Photos: Braves’ ‘Big Sexy’ Bartolo Colon celebrates 44th birthday

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Photos: Braves’ ‘Big Sexy’ Bartolo Colon celebrates 44th birthday

Braves veteran starting pitcher Bartolo Colon was born on May 24, 1973, 44 years ago today. Here’s photos of him in a Braves uniform, plus a couple when he was much younger (and lighter) early in his career.

February 21, 2017, Lake Buena Vista, FL: Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon takes batting practice during spring training on Tuesday Feb. 21, 2017, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 20: Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves throws a second inning pitch against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Pitcher Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

February 15, 2017, Lake Buena Vista, FL: Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon loosens up while pitchers and catchers hold their first spring training workout on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 3, 2017, Atlanta: Atlanta Braves Bartolo Colon flips the ball reacting after giving up a RBI-double to New York Mets Neil Walker for a 2-0 lead over the Braves during the first inning of a MLB baseball game on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 28: Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves attempts a bunt in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 28, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 09: Starting pitcher Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 9, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves in between innings during the home opener against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on April 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

MARCH 31, 2017 ATLANTA Braves' Bartolo Colon pitches in the first inning as the Atlanta Braves take the field in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees in the first game in the new SunTrust Park stadium Friday, March 31, 2017. The new home of the Braves seats 41,149 and took 30 months to build. JASON GETZ / SPECIAL

Atlanta Braves' Bartolo Colon looks out of the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 13, 2017, in Miami. The Braves defeated the Marlins 3-1. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bartolo Colon throws in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Atlanta, Saturday, May 20, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Pitcher Bartolo Colon #40 of the Atlanta Braves tosses the ball up before throwing a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

6 Mar 1999: Pitcher Bartolo Colon #40 of the Cleveland Indians throws the ball during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at the Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Indians 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport

9 Oct 1998: Pitcher Bartolo Colon #40 of the Cleveland Indians in action during the American League Championships Series game against the New York Yankees at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Yankees 6-1.. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport

24 Feb 1998: Bartolo Colon #40 of the Cleveland Indians at Spring Training at the Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Craig Melvin /Allsport

1/15

February 21, 2017, Lake Buena Vista, FL: Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon takes batting practice during spring training on Tuesday Feb. 21, 2017, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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