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Most Braves opening-day starts overall (Atlanta era)

16 Chipper Jones missed the 1996 and 2012 openers with injuries, but he started 13 openers at third base and three in left field. 12 Dale Murphy made opening-day starts at four positions: five in center field, three in left, three in right and one at catcher. 10 Andruw Jones made all of those starts in center field (1998-2007). 9 Hank Aaron made eight starts in right field and one in left. He was with the team only nine seasons in Atlanta. 8 Phil Niekro holds the Atlanta-era record for opening-day starts
By
March 25, 2018

The Braves open their season March 29 against the Phillies at SunTrust Park, with a 4 p.m. start.

First baseman Freddie Freeman is scheduled to start. If he does, he will move into a tie for the fifth most opening-day starts by a Braves player in the Atlanta era.

Among the trivia around the subject of opening-day starts includes that Rafael Furcal holds the Atlanta-era record for times leading off on opening day (5) and Dale Murphy holds the record for times batting cleanup (5).

For a look at the 12 players who have made seven or more opening-day starts since the team moved to Atlanta for the 1966 season, check out the video above.

About the Author

David Wellham has worked as an editor and content producer at the AJC since 2006, but his knowledge of sports in metro Atlanta and Georgia dates to much earlier. He uses his institutional knowledge to help the AJC provide in-depth coverage of area sports and sports teams. David can be reached at 404-526-5424 and dwellham@ajc.com.

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