The Atlanta Braves entered Sunday looking for a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park, but the series finale did not go according to plan.
Atlanta lost 9-4 after winning the first two games of the series, including a convincing 12-2 victory Saturday night. Mauricio Dubón contributed to that win with one hit, two RBIs and a run scored.
Dubón’s impact this season has gone well beyond a single game, however. The 32-year-old utility player has found an admirer in one of the most recognizable players in Braves history: Chipper Jones.
Chipper Jones Has High Praise for Mauricio Dubón
In a recent interview, Jones revealed that Dubón has become his new favorite player, praising both his approach to the game and his willingness to learn.
“He’s taken over as my new favorite player,” Jones said. “I love the guy to death because whenever I come down, he comes and sits right down next to me. The kid is a sponge. He loves the game of baseball.”
Jones also gave Dubón a fitting nickname based on his ability to handle different positions.
“And I like to call him the Swiss Army knife,” Jones said. “You can play him in left, you can play him in center, you can play him at short, you can play him at third, you can play him at second. Doesn’t care. Just wants to be in a lineup somewhere and will give you everything he’s got.”
Dubón’s Versatility Became More Important for Braves
That versatility became particularly useful for Atlanta following Jurickson Profar’s PED suspension during spring training. Jones explained that Profar was expected to give the Braves flexibility across several positions before his suspension changed those plans.
“Jurickson Profar was kind of going to be that Swiss Army knife, be able to play a little left field, DH, play the infield if pressed into duty,” Jones said. “And with his suspension, it expanded Mauricio Dubón’s ability to play anywhere.”
Dubón is playing his first season with Atlanta after previously spending time with the Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers during his eight-year major league career.
Through 141 games, Dubón is batting .264 with 11 home runs, 69 RBIs, 61 runs and seven stolen bases. His ability to move around the diamond has also given the Braves another option when constructing their lineup.
Braves Remain on Top of NL East
Atlanta remains in a strong position despite Sunday’s loss. The Braves sit atop the National League East with an 88-61 record through 149 games and have won six of their last 10.
For Dubón, his first year in Atlanta has now included something that will not appear anywhere on his stat sheet: earning the approval of a Braves legend who spent nearly two decades wearing the uniform.
