Atlanta, GA

A’s Reportedly Sign Former Atlanta Braves Third Baseman

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2024

A’s Reportedly Sign Former Atlanta Braves Third Baseman

All offseason, the question looming over the Athletics has been who will man the hot corner for them in their first season in West Sacramento, and on Thursday night we received a bit of clarity. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the A’s are in agreement with former Atlanta Braves third baseman Gio Urshela, with Martín Gallegos of MLB.com saying that it’s a one-year deal. The agreement has not been announced by the A’s, as the deal is pending a physical.

Last season the A’s struggled to find consistency at third base, initially giving the job to J.D. Davis, whom they signed during Spring Training, but when he went down with an injury early in the season, Abraham Toro took over and provided a bit of a spark across 56 games at the position. In 28 games in May, Toro hit .315 with a .351 OBP. From that point on, he topped out at batting .200 in eight games in July, and was designated for assignment in late August.

The A’s also deployed Tyler Nevin, Brett Harris, Armando Alvarez, and Darell Hernaiz at third this past season, with the six players combining for a 79 wRC+ (100 is league average), with nobody possessing a league average bat in the bunch, and accumulating -0.9 fWAR. The Athletics ranked No. 28 in fWAR at the position.

GM David Forst has said that the A’s were looking to add a veteran to the mix headed into 2025, with an emphasis on defense. This will be Urshela’s tenth season in the big leagues, and at the very least he has consistently put up WAR totals greater than zero, which will be an improvement.

The 33-year-old signed on with the Detroit Tigers last offseason, but they released him in late August. The Braves picked him up a couple of days later, and he finished out the season with Atlanta. Between both stops, he played 128 games, 110 of those coming at third base, with some time also spent across the diamond at first.

He hit .250 with a .286 OBP, nine homers, 52 RBI, and ended up with an 81 wRC+. With the glove, he racked up 0 Defensive Runs Saved and +3 Outs Above Average, using a couple of different metrics. His defense at the position has seemingly improved in recent years, and he has gone from well below league average to at, or above.

While adding a veteran upgrade was certainly on Forst’s bingo card, Urshela doesn’t figure to be a full-time addition to the roster. Instead, he’s likely to have the large side of the platoon, though who his partner will be is up for debate.

Last season against left-handers he went 17-for-96 (.177), while batting .271 in a much larger sample size against righties. While we missed on which player the A’s could end up signing, A’s on SI seemed to be on the right track with the thinking of the front office. Urshela’s 97 wRC+ against right-handers (vs. 29 against lefties) in 2024 should lead to him playing the majority of the time, but perhaps not every day.

Instead, the likely option against southpaws, at least in this point in the offseason, is Darell Hernaiz. Both players have upside with the glove, and Hernaiz went 12-for-43 (.279) against lefties, good for a 90 wRC+. While the A’s still don’t have a ton of pop at the position, they have the makings of a conglomerate league average option.

This is also an interesting path for the team to take, since Urshela’s deal is only for the 2025 campaign. That would seem to suggest that the A’s believe in former top first round pick Max Muncy being able to make the transition from shortstop to third base in the early part of the season, and potentialy make his debut at some point in the second half of ’25.

Adding Urshela buys the A’s a little time to figure out who will ultimately take over at third base, and it also potentially buys Hernaiz another look in the big leagues, and a chace to earn the job himself.

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Atlanta, GA

Soccer Frenzy: Cities, Fans, and What to Know | Futbol HQ

Published

5 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Soccer Frenzy: Cities, Fans, and What to Know | Futbol HQ

With the World Cup just months away, host cities ramp up preparations for a global surge of fans. Philadelphia takes center stage as the World Cup draws closer. From major fan event changes and security planning to base camps and short-term rentals, here’s what to know ahead of the matches.

