#22 TOM GLAVINE

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#22 TOM GLAVINE

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #2 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Tom Glavine

Tom Glavine, promising rookie

80's resume-Had a rocky start to his Brave career, leading the league with 17 losses in 1988. Turned it around with a 14-8 record in 1989. Threw four shutouts that season, including a two-hitter against the Phillies (and Greg Madduxes brother Mike) on May 4, 1989.

90's resume-300 game winner. 5-time 20 game winner. 1995 World Series MVP. Hall of Famer.

Tom Glavine, 1995 World Series MVP

#23 DAVID JUSTICE

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#23 DAVID JUSTICE
ATLANTA BRAVES 1989-1996

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #3 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-David Justice

David Justice, promising rookie

80's resume-Had only 12 hits during his rookie 1989 season, but included a homer off Mike Scott of the Astros on September 19, 1989.

90's resume-1990 Rookie of the Year, Game winning home run in the 1995 World Series. Two-time all-star with the Braves. Played in six World Series with three different teams.

David's 1995 World Series homer

#24 LONNIE SMITH

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#24 LONNIE SMITH

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #4 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Lonnie Smith

1989 Lonnie

80's resume-Veteran outfielder Lonnie Smith had his best power year in the majors with 21 homers to go along with a .315 average for the 1989 Braves. He led the league in On Base Percentage that year.

90's resume-Lonnie Smith famously filled in for a suspended Otis Nixon and led the Braves to the postseason during the 1991 season. He also hit a grand slam in the 1992 World Series.

1991 Lonnie

#25 RON GANT

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#25 RON GANT

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #5

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Ron Gant

1988 infielder Ron Gant eyes a future
move to the outfield

80's resume-Came up as an infielder, but came into his own as an outfielder for the 90's Braves teams. Best 80's season was 1988, when he hit 19 home runs. Hit his first major league home run off of Nolan Ryan on September 24, 1987.

90's resume-Important part of Braves postseason teams from 1991-1993 before being released in 1994. Hit a home run in the first post season game I ever went to, a 10-3 win against the Pirates on October 12, 1991. So that should count for something.

Ron Gant representing the
1992 Fleer Lumber Co.

#26 MARK LEMKE

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#26 MARK LEMKE
ATLANTA BRAVES 1988-1997

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #6 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Mark Lemke

80's resume-Mark played in only thirty games for the 1980's Braves. He did hit a three-run homer in his first at bat of 1989. It was a three-run homer off Eric Nolte of the Padres on September 14.

90's resume-A hard-nosed second baseman, Mark was really in the right place at the right time for his career, playing in eleven post-season series from 1991-1996. Mark hit three triples and hit .417 in the 1991 World Series. Mark was a career .246 hitter, but was a .286 World Series hitter for his career (in 100 at-bats)

Mark Lemke during the 1991 World Series

#27 KENT MERCKER

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#27 KENT MERCKER
ATLANTA BRAVES 1989-1995, 2003

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #7 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Kent Mercker

Kent Mercker1990 Bowman rookie card

80's resume-Consists of two games. He pitched two innings both games and gave up three runs both games. A 12.46 ERA for the 80's!

90's resume-Pitched two of the three no-hitters in Atlanta Braves history. The first was September 11, 1991, where he pitched six innings of no-hit ball and was relieved by Al Pena and Mark Wohlers, who finished the no-hitter. On April 8, 1994, he pitched a complete game no-hitter! It was the only shutout of Kent's career. I'm guessing no one else in major league history has one career shutout and one career no-hitter. I could be wrong.

Pitched in seven post-season series, though never won a post-season game. He actually was traded after 1995, only to return to the team in 2003 to make a final post-season appearance.

Kent Mercker 1994, the last Brave to
throw a no-hitter

#28 JEFF BLAUSER

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#28 JEFF BLAUSER
ATLANTA BRAVES 1987-1997

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #8 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Jeff Blauser

Jeff Blauser, rookie

80's resume-His only full season as a starter during the 80's was 1989, when he hit 12 homers and hit .270. He had two four-hit games that seaon, including one on July 4th against Montreal.

