SAN DIEGO – Hank Aaron. Chipper Jones. Eddie Mathews. Andruw Jones. On and on.
Throughout their history, the Braves have fielded Hall of Famers and stars.
On Friday, Marcell Ozuna put his name alone in the record books.
With two solo home runs in a win over the Padres, Ozuna tallied his 76th and 77th RBIs before the All-Star break – more than any Braves player since the team moved to Atlanta in 1966. Andruw Jones previously was tied with Ozuna for the record, as Jones had 75 RBIs in the first half in 2006 and Ozuna had 75 entering Friday’s series opener in San Diego.
Now, Ozuna stands alone in Atlanta franchise history.
“It means a lot,” Ozuna said. “Especially when you (come after) those guys, like (Eddie) Mathews, Hank Aaron, Andruw (Jones) and those guys. It’s amazing. I just have to say thanks to God for the opportunity to be able to do what I’m doing right now.”
To lead off the fifth inning of Friday’s win over San Diego, Ozuna punished a middle-middle sweeper from Padres starter Matt Waldron for his 76th RBI. In the ninth, he hammered a leadoff homer for his 77th RBI.
Ozuna’s 77 RBIs lead the National League and are second in MLB. His 26 home runs are second in the NL and fourth in baseball.
In the last 10 seasons, only four players have tallied at least 25 home runs and 75 RBIs by the All-Star break: J.D. Martinez in 2018, Josh Bell in 2019, Aaron Judge this season … and Ozuna.
Ozuna is also the first player in Atlanta franchise history (dating to 1966) to have at least 25 homers and 75 RBIs before the break. Mathews, who accomplished it in 1953, is the only other hitter in Braves history to do this.
“Ah man, I couldn’t be happier,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “That’s some good company right there, too, the guys that he passed. I’m very proud of him and happy for him for everything he accomplishes.”
Ozuna set the Atlanta franchise record. We can also provide the context that goes further back.
In the Braves’ overall history, Ozuna is one of two players with more than 75 RBIs before the break – Mathews had 80 RBIs in the first half in 1960, before the team moved to Atlanta. Ozuna, Mathews and Andruw Jones are the only three Braves to post at least 75 RBIs before the break in Braves franchise history.
The most impressive part of all this might be this: In the first month of last season, Ozuna was the worst-performing hitter – among regulars – in baseball.
And what would he say if you would’ve told him then that he would set this record now?
“I don’t believe it,” Ozuna said of what he’d say. “I don’t believe it because, this year, God has blessed me. I’m a good player, good person, have a good personality. There was no doubt that I was gonna do the way that I’m doing this year, because God knows that.”
How happy is Orlando Arcia for his teammate and friend?
When asked this question, Arcia pointed to his arm. He joked that he had goose bumps.
“Super impressive, I’m really happy for him,” Arcia said through interpreter Franco García. “What a tremendous year that he’s having. I just pray to God that he stays healthy so he can continue that run that he’s on, and again, I’m just super happy for him.”
Ozuna leads the Braves in almost every important offensive category: Home runs, RBIs, OPS and slugging percentage. The Braves struggled offensively for a sizable portion of this first half, but Ozuna carried them until they got hot.
Ozuna is an All-Star for the third time in his career. He’ll be one of the NL’s designated hitters in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. But before that, he’ll compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
“He always has great at-bats and hammers baseball,” said Spencer Schwellenbach, who benefited from Ozuna’s two-homer night. “I guess he’s just getting himself ready for the derby.”
Ozuna said he’ll have fun participating in the Home Run Derby. He’s excited to give that experience to his kids.
By the time he takes center stage, with the baseball world watching him, he might have added onto the record he set on Friday. The Braves, after all, play on Saturday and Sunday before going into the break.
In the series opener in San Diego, Ozuna placed himself above all of the Atlanta Braves who came before him – at least in this category.
“Yeah, that’s good,” Ozuna said. “I feel happy and blessed.”
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