Atlanta Braves: Franchise icons who left

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves: Franchise icons who left

A photo-vote look at Atlanta Braves baseball franchise icon players who either left, were traded or were fired from the organization.

TOM GLAVINE - Glavine, a 305-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner, was released by Atlanta in June 2009. Team officials said the 43-year-old had not progressed enough in his comeback from shoulder and elbow surgery. - David O'Brien and Carroll Rogers

JOHN SMOLTZ - After 210 wins, 154 saves and 3,011 strikeouts, John Smoltz (right, with Greg Olson in 1991) felt he deserved a better offer from the Braves, who were reluctant to invest heavily in the 41-year-old righty rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He ended up signing with the Red Sox. - Christian Boone

BOBBY COX - Think of "Atlanta Braves manager" and Cox comes to mind. He's held the job since June 1990. But he managed the Braves first from 1978-81, only to be fired by then-team owner Ted Turner who, when asked who was on his short list to replace Cox, said "It would be Bobby Cox if I hadn't just fired him."

DALE MURPHY - Murphy matured defensively with Atlanta, as a Gold Glove-winning center fielder, and on offense, winning consecutive MVP awards in 1982-83. By the end of the '80s, Murphy was struggling and was finally dealt to Philadelphia in 1990 . - Christian Boone

DAVID JUSTICE - After helping Atlanta to victory in the 1995 World Series against Cleveland with a crucial Game 6 homer to provide the only run in a 1-0 game that clinched the championship, Justice was traded in 1997 to the Indians for OF Kenny Lofton and pitcher Alan Embree.

PHIL NIEKRO - When the Braves released "Knucksie" after 24 years with the organization, then-owner Ted Turner said, "Some players walk off the field and others have to be dragged kicking and screaming ... would we have been better off by letting him come back and fall on his face next year?" Then 44 years old, Niekro was far from finished. He signed with the Yankees in 1984, winning 16 games with an ERA just above three. - Christian Boone

HANK AARON - Thirty days after hitting his 733rd home run as a Brave, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for a journeyman outfielder and a minor league pitcher with a 6.43 ERA the previous season. It was an amicable parting and Aaron returned in 1982 as vice president and director of player development. - Christian Boone

JOE TORRE - No matter what uniform he dons, Braves fans have a soft spot for Torre, who was with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1960-68) as a player and later managed Atlanta from 1982-84, leading the perenially woeful team to the NL West Division title in '82. He was let go in 1984 and the Braves again fell to the NL West cellar.

EDDIE MATHEWS - Debuting in 1952 with the Boston Braves, Mathews became a star when the team relocated to Milwaukee a year later. When informed he had been dealt to Houston, Mathews broke down in tears. He returned to Atlanta as manager in 1972. - Christian Boone

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TOM GLAVINE - Glavine, a 305-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner, was released by Atlanta in June 2009. Team officials said the 43-year-old had not progressed enough in his comeback from shoulder and elbow surgery. - David O'Brien and Carroll Rogers

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