90's resume-Played in twelve post season series with the Braves from 1991-1997. Hit .208 in three World Series. One of those guys that when he came to the plate, I would always say, "Oh, no! Not Blauser!" His best year was his last for the Braves, when he hit .308 with 17 home runs.

Jeff Blauser might catch this one

#29 PETE SMITH

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#29 PETE SMITH
ATLANTA BRAVES 1987-1993

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #9 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Pete Smith

Pete Smith, 1988 promising rookie 

 80's resume-13 wins and 31 losses. Despite a 7-15 1988 season, he did pitch three shutouts. Two of these were in August of that year against the Cubs. 

90's resume-Pete Smith had a career year in 1992, going 7-0 and a 2.05 ERA. It was the only year he pitched for the Braves in the postseason. It was the only winning season of Pete's seven year Brave career.

Pete Smith bunting. Yes, bunting!

#30 MIKE STANTON

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#30 MIKE STANTON
ATLANTA BRAVES 1989-1995

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #10 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Mike Stanton

Mike Stanton, promising rookie

 80's resume-Mike pitched 20 games during the 1989 season.  He saved seven games and had an ERA of 1.50, foreshadowing a successful major league career.

90's resume-Stanton was more of a middle reliever and one of those guys who came in to get out a left-hand batter throughout much of his 19-year major league career. In 1993, his one year as a closer, he saved 27 games during the Braves division-winning season. Mike went on to pitch in more major league games than anyone except for Jesse Orosco.

Back of Mike Stanton's 1993 card

#31 JEFF TREADWAY

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#31 JEFF TREADWAY

The Braves teams of the 1990's sent five teams to the World Series. This is a mind-blowing number to think about as someone who grew up as a fan during the 70's and 80's. But how do we rate those important 90's players who also played for the team in the 1990's? I'll just do the best I can and clump them all together.

AND ON THE LIST WITHIN A LIST...

COMING IN AT #11 ON THE LIST-

"BRAVES PLAYERS FROM THE 90'S

WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO PLAY IN THE 80'S"

-Jeff Treadway

Jeff playing catch in 1989

80's resume-Columbus, Georgia native Jeff Treadway's first season with the Braves resulted in a pretty good .277, eight homer season from the second base position. 

90's resume-Had his best major league season in 1990, with career highs in home runs and RBI's and hit .283. Had a strong .320 1991 season, but lost much of his playing time to Mark Lemke during the post-season.

Jeff playing in the dirt in 1992

#32 BRAD KOMMINSK

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#32 BRAD KOMMINSK

ATLANTA BRAVES 1983-1986

On yesterday's entry, I gave Biff Pocoroba two entries because I couldn't figure out what player I left off the list. It turns out to be Brad Komminsk, who if I was doing the list over would be a lot lower on the list than #32. I'm not sure he would even crack the top 100. 

The problem with Brad is one of disappointment. He put together many good minor league seasons during his baseball career, including a 24 homer, 103 RBI, .334 BA and 26 stolen base season for Richmond in 1983. This guy was going to be a star! But something about major league pitching didn't agree with Brad. His 8 homer, 36 RBI rookie season in 1984 turned out to be career high in those numbers! His only multi-homer game of his career was on July 20, 1984 against the Phillies.

He was traded to the Brewers for Dion James in 1987. He had a couple more good minor league seasons, but never was able to hit well in the American league either. His disappointing final major league statistics were 23 home runs with a .218 batting average.  

#33 and #34 BIFF POCOROBA

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#33 and #34 BIFF POCOROBA

ATLANTA BRAVES 1975-1984

Biff the promising rookie on his
1976 card

Well, I messed up my counting system in listing these players, so I've had to list this player twice to even out the list. But who better to have a schizophrenic listing than Biff Pocoroba? Biff was one of my favorites during the 70's and even reached #5 on my 70's list of favorite players!

But for the 80's, I can't justify ranking him nearly so high, so I'll give him this double ranking for what it's worth.

Biff's 80's highlight had to be a game winning homer in the bottom of the ninth off Doug Bair of the Cardinals on May 14, 1982.

