The Atlanta Braves have struggled mightily early on in the Major League Baseball season. Heading into Thursday night’s matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Braves had yet to win a series.
They sat at 2-9 on the season, tied for the worst record in the league, and they had only scored more runs (34) than the Colorado Rockies (33). The Braves, who were hosting the Phillies in the final game of their three-game series, sent 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, Spencer Schwellenbach to the mound.
Schwellenbach pitched well, allowing just one run over six innings. With both team’s offenses struggling Thursday night, the game went to extra innings after a lengthy rain delay tied at one.
And in the bottom of inning No. 11, Marcell Ozuna launched a walk-off home run deep into the fairly empty, left field stands. The crowd that stuck out delay, staying to cheer on their team, was sent into a frenzy. And the Atlanta Braves immediately sent a two-word message on their official X account.
BIG BEAR #BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/yoIfvSl3sW
BIG BEAR 🐻#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/yoIfvSl3sW
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 11, 2025
“BIG BEAR,” the post said.
Ozuna is affectionately nicknamed “The Big Bear”. The word bear in Spanish translates to “oso”. Ozuna took on the nickname when he was playing in the Minor Leagues early on in his career.
The 413-foot walk-off blast was just Ozuna’s second home run on the year. While Ozuna’s power hasn’t shown itself yet this season, he remains the only Braves hitter batting over .275 (.316). The Braves have struggled on every side of the ball so far, but perhaps Thursday night’s walk-off magic will kickstart their season.
The Braves have been one of the better, more consistent teams in MLB the past few seasons. They’ve reached the postseason in each of the past seven seasons, including a World Series championship in 2021.
The Braves now own a 3-9 record, however, they started the season 0-7. No team in MLB history has ever made the postseason after starting a season 0-7. The longest losing streak to start a season while still making the postseason was the 1974 Pittsburgh Pirates (0-6).
