Better Late Than Never: All-Time Atlanta Braves Lineup

I consider myself a fortunate Atlanta Braves fan.

Born in 1984, it wasn't until the 1990s that I was able to really follow sports and truly understand everything that was going on. Thus, I've known winning baseball all of my life. Considering I've had to endure the likes of the Falcons and Hawks here in Atlanta, that's a very good thing.

I do, however, remember those old sticker books you could buy at Kroger—the ones where you'd put stickers of every team's key players in their respective spaces. I also remember that my Braves page was rather empty, and I was somewhat annoyed by that.

My mom told me it was probably because the Braves were so bad that they printed just one sticker of each Brave—no use wasting time, money, or energy on a perennial loser.

That was in 1990. How quickly things changed.

As for becoming a Braves fan, it was never a question of who I would pull for. I was born in the metro Atlanta area and have lived here all my life. My favorite professional and collegiate sports teams all play within the borders of the state of Georgia, and my absolute favorites all do their work within the city limits of Atlanta. So even if the Braves had kept on losing, I'd still be a diehard Braves fan—just as I'm a diehard Falcons and Hawks fan.

Needless to say, the Braves' history in Atlanta prior to the 90s wasn't a good one. From 1966 through 1990, the Braves won exactly two division titles, had 85-plus wins just five times, and never won a postseason game.

In the 16 years since, though, the Braves have topped 85 wins 14 times, and they were on pace for that many in the strike-shortened year of 1994. So when it comes to compiling a list of all-time Atlanta Braves, it should come as no surprise that the majority would come from recent, more successful years.  Indeed, 13 of the 17 players on my list played in the 90s.

And so, without further ado, my compilation of the All-Time Atlanta Braves starting lineup and pitching staff:

Lineup

SS—Rafael Furcal (6 years, '00-05): He's not exactly the prototypical leadoff hitter, but the only other two really good leadoff men the Braves have had both play center field—a position they have no chance of cracking in the Braves all-time lineup. Furcal's speed, however, can wreak some havoc and nobody can deny his outstanding arm. Jeff Blauser got a look here, but this lineup full of boppers needed some speed and a leadoff hitter.

Career accomplishments: ROY-2000; AS-2003; 3 Times Top-10 Hits; 3 Times Top 10 Runs; 4 Times Top Stolen Bases.

LF—Dale Murphy (13 years, '78-90): How could you not put a two-time MVP in your lineup? Murphy could do it all, so he's bumped to left field because some guy named Andruw plays center.

Career accomplishments: 4 time Silver Slugger ('82-85); 2 time MVP ('82-83); 6 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 6 Time All Star ('80, '82-87); 5 time Gold Glover ('82-86); 4 Times Top 2 OPS; 6 Times Top 5 Home Runs; 5 Times Top 5 RBI.

3B—Chipper Jones (13 years, '95-Present): One of the greatest Braves ever—and by Braves, I mean Braves, not just Atlanta Braves. When healthy, one of the best hitters in the game, and he's proven he still is this season. While his defense leaves a lot to be desired, there aren't many third basemen who have been better the past 10 plus years.

Career accomplishments: 2 time Silver Slugger ('99-00); MVP ('99); 7 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 5 Time All Star ('96-98, '00-01); 5 Times Top 10 OPS; 3 Times Top 5 Home Runs; 8 Times Top Ten Base on Balls.

RF—Hank Aaron (9 years, '66-74): Some would argue he's still the home run king. Whether or not you agree with that statement is irrelevant. Aaron easily makes his way into this lineup as one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game, period.

Career accomplishments: 6 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 9 time All-Star ('66-74); 7 Times Top 6 in OPS; 8 Times Top 5 in Home Runs; 6 Times Top Ten RBI.

1B—Fred McGriff (4.5 years, '93-97): His acquisition in 1993 helped the Braves overcome a double-digit second-half deficit to the San Francisco Giants in the old NL West. McGriff was a steady performer, and his power in the middle of the lineup in the mid-90s was a huge reason the Braves have the multiple division titles they now possess. Andres Galarraga received consideration, as did Sid Bream, but neither did what the "Crime Dog" did, nor did it as long with a tomahawk on their chest.

