Wood vs. Wood #186

Last time 1987 scraped by with a 6-5 win. Who will come out on top this time? It's a battle of the Braves, Milwaukee vs. Atlanta.

Mack Jones played in 28 games for the Braves in 1961, but Topps couldn't get a photo of him in a proper uniform, it seems. His most notable game that year was his first, as he became the first player in the 20th century with four hits in his major league debut. Those hits came off future Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson. A 2020's style player (lots of HR, lots of Ks), his best season with the Braves was 1965, when he hit .262 with 31 HR and 75 RBI. He was traded to the Reds after the 1967 season, and after 1968 was the second expansion pick for the new Montreal Expos. Jones was one of the team's first stars, hitting 22 home runs. The left field bleachers at Jarry Park became known as "Jonesville" for his slugging prowess. He tailed off significantly in 1971 and was released, ending his major league career. Overall in 1,002 major league games he hit .252 with 133 HR and 415 RBI. After his playing days he had a career in insurance. He died of cancer in 2004.

Bruce Benedict squares up to bunt in a spring training game against the Expos in West Palm Beach. Benedict was one of the best defensive catchers in the National League, good enough to earn All Star recognition in 1981 and 1983 despite unimpressive batting numbers. In 1982 he set a major league record by throwing out three baserunners in one inning. His best season was 1983, with a .992 fielding percentage that was second in the league, along with hitting .298. Overall in 982 games over twelve seasons, all with the Braves, he hit .242 with 18 HR and 260 RBI. He was later a minor league manager for the Mets, and a scout for the Mets, Cardinals and White Sox. He has also run a baseball academy in Georgia.