SS)
  Known for his glove more than his bat. Many Atlanta fans recall Belliard as the classic defensive specialist in the middle infield.

• Mark Lemke (2B)
  A gritty second baseman who became a fan favorite in Atlanta, especially for his postseason performances. If you attend a game at Truist Park today, you’ll still hear long-time fans bring up “Lemmer” when talking about clutch moments.

• Jeff Treadway (2B/IF)
  Shared time at second base, providing a left-handed bat and versatility.

• Sid Bream (1B)
  Best known in Atlanta for “The Slide” that came later in 1992, Bream was already at first base in 1991, bringing steady defense and a veteran presence to the infield.

• Brian Hunter (1B/OF)
  A corner infielder/outfielder who provided depth and some pop off the bench.

Utility infield options and depth also included players like Tommy Gregg (1B/OF) and Jim Presley (IF), who contributed at various points in the season.

Outfielders: Power, Speed, and Energy

The 1991 Braves outfield gave Atlanta fans a mix of speed, power, and memorable personalities.

• Ron Gant (LF/2B)
  One of the most exciting players on the roster, Gant could hit for power and steal bases. Around Atlanta, he was seen as a symbol of the team’s new energy.

• David Justice (RF)
  A rising star in 1991, Justice quickly became a popular figure with Atlanta fans. His home runs and swagger helped bring national attention to the Braves.

• Otis Nixon (CF)
  Known for his blazing speed and highlight-reel catches in center field. Atlantans who watched games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium remember Nixon as a game-changer on the bases and in the field.

• Lonnie Smith (LF)
  An experienced outfielder and key contributor. Smith gave the Braves a reliable bat and postseason experience that helped steady a young team.

• Depth options in the outfield also included Keith Mitchell, Deion Sanders (who split time with football and had appearances with the Braves around this era), and Gerald Perry as part of the broader transition around that time.

Bench Players and Role Players Atlanta Fans Still Remember

Atlanta’s “worst to first” season wasn’t just about the stars. Several bench players made important contributions that still come up in conversations among local fans.

• Francisco Cabrera (C/1B)
  While Cabrera is best remembered in Atlanta for his famous hit in 1992, he was already part of the roster picture and depth chart around this time.

• Tommy Gregg (1B/OF)
  Provided left-handed power off the bench and filled in at first base and the outfield.

• Jim Presley (IF)
  Offered infield depth and some offensive punch as a veteran presence.

Across metro Atlanta, especially among long-time fans living in areas like Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Stone Mountain, these names still carry nostalgia from nights listening to games on the radio or watching local broadcasts.

How Atlanta Fans Can Connect with the 1991 Braves Today

If you’re in Atlanta now and you want to dive deeper into the 1991 Braves roster, there are several local ways to experience that history more directly.

1. Visit Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta

While the 1991 team played at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, the franchise’s history is still front and center at Truist Park in Cobb County:

• Team historical displays: Around the concourses, you’ll often find references to the early 1990s teams, including photos, plaques, and video features.
• Retired numbers and Hall of Famers: Players like Tom Glavine and John Smoltz are honored, giving you a direct link back to that 1991 rotation.

Location:
Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cobb County, just northwest of central Atlanta)

2. Explore Braves History at the Ballpark

On game days, you can:

• Arrive early and walk the concourse to look for historical timelines and displays featuring the 1991 era.
• Visit the Monument Garden–style areas and historical signage inside the park to see references to the team’s early 1990s success.

These are especially helpful if you’re introducing Atlanta’s baseball history to kids or visitors.

3. Talk with Long-Time Atlanta Fans

If you live or spend time in Atlanta neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, or East Atlanta, you’ll often find sports bars and local spots where older fans still tell stories about:

• Watching Glavine and Smoltz in their early years
• The energy at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in 1991
• How the city’s sports identity started to change in that era

Hearing those personal perspectives can help connect the names on the roster to what it actually felt like in Atlanta at the time.

Tips for Learning the 1991 Roster If You’re New to Braves History

If you’re newer to Atlanta or to baseball and want an easy way to remember the 1991 Braves roster:

• Start with the “Big Four” starting pitchers:
  Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Leibrandt.
• Add the key everyday players:
  Pendleton (3B), Bream (1B), Lemke (2B), Belliard/Blauser (SS), Olson (C).
• Then lock in the outfield trio:
  Gant, Justice, Nixon (with Lonnie Smith as another key name).
• Remember the closer:
  Alejandro Peña.

From there, you can gradually pick up the bench and depth players as you watch classic highlights, visit Truist Park, or talk with local fans.

Knowing the 1991 Atlanta Braves roster helps you understand not just a baseball team, but a turning point in Atlanta’s sports identity. Whether you live in the city, are visiting, or just want to appreciate why longtime Atlantans light up when they talk about “worst to first,” these are the names and roles that shaped that unforgettable season.