Nick Markakis’s 2,001st game was his 162nd of the 2018 season, further establishing his role as Braves ironman.
The outfielder started Sunday’s series finale in Philadelphia, making it the sixth time a Braves player started all 162 games.
“That in itself is an unbelievable testament to the way he goes about it,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I’ve talked to him multiple times during the year about taking a day, and (he says) ‘This is what I train for.’ There have been a couple times I’d go through the weight room at 6:30 before a 7 p.m. game and he’s in there throwing weights around and training for this.”
Markakis joins Felix Milan (1969), Andruw Jones (1999), Jeff Francoeur (2006, 2007) and Freddie Freeman (2014) in starting every game.
Since signing with the Braves before 2014, Markakis has been the model of consistency. But his 2018 season was among his best, and at 34 years old, he earned his first All-Star appearance, starting in right field.
Entering the final game, Markakis slashed .298/.367/.441 with 43 doubles, 14 homers and 93 RBIs. He’s one double behind Freeman and Anthony Rendon for the National League lead.
“The mental toughness that guy has, the physical toughness, day in day out, the preparation is so consistent,” Snitker said. “He’s a remarkable player. I feel blessed to manage him. He’s the definition of a pro. It’s something else.”
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