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Avery was given the start in Game 4 of the World Series, giving up just one run and three hits through six innings. The Braves scored the win, 5-2. Avery was credited with the win---his only action throughout the six-game series. Injuries mounted in succeeding years, and as a result Avery never managed to recapture the glory of his formidable early years with the Braves organization. He retired with a record of 96-83 and one World Series ring. Jeff Blauser Before hitting dynamo David Justice and pitching ace Steve Avery there was shortstop Jeff Blauser. The all-around athlete from Los Gatos, CA, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the June amateur draft in 1984. His first assignment upon signing with the Braves: Pulaski. Though the 18 year-old didn’t top in any single statistical category during the 1984 season, his serviceable line was a foreshadowing of the major league career to come. In 62 games, Blauser batted .249 with 54 hits, 24 RBIs and three home runs. His OPS was .694. He played just one season for Pulaski, and ascended to the majors in 1987. Blauser endured one of the worst seasons of his career during the Braves’ championship campaign in 1995. A meager .211 batting average would prove to be the lowest of his 13-year career. Even more unfortunate, Blauser sustained an injury during post-season play that forced him from the World Series roster. Blauser never took the field during the 1995 World Series. A member of the Atlanta Braves during all four World Series appearances through the 1990s, Blauser’s major-league career concluded with only one World Series title. Javy Lopez Javier Lopez was signed by the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent in 1987. According to an article by Kyle Eaton for the Society for American Baseball Research, Lopez rejected lucrative offers from the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Montreal Expos because TBS broadcasts of the Atlanta Braves were the only baseball games shown on television in his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico...and his entire family had become fans of the Braves as a result. After one season (1988) in the Gulf Coast League, Lopez was promoted to Pulaski for the 1989 season. Though the Braves had just inked catcher Tyler Houston to a mammoth deal as their top overall pick in ‘89, Lopez was intent on making a name for himself at the position. As reported by Tom Hawley in The Southwest Times on June 20th, 1989, Lopez cranked a grand slam to left centerfield in his second ever at bat for Pulaski. The Braves won that night over the Wytheville Cubs, 13-6. Lopez played in 51 games for Pulaski, amassing a .261 batting average with 40 hits and 27 RBIs. Lopez advanced to the Class-A Burlington Braves in 1990. He arrived in Atlanta in 1992. Lopez played in all six World Series games in 1995, with his most memorable moments of the series coming in the second contest. In the sixth inning, Lopez crushed a home run to center field, scoring David Justice. The two-run blast helped stave off the Indians that night by the score of 4-3. In the eighth inning, Lopez showcased his backstop savvy by picking off Manny Ramirez at first base. The stellar play remains among Lopez’s most brilliant gems. Lopez’s tenure in the majors lasted 15 seasons. The 1995 triumph produced his only World Series ring. Brad Clontz

Stuart, Virginia was put on the map by the championship motorsports team known as the Wood Brothers. However, the Patrick County location was also the hometown of a baseball world champion…Brad Clontz.

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