Braves One Year Wonder, Ben Sheets, is better known for his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he did have a memorable end to his career with the Braves. The 4 time all star anchored the Brewers rotation for 8 seasons and received Cy Young votes at only age 25. He was a hyped prospect from the beginning after being drafted 10th overall in the 1999 draft.

Braves One Year Wonder, Ben Sheets: Path to Atlanta

Sheets dealt with arm issues concluding his Brewer career at age 29. He missed a full year in 2009 before coming back in 2010 with the A’s. He started 20 games for the A’s, but recurring arm problems set him back yet again. Ben Sheets looked all but done before, ultimately, signing with Atlanta in 2012 to a minor league deal.

Before the Anibal Sanchez and Felix Hernandez’s of the world, the Braves rediscovered Ben Sheets and his former glory for half a season. Ben was only age 33 at the time of the signing, but he had dealt with so many injuries that many didn’t believe he would ever be back. Ben Sheets started his first game for Atlanta on July 15th and threw six scoreless innings. He threw 6 or more innings in 7 of his 9 starts including an 8 strikeout game. His devastating hammer curve looked as good as ever and it was the story around baseball for a few months.

Ben Sheets revitalized a Braves rotation that dealt with injuries of their own to give them a much needed boost. He went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA in those 9 starts throwing 49.1 quality innings from July onward. He had a 116 ERA+ in that season with the Braves to help propel the 2012 team into the playoffs. The 2012 season was mostly known for Chipper’s final season and the infield fly game. However, let us not forget the performance Ben Sheets put together to end a fine 10 year big-league career. An injury derailed career left us thinking what could have been.

Thanks for the memories, Ben! And congrats on going out on top!

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