Joe Simpson and the Atlanta Braves: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Longtime Broadcaster

If you follow the Atlanta Braves on TV or radio, you’ve almost certainly heard Joe Simpson. For many Atlanta fans, his voice is part of what baseball in this city sounds like. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a new Atlantan, or visiting Truist Park for the first time, understanding who Joe Simpson is and how he fits into the Braves experience helps you feel more connected to the team and its history.

Who Is Joe Simpson?

Joe Simpson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and a longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster.

• He played in the majors in the late 1970s and 1980s.
• He joined the Braves broadcast team in the 1990s.
• He’s known for his color commentary, explaining strategy, approach at the plate, and what’s happening on the field from a former player’s perspective.

For Atlanta fans, Simpson has been one of the steady voices of Braves baseball through:

• The 1990s and 2000s division-title runs
• The move from Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to Turner Field, and then to Truist Park
• Multiple eras of players, managers, and front office changes

If you grew up in metro Atlanta with the Braves on in the background most nights, Joe Simpson is probably part of your personal soundtrack of summer.

What Does Joe Simpson Do for the Atlanta Braves?

Joe Simpson has primarily worked as a color commentator on Braves television and radio broadcasts.

TV and Radio Roles

Over the years, he has:

• Called games on Braves television broadcasts (formerly with TBS and now with regional TV partners)
• Worked alongside play-by-play announcers such as long-established Braves voices
• Contributed to Braves radio broadcasts, which many Atlanta fans listen to in the car, at work, or while out around the city

Color commentary means Simpson focuses on:

• Breaking down pitching and hitting decisions
• Explaining defensive alignments
• Sharing insights on player routines, game preparation, and clubhouse dynamics
• Offering context about how today’s game compares to earlier eras

For a fan in Atlanta, he’s often the voice helping you understand why a certain pitch was thrown or what a manager might be thinking in a late-inning situation.

How Atlanta Fans Hear Joe Simpson Today

If you’re in Atlanta or the surrounding metro area, you’ll typically encounter Joe Simpson in two main ways:

1. Watching Braves Games on TV in Atlanta

Braves games in Atlanta are carried on regional sports television. While exact network names and channel numbers can change over time, the pattern is usually:

• Regular season games: Regional sports channel available through most Atlanta-area cable and satellite providers
• Some games may also appear on national networks

Joe Simpson appears as part of these broadcasts during many seasons, particularly in roles that may rotate among different announcers.

To find where he’s working in a given season, Atlanta fans usually:

• Check the Braves’ official broadcast information for the current year
• Look at the TV listings in their cable or streaming guide
• Listen at the beginning of a broadcast, when the on-air team is introduced

2. Listening to Braves Radio Broadcasts Around Metro Atlanta

Many Atlantans follow the Braves on the radio while:

• Driving on I-75, I-85, or I-285
• Commuting on surface streets
• Sitting on the porch on a summer evening

Braves radio broadcasts originate from local flagship radio stations in the Atlanta market. Joe Simpson has spent time working on these radio broadcasts as well, often teaming with the main play-by-play announcer.

Fans in:

• Atlanta proper
• Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, and surrounding counties

can tune into the flagship sports radio station that carries Braves games each season, then listen for Simpson’s analysis when he’s part of the rotation.

Because station lineups, frequencies, and on-air pairings can change, the most reliable approach is:

• Look up the current Braves radio flagship station for Atlanta
• Note the AM/FM frequency
• Check which voices are assigned to home games vs. road games that year

Joe Simpson’s Connection to Atlanta and Braves History

Even though Joe Simpson is not originally from Atlanta, his professional identity is deeply tied to the city because of his decades with the Braves.

A Voice Through Multiple Ballparks

Atlanta fans associate him with all three modern eras of Braves baseball:

If you’re new to Atlanta, older fans will often mention that their memories of Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz are tied to the voices calling their games—Joe Simpson being one of them.

