On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that the New York Yankees signed former Braves outfielder, Ender Inciarte, to a minor league deal.
For many Atlanta Braves fans, it is hard to forget what Inciarte brought to the outfield for Atlanta. Despite his lackluster departure in Atlanta, his glove was nothing short of mind-boggling, especially his game-saving catch against the Mets in 2016 that left Citi Field at a loss for words.
Yankees transaction page says they've signed center fielder Ender Inciarte to a minor league deal. Inciarte, 31, is a defense-first CF who played 52 games with Atlanta last year before getting DFA'd/released.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) December 16, 2021
Braves defeat the Mets thanks to this home run saving catch by Ender Inciarte ⚾️🔥😱 (via @SportsCenter) #Braves #Mets #MLB pic.twitter.com/xUJs5RgGGw
— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) September 22, 2016
Ender Inciarte was signed as an international free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. He made his major league debut with Arizona in 2014 after bouncing back and forth between the minor league teams of the Diamondbacks and Phillies, who selected him in the Rule 5 Draft but ultimately sent him back to Arizona.
After winning the Fielding Bible Award with Arizona, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Atlanta Braves in what has since been deemed as one of the worst trades in recent MLB history.
It didn’t take long for Inciarte to find his groove in Atlanta, winning three straight Gold Glove Awards from 2016-2018. In 2017, Inciarte put up a career best .304 batting average as he was also selected to his first, and only, All-Star Game.
Inciarte made history in another way in 2017, as he recorded the first defensive out, first hit and first home run in Suntrust Park, which has since been renamed to Truist Park.
Injuries led to Inciarte playing just 163 games in the last three seasons and being released by the Braves in July and being picked up by the Cincinnati Reds.
Upon being released, Inciarte posted a heartfelt message to his social media platforms that struck the hearts of many. Just scrolling through the comments of his posts show how supportive Braves Country was of Inciarte.
I love you and thank you Atl! 🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/jldOfP0oqV
— Ender Inciarte (@enderinciartem) July 29, 2021
After playing for less than a month for the Louisville Bats, Cincinnati’s AAA team, he was released by the Reds.
For many, Inciarte was a fan favorite. If you attended an Atlanta Braves game during the time Inciarte wore red and white, it was hard to miss someone repping a jersey with his name and number on it.
Even outside of the Atlanta Braves, he had connections with other facets of Atlanta sports. Atlanta United called on none other than Ender Inciarte to present Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez with the Golden Boot Trophy in 2018.
Atlanta Braves Gold Glove outfielder Ender Inciarte surprised Atlanta United's Josef Martinez with the Golden Boot Trophy 🏆🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/1t7Y7MNPtW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 2, 2018
Despite the rough exit Inciarte had in Atlanta, his glove was the talk among Braves Country from when he got traded up until he was plagued with injuries and didn’t see the outfield as often. However, many Braves fans have made it known that they hope he finds success in New York.