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

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

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.

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.