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Atlanta Braves Should Reunite With Recently Cut Jason Heyward

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Atlanta Braves Should Reunite With Recently Cut Jason Heyward


The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially cut ties with former Atlanta Braves outifelder Jason Heyward. The news was first reported by MLB insider Robert Murray.

He’s the odd man out as the Dodgers look to clear space on a crammed roster. 

Since he wasn’t outrighted to Triple-A and is out of the organization, he is free to sign wherever he pleases, should he get an offer. 

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It’s been nearly a decade since Heyward was last in a Braves uniform. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in November 2014. 

But maybe that could change. While his reunion with Freddie Freeman has come to an end, maybe a reunion with his former team could be next. In a year where the Braves are running it back with a few names, Heyward could be the next guy to partake. 

Heyward spent the first five seasons of his career with the Braves. He was an all-star during his rookie season in 2010 and finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting to Buster Posey – they got that pick right, not gonna argue it. 

He also won his first of five gold gloves with the Braves in 2012. 

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So, the nostalgia points are there. Now let’s talk about what he would bring to the team a decade later. 

Let’s talk his bat. This season, Hayward has a slash line of .208/.289/.393 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. Not great, but that’s looking better than a lot of their other options. 

Maybe he, like other recent additions, returns to form upon return. Just a season ago, he had a slash line of .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs. Would he be even better in Atlanta and have everybody saying, “Of course that happened.” 

But the big addition would be his glove. His defense would be a huge addition. He’s also primarily played right field this year, meaning he could be an improvement offensively and defensively over Adam Duvall, or Triple-A options such as Luke Williams or Eli White. 

Of course, these reunions don’t always work out. We saw an example of such with Eddie Rosario just this season. But if it it works on a low-cost contract and Hayward is able to significantly contribute to a playoff push and playoff run, then it’ll make the reunion all the more sweet.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Falcons 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s Cut, Who Stays?

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Atlanta Falcons 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s Cut, Who Stays?


After 12 intrasquad training camp sessions, three preseason games, two joint practices and one scrimmage, the Atlanta Falcons have all the stats, film and interactions at their disposal before trimming their roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday evening.

Atlanta made its first 13 cuts Sunday afternoon, which puts the active roster at 78 players, including the team’s International Player Pathway designation, outside linebacker Kenny Oginni.

But who makes the final 53-man roster? Are there any surprise cuts? Here’s our final guess at Falcons on Sports Illustrated …

Quarterbacks (2): Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.

The noteworthy part is not about who’s here, but who isn’t — Taylor Heinicke, a four-game starter last year and capable veteran backup. Heinicke is one of the more interesting names to monitor in the coming days and has both trade and cut potential.

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Running backs (4): Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, Jase McClellan

Robinson and Allgeier will be the lead ballcarriers while Williams will handle kick and punt returns. McClellan, a sixth-round rookie from Alabama, narrowly gets the nod over second-year pro and returning practice squad member Carlos Washington Jr. and late signee Spencer Brown.

Receivers (6): Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, Chris Blair

Blair led the Falcons in receiving this preseason, but he’s firmly at risk if Atlanta only carries five wideouts. London, Mooney and McCloud didn’t play in the preseason, and Hodge only suited up for the opener.

Tight ends (3): Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley

The biggest question here is whether John FitzPatrick, a sixth-round pick in 2022, sticks on the practice squad. Atlanta has high hopes for Pitts, while Woerner and Dwelley, a pair of offseason signings from the San Francisco 49ers, will hold niche offensive roles.

Offensive linemen (8): Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton, Ryan Neuzil

When Atlanta split into two fields during training camp — first- and second-string players on one side, third- and fourth-string on another — these were the eight routinely on the field with the starters.

Defensive linemen (8): Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, Eddie Goldman, Kentavius Street

Morris said the Falcons may go heavier up front, and of these eight, only two — rookies Orhorhoro and Dorlus — played in the preseason finale. Eight may ultimately be one body shy.

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Outside linebackers (4): Matt Judon, James Smith-Williams, Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter

The mid-August trade for Judon leaves a few close candidates on the outside looking in, including 2022 third-round pick DeAngelo Malone and training camp standout Demone Harris.

Inside linebackers (4): Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, J.D. Bertrand

This has been set for months. Bertrand will be a special teams ace, while Elliss, Andersen and Landman will handle a variety of roles in the middle of Atlanta’s defense.

Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, Clark Phillips III, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Kevin King

Terrell, Hughes, Alford, Phillips and Hamilton did not play in the preseason finale. King is the favorite to be Atlanta’s No. 6 corner, beating Natrone Brooks and Anthony Johnson after snatching the team’s lone interception and tying for a team-high with two passes defended. King has also seen time at safety giving him the versatility edge over Brooks.

Safeties (5)*: Jessie Bates III, Justin Simmons, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, DeMarcco Hellams*

The Falcons believe Hellams, who will miss “significant time” with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, can return later this season. Thus, he needs to be on the initial 53-man roster, though he’ll likely be placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. If he were to be placed on injured reserve beforehand, his season would be over.

Special teams (3): Kicker Younghoe Koo, Punter Bradley Pinion, Long Snapper Liam McCullough

The Falcons carried the same three specialists last year and have only these three currently on their roster.

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Offense: 23
Defense: 27
Special teams: 3



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Atlanta, GA

Mother of Atlanta woman killed in street racing hit-and-run pleads for driver to come forward

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Mother of Atlanta woman killed in street racing hit-and-run pleads for driver to come forward


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It’s not hard to tell that Shantea Reeves was loved. Sunday, her family laid her to rest, after just 32 short years on Earth.

“My daughter was an angel to all. When you’d first meet, she brought a smile to your face,” said Shantea’s mother Della.

The model, actress, best friend and mother was tragically killed on Aug 4. Atlanta police said two cars were racing on I-20 near Moreland Avenue.

Reeves was on the shoulder when she was hit by the car that was in the far-right lane.

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“She got ran over several times. I couldn’t even have a regular closed casket like everybody else, because of the fact that she was in pieces,” said Della.

The investigation revealed the drivers were going at least 100 miles per hour and not one of them stopped for her.

“If that person would have just stopped, maybe you wouldn’t have killed her. Maybe she just would have been hospitalized,” said Shantea’s sister Dajiona.

All they now have is precious memories to cherish.

“My daughter was a servant to the community,” said Della.

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Her family is hoping someone can come forward to hold the ones responsible, accountable.

“It’s not right to take someone’s life. You don’t have the choice to take someone’s life,” said Dajiona.

“I just want people to come forward. Don’t be scared. I need you to imagine if this was your mother, your sister, your daughter,” said Della.

If you have any information that can help the case, you can call the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS(8477). You can report tips anonymously.

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62-year-old man shot in the back during drive-by shooting in southeast Atlanta

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62-year-old man shot in the back during drive-by shooting in southeast Atlanta


A man was hospitalized after Atlanta police said he was shot during a drive-by shooting Sunday morning.

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At 7 a.m. officers were called to 1518 Jonesboro Road in southeast Atlanta regarding a person shot.

The address appears to be Rio’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream shop.

When police arrived, they found a 62-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his back.

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He was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. His identity was not released.

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During the investigation, APD learned that the man was outside the business when he was hit by gunfire which came from a moving vehicle.

The suspects drove away before police arrived. The investigation is ongoing.

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