Morton hears the cheers of appreciation in Braves' finale

ATLANTA -- Asked if it felt odd that he might be experiencing his final day as a Major League manager, Brian Snitker said the only thing that felt different was not making postseason plans on the regular season’s final day.

For the first time since 2017 -- Snitker’s first full season as Atlanta’s manager -- the Braves didn’t qualify for the playoffs. But with pitcher Charlie Morton returning to make what was likely his final career start in a 4-1 win over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park, this season still concluded with a celebratory feel.

“That was one of the cooler moments that I've been able to experience in my career,” Braves left-hander Chris Sale said. “There are things that happen in this game that you can't control. To be able to have a moment like that, to send a guy like Charlie out of this game the right way, with his family coming on the field, I was just appreciative of that moment.”

It was a moment Sale helped create when, instead of making his scheduled start on Sunday, he opted to come out of the bullpen. This allowed Morton to start and receive a rousing standing ovation both after the first inning and again when he made his planned exit after retiring the only batter he faced in the second inning.

“That was too much,” an overwhelmed Morton said. “That was ridiculous. That was incredible.”

Ronald Acuña Jr. concluded an injury-shortened season with his 21st home run, and Sale notched nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 strong innings. But lasting memories of this season finale will focus on Morton, who became a beloved figure while pitching for the Braves from 2021-24. (He broke in with the club in 2008.)

“He deserved that,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said of the ovation. “There’s not a better person you can find in the game. And he’s been a hell of a pitcher.”

As Morton walked off the field after using his curveball to record his 2,196th career strikeout, he was serenaded by Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and a loud ovation. After being congratulated by Snitker and teammates at the mound, Morton made his way toward the dugout, where he hugged his wife, Cindy, and their four children.

“There's nothing like feeling like people have your back,” Morton said. “For me to be able to feel that feeling at the end, it was incredible.”

Morton secured the 2017 World Series championship for the Astros when he allowed just one run over the final four innings of Game 7 at Dodger Stadium. Sale was on that same mound one year later when he secured the 2018 World Series title for the Red Sox with a perfect ninth inning.

While nothing tops winning a championship, both veteran pitchers were overwhelmed by the experience they shared on Sunday. Before walking off the mound, Morton handed the ball to Sale, who respectfully waited for the applause to stop before throwing the first of his warmup pitches.

“Standing on the mound with everybody, watching the video [on the stadium board], watching him walk off the field and be with his family, it was one of those things people write books about, or make movies about,” Sale said. “It was just a special moment.”

While Morton has indicated he will likely announce his retirement soon, Snitker continues to say he might want to continue managing next year, if the Braves are willing to have him continue in his current role. Sale and Olson have made it clear they want Snitker back next year.

“We didn’t have a celebratory send-off for him,” Sale said. “So he can’t go.”

A part of the 69-year-old skipper doesn’t want to end his long career with a season as disappointing as this one was. Morton was feeling the same way a week ago. It looked like his career might have ended when the Tigers released him two days after he allowed the Braves six runs in 1 1/3 innings on Sept. 19.

But the Braves signed Morton to give him the chance to experience a better conclusion and to retire as a member of the club that drafted him in 2002, gave him his first MLB start in 2008, traded him to the Pirates in 2009 and then made him a key part of their starting rotation from 2021-24.

Morton helped the Braves win the 2021 World Series when he recorded three outs with a broken right leg in Game 1. He was drafted alongside both Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur in 2002. Then in 2008, he had the pleasure of experiencing his first big league Spring Training with Chipper Jones, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine.

While Morton is grateful for all he experienced, the Braves were thankful to have been a key part of what was a great journey.

“It’s been an honor,” Morton said.