Biff the veteran, from his 1984 Fleer card,
his final season

Biff being Biff

#35 TERRY FORSTER

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#35 TERRY FORSTER

ATLANTA BRAVES 1983-1985

I would have included Terry in the bomb squad section of this list, but he actually was pretty good in relief during his three seasons with the Braves, finishing with an ERA under 3.00 in each season.

And despite being a successful major leaguer who lead the American League in saves in 1974 and pitched in the 1981 World Series for the Dodgers, the slightly portly Forster will probably best be remembered for the baseball player who David Letterman referred to as "a fat tub of goo."

Terry and Dave on Late Night With David Letterman

Terry enjoys a snack after a big game

#36 BOB WATSON

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#36 BOB WATSON

ATLANTA BRAVES 1982-1984

Bob Watson, 1983 Brave pinch-hitting specialist

Bob Watson was a key bench player for the Braves during his three seasons with the team. Bob hit .246 for the team during the 1982 season, but certainly had some big hits. I was a bit surprised that he didn't make an appearance during the '82 playoffs. He did even better in 1983, hitting .310. Highlight of that year included a three-run homer off Steve Carlton and the Phillies on July 23, 1983 in a 6-5 Braves win. He also hit a game winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth against Steve Howe and the Dodgers on August 13, 1983.

Bob hit .212 in 1984 in his final major league season, ending a very solid 19-year career.

I had a ton of Bob's 1971 TOPPS card.

#37 OZZIE VIRGIL

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#37 OZZIE VIRGIL

ATLANTA BRAVES 1986-1988

Catcher Ozzie Virgil came over to the Braves in the Steve Bedrosian trade. His best year by far was 1987, when he hit 27 home runs. He had three two-homer games that season, including two home runs against Orel Hersheiser on September 13, which were the only Brave runs of that game. He slumped the year after that and his major league career was pretty much finished after that.

Former Oriole Ozzie Virgil Sr. was the
father of the Braves catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr.

Former 50's televsion star Ozzie Nelson was
not related to either Ozzie Virgil.

#38 PAUL ASSENMACHER

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#38 PAUL ASSENMACHER

ATLANTA BRAVES 1986-1988

Lefty Paul Assenmacher was a pretty good middle-reliever for the Braves during his first three big-league seasons. Paul got his first major league win on May 5, 1986 by pitching the tenth against the Reds and benefited from a two-run extra inning homer by Bob Horner,

After Paul left the Braves for the Cubs, he got even better and had a solid career through the 90's. He even pitched against the Braves in the 1995 World Series as a member of the Cleveland Indians. Paul is still in the top thirty of all-time major league games pitched with 884.

I seem to remember Cubs announcer Harry Caray
having a difficult time with Paul's last name when he
first came up. I believe Harry pronounced it something like
Asss-en-mure. 

#39 ALBERT HALL

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#39 ALBERT HALL

ATLANTA BRAVES 1981-1988

Albert spent at least parts of eight seasons with the Braves, which does count for something in my book.  His best season was 1987, when he had career highs in almost every category, including thirty-three stolen bases. 

Career highlight was September 23, 1987 when Albert hit for the cycle! The man had only five career homers, but he did manage to hit for the cycle on that special day!

First inning: Single off Jim DeShaies

Fifth inning: Double off Jim DeShaies

Sixth inning: Home Run off Jim DeShaies

Ninth inning: Triple off Dave Smith 

And then scored the winning run on a wild pitch!

Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the
Albert Hall.....

#40 KEN OBERKFELL

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#40 KEN OBERKFELL

ATLANTA BRAVES 1984-1988

Ken Oberkfell was a solid average hitter for the Cardinals with very little power and he seemed to compliment that team pretty well. When he came over to the Braves in 1984, he still was a good average hitter and a decent fielder, but really, I always had trouble getting too excited when Ken Oberkfell came to the plate! 

Career Brave highlight might be a five-hit game in a win over the Cubs on May 21, 1986.

He hit 15 home runs in over 2,000 career Atlanta at-bats. As I said, not much power!

If memory serves, I was at the July 12, 1984 game in which Oberkfell homered off Ron Darling of the Mets. It was Ken's only home run that season. I repeat, not much power!

