House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 33, collection

By Benjamin Chase

14 Oct 1995: Pitcher Steve Avery #33 of the Atlanta Braves winds up for the pitch during game four of the NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds at Fulton Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Reds 6-0.. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
14 Oct 1995: Pitcher Steve Avery #33 of the Atlanta Braves winds up for the pitch during game four of the NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds at Fulton Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Reds 6-0.. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /
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Steve Avery
7 Apr 1994: Pitcher Steve Avery of the Atlanta Braves prepares to throw the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

Doyle

Doyle Alexander had two trips through the Atlanta Braves franchise. His first was during the 1980 season when he won 14 games over 35 starts and 231 2/3 innings before he was traded to the Texas Rangers.

In his second tour of duty, he spent a total of about one full season with the Atlanta Braves spread across the 1986 and 1987 seasons. At that point, he was 35 and 36 years old, so he was at the end of a 19-season major league career.

He’s most notably known as the trade piece that got the Braves John Smoltz, as that was the return when he was traded in the summer of 1987. Few remember just how good Doyle was down the stretch for the Tigers that year, as he went 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA over 11 starts to propel the Tigers into the ALCS.

Babyface

Known for his youthful look (though he was just 20 when he broke in with the Atlanta Braves), Steve Avery was the #3 overall selection in the 1988 draft out of high school in Michigan. He moved quickly through the farm system, struggling in his 1990 debut, but along with the rest of the club, he produced big in 1991, going 18-8, tossing 210 1/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA at just 21.

Avery’s career sadly would become one of tragedy. After making his first All-Star game in 1993 when he won 18 games and posted a 2.94 ERA, he seemed to struggle to locate and could never stay healthy and keep the ball in the zone again after that. The Atlanta Braves let him go in free agency after the 1996 season, but he would not ever have an ERA under 5 again in the major leagues.

From 1991-1993, Avery won 47 games and posted a 3.17 ERA over 667 1/3 innings as he was between 21 and 23. However, with his struggles, by the time he left in free agency, Avery’s career line with the Atlanta Braves was 72-62 over 1,222 1/3 innings with a 3.83 ERA.

Last, one very notable hitter to don the jersey…

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