This Atlanta Braves promotion brought to you by Austin Riley’s number 27

The next big question for Austin Riley – what will be his major league uniform number?

Uniform numbers. It’s an interesting study of Atlanta Braves history to go back and look at the players who have worn certain numbers over their careers.

As more numbers are retired over the decades, those progressions of history are stopped and forever thereafter tied to a player of particular prowess.

Tom Glavine’s 47. John Smoltz’ 29. Bobby Cox’s 6. Hank Aaron’s 44. Chipper Jones’ 10. These and others become iconic representations of the best of the Braves in history.

Uniform numbers are not to be taken lightly. It’s how fans identify with their favorite players.  It’s a symbol as they progress through their careers.

Freeman’s 5, McCann’s 16, Acuna’s 13… these are the numbers you see around the stadium on the backs of lots of fans.

So:  27 perhaps?

It’s good, then to see who wore which numbers in the past – especially when a player is about to don a new jersey for the first time.

Austin Riley has been wearing #27 for Gwinnett. As of this moment, we don’t know that he’ll have that same number when he arrives at SunTrust Park, but it is available. [we’ll likely know soon whether all of this becomes moot, so I’m typing fast!]

That hasn’t been his only number while rolling through the minor league system (see below), but at least one of his other numbers … is already spoken for.

27 happens to be a number that has seen a lot of turnover through the history of the Braves – especially in recent years.

• Ryan Flaherty wore 27 last season
• Matt Kemp the 2 seasons prior
• Christian Bethancourt in 2015
• Lyle Overbay and Julio Teheran both had this in 2012
• J.C. Boscan was called up briefly in 2011 as a nice reward for his service to the organization and held 27 for a month in 2011.
• Brent Clevlen and Derrek Lee both wore 27 in 2010
• Peter Moylan had in briefly in 2006
• Kelly Johnson did in 2005
• Other very recognizable 27’s include Lonnie Smith (1989-92), Fred McGriff (1993-97) and Gerald Williams (1998-99)

It’s safe to say that it’s been a while since this number has “stuck” for multiple seasons.

You might wonder “wouldn’t the Braves retire the number for McGriff?” Well, considering that twenty different players have donned that in the years since his tenure, you have to think it’s not terribly likely.

That could change if and when the Crime Dog gets a nod for Cooperstown, but at this time, it appears that the Braves clubhouse manager (that role comes with the responsibility to assign numbers) is comfortable with assigning 27… often.

UPDATE:  GUESS WHAT?  IT’S #27 INDEED.

Ready to Rake

The callup of Riley is interesting. He’s earned the promotion, no doubt, but doing this in the middle of May is a bit unusual.

I’ve wrestled with the reasons for bringing him to the majors at this time – which even required a 40-man roster addition, so this was no ‘whim’.

Some of the things running through my head on this subject:

• This isn’t a quick fix… this is for the long term
• Riley will be in the lineup… this isn’t for a bench role
• While playing regularly, Riley could be used to ‘float’ around… perhaps left field as a ‘regular’ position, third base whenever Donaldson needs a break… likewise for 1st base.
• Maybe while the pitching is still balky, the Braves think they might be able to out-pound everybody perhaps?

One thing for sure: this is most definitely a case of a player announcing… by his work ethic, his performance, his growth… that he’s ready for the majors.  Riley has indeed made this happen by sheer force of will.

I was one thinking (before Riley started destroying baseballs on a regular basis this season) that there was still a chance that Riley could be used as trade bait to help the Braves become buyers and sellers at this year’s trade deadline.

This promotion (and indeed, his last 3 weeks of hitting) would appear to make that scenario much less likely. Thus there’s a chance that #27 might be gracing the Atlanta Braves’ lineup for several years to come.