#41 DONNIE MOORE

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#41 DONNIE MOORE

ATLANTA BRAVES 1981-1984

Donnie Moore spent three seasons pitching relief for the Braves and led the team in saves in 1984 with 16.

After 1984, Donnie was picked up by the California Angels and was one of the top relievers in the American league for the next two years. 

Donnie is best remembered for the home run he gave up to Dave Henderson of the Red Sox when the Angels were one out away from their first World Series. The Angels ended up losing that series and Moore's career was over. Sadly, Moore committed suicide after a domestic dispute in 1989 at the age of 35.

#42 BILL NAHORODNY

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#42 BILL NAHORODNY

ATLANTA BRAVES 1980-1981

Bill's 1980 O-pee-chee card seems to be
suffering from a team identity crisis.

First of all, Bill Nahorodny is second only to Biff Pocoroba in career best name for an Atlanta Brave catcher.

The only significant playing time Bill ever had for the Braves was 59 games in 1980. He hit 5 homers that season and hit .242.

Career Brave highlight? June 28, 1980. Bill hits a two-run homer off Bob Shirley with two outs in the ninth to give the Braves a 5-4 win over the Padres. Way to go, Bill!

Biff Pocoroba's 1980 card.

#43 JEFF DEDMON

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#43 JEFF DEDMON

ATLANTA BRAVES 1983-1987

I don't think I'm the only Braves fan of this era who the first thing we think of when we think of this player is Braves announcer Skip Caray saying, "Dedmon don't wear plaid" almost everytime Jeff entered a game. And Jeff almost always seemed to enter these games in the middle innings with the Braves behind. At least that's how I remember it.

Jeff only started three games of his 250 game career, but the one on August 20, 1987 I found most interesting. The Braves won that game against the Cubs 13-4. Though Jeff wasn't able to last five innings to complete the victory. In that game, the Brave tore up Cubs starter Jaime Moyer and a young reliever named Greg Maddux. So the  Braves starting pitcher that day never won a major league game as a starter (though the Braves did win the game). The two Cubs pitchers who got shelled (in a Cubs loss) went on to win 624 major league games between them! At least I thought it was interesting.

This one's for you, Skip

#44 RUFINO LINARES

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#44 RUFINO LINARES

ATLANTA BRAVES 1981-1984

I liked Rufino Linares. He was an aggressive player who hit for a high average (.298 in 1982) and was speedy enough to steal a base. The problem with Rufino was that he was often too aggressive at the plate and only had 19 career walks in 531 plate appearances as a Brave. Bill James would not approve.

Career batting highlight was almost certainly his 4-4 game against the Reds on April 13, 1982. It was Rufino's first four plate appearances of that season and would be the only four-hit game of his career. That game was also the Braves seventh win in a row on the way to a record setting 13-0 start to that season.

Sadly, Rufino died in an automobile accident in 1998 at the age of 47.

#45 MILT THOMPSON

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#45 MILT THOMPSON
ATLANTA BRAVES 1984-1985

Milt Thompson was a very promising lead-off hitter in the Braves system who hit over .300 in abbreviated seasons with the team in 1984 and 1985. His value had become enough for him to be traded for Ozzie Virgil and Pete Smith in 1986. Not a horrible trade, but Milt was a productive major league hitter for a decade after the trade.

Career Brave highlight might be September 22, 1984, when Milt pounded out four hits including a homer against the Padres.

#46 BOB WALK

FAVORITE BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1980'S

#46 BOB WALK

ATLANTA BRAVES 1981-1983

It may not have been the best idea for the Braves to have traded Garry Matthews to the Phillies for Bob Walk, but Bob did make a contribution as a starter during the Braves 1982 division winning team, winning 11 games. His only career Brave shutout, was a five-hitter against the Houston Astros on June 15, 1982.

It's interesting to me that ten years after that '82 season, Bob pitched against the Braves during the 1992 NLCS as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Talking about Bob Walk, reminded me
of former NBA player Neal Walk, whose 1970
card reminded me that the oversized TOPPS set
from that year is my all-time favorite basketball
set.

Of course, the best card from
that set is the rookie Pete Maravich,
my all-time favorite basketball player!
But I digress.