Atlanta Braves Podcast 15: the Optimism of Chase d’Arnaud
By Seth Carter
Former Atlanta Braves player Chase d’Arnaud took the time to talk with us in our most recent podcast. This article will work as a companion piece and provide essential links to information discussed.
The d’Arnaud brothers, Chase and Travis, will both be able to tell their grandchildren that they have played for the greatest (subjectively speaking, of course) franchise in baseball history, the Atlanta Braves.
Recently, Chase d’Arnaud sat down with us to record the most recent episode of the Tomahawk Take Podcast. As you will find out in the podcast (linked a bit later in this post or on Apple Podcasts) and in this article, he’s one of the most interesting people on the planet.
Improbably Good
According to the NCAA’s official website, of the 487,097 high school baseball players in the country last season, only 7.3% make it to NCAA baseball. Of the 7.3% that make it to NCAA baseball, only 2.2% or 10,716 make it to Division I. Out of the 7,880 players eligible for the Major League draft last year, only 775 players were selected. Only 10% of all minor leaguers ever touch a major league field.
Of the 10% of minor leaguers that actually make it to the show, do you know how many of them started a band that opened for Lady Antebellum less than one year later?
One that I know of… That player is former Atlanta Braves middle-infielder Chase d’Arnaud.
“Retirement”
This is my second story in a week about a guy in his thirties who has recently “retired.”
While playing in the big leagues may be behind them, they are by no means retired. They are simply turning the page or starting a new chapter.
In the case of Chase d’Arnaud, he’s beginning a new verse or transitioning to the next scene.
The 12-year veteran recently announced that he would no longer play baseball for money. He took some time to talk with me on the Tomahawk Take Podcast about his time in Atlanta, his brief (very successful) music career, and the production company he can now commit himself to on a full-time basis.
Not only did he share his passion for the game, for music, and for videography, but he shared the advice he gave his younger brother Travis before he signed with the Braves.
Chase was kind enough to get into his thoughts on the current roster and provide insight into things that oftentimes go unseen by fans, such as the intangibles that players bring to the clubhouse that can make them worth so much more than their stats.
So make sure you take some time to listen to the podcast and get to know one of the most interesting, multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-talented, multi-instrumental, multi-multi’d men to ever reach the highest level of professional baseball: Chase d’Arnaud.
On the next page, I’ll provide more insight and links to supplement the items discussed in the podcast. We start with his time as an Atlanta Brave.