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Atlanta Braves' Jesse Chavez Roasted For Spurning Washington Nationals Bullpen Cart

At the last second, Jesse Chavez opted not to take the bullpen cart on his way into the Atlanta Braves' road game against the Washington Nationals.
Sam Connon|
Atlanta Braves' Jesse Chavez Roasted For Spurning Washington Nationals Bullpen Cart
Atlanta Braves' Jesse Chavez Roasted For Spurning Washington Nationals Bullpen Cart

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Atlanta BravesWashington Nationals

For a split second, it seemed like Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jesse Chavez was going to do the unthinkable.

As manager Brian Snitker motioned to bring Chavez in for Spencer Strider, the Washington Nationals' famed bullpen cart made its trip around the warning track. The local Bally Sports announcers were convinced that Chavez would take the cart to the mound – a rarity since the gimmick was introduced in 2018.

Instead, Brandon Gaudin and Jeff Francoeur let out cries of disappointment as the 40-year-old Chavez jogged right by the helmet on wheels.

Fans online were similarly upset – Jomboy Media jokingly called for Chavez to be suspended, while the official Bally Sports account tweeted that there was a moment of heartbreak in DC.

The Braves went on to win 8-5 regardless of Chavez's decision, breaking the 100-win mark as a result.

Washington's bullpen cart typically goes unused, as shown in a recent Washington Post investigation. The Texas Rangers' Glenn Otto, the Colorado Rockies' Daniel Bard and the Oakland Athletics' Trevor May are the only pitchers who have taken a ride all season.

Not a single Nationals pitcher used the cart in 2023. Sean Doolittle, who retired from baseball last week, was the first player ever to ride the team's bullpen cart in a game.

With just seven days left in the regular season and Washington mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Nationals do not have another home game left on the schedule. Sunday was the final chance fans had to see a player ride the cart to the mound, and Chavez sent them into the offseason with a tease.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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