With All-Star Week quickly approaching, baseball fans are already anticipating the 26th edition of the All-Star Futures Game.
This seven-inning showcase, scheduled for July 12 at Truist Park in Atlanta, will feature the game’s top minor-league prospects.
However, this year’s matchup is especially important for Braves Country.
On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that two of Atlanta’s most famous alumni will take over in the dugouts.
Chipper Jones, a Hall of Famer, has been named manager of the National League Futures squad, while two-time All-Star Marquis Grissom will lead the American League team.
The announcement was made through MLB’s official X account.
The Braves drafted Jones first overall in 1990, and he spent his entire 19-year career in Atlanta.
He hit.303/.401/.529 in 2,499 games, totaling 468 home runs and 1,623 RBIs.
Jones, an eight-time All-Star, was named National League MVP in 1999 and played a key role in the Braves’ 1995 World Series victory.
Meanwhile, Grissom led the National League in stolen bases twice (1991-92) and won the Gold Glove four times in a row (1993-96).
He played in the majors for six teams over 17 seasons, finishing with a.272 career batting average, 429 stolen bases, and 967 RBIs.
Grissom, a two-time All-Star, was also named the ALCS MVP in 1997 and played an important role in the Braves’ 1995 World Series victory.
As part of All-Star Saturday, the Futures Game offers a first look at tomorrow’s stars before the Midsummer Classic on July 15, also in Atlanta.
With the Futures Game returning to Truist Park, the home field of the 2021 World Series champions, the hometown crowd will get to witness both emerging talent and franchise legends in action.
