ATLANTA — Braves right-hander Charlie Morton received a standing ovation after pitching 1⅓ scoreless innings in what was potentially his final MLB appearance during Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the season finale.
The 41-year-old Morton, who debuted with the Braves in 2008, was signed by the team Sept. 22 after being designated for assignment and released by the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 21.
The Braves announced Thursday that Morton would be the starter for Sunday’s finale. After allowing no runs on two hits over an inning-plus, Morton was pulled by Braves manager Brian Snitker, and finished his outing by striking out Alexander Canario.
Morton received cheers as he took the field, when he walked off the field after the first inning and had a minute-plus ovation when he was pulled in the second inning. As Morton warmed up ahead of the second inning, the Braves played highlights on the videoboard of him pitching on a broken leg in Game 1 of the 2021 World Series, which Atlanta won.
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When Snitker came onto the field to pull Morton, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played on the loudspeakers. As he exited the game, Morton hugged his teammates on the mound, his family in front of Atlanta’s dugout and teammates and coaches up and down the dugout. Morton received a curtain call.
It was Morton’s third career stint with the Braves. He was drafted by Atlanta in the third round (95th overall) in 2002. Morton made his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2008 and from 2009 to 2020 pitched for the Pirates, Phillies, Astros and Rays before returning to Atlanta for the 2021-24 seasons.
Chris Sale (7-5) took over in relief, and allowed one run on four hits with nine strikeouts and five walks across 5⅔ innings. Raisel Iglesias earned his 22nd save of the season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
