This one felt like it was straight out of a movie. Eli White stepped up in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the Atlanta Braves clinging to a 1-1 tie against the St. Louis Cardinals. Not as the star. Not even as a regular starter. He was just a guy doing his job.
In only his 21st at-bat of the season, White crushed a go-ahead three-run bomb that broke the game open and gave Atlanta the 4-1 lead. It was a no-doubt, chest-thumping moment that might just be the biggest of his major league career.
Delivering in the Clutch
This was White’s first start in a week, and he’d been serving primarily as a pinch runner in between. That’s not exactly the easiest way to stay game-ready, but manager Brian Snitker made it clear—White earns his moments. “The guy does everything right,” Snitker said. “Cares, works hard, understands his role.”
And when it came time to hit, White didn’t hesitate. He made his swing count. The ball left no doubt. What stood out wasn’t just the mechanics of the moment but how naturally it all unfolded. Like he’d been swinging every day. Like he’d been waiting—not hoping—for this.
Right Place, Right Time
With Alex Verdugo getting a rest day, some expected him to step in if a big at-bat presented itself late. And Verdugo’s been looking sharp despite missing Spring Training.
But Snitker didn’t flinch. White was going to get his chance. He had earned that right, even without the regular playing time or the spotlight.
Snitker emphasized what makes White valuable beyond the bat after the game: “He’s a difference maker running. He’s one of the fastest guys around.” That speed is what put him on the roster. That bat? It just delivered the payoff.
A Spark in the Braves’ Turnaround
Atlanta is now 10-7 since starting the season 0-7—a massive turnaround that’s come thanks to depth players like White stepping up. His contributions were quiet until now, role-based, and often unnoticed. But this homer changed that. For once, he wasn’t just a piece of the machine. He was the moment.
With a slash line of .238/.333/.429 in limited action, White has proven he’s more than just fast legs. He’s capable. He’s ready. And when the lights got bright, he showed up.
Sometimes, baseball hands out these little stories. A player, a moment, a swing—and suddenly, the entire script shifts. That was Eli White. And this was his night.
