ATLANTA, GA - MAY 15: Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is honored prior to the MLB Civil Rights between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on May 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
From their time as one of the charter members of the National League, the Atlanta Braves have a long and vibrant history. Which of their former stars comprise the Braves Mount Rushmore?
The Atlanta Braves were a success almost instantly. They came into existence as the Boston Red Stockings, one of the charter members of the National League in 1876. The Red Stockings won the National League pennant in 1877 and 1878, Eventually changing their name to the Beaneaters, they continued to be a success in the early days of the major leagues, even winning the predecessor to the World Series, sweeping the Cleveland Spiders in 1892.
However, in the modern era of the major leagues, the Beaneaters struggled. They switched names four times in seven years, from the Beaneaters to the Doves to the Rustlers before settling on the current name of the Braves. However, during that time in Boston, and those name changes, they made the World Series twice. The 1914 Miracle Braves came out of nowhere to sweep the Phialdelphia Athletics in the World Series, and they fell to the Indians in 1948. Aside from those two seasons, the Braves were typically a mediocre franchise.
They did find some success after a move to Milwaukee in 1953. They finished over .500 in each of their 13 years in Wisconsin, winning one of their two World Series appearances. However, due to dwindling attendance, they moved to Atlanta in 1966, where they reverted back to mediocrity.
It is in Atlanta that the Braves have found the most success. Starting with their surprising return to contention in 1991, they became a dynasty. The Braves made the postseason each year from 1991 through 2005, excluding the strike year. They captured five National League pennants, and won the 1995 World Series, giving them a championship in each city they called home. Although the Braves are in another downturn, the future looks bright in Atlanta, as fans dream of another dynasty.
Which of the greats to play for the Braves organization make up their Mount Rushmore? Let us turn the pages of history and look back at those top players.
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.
Two players have won 400 games in their careers. Warren Spahn could have been the third, had his career not been interrupted by World War Two.
Despite those three missing years, he was a model of consistency. A 17 time All Star, Spahn won 20 or more games 13 times. He won the second Cy Young award, taking home the award in 1957, when he posted a 21-11 record with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.177 WHiP. That marked the first of five consecutive years he led the league in wins, and the first of seven consecutive years he would lead the league in complete games.
Spahn was a workhorse in every sense of the word for the Braves. During his 20 years with the organization, he posted a 356-229 record, along with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.189 WHiP. In his 5046 innings, he struck out 2493 batters with just 1434 walks. Of his 635 games started, Spahn completed 374 games, and even notched 28 saves.
He needed to reinvent himself in the middle of his career, making these accomplishments even mroe impressive. After leading the NL in strikeouts for four consecutive years, his fastball left him. To compensate, Spahn learned how to throw a screwball, helping him to continue dominating into his 40s.
Had his career not been interrupted due to the second World War, Warren Spahn could have won 400 games. Instead, he will be remembered as one of the greatest left handed pitchers in the history of the game.
The winningest pitcher of the 1890s, Kid Nichols took pride in two things in his career – his eventual induction into the Hall of Fame, and how he was rarely removed for a reliever.
Nichols was a dominant force from the start. As a 20 year old rookie in 1890, he won 27 games and led the league with seven shutouts. He won at least 21 games each year in the 1890s, and had seven seasons with 30 or more wins. While he was rarely removed for a reliever, Nichols was occasionally used to close out games, retroactively leading the league in saves four times.
As one can imagine, Nichols put together an impressive career with the Beaneaters, as the Braves were called at the time. During his dozen years in Boston, he posted a stellar 329-183 record, along with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.234 WHiP. He struck out 1680 batters in 4549 innings, and was renowned for his control, issuing only 1163 walks. Of his 502 starts, Nichols completed 476, an impressive amount.
He was an impressive workhorse during that time as well. He threw over 300 innings in all but one of his seasons in Boston, and topped the 400 inning mark five times. Despite his heavy workload, and how many games he completed, Nichols claimed that he never had a sore arm from pitching. In fact, the only time he recalled his arm hurting was after counting 30,000 tickets at the Polo Grounds, when he worked as a ticket taker during a game he was not playing in.
Kid Nichols was one of the greatest pitchers of the 19th century. His performance still places him amongst the best players in Braves history.
Some people still consider Hank Aaron to be the all time home run leader. Regardless of one’s stance on PEDs, there is no question that the Atlanta Braves slugger was one of the best players in baseball history.
Aaron was more of a consistent slugger than a flashy offensive force. He led the league in homers four times, but never hit more than 45 in a season. However, he was a steady power hitter, with 20 consecutive seasons of 20 or more homers, and 15 years with 30 or more home runs.
He was far more than just a power hitter. A solid all around player, Aaron also stole 20 or more bases six times, and had a 30-30 season in 1963. He was a 25 time All Star, and won three Gold Glove awards. Aaron also notched the 1957 NL MVP award, leading the league with 44 homers, 132 RBI, and 118 runs as the Braves won the World Series.
His time with the Braves was quite impressive. Aaron produced a .310/.377/.567 batting line during his 21 years with the Braves, belting 733 homers and driving in 2202 runs. He had exactly 3600 hots, along with 600 doubles and 240 steals. Aaron also saved 98 runs in right, the eighth most in the history of the game.
Hank Aaron was one of the true greats of the game. The Atlanta Braves slugger was a stellar all around player, and the best player in franchise history.
