Dickey living the dream of playing for Braves

ATLANTA — R.A. Dickey has pitched in six organizations and with five Major League clubs over the course of the past 20 seasons. But before being officially introduced by the Braves on Friday, the veteran knuckleballer had never donned the jersey of the team he and his late father passionately followed throughout his childhood in Tennessee.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been as emotional putting on a jersey,” Dickey said. “It brings back a lot of sweet memories. It makes me more motivated and excited to make a contribution to this organization. So, there are a lot of things that played into it. It’s special, very special.”

• Hot Stove Tracker

Whether listening via a transistor radio or watching games on TBS, Dickey was a passionate fan of Braves teams that spanned from the days of Dale Murphy and Bob Horner to the more memorable years during which Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped build something special in Atlanta.

Now, Dickey has a chance to play a key role as he optimistically moves toward a new era. The former National League Cy Young Award winner’s lifelong dream to be a Brave came true at the age of 44, courtesy of the one-year, $8 million contract he agreed to last week. He will now pitch four hours from his family’s residence in Nashville, Tenn., and attempt to satisfy the club’s hope he will serve as an effective short-term bridge until some of Atlanta’s highly touted starting pitching prospects prove they truly are Major League ready.

“I’m …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com