Braves add Tim Hudson, Joe Simpson to Hall of Fame

Former Braves pitcher Tim Hudson. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

The Braves welcomed two into their team Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, with broadcaster Joe Simpson and former Tim Hudson joining the ranks of Braves immortality.

Both were introduced into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at The Battery’s Roxy. Simpson is entering his 27th season announcing Braves games, while Hudson pitched a successful nine seasons in a Braves uniform.

“It’s the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me in baseball,” Simpson said. “It’s a great honor, and I’m especially proud to join Ernie (Johnson), Skip (Carey), Pete (Van Wieren) and Don (Sutton).”

Simpson was introduced by his longtime co-broadcaster, Chip Carey.

Hudson, a Phenix City, Alabama, native first pitched for the Braves in 2005. He compiled a 222-133 record with a 3,49 ERA, 2,080 strikeouts and four All-Star appearances across 17 major-league seasons with the Braves, A’s and Giants.

“It’s very exciting, very humbling,” Hudson said. “To put me along the likes of John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones. It’s just very surreal. At the same time, I’m very grateful just for the opportunity to put this uniform on. But for nine years, the prime years of my career, were something that was very special. They thought enough of me to put me in their Hall of Fame.”