Style and Perspective

Atlanta listeners often describe Joe Simpson’s on-air style as:

• Straightforward and traditional – Very focused on fundamentals of baseball
• Player-oriented – Drawing from his own playing experience
• Sometimes old-school – Comparing current trends (like launch angle or defensive shifts) to how the game was played in previous decades

This perspective appeals especially to fans in Atlanta who:

• Grew up in the 80s and 90s
• Like in-depth talk about pitching strategy and situational hitting
• Enjoy hearing stories from someone who has been around clubhouses for decades

Where Joe Simpson Fits Among Other Braves Broadcasters

If you live in Atlanta and follow the Braves regularly, you’ll hear several recognizable names. Joe Simpson is one piece of a larger broadcast team that typically includes:

• A lead play-by-play announcer on TV
• One or more color commentators (former players, analysts)
• A radio play-by-play voice
• A radio color commentator
• Pregame and postgame show hosts

Over a full season, especially in a long baseball schedule, broadcasters rotate to cover:

• Home games at Truist Park in Cobb County
• Road trips to other MLB cities
• TV-only or radio-only assignments

For Atlanta fans, this means you:

• Might hear Joe Simpson more often on radio in certain stretches
• Might see him on TV broadcasts for particular series or parts of the year
• Could experience him paired with different partners, which slightly changes the feel of each broadcast

Experiencing Joe Simpson Live at Truist Park

You generally won’t see Joe Simpson on the field at Truist Park during games—he’s working from the broadcast booth. But understanding where he operates from helps you picture how the ballpark is set up.

Broadcast Booth Location

At Truist Park:

• The broadcast booths sit above home plate in the press level, behind the seating bowl
• This is where TV and radio announcers, including Joe Simpson when he’s on duty, call the game with a clear, elevated view of the field

While the booths themselves aren’t open to the public on most game days, if you take certain ballpark tours when available, you may:

• Get a view of the press level
• See where the broadcasts are produced
• Learn more about how the Braves’ media operation works

Truist Park address (for planning visits):
755 Battery Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

(Truist Park is in Cobb County, just northwest of downtown Atlanta, but it’s still central to the greater Atlanta baseball community.)

How Atlanta Fans Can Follow Joe Simpson and the Braves

If you’re in Atlanta and want to hear Joe Simpson regularly while following the Braves, here are practical steps:

1. Find the Current TV Channel for Braves Games

• Check your Atlanta-area cable or satellite guide for the regional sports network that carries Braves games.
• If you use streaming TV that includes regional sports, look up the MLB and Braves channel listing for the season.
• Once the game starts, listen for the broadcast team introduction to see whether Joe Simpson is on that night.

2. Locate the Braves Radio Flagship in Atlanta

Each season, the Braves designate an official flagship radio station in the Atlanta market. To tune in:

• Look up the station name and frequency for the current year.
• Save it as a preset in your car or home radio.
• Listen during pregame coverage—announcers are usually introduced clearly at the start of the broadcast, including Joe Simpson when he’s part of that game’s crew.

3. Use the MLB and Team Platforms (Within the Rules)

For those living in Atlanta or visiting and wanting to follow games on the go:

• Many fans make use of official league or team subscription services that offer audio feeds.
• These typically allow you to listen to the local Braves radio call, which may feature Joe Simpson during the season.

Details and availability can change, so check the latest information through official MLB or Atlanta Braves channels.

Tips for New Atlanta Residents or Visitors Curious About Joe Simpson

If you’re just getting into Braves baseball and keep hearing Joe Simpson’s name, here’s how to get up to speed:

1. Watch a full game broadcast

   • Pay attention to which commentator is calling pitches and plays (play-by-play) versus who’s providing deeper explanations and stories (color). Joe Simpson has traditionally been in the second role.

2. Listen to a radio game while driving in Atlanta

   • The different pace of radio makes it easier to recognize voices. After a couple of games, you’ll likely be able to recognize Simpson by sound alone.

3. Talk to longtime Braves fans locally

   • Many Atlantans can tell you how they feel about Joe Simpson’s style, and how his commentary has evolved across different Braves eras.

4. Combine the ballpark and the broadcast

   • Some fans bring a small radio or use delay-synced audio while at Truist Park so they can watch the live game and still hear the familiar voices, including Joe Simpson when he’s on-air.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Fans

• Joe Simpson is a longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster and former MLB player.
• He is best known to Atlanta fans as a color commentator on Braves TV and radio.
• His voice has been part of Braves baseball in Atlanta through multiple stadiums and eras.
• Atlantans hear him via regional TV broadcasts, radio flagship stations, and official audio feeds, depending on the season’s assignments.
• If you follow the Braves from Atlanta—whether at home, in the car, or at Truist Park—you are likely to cross paths with Joe Simpson’s commentary during the baseball season.

By knowing who Joe Simpson is and how to find his broadcasts, you deepen your connection to Braves baseball and the broader sports culture that’s such a big part of life in Atlanta, Georgia.