Earlier this week, Luke Jackson signed a two-year deal to join the Giants. And the longtime Atlanta reliever penned Braves Country goodbye in a short but heartfelt tweet.
These past 6 years have been nothing but magical. Atlanta, I love you. From Booooooos to luuuuuuuke, it was a rollercoaster and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My teammates, the front office, and the coaching staff are nothing but first class. pic.twitter.com/54pNzGVuPA
— Luke Jackson (@YaBoy77) January 10, 2023
Luke Jackson’s career with the Braves was tumultuous. Calling it a wild ride would be an understatement. He was DFA’d three separate times, then became the club’s primary closer for a large part of the 2019 season. But he finished strong, posting a minuscule 1.98 ERA over 63.2 innings during the Braves World Series run. Unfortunately, entering the 2022 campaign, Jackson had to have Tommy John surgery. That’s about as up and down as any career in recent memory.
$11.5 million over two years after Tommy John is pretty incredible, so I’m extremely happy for Jackson. Obviously, the Braves were never going to give him that kind of contract. A split was inevitable.
His message to Braves Country is revealing; he’s a down to earth man, despite the fan base giving him hell on a regular basis. “From booooooos to luuuuuuuuke” is funny and sad at the same time. I’m as guilty as anyone for bashing these players, but this is a stark reminder they’re human beings. Thankfully, Luke Jackson is such a classy person; he understands the nuances of playing for a club like the Braves, whose fans are so deeply passionate.
I think I can speak for all of Braves Country in saying it’s somber to see the Sliderman leave. Everyone wishes him the absolute best with San Francisco unless, of course, he’s playing against the Braves.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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