Jason Heyward's new Braves jersey: No. 22

Atlanta Braves

Photos: The AJC looks at Jason Heyward's new Braves jersey, No. 22, and some of the former Atlanta Braves who've worn it.

It's official: Jason Heyward is the Braves' new right fielder. And he'll reportedly wear No. 22. So what's the history of this number? Is it lucky? And who's worn it before? How did they fare? Let's see...

Perhaps the best-known Brave to ever wear No. 22 (before Heyward) was BRETT BUTLER. The center fielder was a 23rd-round Braves draft pick in 1979, playing for Atlanta from 1981-1983 before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1983. Butler went on to play for the Giants, Dodgers and Mets in a career that spanned 1981-1997.

MARCUS GILES made the best of being drafted in the 53rd round, taking over at second base for Atlanta in 2001, endearing himself to the Braves fanbase with his hardnosed play until 2006, when he signed as a free agent with the Padres. When Giles first came to the bigs, though, he wore No. 20 and then No. 24 in honor of his older brother, MLBer Brian Giles, before settling on No. 22 in 2002.

Veteran shortstop WALT WEISS started wearing No. 22 in 1992 with his original team, the Oakland A's, and kept the double-deuce with the Marlins (1993) and Rockies (1994-97) before ending his career in a Braves tomahawk from 1998-2000. Weiss played in three World Series, but wore No. 22 in only one of those -- the 1997 matchup against the Yankees, which Atlanta lost.

ADAM LaROCHE, a Braves 29th round draft pick, began his Atlanta career at first base wearing No. 19 -- the first time around, that is, from 2004-06. When LaRoche was reacquired by Atlanta in 2009 to play first during the team's midseason push for the playoffs, he donned No. 22. And in the new jersey, LaRoche hit .325, blasting 12 HRs and 40 RBIs in 57 games.

WILLIE HARRIS, a native of Cairo, Ga., played only one season for Atlanta after stints with the Orioles, White Sox and Red Sox. The speedy (and well-traveled) OF/2B stole 17 bases in No. 22. He's now with the Nationals -- still in No. 22.

1/6

It's official: Jason Heyward is the Braves' new right fielder. And he'll reportedly wear No. 22. So what's the history of this number? Is it lucky? And who's worn it before? How did they fare? Let's see...

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

PHOTOS: Braves settle into day 2 of spring training

PHOTOS: Braves arrive for spring training

Newly hired Braves manager Walt Weiss speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Alerts