House That Hank Built
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Did two former Atlanta Braves players get snubbed by Stephen A. Smith?

By John Le

KISSIMMEE, FL- FEBRUARY 27: Left fielder Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves high fives teammate center fielder Andruw Jones #25 after hitting a homerun against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their exhibition game at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on February 27, 2003 in Kissimmee, Florida. The game was called in fourth inning due to the weather and ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
KISSIMMEE, FL- FEBRUARY 27: Left fielder Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves high fives teammate center fielder Andruw Jones #25 after hitting a homerun against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their exhibition game at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on February 27, 2003 in Kissimmee, Florida. The game was called in fourth inning due to the weather and ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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4 Nov 1995: Evander Holyfield misses with a right jab to opponnent Riddick Bowe during their bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bowe won the bout by TKO in round 6. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT
4 Nov 1995: Evander Holyfield misses with a right jab to opponnent Riddick Bowe during their bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bowe won the bout by TKO in round 6. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT /

Atlanta Not In Shortage of Athletes

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, an ‘athlete’ is “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.”

So to put it simple words, the person is physically gifted in their respective “field.” So THAT alone disregards accomplishments that person may have gotten in their career.

In Atlanta’s history, there are players like that who were good at their game but didn’t get the “big award” like a championship win: Dale Murphy and Tony Gonzalez are among those names.

Aaron, Sanders, Holyfield, Wilkins and Vick would all qualify under that definition. Each considered some of the top in their sport, holding records and being awarded for their skills. With the exception of Vick, they are also all hall of famers.

  • Hank Aaron won 3 Gold Gloves with the Braves and is a 25 time All-Star; baseball HOF
  • Deion Sanders was a Defensive Player of the Year (1994), 8 time pro-bowler (3 times with Falcons) in football and a 40-yard dash time of 4.27 seconds; football HOF
  • Evander Holyfied is tricky because boxing isn’t a team sport but he remains the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two different weight classes; international boxing HOF
  • Dominique Wilkins is a 9 time All-Star and a scoring champion and dunking contest champion; basketball HOF
  • Michael Vick is a 4 time pro bowler, holds 3 individual records and has 40-yard dash time of 4.33 but supposedly was been clocked at 4.25

*The players also won other individual awards.

Run-down of the 5

Okay, but how did these 5 get selected as the best of the best Atlanta athletes? You would have to then factor in championship wins/titles. That probably wouldn’t be enough so you’ll have to take account of their influence to the city and the sport.

Though Aaron did not win a world series title with the Atlanta Braves, he did set the home run record in Atlanta and to this day is still argued if his record is rightfully broken by Barry Bonds or not.

He’s also one of the top baseball players of all time period. Easily a top 5 when it comes to baseball, up there with names like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Ted Williams.

Holyfield’s sport doesn’t feature teams but as a boxer he fought out of Atlanta. He joins a strong list of greatest athletes from the state of Georgia but definitely the greatest export out of Atlanta. The boxer is the only 4 time world heavyweight champ in history with 1 more than Muhammad Ali.

Considered the “Human Highlight Film,” Dominique Wilkins is one of the the greatest dunkers in NBA history and was the face of the Atlanta Hawks during the 80s and early 90s. He holds 2 records of making the most consecutive free throws in a game at 23 and then doing it without missing.

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