The Atlanta Braves are not known for their potent hitters, but pitching is one thing the Braves have never lacked. I did not include any current Braves, though current set-up man Johnny Venters and closer Craig Kimbrel look to be on their way to earning a spot on this roster.
Starters
Warren Spahn- One of three pitchers that have had their number retired by the Braves franchise. Spahn had eight 20-win seasons (363 total wins), a 3.09 lifetime ERA, and more than 2,583 career strikeouts. He won one Cy Young award, along with being selected to 17 All-Star teams. Spahn was a first ballot hall-of-famer and named to MLB's All-Century Team. He was the starting pitcher in what experts call the greatest game ever pitched, in which he pitched 15 scoreless innings, in one game!
Greg Maddux- The "Mad Dog" was known for his control of the ball, being able to paint corners and put the ball where he wanted it and where batters could not get to it. Maddux also has his number retired by the Braves, had a few less wins (355), but almost 1,000 more strikeout than Spahn (3,371). He was also the anchor to the pitching staff that lead Atlanta to their 14 straight division titles.
Kid Nichols- If you were around and saw this guy pitch, how are you still here? I know I am going old school with this pick, but I have not shown much love to the older Braves and this guy is more than deserving. No one wins like the Kid did. Nichols. He's the youngest pitcher to win 300 games. He had 10 consecutive 20-win season and seven 30-win seasons. His 361 are seventh all-time and he pitched the 11th most innings.
Tom Glavine- Glavine's 164 wins during the 1990s were only second behind Greg Maddux's 165. Glavine is a five-time 20-game winner and has two Cy Young awards. He is also one of six left-handed pitchers to win 300 games. The 10-time All-Star was the 1995 World Series MVP and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, which goes to the best hitter at their position. His No. 47 is retired, but the one thing wrong with Glavine? He was did play for the New York Mets for five years.
Phil Nierko- Every good staff needs a knuckleballer so here is mine, "Knucksie." The winningest knuckleball pitcher of all time is yet another starter who has his number retired for good reason. he went to 5 All-Star games and won 5 Gold Gloves. Nierko stuck with the Braves when it was tough to be a fan, much less a player and he gets extra points for doing so. His signature pitch led to 3,342 strikeout ending at bats and eventually led him to the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Middle Relievers
Mike Remlinger- Every bullpen needs a left handed guy to be able to come in and take care of tough left-handed pitchers. The southpaw was a one-time All-Star and as solid as they come out of the bullpen for the Braves. Though stats are tough to find to back up any middle reliever over another, Remlinger is someone that was consistent out-getter during his time with the Braves
Don McMahon- He was an important part during the Milwaukee Braves 1957 World Series championship team with a 1.57 ERA and 32 saves. He was 27 by the time he made it out of the minor leagues, but stayed in the majors for 18 years once he got to the big leagues. When he retired only three other players had pitched more innings than McMahon.
Chris Hammond- Again, it is hard to find stats that will blow you away when you are talking middle relievers. Heck, its sometimes hard to even remember any middle relievers. I did some research and it is a stretch to include him because of his one season with the Braves, but Hammond posted a 0.95 ERA, only the fourth pitcher in history to have a sub-1.00 ERA. He also pitched nearly 30 consecutive scoreless innings that same season.
Set-up: Mark Wohlers- Wohlers was the first player I saw take the radar gun over 100 MPH. He also was the closer in the Game 6 1-0 victory for the 1995 Braves World Series team. His success in Atlanta was not long lived but because of his importance to winning Atlanta's only championship Wohlers gets a spot on my squad.
Closer: John Smoltz- Known maybe more for his starting role in the Braves 1990s teams, he was a dominating closer. I want him on the team and if he is here I might could go to a 6-man rotation. Smoltzy won a Cy Young, Relief Pitcher of the Year, NLCS MVP, was elected to 8 All-Star games, and threw more than 3,000 strikeouts. Smoltz started as a starting pitcher, but after Tommy John surgery he was moved to the pen to help in rehab. His first year he set the record for most saves in a season (55). The following season he only had 45 saves but held a 1.12 ERA. He and Dennis Eckersley are the only two pitchers with a 20-win and 50-save seasons. Smoltz is the only pitcher ever with 200 wins and 150 saves.
No comments:
Post a Comment