#26 PAT DOBSON, RORIC HARRISON, JOHNNY OATES

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1970'S

#26 (3-WAY TIE)

These players taken individually wouldn't be ranked this highly on this list. But collectively, they were part of THE big Braves trade of the early 70's. The Braves got Dobson, Harrison, Oates and Dave Johnson (listed separately) for slugging catcher Earl Williams. 

PAT DOBSON

ATLANTA BRAVES 1973

PAT DOBSON

Pat Dobson was one of the four twenty game winners with the 1971 Orioles, so when he arrived in Atlanta there were definitely some expectations. The result: 3-7 and sent to the Yankees during 1973. He did throw a three-hit shutout against Tom Seaver and the New York Mets on April 27, 1973. That was about his only Brave highlight for his 12 game Atlanta career.

&

RORIC HARRISON 

ATLANTA BRAVES 1973-1975

Less heralded pitcher Roric Harrison did much better than Dobson in 1973, posting an 11-6 record. He also saved 5 games that year. He also had only 3 hits in 54 at bats as a hitter in 1973, but by God, two of those hits cleared the fences! But alas, Roric's career with the Braves only lasted until being traded to Cleveland midway through the 1975 season.

& JOHNNY OATES  

ATLANTA BRAVES 1973-1975

Backup catcher Johnny Oates was another component in the big trade. His contributions to the team were limited, too. He hit 4 home runs and hit .248 during the 1973 season in 100 games. His career with the Braves also ended in 1975.  His baseball legacy rests more with his career as a manager, including being named 1996 A. L. Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers.

By 1976, none of the players involved in the big trade were still playing with Atlanta and Earl Williams was back playing for the Braves.

Johnny Oates died in 2004 at the age of 58.

Pat Dobson died in 2006 at the age of 64.