From dominant pitching to heart-stopping home runs, the Atlanta Braves owned the 1990s like few teams in sports history. Atlanta became a baseball powerhouse with a roster packed full of future Hall of Famers and playoff-tested warriors.
So grab your foam tomahawk, and let’s count down the 15 Braves players who defined the decade—from the electric to the iconic.
15. Otis Nixon – The Speed Demon
Otis Nixon wasn’t your traditional power guy, but he could fly. Known for stealing bases like a thief in the night, he racked up 160 stolen bags between 1991 and 1993 alone.
But it wasn’t just speed—his defense in center field was elite, including that gravity-defying catch in 1992 that’s still looped on highlight reels. He was pure energy at the top of the lineup and gave pitchers headaches every single game.
14. Steve Avery – The Ace That Could’ve Been
For a moment in the early ’90s, Steve Avery looked like the next big thing. At just 21, he dominated the 1991 postseason, and in 1993, he made the All-Star team with a 2.94 ERA. Unfortunately, injuries threw his career off track, but don’t let that cloud what he gave the Braves. When he was healthy in October, Avery was the lefty you didn’t want to see.
13. Rafael Belliard – The Human Glove
He wasn’t hitting any bombs, but Rafael Belliard played shortstop like a surgeon. With quick hands, sharp instincts, and flawless footwork, he stabilized the infield for most of the ’90s. He didn’t need to swing the bat to make an impact—he was all about defense and reliability. And in postseason play? You could count on him not to flinch.
12. Jeff Blauser – Quietly Clutch
Jeff Blauser never got the love of the big sluggers, but this guy came through when it mattered. His 1997 season—batting .308 with solid pop—was proof he could do damage. He played a steady shortstop and was a dependable bat in the middle of a star-studded lineup. Blauser was one of those glue guys who held everything together without making much noise.
11. Mark Wohlers – The Closer With a Cannon
Before the wheels came off, Mark Wohlers was flat-out nasty. With a fastball that touched triple digits and a breaking ball to die for, he became the Braves’ go-to closer by the mid-90s. His 39 saves in 1996 showed just how dominant he could be when he was on. If it was the ninth inning and you saw Wohlers on the mound, you could start packing up.
10. Ron Gant – Built Like a Tank, Played Like a Rocket
Ron Gant brought power, speed, and muscle to the Braves’ early ’90s resurgence. He pulled off back-to-back 30/30 seasons in 1990 and 1991—just the second Brave ever to do so. Gant played with edge and attitude, bringing serious intensity to every at-bat. If injuries and that infamous motorcycle accident hadn’t slowed him down, his numbers would be through the roof.
9. Terry Pendleton – MVP and Mentor
The 1991 NL MVP helped change the Braves’ entire culture. When Pendleton arrived, the team went from worst to first—literally. He led by example, hit .319 that season, and played rock-solid third base. His leadership in the clubhouse helped set the tone for the championship runs that followed.
8. Javy Lopez – The Power Catcher
Javy Lopez wasn’t just a good catcher but a dangerous hitter. With a strong arm behind the plate and a bat that could do real damage, Lopez gave the Braves offense from a traditionally weak spot. He blasted 34 home runs in 1998 and was vital to that deep postseason pitching plan. If the Braves had a core, Javy was right in the middle.
7. Andruw Jones – A Teenage Lightning Bolt
He made his debut in the 1996 World Series and instantly became a sensation. Two home runs in Game 1 as a 19-year-old? Unreal. While he blossomed fully in the 2000s, his defense and raw talent were already elite in the late ’90s. Watching Andruw track fly balls was like watching a ballerina with a rocket booster.
6. David Justice – Cool, Calm, and Clutch
David Justice brought swagger and results. His 1995 World Series Game 6 homer was the biggest swing in franchise history. He consistently hit for power and average, and he wasn’t afraid to be the voice of the team—whether in front of a mic or in the locker room. Justice was the kind of player who didn’t just play in big moments—he owned them.
5. Fred McGriff – The Crime Dog Who Delivered
Acquired during the 1993 season, Fred McGriff brought instant pop to the lineup—and the stadium caught fire that same night. Coincidence? Maybe. Legend? Definitely. He averaged nearly 30 home runs a year during his Braves tenure and played clean, dependable first base. In a lineup already stacked, McGriff was the final piece.
4. Chipper Jones – The Face of a Generation
You could argue Chipper is the Atlanta Braves. A switch-hitter with a laser swing, he debuted in ’93 and was MVP by ’99. Third base? Locked down. Big moments? Always showed up. Chipper wasn’t just consistent—he was electric and stayed loyal to the Braves his entire career. That matters.
3. John Smoltz – Mr. October
Starter? Check. Closer? Check. Dominant at both? Oh, absolutely. Smoltz was the only pitcher from the Big Three to win a Cy Young and save 50 games. His postseason performances were legendary, and his stuff was downright unfair. He reinvented himself more times than most pitchers dream of.
2. Tom Glavine – The Ice-Cold Ace
If Maddux was the brain, Glavine was the beating heart. Calm, methodical, and tough as nails, Glavine won two Cy Young Awards in the ’90s and closed out Game 6 of the 1995 World Series with eight shutout innings. The man thrived under pressure. He didn’t overpower—he outsmarted every single time.
1. Greg Maddux – The Mastermind
And here he is: the No. 1 Brave of the 1990s. Greg Maddux wasn’t just good—he was historical. Four straight Cy Young Awards (1992–1995), sub-2.00 ERAs, and the ability to control the game with laser precision. He made hitters look helpless. And watching him pitch was like watching a painter work with a fastball.
That’s the Lineup Braves Fans
There you have it—15 legends who helped build one of the greatest dynasties baseball’s ever seen. Many of these players still have very close ties to the Braves, such as Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Greg Maddux even honored Chris Sale with him Cy Young Award announcement last season.
Whether you rooted for the power hitters or lived for the pitching clinics, the ’90s Braves had something for everyone. And even with just one ring, they were a team that felt immortal.