Posted February 27, 2026 5:19pm EST

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta runners honor Olympian Jeff Galloway after his passing

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta runners honor Olympian Jeff Galloway after his passing

Jeff Galloway, pioneer of run-walk-run, dies at 80

The running world is mourning the loss of Jeff Galloway, a transformative figure who democratized distance running for millions. An Olympian and the winner of the first-ever Peachtree Road Race in 1970, Galloway was best known for his revolutionary Run-Walk-Run method.

ATLANTA – Atlanta runners are finding ways to honor the legacy of former US Olympian Jeff Galloway, who was widely known for his run-walk-run strategy, after his death on Wednesday at 80.

What we know:

Officials say Galloway suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and died in a hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

His daughter-in-law, Carissa Galloway, also a running enthusiast, shared a tribute to him through social media following his death.

What they’re saying:

“With Jeff being the winner of the first Peachtree, he sort of automatically is a legend here in Atlanta,” said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club CEO.

Kenah says Galloway will likely be remembered most for inspiring so many people to lace up their sneakers and start running.

Running legend Jeff Galloway passes away in Florida

“We know Jeff in the running world as our hometown hero. You know, our celebrity. But he leveraged that celebrity to bring more people into the sport than anybody else that I can think of. I think that should be his legacy,” said Kenah.

At a Thursday night run along the Beltline, the group held a moment of silence in Galloway’s honor.

“He’s a big advocate for encouraging people to go and run. I was influenced by him. I ran my 1st marathon back in December of 2024,” said Alex Lewis.

As the group took off on their run, they remembered the elite athlete who spent a lifetime motivating others to lead a healthy life one step at a time.

“Even though he was an Olympian and kind of like a celebrity in his own right, he still acted and talked to us normal people, just like a regular guy. He’ll be deeply missed here in Atlanta,” said Lewis.

Atlanta Track Club officials say there will be a moment to recognize Jeff Galloway before the start of Sunday’s Publix Atlanta Marathon.

They’re still planning how they will pay tribute to him at this year’s Peachtree Road Race.

The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report where Denise Dillon spoke with members of the Atlanta running community.

AtlantaNewsFlorida

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks partner with iconic strip club for ‘Magic City Monday’

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta Hawks partner with iconic strip club for ‘Magic City Monday’

Two Atlanta institutions are coming together to bring a new experience to NBA fans.

The Atlanta Hawks and Magic City are partnering for “Magic City Monday,” a celebration of a cultural institution during the team’s game against Orlando Magic on March 16.

Magic City is a self-identified “premier Atlanta strip club,” and well-known across the city for their performances as well as their kitchen. The club is regularly featured in lists identifying the best chicken wings in the city. Magic City is in downtown Atlanta.

What to expect at ‘Magic City Monday’

Before the game, Hawks’ principal owner Jami Gertz, a filmaker and actor, will present a live recording of the Hawks AF podcast, according to a news release from the organization.

Gertz recently produced a five-part STARZ docuseries about Magic City, working with Atlanta native Jermaine Dupri and featuring interviews with Big Boi, Killer Mike and T.I. The series explores the “pivotal role” the club played in “hip-hop and Black culture,” in Atlanta and beyond.

The live recording will include a conversation about the documentary, as well as chats with Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney, T.I. and D.C. Young Fly.

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz said in the release. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

During halftime, T.I will perform in State Farm Arena, and the organization will rely on DJ Esco for pregame music.

“We doin’ this one for the city… Magic City,” T.I. said in the release.

Magic City is bringing the wings

Magic City will bring their famous lemon pepper wings into State Farm Arena, serving the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ wins and traditional Lemon Pepper at sections 114, 120 and 211. Wings will also be available at two all-inclusive premium experiences including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino’s Club and the Players Club.

“From the food to the music to the exclusive merchandise, we are excited to team up with Magic City to create an authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience,” Melissa Proctor, Hawks executive vice president and chief marketing officer, said in the release.

Limited-edition merchandise, including a ‘MAGIC CITY’ hoodie, will be available at State Farm Arena and online starting Monday, March 16.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. E.T., but fans are invited to enter the arena early for the podcast taping. You can purchase tickets here.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

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