5 greatest outfielders in Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves franchise history
By Kevin Henry
Throughout its history that stretches across Boston, Milwaukee, and now Atlanta, the Braves have had an abundance of outfielders who posted eye-popping numbers.
The franchise has gone through many names throughout the years (Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Boston Bees, Boston Rustlers, Boston Doves, Boston Beaneaters, and Boston Red Stockings), but there are some legendary names who have donned the uniform wherever the franchise has called home.
Let’s look at the 5 greatest outfielders in the history of the Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves
In this list, we will rank the outfielders based on accomplishments, as well as the amount of bWAR they accumulated during their years in a Braves uniform.
Number 5 — Tommy Holmes (36.1 bWAR with Braves)
Kept out of World War II because of a sinus condition, Holmes made his Braves debut on April 14, 1942, and quickly became one of the bastions of the Boston Braves after being sold to the team by the New York Yankees that offseason.
In 1945, he finished second in National League MVP voting to Phil Cavaretta despite leading Major League Baseball with 224 hits and 28 home runs. His .332 batting average that season was just behind Cavaretta’s .335, and part of that success was a then-NL-record 37-game hitting streak.
He was also a difficult out for any pitcher, with his 2.2 percent strikeout rate is among the best to ever suit up.
Holmes saw action in the 1948 World Series for Boston, with his eighth-inning RBI single against Bob Feller proving to be the difference in a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 1.
During a span of 130 games during the 1951 and 1952 seasons, Holmes served as Boston’s manager.
You can read more about his amazing career here.