Career accomplishments: 1 Time Top 12 MVP Voting; 3 time All Star (94-96); 3 Times Top 10 RBI; 2 Times Top 5 Home Runs.

CF—Andruw Jones (11.5 years, '96-Present): Arguably the greatest defensive center fielder of his generation, and one of the best all-time. What gets overlooked is the fact that Jones, despite just turning 30, still has 366 home runs. Jones gets the nod rather easily over Otis Nixon, Deion Sanders and Marquis Grissom—in fact, it's not even close.

Career accomplishments: Silver Slugger ('05); 3 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 5 Time All-Star ('00, '02-03, '05-06); 9 Time Gold Glover ('98-06); 3 Times Top 10 RBI; 4 Times Top 10 Home Runs; 7 30 Home Run Seasons; 8 (soon to be 9) 90 RBI seasons; 12th Active in Home Runs; 111 outfield assists; 2.68 Range Factor, league average 2.19.

C—Javy Lopez (10 years, '94-03): A catcher that's going to hit .280 and hit over 20 home runs is a guy most any franchise would take. Never known for his defense, Lopez wasn't exactly a liability back there either. Brian McCann is fast on his way to earning his spot on the Atlanta Braves all-time roster, but not after just three seasons. Greg Olson was a fan favorite, but he didn't possess nearly the offensive pop that Lopez, possibly one of the five best offensive catchers in baseball, had during his tenure here.

Career accomplishments: Silver Slugger ('03); 1 Time Top 12 MVP Voting; 3 Time All-Star ('97-98, '03); 6 Times OPS over .800; 5 20 Home Run Seasons; 6 65 RBI Seasons.

2B—Glenn Hubbard (10 years, '78-87): Probably the least inspiring position on this otherwise loaded team. Hubbard wins out over Mark Lemke due to his being a Brave a bit longer, though it was a very, very, very close call. I wavered back and forth many times. Those two easily get the nod over Marcus Giles simply because I don't like Marcus Giles, and never really thought he was that good. Hubbard wasn't great, but he was a solid player on a decade of horrible teams.

Career accomplishments: All Star ('93).

Tough omissions: David Justice, Ron Gant, Terry Pendleton, Bob Horner, Jeff Blauser

Pitching Staff

P—Tom Glavine (15 years, '88-02): While legions of Braves fans have nothing but mean-spirited feelings towards Glavine after his decision to become a hated Met, there is no denying his importance to this franchise—and that's not even counting his masterful performance in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series.

Career accomplishments: 2 Time Cy Young Winner ('91, '98); 6 Times Top 3 Cy Young Voting; 8 Time All Star ('91-93, '96-98, '00, '02); 1995 World Series MVP; 2 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 8 Times Top 10 ERA; 8 Times Top 5 Wins; 4 Time Silver Slugger.

P—Greg Maddux (11 years, '93-03): Glavine, due to his World Series MVP and longevity here, is the ace of the staff—but nobody was better than Maddux during the early 90s. Maddux, without overpowering stuff, could make hitters talk to themselves more than any pitcher in the game.

Career accomplishments: 3 Time Cy Young Winner ('92-95); 7 Times Top 5 Cy Young Voting; 6 Time All-Star ('94-98, '00); 4 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 9 Times Top 5 ERA; 9 Times Top 5 Wins; 11 Time Gold Glover ('93-03).

P—John Smoltz (20 years, '88-Present): The ultimate Brave. He's pitching for the 20th season as an Atlanta Brave, and will likely be around for Season 21 next year. He's been a dominant starter and be's been a dominant closer. However, it's his postseason performance that really sets him apart from most every other pitcher of his era.

Career accomplishments: 1 Cy Young ('96); 4 Times Top Ten Cy Young Voting; 8 Time All Star ('89, '92-93, '96, '02-03, '05, '07); 2 Times Top 12 MVP Voting; 8 Times Top 10 ERA; Silver Slugger ('97); Rolaids Relief ('02); 3 Times Top 5 in Saves; 9 Times Top 10 Strikeouts; 6 Times Top Ten Wins; 15-4 2.65 ERA in postseason; 1992 NLCS MVP.

