The Atlanta Braves have had quite a few legendary position players throughout their 155-year history, from the former home run king, Hank Aaron, to recent Hall of Fame inductee Andruw Jones. These players often have a position that is so much associated with them, like Freddie Freeman and first base.
Although some, like Chipper Jones and Dale Murphy, have a secondary position that people know them for, others, like Brian McCann, are so glued to one spot on the diamond, it seems impossible that they ever stepped foot else where.
5 Braves legends playing weird positions over the course of franchise history
Andruw Jones - First Base
When Andruw Jones first came up to the big leagues, center field was being occupied by Marquis Grissom. The following year, Grissom was traded along with David Justice for Kenny Lofton and Michael Tucker, which left Jones roaming the outfield and playing all three positions.
After 1997, Jones did not play another position besides center field until 2009, when he was with the Texas Rangers. While Jones did play the corner spots, he also manned first base for eight games, totalling 39.2 innings. He only had 32 putouts and one assist in his time at first, and then never played first again.
Chipper Jones - Right Field
Most Braves fans know that Chipper Jones was drafted as a shortstop, and most Braves fans remember Jones playing left field full-time in 2002 and 2003, but left field was not the only outfield spot he played.
In fact, despite only appearing in nine games in right field, Jones made those cameos across three different seasons. In 1995, Jones made five appearances in right, then made the remaining four appearances in 1996 and 1997.
Henry "Hank" Aaron - Third Base
The great Hank Aaron is mostly known for playing right field, playing the position seven times more than any spot on the diamond. Braves fans certainly would not be shocked that he played around the outfield and at first base. Many would also not be surprised that he was originally an infielder and played 43 career games at second base.
However, the most would be surprised he appeared in seven games at the hot corner. Oddly, Aaron's seven appearances at third base came once he was firmly established as one of the best players in the game. In 1960, Aaron made five starts at third. The next year, he moved to third mid-game twice, then never played third again.
Freddie Freeman - Third Base
Longtime former Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman's brief move to third base in 2017 is well documented, but has looked more and more surreal as time as passed.
Even more bizarrely, Freeman actually handled the hot corner quite well, as he was worth 3 DRS in his 136 innings at third.
Matt Olson - Right Field
While Matt Olson might not quite be elevated to "Braves legend" status for some Braves fans, his performance through his first four seasons has put him on track to be one by the end of his tenure, as Olson is already 19th in franchise history in homers.
For Braves fans, it seems impossible that Olson could ever play anywhere else but first base, but when the slugger first debuted with the Oakland Athletics, the A's played him where they could fit him in the lineup. In 2016 and 2017, that meant Olson made 17 appearances in right field and heeven robbed a few extra base hits along the way.