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Atlanta Braves: Top Five Best 1st Basemen in Braves’ History

By Joeli Poole

Apr 18, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Adam Eaton (right) is caught stealing as Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) tags him out at first base in the fifth inning at SunTrust Park. Watching the play is first base umpire Manny Gonzalez (left). Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Adam Eaton (right) is caught stealing as Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) tags him out at first base in the fifth inning at SunTrust Park. Watching the play is first base umpire Manny Gonzalez (left). Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the emergence of Matt Adams at First Base, the Atlanta Braves have a unique and good problem: Two quality 1st Basemen. Here is a list of the greatest in their history.

TAMPA, FL – MARCH 05: Outfielder Jordan Schafer
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 05: Outfielder Jordan Schafer /

 Fred McGriff (1993-1997)

The Braves attained Fred McGriff in July of 1993 from the Padres  as a trade for Donnie Elliot, Vince Moore, and Melvin Nieves. The first game McGriff saw as a Brave was against the St. Louis Cardinals in Atlanta-Fulton Country Stadium. This game was far beyond a normal experience at the ball park. Initially, the game was  delayed because of a fire that broke out in a skybox. When the game resumed the Cards soon put up 5 runs on the board.  It didn’t take long for the Braves to get to their feet and answer the Cardinals. It happened as Jeff Blauser stepped up to the plate and hit a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 6th. In that same inning new first baseman Fred McGriff swung at the first pitch he saw  and slammed it out of the park, bringing in 2 runs to tie the game. The Braves went on to win that game 8-5 and Fred McGriff acquired the nickname “Fire Dog” as a result of the skybox fire and his flaming 2 run homer, but McGriff is best known as “Crime Dog.”

During his first season with the Braves he had 52 double plays turned and this number continued to grow in his next seasons with Atlanta.  In 1996, he had 118 double plays and in his last season with the Braves his fielding percentage was .990. In addition, McGriff was beneficial in helping the Braves  capture the NL east flag 4 out of the 5 years he played for them.

Crime Dog was a well known power hitter for the Braves and in 1995 he hit 4 home runs allowing Atlanta to claim their only world series to date. McGriff was selected as a National League All Star 3 times as an Atlanta Brave (1994,95,96),  and was named the MVP of the 1994 midsummer classic.

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