Legendary Arms: A Local Guide to the Best Atlanta Braves Pitchers
If you live in Atlanta, spend summer nights at Truist Park, or follow the team from Midtown apartments or Cobb County suburbs, talking about the best Atlanta Braves pitchers is almost a local language.
From World Series heroes to long-time fan favorites, Braves pitching has shaped Atlanta’s baseball identity for decades. This guide walks through the greatest Braves pitchers with a focus on their Atlanta years, how locals remember them, and a few tips for enjoying that pitching history in and around the ballpark.
How This List Is Framed for Atlanta Fans
Before jumping into names, it helps to clarify the focus:
- This is centered on Atlanta Braves pitchers (post-1966 Atlanta era), not the Boston or Milwaukee Braves.
- Emphasis is on:
- Impact on the team in Atlanta
- Longevity and consistency
- Postseason and big-game performances
- Local legacy – how they’re remembered by Atlanta fans
You’ll see a mix of all-time legends, modern aces, and relievers who defined whole eras for Braves fans across Metro Atlanta.
The Mount Rushmore of Atlanta Braves Pitching
If you ask long-time Atlantans sitting in a Battery Atlanta restaurant before a game who belongs on the Braves pitching “Mount Rushmore,” a few names come up almost every time.
1. Greg Maddux – The Professor
Atlanta years: 1993–2003
Greg Maddux is often the first name that comes to mind when people talk about the best Braves pitchers of all time.
Why he’s iconic in Atlanta:
- Anchored the rotation during the 1990s dynasty.
- Known for surgical control and outsmarting hitters rather than overpowering them.
- Pitched deep into games, which Atlanta fans still point to when talking about “old-school aces.”
If you tour the Monument Garden inside Truist Park on gameday, Maddux’s career with Atlanta is heavily featured in the historical displays.
2. Tom Glavine – The Lefty Legend
Atlanta years: 1987–2002, 2008
Tom Glavine is synonymous with Braves playoff baseball in Atlanta.
Why locals revere him:
- Key starter on those loaded 1990s rotation teams.
- Famous for his changeup and ability to pitch to the edges.
- Started and dominated in some of the biggest postseason games the city has seen.
If you grew up watching Braves games on TV in Atlanta in the ’90s, Glavine was probably the lefty you tried to imitate in the backyard.
3. John Smoltz – The Ultimate Competitor
Atlanta years: 1988–2008
John Smoltz may be the most versatile great pitcher in Braves history.
Why he stands out:
- Elite as both a starter and a closer.
- Dominant in the postseason, which Atlanta fans still talk about when October rolls around.
- Known locally for his intensity and ability to rise to big moments.
Smoltz’s ability to adapt and still perform at a high level is a major part of his legacy with Atlanta.
4. Phil Niekro – The Knuckleball King
Atlanta years: 1966–1983, 1987
Phil Niekro connects the early Atlanta era to modern fans.
Why he’s a foundational Braves figure:
- A knuckleball specialist who pitched deep into his 40s.
- Carried many Braves teams that weren’t as stacked as the ‘90s groups.
- Beloved in Atlanta for his longevity, workhorse mentality, and presence around the club even after retiring.
Older fans around the city often point to Niekro when talking about the roots of Braves baseball in Atlanta.
Other All-Time Great Atlanta Braves Starters
Beyond the big four, several starting pitchers have had a major impact on the franchise and the Atlanta community.
5. Steve Avery – The Young Star of the Early ’90s
Atlanta years: 1990–1996
Steve Avery was a key part of the early 1990s success.
- Emerged as a young standout during the Braves’ rapid rise.
- Delivered big games in the postseason when Atlanta was still establishing itself as a contender.
- Often remembered with a sense of “what could have been,” due to injuries.
For fans who went to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in the early ’90s, Avery is a central memory.
6. John Schuerholz-Era Aces: Tim Hudson
Atlanta years (Hudson): 2005–2013
Tim Hudson helped bridge the gap from the old dynasty years to the modern era.
- Known for his competitiveness and heavy sinker.
- Respected in the clubhouse and by local media as a leader.
- Fans across metro Atlanta remember his consistency during seasons where the team was retooling.
Hudson is often brought up in Atlanta conversations about “underrated” Braves greats.
7. Modern Ace: Max Fried
Atlanta years: 2017–present (as of the mid-2020s)
Max Fried is seen as a modern face of Braves pitching.
- Left-handed starter known for elite command and poise.
- A central figure in the World Series run in the early 2020s.
- Young fans in Atlanta frequently wear Fried jerseys at Truist Park.
He represents the current generation of Braves excellence that locals in Atlanta are watching in real time.
8. Young Star: Spencer Strider
Atlanta years: 2021–present (as of the mid-2020s)
Spencer Strider has become one of the most talked-about pitchers in baseball.
- Known for his high-velocity fastball and eye-catching strikeout totals.
- Instantly recognizable on the mound with his unique look and presence.
- A big draw for home games; when Strider starts, there’s a noticeable buzz around the ballpark and The Battery.
For Atlantans, his starts feel like an event.
Bullpen Legends: Best Atlanta Braves Relievers
Starters get most of the attention, but Atlanta has had several elite relievers who closed out big wins and playoff runs.