P—Phil Niekro (17 years, '67-83): One of the greatest pitchers of all-time. Unfortunately, Niekro played on a lot of bad teams, and the famed knuckleballer probably still doesn't quite receive his proper due. Just how good though was the Braves staff of the 90s? Phil Niekro ranks as the number four pitcher.

Career accomplishments: 5 Times Top 6 Cy Young Voting; 4 Time All-Star ('69, '75, '78, '82); Once Top 12 MVP Voting; 3 Times Top 5 ERA; 10 Times Top 10 in Wins; 7 Times Top 5 in Strikeouts; 4 Time Gold Glover ('78-80, '82).

P—Steve Avery (7 years, '90-96): Some might be shocked to see him, but as a youngster, many thought Avery would go on to become the best of the bunch. He was brilliant as a 21-year-old kid in the playoffs. He won 47 games from 1991-1993, but injuries began to hamper him in 1994 and ultimately robbed him of what could have been a career on par with those of the Big Three.

Career accomplishments: 1 Time Top 10 Cy Young Voting; All Star ('93).

Closer—Mark Wohlers (8 years, '91-99): Before "that pitcher" gave up "that home run" with "that slider" to "that catcher" in "that World Series" (we here in Atlanta refuse to mention names in reference to that heartbreaking moment), Mark Wohlers was as dominant a closer as there was in baseball. He gets the nod because Smoltz is in the rotation, and he closed out the World Series—something Rocker didn't do.

Career accomplishments: All Star ('96); 3 times Top Ten in Saves; First 33 1/3 IP-6 Earned Runs, 37 strikeouts.

Setup Man—John Rocker (3 1/2 years, '98-01): Rocker had electric stuff when healthy—but his mouth seemed to throw harder than his arm, and an injury finished off a once promising career. Much like Wohlers, at his peak he was as good as anybody. Looking at Braves history, closers have a three-year run, tops, before blowing up. Good thing Smoltz came back to the rotation before closing a fourth year.

Career accomplishments: 2 Times Top 10 in Saves.

LHR—Kent Mercker (6 years, '90-95): A rather unsung player—and there are sexier names out there to choose from—but Mercker was a good clubhouse guy, like Mark Lemke, and one of those glue guys that a pitching staff needs. His versatility makes him a very useful member of the bullpen.

Career accomplishments: 5 Times ERA under 3.45; No-hitter against Dodgers in 1994, part of a three-man no hitter in 1991.

RHR—Kevin Milwood (6 years, '97-02): Milwood's career was inconsistent, but at times he was as good a pitcher as there was in the league. His inability to maintain his success was the primary reason the Braves didn't fight too hard to hang on to him when he became a free agent in 2002. Nevertheless, he was a hard thrower with excellent stuff.

Career accomplishments: 2 Times Top 6 Cy Young Voting; All Star ('99); 2 Times Top Two in ERA; 3 Times Top 6 in Wins.

Ultimately, I'd put this squad against almost any all-time team in baseball...on the basis of their pitching alone. Three 300-game winners headline the rotation, and another has 200 wins and 150 saves. Their bullpen boasts two fireballers with electric stuff. The question—the question all Braves teams seem to have—would be the middle relief. Milwood is okay, but Kent Mercker is anything but a household name. However, with a rotation as stacked as this one, the bullpen may not be of much use.

Offensively, this lineup only has one weakness, and that's Hubbard in the eight hole. I could have put Ron Gant in at second since that's where he began his career, but he was mostly an outfielder so I decided against it.

Obviously, the outfield is unreal: a two-time MVP, the game's number two all-time home run hitter and all-time leader in RBI, and Andruw Jones, considered by many one of the three best defensive outfielders ever. In fact, the defense up the middle with Maddux, Jones, and Niekro is as good as it gets.

The corners are also well represented with McGriff and Chipper Jones. It's a lineup with .300 hitters and sluggers, as well as a catcher who was one of the best at his position during his career.

The Atlanta Braves may have become a top-flight team only recently, but the all-time talent present in above group matches up with any team's.