The Braves franchise features a unique trophy case. They currently stand at four World Series championships from three different cities. They have a title from 1914 while in Boston; a Milwaukee title from 1957; and the more recent 1995 and 2021 titles while representing Atlanta. And while they didn't have numbers to retire from 1914, and 2021 is still too recent for guys to gain such honor, the other two titles have plenty of greats to feature.
#3 - Dale Murphy
Murphy debuted in 1976 and spent the next few seasons touring around the infield to find a permanent spot in the lineup. In 1980 he took up the outfield and he found his place in Atlanta until his trade in 1990. He was an all star in 1980, but as a Left Fielder in 1982 it all really clicked. 1982 was the beginning of a few impressive streaks: six straight all star nominations ('82-'87), five straight Gold Gloves ('82-'86), four straight Silver Sluggers ('82-'85), and most impressive of all his back-to-back MVPs in 1982 and 1983. Despite not gaining Hall of Fame entry, the Braves still retired his #3 to recognize one of the 80's most prolific hitters and ambassadors of the game.
#6 - Bobby Cox
Bobby actually was in the Atlanta system as a player, but never cracked the big league lineup, instead spending two seasons in New York (Yankees, not the Mets, so Braves fans can sorta relax) in a very brief playing career. He hung out as a coach long enough to see the team win the 1977 World Series, but his true destiny began the following season when he took over as Manager of the Braves. Taking over a terrible franchise, he began his work making them into contenders, including finally putting Dale Murphy into the outfield. Things were trending up in 1981, but owner Ted Turner fired him after the season.
After a few seasons managing the Toronto Blue Jays, Turner brought Cox home to Atlanta as General Manager and by 1990 he was back in the dugout where he belonged. Once again he took over a dismal Braves team, but the turnaround began immediately in 1991, starting a streak of 14 NL East division titles (if we skip the 1994 strike), four pennants and the 1995 World Series championship. Cox had his number honored a year after he retired in 2010 and in 2014 he was sent to Cooperstown.
#10 - Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones was a first ballot Hall of Famer who was the face of the only franchise he played for from 1993 and 1995-2012. He was an eight time all star and a 1999 and 2000 Silver Slugger winner. He was the face of MLB Showdown when it released in 2000 as the reigning NL MVP winner. Despite being a solid 3rd Baseman, for the good of the team he shifted to Left Field for a couple seasons to make room for Vinny Castilla. Jones was part of both modern Braves titles, winning the 1995 World Series as their 3rd Baseman and 2021 as a coach.
#21 - Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn's career began in 1942, took three years off for WWII then pickup up again from 1946-1964 for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves. He was a 17 time all star and 12 different seasons won 20 or more games, winning over 300 in his Hall of Fame career. He pitched no-hitters in 1960 and 1961, and took home the 1957 Cy Young award. He won the 1957 World Series as well as the 1948 and 1956 pennants.
#25 - Andruw Jones
An elite defender of the late 90s and 2000s, Andruw Jones played for the Braves from 1996 to 2007, helping them win the '96 and '99 pennants. He won 10 straight Gold Gloves from '98-'07 and his bat was recognized in 2005 with a Silver Slugger as he led the league in homers and RBI. In 2023 the Braves added his number to their collection of greats.
#29 - John Smoltz
A member ot the Brave's elite Hall of Fame pitching trio, Smoltz was around for the dark days of losing before their NL East domination began. From 1988 to 2008, Smoltz was mostly a Starter for Atlanta. He was an eight time all star and helped them win four pennants (1992 NLCS MVP) and the 1995 World Series. In 1996 he won the Cy Young award as he won 24 games...28 in total if you include his postseason...29 if you include the all star game. Hard to believe that the only thing stopping him from winning 30 was an unearned run allowed in the 1-0 World Series Game 5. After losing the entire 2000 season to Tommy John surgery, he returned as a Reliever in 2001 to regain dominance before becoming a Starter again a few seasons later.
#31 - Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux didn't throw too hard, but he was a nightmare for opposing hitters. In 1993 he signed with the Braves and by the time his Braves era was over his trophy case was quite full. In addition to two pennants, he was a six time all star in Atlanta and the final three of his four straight Cy Young seasons were with the Braves (1993-1995). 10 of his record 18 Gold Gloves came as a Brave as well. He is the only pitcher to win over 300 games, strike out more than 3,000 batter while walking fewer than 1,000. No one won more in the 90's than the 176 Maddux racked up.
#35 - Phil NiekroFrom 1964 with Milwaukee to 1983 with Atlanta, Phil Niekro was a rock in the Braves pitching staff. Regarded as the greatest knuckleball pitcher ever, the Hall of Famer compiled most of his 318 Wins and four of his five all star nides as a Brave. A five time Gold Glove winner, Phil also pitched a no-hitter in 1973 against the Padres. A season after his release (and while still an active player in baseball) the Braves honored him with a number retirement.
#41 - Eddie Mathews
Sometimes overshadowed in the discussion for greatest 3rd Basemen is Eddie Mathews. He has the distinction for playing for the Braves in all three cities they've called home, from Boston to Milwaukee, and finally Atlanta. Of his 512 career Home Runs, 421 of them were while teammates with Hank Aaron (442) and their combined 863 is the most all time between teammates. He helped the Braves claim the 1957 championship and in 1969 the Braves followed the Hall of Famer's retirement with his number being retired.
#44 - Hank Aaron
Hammerin Hank needs no introduction. 24 time all star as a Brave, 1958-1960 Gold Glove winners, 1957 MVP and world champion. Hall of Famer and baseballs all time RBI, Extra-Base Hit and Total bases leader. If you reject steroids users, he is also still the all time Home Run champion. Aaron has the distinction of multiple teams retiring his number:
1976 with the Brewers, and 1977 with the Braves.
#47 - Tom Glavine
While teammate Greg Maddux was the top winner in the 1990s, Glavine was a close 2nd with 164. A bit overshadowed by his rotation mates, Glavine however does have the flex of being the MVP of their crowning achievement when they won the 1995 World Series. In addition, eight of his 10 all star years were as a Brave, as were his 1991 and 1998 Cy Young seasons and the four Silver Slugger years.
