John Smoltz: The Braves’ Aug. 13, 1987, acquisition of Smoltz, then a minor leaguer, for veteran pitcher Doyle Alexander was a franchise-altering trade. In two decades with the Braves from 1988-2008, Smoltz became the first pitcher in major-league history with 200-plus wins and 150-plus saves. He was at his best when the stakes were highest, going 15-4 in the postseason.

Paul Snyder: Much of the Braves’ success of the past half-century wouldn’t have happened without the young players Snyder helped find, procure and develop. A member of the front office from its arrival in Atlanta until his retirement after the 2007 season, Snyder gets much credit for the team’s 1990's run because of his work as scouting director.

Jessie Tuggle: The hard-hitting linebacker began his Falcons career in 1987 as an undrafted free agent from Valdosta State and retired 14 years later as the leading tackler and one of the most celebrated players in franchise history.

Ted Turner: He bought the Braves and Hawks in the 1970s, made the Braves “America’s Team” on his cable superstation in the 1980s, funded the Braves’ 1990s run by allowing the team to have one of baseball’s largest payrolls, and brought the Thrashers into existence in 1999.

Jeff Van Note: The six-time Pro Bowl center played more seasons with the Falcons than anyone else, 18 from 1969-86, and started a franchise-record 155 consecutive games at one point.

Pete Van Wieren: Known for professionalism, preparation and encyclopedic knowledge of the game, he was a Braves broadcaster for 33 seasons until his retirement after the 2008 season. Van Wieren, who died last year, helped make the broadcasts good even when the team was bad.

Michael Vick: He was the face of the Falcons from 2001-06 as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback and the downfall of the Falcons in 2007 upon his jailing for his role in a dogfighting ring.

Roddy White: The 10-year (and counting) veteran is the Falcons’ all-time leading receiver by a wide margin with career totals of 765 catches and 10,357 yards.

Lenny Wilkens: The second winningest coach in NBA history got 310 of his 1,332 regular-season wins with the Hawks, who reached the playoffs in six of his seven seasons from 1993-2000 but never got past the second round.

Dominique Wilkins: “The Human Highlight Film” dazzled Atlanta fans in almost every game while scoring 23,292 points in 11-plus seasons with the Hawks from 1982-94. He is one of just three athletes from Atlanta’s half-century of big-league sports to have a statue erected here in his honor, joining Aaron and Niekro.