Braves Fans Can't Believe Yankees Castoff Hit Leadoff in Debut for Atlanta
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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.
In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.
Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.
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The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason. The 28-year-old outfielder who struck out to end the 2024 World Series for the New York Yankees declared free agency for the first time after last season — and found no takers.
Despite being one of the best defensive left fielders in the game and hitting at least 11 home runs in each of his last five full-length seasons, Verdugo — at one time the top prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers system — reportedly did not receive a single offer until March 20, just one week before opening day.
That offer came from the Atlanta Braves — a team that would be going for an eighth-straight playoff appearance in 2025 and who won the World Series in 2021.
The Braves contract was for only $1.5 million after Verdugo collected $9.2 million from the Yankees last season and $6.3 million from the Boston Red Sox the year before that. The offer also required Verdugo to accept a minor league assignment, even though as a player with more than five years of MLB experience, he had the right to refuse any demotion to the minors.
On Friday, more than five weeks after finally signing the deal to resume his career, Verdugo made his debut for the Braves. To the surprise of Atlanta fans, manager Brian Snitker wasted no time installing his newest outfielder in the leadoff slot.
More MLB: Ex-Yankee With 'Off-Field Issues' Expected Back in Majors After Braves Shocker
With the Braves floundering at 5-13, last in the National League East heading into Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins, the decision to lead off with Verdugo who had not seen a big league at bat since that World Series-ending strikeout last October 30, met with a high degree of skepticism from the Braves faithful.
Verdugo lashed hard line drives in his first two at-bats with the Braves, off Twins pitcher Chris Paddack. He made excellent contact, with exit velocities of 104.4 mph and 101.1. But both were caught.
In his third at bat, also against Paddack, Verdugo struck out swinging, and in his fourth he grounded out to first base, off Twins reliever Danny Coulombe. Verdugo had one more at-bat, closing out the bottom of the eighth inning with a foul pop out off another reliever, Cole Sands.
After a year with the Yankees when he was required to be clean shaven, Verdugo in his Braves debut was sporting the beard that he has worn throughout most of his career.
More MLB: Yankees Reject Shunned by MLB in Free Agency Gets Call-Up From Desperate Braves