The next 5 who should enter the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 10: Former Atlanta Braves third baseman and Hall of Fame inductee Chippper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves addresses the crowd before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on August 10, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

While others may gather around the hot stove to discuss the upcoming Atlanta Braves team, we take time to look back at some Braves that deserve recognition.

It’s that time of the year again. Where everyone thinks they know how and where its team should spend money on free agents, and which players to trade and trade for. But, we aren’t talking about that here. No, we are going to talk about what 5 players the Atlanta Braves could induct next into the team’s Hall of Fame since, after all, the new ballot for the Cooperstown Hall of Fame was just released. So with that said, let’s take a look at what I think are the 5 most logical options.

Bob Horner

Bob Horner was taken with the first pick of the 1978 draft by the Atlanta Braves and made his debut just days later on June 16th, going deep in that game against the Pirates. Horner would then go on to win the 1978 NL Rookie of the Year award.

Horner spent 9 seasons in the Braves organization, splitting time between first base and third base. His defensive numbers were nothing to write home about, but Horner was a well-established hitter in his day.

Despite only being named an all-star is one season (1982) Horner put up quality numbers every year while he was a Brave except for 1984, a season where he was injured for the most part. Horners best statistical year was 1980. He hit 35 HR’s and drove in 89 in that season at the young age of 22. He also finished 9th in MVP voting that season.

All told, his Atlanta totals are as follows-

994 Hits
215 HR
685 RBI
.277 AVG
.839 OPS

ATLANTA, GA – MAY 15: Terry Penndleton of the Atlanta Braves against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on May 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Terry Pendleton

Signed as a Free Agent shortly before Christmas in 1990, Terry Pendleton was a decent player already in St. Louis, but he would take that to new heights in Atlanta. In his first year with the Braves, Pendleton won the National League MVP award.

His 1992 season was arguably better than his 1991 MVP season though. During that campaign, he hit .311 with 21 HR and 105 RBI. Oh yeah, he also won a gold glove award for third base.

A young prospect named Chipper Jones made Terry Pendleton expandable and he was not resigned after the 1994 season. He would play briefly again for the Braves in late 1996, but it was in November of 2001 where he would really get to call Atlanta home again. He was hired then to become the hitting coach and until the end of the 2017 season, he served as the Braves first and third base coach, and also served as the bench coach.

4 SEP 1993: ATLANTA BRAVES FIRST BASEMAN FRED McCGRIFF DURING THE BRAVES VERSUS SAN DIEGO PADRES GAME AT JACK MURPHY STADIUM IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. MANDATORY CREDIT: STEPHEN DUNN/ALLSPORT /

Fred McGriff

Despite only playing in Atlanta for 4 1/2 seasons, the Crime Dog made a huge impact in his time here. Acquired in July of 93, McGriff wasted no time proving to the Braves he was the real deal as he hit 19 HR and .310 in 68 games with the Braves that season.

Fred McGriff was voted an all-star in every season while with the Braves except for his last season in 1997. He also won the All-star game MVP in 1994. Speaking of 1994, McGriff’s best season with the Braves was no doubt that strike-shortened year. He was well on his way to 40+ HR’s and 100+ RBI and was also batting .318 at the time of the strike.

One would have to wonder if the Braves would have won the 1995 World Series without the contributions of the Crime Dog. In that series against the Indians, he did hit 2 impactful home runs and won his only world series ring.

CHICAGO – AUGUST 24: Rafael Furrcal #1 of the Atlanta Braves slides head first during the game with the Chicago Cubs on August 24, 2005 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Rafael Furcal

Rafael Furcal burst onto the scene with Atlanta in 2000, winning the Rookie of the Year award and then was a constant threat at the top of the Braves lineup for the next 6 seasons. Furcal was a good contact hitter who could steal a base at any time. Furcal’s lowest stolen base total for the Braves was 22 in 2001 where he only appeared in 79 games.

Furcal had a cannon of an arm and was slightly above average at Shortstop. His best season with the Braves came in 2003 where he hit .292 with 10 triples and 25 Stolen bases.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 13: Brian McCaann #16 of the Atlanta Braves rounds first base after hitting a two-run homer in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field on September 13, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Brian McCann

More from Tomahawk Take

The local kid that everyone loved should be inducted in the next few years after his career ends. Brian McCann was arguably the best catcher in all of baseball throughout his time with the Braves. He was a perennial all-star and silver slugger award winner throughout his years here.

McCann was always good for 20 HR’s or more and at least 75 RBI’s. Not only that, but he was a team leader of many sorts along with Chipper after he took over the full time Catching duties.

Although his playing days may or may not be over. He will always be viewed as an Atlanta Brave, and will assuredly be asked to join the teams Hall of Fame one day soon.

Next. The Braves, one year after sanctions. dark

So…is their anyone else we missed or you feel is more deserving? Let us know below.

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The next 5 who could enter the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame