22 equals 42
Jason Heyward will open the season in Atlanta. Not exactly stop the presses stuff if you’ve been following the former Mississippi Brave’s exploits this spring. How could the Jay-Hey Kid not be the opening day right fielder? Interviewed on ESPN during its coverage of Friday’s game against Detroit, Heyward said of the moment manager Bobby Cox gave him the word, “It was awesome. … I thanked him for the opportunity.” It was also revealed that Heyward will wear No. 22. And when he takes the field in Atlanta against the Chicago Cubs on April 5, he will be the 42nd former M-Brave to reach the majors. That total, in five years time, is just amazing. And several more could be on Heyward’s heels.
P.S. Heyward’s promotion to the 40-man roster cost Todd Redmond his spot, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett. Redmond, a right-handed starter, was the Southern League pitcher of the year in 2008; he’s still a good bullet to have in reserve. … Former M-Brave Josh Burrus, in the Tigers’ camp as a minor league free agent, got an RBI double off Billy Wagner in the ninth inning of Friday’s game. Burrus, a former first-round pick who floundered in Pearl, turned on a 93 mph Wagner fastball and ripped it down the left-field line. Just never saw him do enough of that at Trustmark Park.