Atlanta Braves Mount Rushmore
By David Hill
Eddie Mathews (1952-1966)
The only player in history to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, Mathews was expected to become a star. The legendary Ty Cobb once said that Mathews had one of the few perfect swings he had ever seen. Talk about pressure on a rookie.
The pressure did not phase Mathews at all. After a solid rookie year in 1952, he emerged as a star when the Braves moved to Milwaukee. He led the National League with 47 homers, making his first All Star Game and finishing second in the NL MVP vote. Mathews would go on to lead the league in homers twice, and hit 20 or more homers in 14 consecutive seasons. He was a 12 time All Star, one of the Braves stars despite being overshadowed by Hank Aaron.
Mathews helped provide an incredible one-two punch in the Braves lineup. Overall, he produced an excellent .273/.379/.517 batting line, hitting 493 homers. He also had an excellent batting eye, leading the league in walks three times. In his 9532 plate appearances, Mathews had 1376 walks and only 1387 strikeouts.
He was not just an excellent hitter. He was an excellent defensive player as well, leading the league in runs saved twice. Mathews led National League third basemen in putouts twice, and assists three times. He still ranks in the top ten all time in both categories.
During a time when third base was relegated to typically mediocre players, Eddie Mathews changed the position. The Braves star helped pave the way for the modern third baseman.