ATLANTA — When Chipper Jones signed a three-year extension with the Braves in March, General Manager Frank Wren said "this contract ensures that Chipper will play his whole career as a Brave."
If he does, it'll be a first among franchise icons. Tom Glavine's release on Wednesday was the latest in a long line of bittersweet farewells.
 Pouya Dianat/Cox Newspapers Then-Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Smoltz reacts after throwing his 3,000th career strikeout in the third inning becoming only the 16th pitcher in Major League history to reach the mark last season. For a larger, high resolution image, click HERE |
Eddie Mathews
Debuting in 1952 with the Boston Braves, Mathews became a star when the team relocated to Milwaukee a year later. The Hall of Famer ranks second all-time among third basemen in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases. The only Brave to play for all three of the organization's cities lasted only one season in Atlanta. When informed he had been dealt to Houston for a trio of afterthoughts, the hard-nosed Texan broke down in tears. He would return to Atlanta as manager in 1972.
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, as Aaron, then 41, got to return to the city where he had achieved his greatest fame. Then-Braves owner Ted Turner brought Aaron back to Atlanta in 1982 as vice president and director of player development.
Phil Niekro
When the Braves released Phil Niekro 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 3. The following season Knucksie won his 300th career game. The 48-year-old returned in 1987 to pitch one final game as a Brave, at which time the team had already placed a statue of Niekro outside Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Dale Murphy
When Braves fans first saw Dale Murphy, he was a catcher who couldn't throw straight. He wasn't much better at the plate, striking out every four at-bats. But he matured defensively, as a Gold Glove-winning center fielder, and on offense, winning consecutive MVP awards in 1982-83.
By the end of the decade Murphy was struggling again and the Braves, rebuilding around a core of talented young pitchers, sought to trade him. Then-General Manager Bobby Cox found it hard to pull the trigger, however, turning down an offer from the Mets including future All-Stars Lenny Dykstra and Howard Johnson. Cox finally dealt Murphy in 1990 — for Jim Vatcher, Jeff Parrett and Victor Rosario.
John Smoltz
In the end, it was about respect. After 210 wins, 154 saves and 3,011 strikeouts, John Smoltz 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 and is currently rehabbing in the minors, hoping to return in time for Boston's visit to Turner Field on June 26.
Christian Boone writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: cboone(at)ajc.com.
