Braves Mt. Rushmore: Third Base
As we round out the Braves all-time infield today, I take a look at the guys who made this position group one of the strongest in Braves history.
Third base is definitely the most stout of all the positions I’ve done so far. That should hold up pretty well until I find myself on Starting Pitcher day. There’s going to be some hurt feelings that day.
But I digress…
Chipper Jones
In a position group as top-heavy as this one, it was hard to designate “The Best”, but I did.
Chipper is the best Third Baseman in Braves history. Some may not agree with me there, but I’ll die on that hill. He’s also one of the best switch-hitters in MLB history.
Chipper spent his entire career with the Bravos, which elevates his star-power even more among Braves Country. His continued role in the organization is yet another testament to his genuine love for the Braves.
In his career, he racked up eight All-Star selections spanning 16 seasons (1996-1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2011, & 2012), was the 1999 National League MVP, two-time Silver Slugger (1999 & 2000), the 2008 MLB Batting Champion, a World Series Champion in 1995; his No. 10 is retired in the Braves Organization & he’s a member of the Braves Hall of Fame (Atlanta Affilition).
And to think, we drafted him 1st overall in 1990 because that doofus Todd Van Poppel publicly stated he wouldn’t sign should he be drafted by Atlanta.
Chipper was also a 2018 inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. First ballot, 97.2% of the vote.
Eddie Mathews
Eddie was one of very few Braves players that were with the Braves in all three home cities (Boston, Milwaukee, Atlanta). Throughout his fifteen-year tenure with the Braves he was a 12-time All-Star (1953, 1955-1961, 1962), a two-time National League HR Champion, & a World Series Champion in 1957. His No. 41 is retired by the Braves, he was a part of the first class to be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame, & he’s enshrined on the American Family Field Walk of Fame.
Eddie Mathews was also a 1978 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fifth ballot, 79.42% of the vote.
Eddie was on the cover the first-ever issue of Sports Illustrated.
Teams used shift when Mathews came to bat (avert your eyes, enemies of the Shift). He would still beat it, hitting the ball through the large hole left between 2nd & 3rd.
"I've only known three or four perfect swings in my time. This lad has one of them." -Ty Cobb
Terry Pendleton
Even though he only spent the 1991-1994 seasons & 1996 season with Atlanta, he’s one of the best ever to man the hot corner for the Braves.
He packed his short Braves career with a Gold Glove Award (1992), All-Star selection (1992), National League Batting Title (1991), & the 1991 National League Most Valuable Player Award. In fact, the only memorable Braves moment of the 1990’s that he wasn’t a part of was the 1995 World Series Title.
He was a 2019 inductee into the Braves Hall of Fame.
Pendleton was perhaps the biggest signing by new General Manager John Schuerholz in December of 1990. Pendleton helped bring the Braves from a 6th-place finish to a division title & World Series berth. He edged out Barry Bonds for the NL MVP by 15 votes, despite being left off the All-Star Team.
Bob Horner
Horner - one of the best Third Baseman in Braves history - has one of my favorite mustaches in Braves history.
While at Arizona State in 1978, he was the first winner of the Golden Spikes Award. He was also named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 1977. He’s still tied for third all-time for home runs as a freshman at Arizona State (9. Tied with Barry Bonds & Ike Davis). He was a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.
He wouldn’t slow down after leaving Tempe. Drafted first overall by the Braves in the 1978 Amateur Draft, he’d debut in the Majors on June 16th, 1978.
He’d also be named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1978. Four years later in 1982, he’d earn his lone All-Star selection.
On July 6th, 1986 Horner hit four home runs in the same game against the Montreal Expos. The Braves would go on to lose that game.
Honorable Mention
The Pasadena-native, Darrell Evans was selected by the Braves in the 1968 Rule 5 Draft after the Oakland Athletics chose not to protect him. He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 1969. He stayed with the Braves until joining the San Francisco Giants in 1976.
He was a 1973 All-Star with Atlanta & led Major League Baseball in walks in 1973 & 1974.
His game started to turn for the better in 1972 when hitting coach Eddie Mathews started working on Horner’s fielding.
Horner said of Mathews:
"Eddie was not only my manager, he was my friend. He used to talk to me, pump into me that I had to do it."