In each series throughout the season, we highlight multiple players who wore a Braves jersey and also suited up for Atlanta’s most recent opponent. The Braves started a weekend series with the Oakland Athletics on Friday and took game one by a 4-2 final.
Let’s take a look back on three players who once called Atlanta and Oakland home at some point in their careers. As always, there are several options we could choose but we typically like to stay on the obscure side and bring back memories you may have forgotten. Sean Murphy and Matt Olson likely come to mind but what about these three?
Josh Donaldson
Josh Donaldson is a three-time all-star, American League MVP winner, and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. The best seasons of his career were with the Oakland A’s and Toronto Blue Jays.
Donaldson began his big league career with Oakland in 2010 and was originally drafted as a catcher but landed as a third baseman. He was with them from 2010 to 2014, batting .268 with 63 home runs and 228 runs batted in across 405 games.
In 2019, Donaldson joined the Atlanta Braves on a one-year deal and helped them win a division title. The “Bringer of Rain” hit .259 that season with 37 home runs, tying his second-highest single-season total in his 13-year career.
He brought fire to a Braves clubhouse that needed that kind of personality. It also spawned one of the most iconic home run celebrations in Atlanta history.
☂️ THE RAIN MAKER STRIKES AGAIN ☂️
Josh Donaldson is making the umbrella SunTrust Park's hottest accessory. #Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/okUQtfzv65
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 8, 2019
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson was one of those players that seemed like he would never retire. Jackson got his start with the Los Angeles Dodgers but became a journeyman, spending 17 years in the MLB. He appeared in one All-Star Game and spent time with 14 different teams including Oakland and Atlanta.
However, Jackson is most known for tossing a no-hitter with the Arizona Diamondbacks on 149 pitches and issuing 8 walks. Yes, those statistics are real.
The Columbus, Georgia native appeared in 24 games with Atlanta back in 2015 as a reliever. He went 2-2 with a 2.92 ERA across 24.2 innings of work. With the A’s in 2018, he made 17 appearances, all as a starter. He went 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA across 92 innings.
Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher is known for having one of the most energetic personalities baseball has ever seen. He spent 12 years in the big leagues and is remembered for his time with the Guardians or with the Yankees when they won the World Series in 2009. Swisher also donned an A’s and Braves uniform in his playing days.
Oakland is actually where Swisher began his MLB career in 2004 at the age of 23. He was with the A’s from 2004 to 2007. During this time, the switch hitter posted a .251 batting average to go along with 80 round-trippers and 255 RBI.
Atlanta turned out to be the place where Swisher’s MLB career ended. He played in 46 games with the Braves in the last part of the 2015 season. He hit only .195 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI. This marked the end of his time in the majors.
