Former Dodgers Walk-Off Hero Makes Shocking Position Change to Reliever
Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Charlie Culberson is making a position change.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the former Dodger is attempting to make a second career in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher.
Culberson re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal and will report to minor league camp as a pitcher.
The 35-year-old served as an infielder and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Dodgers, Braves, and Texas Rangers from 2012 to 2023. Now, he will attempt a second career as a pitcher.
It may seem odd for this sudden change, but the numbers show he has the potential to make this transition possible.
The 34-year-old has made eight appearances on the mound as a relief pitcher with the Braves and Rangers. In those eight games, he has allowed just seven hits while striking out one. He has a 1.23 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, and his fastball topped out at 94 mph.
The former Dodger infielder made a name for himself in Los Angeles when he helped clinch the 2016 National League West title with a walk-off home run against his former team, the Rockies.
It was a significant one, and one that Dodgers team historian Mark Langill calls the most important regular-season home run in Los Angeles Dodgers history. What made it special — or even more special — was that it was the final home game of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully's career.
Culberson has bounced around the league since his legendary home run, and has a career slash line of .248/.294/.386 with 30 home runs and 145 RBIs in 586 games.
It seems those numbers won't be relevant anymore, though, as Culberson is focused on making a career on the mound.
The Dodgers and Braves face off from May 3-5 at Dodger Stadium. Maybe the one-time Dodger will get a chance to pitch against his former team.
