All-Time Braves Lineup

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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