The Best Atlanta Braves Left Fielders of All Time

Left field in Atlanta has never belonged to one player for long. The Braves have handed it to pure hitters, base stealers, sluggers, a future Hall of Famer on loan from third base and a run of short-stay bats who made their mark in a season or two.

This ballot covers the Atlanta era only, from 1966 on. Every candidate played meaningful time in left for the Atlanta Braves, and the numbers on each card are his Atlanta totals.

Tap up to three players below to build your ballot. Your first tap is your #1. Then cast your vote and share your ranking with Braves Country.

Left Field in Atlanta: The Case for Each Era

No Atlanta Brave has played more games in left field than Ryan Klesko's 625, and no one has made the position his own for a decade. That makes this one of the most open ballots in the series: the argument is less about who held the job longest and more about whose bat you would want in the lineup.

The Seventies: Carty, Garr and Burroughs

Rico Carty hit .316 with an .877 OPS in his Atlanta seasons and was an All-Star in 1970. Ralph Garr matched him almost point for point at .317, adding 137 stolen bases and an All-Star selection in 1974. Jeff Burroughs brought the power: 88 home runs in 4 seasons and a 1978 All-Star nod.

Gant, Smith and Klesko

Ron Gant combined 147 home runs with 157 steals as a Brave, won a Silver Slugger in 1991 and made the All-Star team in 1992. Lonnie Smith gave Atlanta a .291 hitter with an .836 OPS. Then Ryan Klesko took over, hitting 139 home runs with an .886 OPS from 1992 to 1999.

Chipper in Left

Chipper Jones played most of his career at third base, but he also played 356 games in left field for Atlanta. If your ballot rewards the best player who manned the position, the 1999 NL MVP and 2018 Hall of Famer is hard to leave off.

The Modern Run

Matt Diaz (.299 in Atlanta) and Martin Prado (2010 All-Star) covered left through the late 2000s. Justin Upton hit 56 home runs in two seasons and won a Silver Slugger in 2014. Adam Duvall won a Gold Glove in 2021, the same year Eddie Rosario was named NLCS MVP.

So Who Is the Best Braves Left Fielder of All Time?

Klesko has the most games and the strongest power case among the true left fielders. Chipper has the biggest name. Carty and Garr have the batting averages, Gant has the power-speed mix, and Rosario has an October trophy. Pick your three, cast your ballot, and tell us whether you voted for longevity, peak or the moments you remember.