9. Craig Kimbrel – The Fireball Closer
Atlanta years: 2010–2014
Kimbrel is often mentioned as one of the best closers of his era.
- Known in Atlanta for his intense pre-pitch stance and overpowering fastball.
- Turned late innings at Turner Field into must-watch baseball.
- When he entered with flame graphics on the board, fans in every section felt the momentum shift.
He’s a big part of modern Braves pitching history, especially for fans who followed the team in the early 2010s.
10. Mark Wohlers – Closing Out a Championship
Atlanta years: 1991–1999
Mark Wohlers is tied closely to the 1995 championship run.
- Hard-throwing right-hander who racked up critical saves.
- Remembered in Atlanta for both his dominance and a few hard moments, highlighting how tough the closer role can be.
- Fans who attended playoff games in the mid-’90s think of Wohlers as the late-inning heartbeat.
11. Gene Garber, Rafael Soriano, John Rocker & Others
Several other relievers have made a mark in Atlanta:
- Gene Garber – Known for his unusual delivery and reliability in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
- Rafael Soriano – Provided a powerful late-inning presence in the late 2000s.
- John Rocker – A controversial figure, but undeniably a big-name closer for a period in the late ’90s.
These names come up regularly when locals trade stories about Braves bullpens of different eras.
Quick Reference: Standout Atlanta Braves Pitchers
Here’s a simple overview of some of the best-known pitchers in Atlanta Braves history, focused on their Atlanta impact.
| Pitcher | Role | Key Atlanta Era | What Fans Remember Most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Maddux | Starter | 1990s–early 2000s | Precision, dominance, dynasty years |
| Tom Glavine | Starter | Late ’80s–early 2000s | Big-game starts, signature changeup |
| John Smoltz | Starter/Closer | Late ’80s–2000s | Postseason heroics, intensity |
| Phil Niekro | Starter | Late ’60s–early ’80s | Knuckleball, longevity, franchise anchor |
| Steve Avery | Starter | Early–mid ’90s | Young phenom during early playoff years |
| Tim Hudson | Starter | Mid 2000s–early 2010s | Grit, leadership, transition-era stability |
| Max Fried | Starter | Late 2010s–2020s | Modern ace, World Series impact |
| Spencer Strider | Starter | 2020s | Strikeouts, electric stuff |
| Craig Kimbrel | Closer | Early 2010s | Fireball closer, dominant ninth innings |
| Mark Wohlers | Closer | Mid–late ’90s | Closing out big playoff games |
Experiencing Braves Pitching History in Atlanta
If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to connect more deeply with Braves pitching history, there are several local ways to do it.
Visit Truist Park and Monument Garden
Location:
Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cobb County area)
Inside the park, Monument Garden offers:
- Displays honoring Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Niekro, and other greats.
- Memorabilia and storytelling that put their careers in context for Atlanta fans.
- A family-friendly way to show younger fans why certain numbers and names are so important.
Tip: 📝 Arrive early for night games to walk through Monument Garden before first pitch. It’s usually less crowded and easier to take your time.
Explore The Battery Atlanta on Gameday
The Battery, right outside Truist Park, is packed with restaurants, bars, and gathering spots where local fans debate:
- Who was the best Atlanta-era starter.
- Which closer fans trusted most in the ninth.
- How modern pitchers like Fried and Strider compare to the 1990s legends.
If you’re new to town, this is one of the easiest places to hear real Atlanta fan perspectives on Braves pitching, just by listening in or chatting with people at nearby tables.
Catch a Game and Focus on Pitching
Whether you’re sitting in the Home Run Porch, Terrace Level, or a lower-level section:
- Watch how modern Braves pitchers attack hitters.
- Notice velocity, pitch mix, and mound presence.
- Compare what you’re seeing to the way older fans describe the Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz era.
Many locals will tell you that understanding Braves history makes live games at Truist Park feel richer and more connected to the city’s sports identity.
How Local Fans Typically Rank the Best Braves Pitchers
Every fan in Atlanta has a slightly different list, but a common Atlanta-focused ranking looks something like this:
- Greg Maddux
- Tom Glavine
- John Smoltz
- Phil Niekro
- Max Fried (for modern era impact and postseason performances)
- Tim Hudson
- Steve Avery
- Spencer Strider (already a fan favorite for strikeout dominance)
- Craig Kimbrel
- Mark Wohlers
Some long-time residents might move Niekro higher for his role in early Atlanta Braves history, while younger fans may boost Fried or Strider. The debates themselves are part of what makes following the Braves in Atlanta so engaging.
Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta
If you’re just getting into Braves baseball or visiting from out of town:
- Start with the big four: Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Niekro. Knowing these names helps you understand most local pitching conversations.
- Learn one modern ace: Fried or Strider. That gives you a bridge from history to the current roster.
- Try a themed night: When the Braves hold alumni or heritage events, former pitchers sometimes appear for ceremonies or first pitches.
- Ask long-time fans: Atlantans who’ve followed the team since the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium days often have great stories about Niekro and early-era arms.
Spending just one homestand in the city—riding MARTA to the Cumberland area, hanging out at The Battery, and watching a couple of games—will give you a clear sense of why pitching is so central to the Braves’ Atlanta identity.
From legendary knuckleballs to today’s high-octane strikeout artists, the story of the best Atlanta Braves pitchers is tightly woven into the story of Atlanta itself.
