The Atlanta Braves welcomed 40-year-old Jesse Chavez back to the team after an unimpressive spring led to his release from the White Sox. Chavez’s history as one of baseball’s most well-traveled players (traded MLB record 10 times) is well documented.

Jesse Chavez begins his 5th stint with Atlanta Braves in 2024

When the White Sox announced they were releasing Chavez, Braves fans’ ears went up like dogs when they hear the word “outside” or “treat.”

Chavez has spent five of his 17 seasons with Atlanta. He has been at his best as a Brave, outside of his 44.2 innings with the Cubs. Over five seasons with Atlanta, Chavez has posted a 3.04 ERA with 166 strikeouts in 163.0 innings. He has walked just 2.8 batters per nine with Atlanta and for his career.

Through 36 games last year, Chavez was one of the elite relievers in all of baseball with a 1.56 ERA and 10.1 K/9. his magical run last season was interrupted by a comebacker off the shin which resulted in a microfracture.

Back to his Braves production: In his age 38 and 39 seasons with Atlanta, Chavez’s K-rates have reached all-time highs of 10.4 in 2022 (with ATL), and 10.1 in 2023. He’s as cool as those white Oakley’s he wears… I have that exact same pair for two reasons.

1. The rubber arms help them stick to your head when you sweat rather than slipping off. This makes them ideal for physical activities like running or playing baseball. So, if you ever wondered why Jesse Chavez wears those glasses, that’s one reason.
2. Jesse Chavez

Mine were half off at the sunglass store… which makes sense because I’m only about half as cool as Jesse Chavez.

I know, I’m over-estimating my coolness.

Jesse Chavez has already played a key role in Braves victories in 2024

Chavez has picked up right where he left off in 2024 at 40 years of age. Chavez has made two critical appearances for the Braves in 2024, both resulting in Atlanta victories.

He bailed out Max Fried in the second game of the year. Fried had the shortest outing of his career and Snit turned to Chavez for help. Uncle Jesse gave the Braves 3.0 innings of one-run ball to help hold the Phillies to just four runs. The Phillies knocked Fried out in the first inning and still lost. Thanks Jesse Chavez!

Once again, another Braves ace was having a rough start in the home opener against the Diamondbacks. Spencer Strider gave up five runs on seven hits over just four innings. Something was clearly wrong (he’s getting an MRI).

The Braves turned to Jesse Chavez to bail them out once again. Chavez stopped the bleeding over the next two innings to help give Atlanta a chance to claw their way back into the game. And of course, they ended up winning in extra-innings.

So, through two appearances, Chavez has been a key, if not the key, in shifting the momentum in games that were heading the wrong direction.

Jesse Chavez is cool.

Welcome back to Atlanta, Jesse. He’s been our first responder, showing up in time to put out the fires before they get out of control.

Leave your Jesse Chavez appreciation posts in the comments below!