All-Time Braves Lineup

This makes the choice for third base much easier. Eddie Mathews played in all three cities for the Braves, the only player to do so. He retired after 17 seasons in the majors in 1968, hitting .271 with 1503 runs scored, 512 homeruns and 1453 RBI. Although he was a bench player his final season with the Tigers, he did earn a 2nd World Series ring in 1968 to add the one he earned in Milwaukee in 1957.

The Braves have had a number of memorable second basemen over the past 50 seasons. Red Schoendienst is in the Hall of Fame and was a huge part of the '57 and '58 teams that went to the Worls Series, but played most of his career in St. Louis. Mark Lemke was a mainstay at 2nd in the 90s, as was Glenn Hubbard in the 80s. However, neither of these two were great offensive players. Davey Johnson had 3 good years with the Braves, hitting 43 homeruns and setting the record for second basemen.

However, the most likely player to be the 2nd baseman on the all-time Braves team is Felix Millan. He was a career .279 hitter, only struck out 242 times in over 5700 career at-bats, won two Gold Gloves and made two All-Star teams during his 8 seasons with the Braves from 1966 to 1973.

Looking to the outfield - three names jump out at you. One is in the Hall of Fame and arguably the greatest player in Major League History. One has back-to-back MVPs, and the third won ten straight Gold Gloves all by the time he was 30.

Andruw Jones would start in center field. He's the best defensive player of the bunch (looking at his time with the Braves - not this season obviously). Dale Murphy's arm would put him in right field. Henry Aaron would be playing left as he did in All-Star Games because Willie Mays was in center and Roberto Clemente was in right. He won three straight Gold Gloves in right field from 1958 to 1960. This outfield has about 1400 homeruns in a Braves uniform along with 18 Gold Gloves and over 4,000 career RBI. I'll take this group anyday.

Mark Teixeira had one great season with the Braves, but that doesn't qualify him for this list. For most Braves fans' the biggest name to come to mind is probably Fred McGriff. The Crime Dog did have a great career with several teams, but only 4 1/2 seasons were with the Braves. Orlando Cepeda is a Hall of Fame first baseman, but while he had some great years with the Braves, he spent most of his years in San Francisco.

As a result, the all-time Braves first baseman is Joe Adcock. He spent ten years with the Braves from 1953 to 1962. He hit .277 with 336 homeruns and over 1100 RBI in a 17 year career, often overshadowed by other National League first baseman like Ted Kluszewski, Willie McCovey and Gil Hodges. He was an excellent defensive first basemen, having the 3rd highest single-season fielding percentage (.994) in major league history. For a time, he held the record for most total bases in a single game with 18, hitting four homers and a double in 1954, until it was broken by Shawn Green in 2002.

Catcher may be the position that brings up the biggest debate. Brian McCann may one day go down as the greatest catcher to ever wear a Braves uniform. He's the only Brave player to go to an All-Star game in each of his first 3 full seasons in the majors, and might get to 100 career homeruns when he is only 25 years old.

Joe Torre was a career .297 hitter, and played 9 seasons with the Braves, earning a Gold Glove in the process. His best year was after he was traded to the Cardinals and won an MVp in St. Louis in 1971.

Del Crandall won four Gold Gloves during his 15 years in the Braves organization, going to eight All-Star Games. However, he was never a high average hitter, but did have 3 seasons with 20+ homeruns.

In a tight race, the catcher for the all-time Braves team has to be Javy Lopez. He played on three World Series teams during his 11+ years in Atlanta. He was voted to 3 All-Star Games, won a Silver Slugger and Comeback Player of the Year in 2003, when he set the single season homerun mark for catchers. For his career, Lopez hit .290 with 263 HR and 867 RBI.

For the rest of the backups on the roster. We'll include the following.

Joe Torre (1B/3B)
Del Crandall (C)
Rabbit Maranville (SS/2B)
Fred McGriff (1B)
David Justice (OF)

and in the bullpen
Mark Wohlers
Lew Burdette
Greg McMichael
Johnny Sain
Kevin Millwood
John Smoltz

I could deal with a lineup that looks like. . . .

2B - Felix Millan
1B - Joe Adcock
SS - Chipper Jones
LF - Henry Aaron
3B - Eddie Mathews
RF - Dale Murphy
CF - Andruw Jones
C - Javy Lopez
P - Warren Spahn/Greg Maddux

Couldn't you??? Bobby Cox is a smart manager already. He'd be thrilled to put this lineup card out every day.

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