Braves ‘honoring’ Charlie Morton with Sunday start
Charlie Morton will make one more start at Truist Park, an honor the Braves will provide him Sunday as a thank you from the organization.
The Braves signed Morton, 41, earlier this week after the Tigers released him. He’s had a disappointing year and indicated he’ll likely retire this winter, but the team brought him back so he could potentially finish his career with the Braves.
The team altered its pitching plans for this weekend’s series against the Pirates. Morton will start Sunday’s regular-season finale as an opener for reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
“We talked about it (Thursday), trying to think of the best possible way to make it a special day since we did bring Charlie back and he’s meant so much to the organization,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s something you can control if he’s an opener, and do a nice thing by honoring him and his career and what he’s meant to, not only us, but to baseball.”
Sale “loves the fact he’s going to do it,” Snitker said.
The Braves drafted Morton in 2002. He debuted for the team in 2008 and was traded to the Pirates after 16 appearances. He’d go on to become one of baseball’s most reliable starters in a mid-career breakout. He won a World Series with the Astros in 2017 and made another one with the Rays in 2020.
Morton signed with the Braves prior to the 2021 season, helping the franchise win the World Series in his first year back. He was a beloved teammate over the next several seasons, providing mentorship and consistent on-field production as he covered innings for a rotation that often struggled with injury woes.
Now, Morton can take the mound in front of Braves fans one final time.
About the Author
Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.
