Jonny Gomes
Jonny Gomes was the first position player in over 35 years to take the mound as a position player for the Braves when the took the mound in the Braves’ 15-4 loss to the New York Yankees at Turner Field on August 28, 2015.
Despite making history, Gomes surrendered three hits, two earned runs and two walks in his one career inning of work on the mound.
Oddly enough, one of his two earned runs came from Braves legend Brian McCann, who was in his second season of playing with the Yankees. McCann hit a sacrifice fly to score John Ryan Murphy, who, oddly enough, also played for the Braves during McCann’s last season before retirement.
Gomes closed out his pitching career striking out pitcher Bryan Mitchell to close out the top of the ninth.
John Russell
John Russell may be most notably remembered for his managerial and coaching work between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles from 2003-2018.
However, Russell played in the major leagues from 1984-1993, playing catcher for the Braves during the 1989 season alongside former All-Stars Bruce Benedict and Jody Davis.
Russell pitched the final third of an inning for the Braves in their 12-6 loss to the Houston Astros on June 25, 1989.
He pitched in relief of Joe Boever, who allowed five earned runs in two thirds of an inning.
Oddly enough, the bases were loaded when the Braves elected to put Russell in to pitch. However, on his fifth pitch, Gerald Young hit a pop fly into foul territory which allowed Darrell Evans to come up with the last out for the Braves.
Oddly enough, current Braves third base coach Ron Washington played in this game, coming in relief of Bill Doran at second base in the bottom of the ninth. This was Washington’s last season of his playing career.