ATLANTA – Outfielders Michael Harris II and Lawrence Butler have known each other for over three-fourths of their lives.
Harris, the center fielder for the Atlanta Braves, and Butler, an outfielder for the Athletics, grew up playing baseball together in Atlanta. According to Harris, they first faced off at just 5 or 6 years old. They continued to play alongside each other through high school — Harris at Stockbridge High School and Butler at Westlake — and also teamed up for summer ball in the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association.
So naturally, there was friendly banter between the two when the Athletics came to town for a three-game series against the Braves on Monday. It was Butler’s first time as a major leaguer playing in Atlanta.
Prior to Monday’s game, Harris told Atlanta News First that the trash talk would be constant whenever Butler stepped up to the plate. He added that he’d be ready to track down anything Butler hit his way.
“It’s always fun to battle guys that you grew up with and workout with in the offseason,” Harris said.
Butler’s dream of playing in Atlanta nearly came true in late May/early June 2024, when the Athletics were in town. But he was optioned to Triple-A shortly before the series.
But nearly two years later, on Monday, that dream finally became reality.
“As a kid, you always dream of playing for the home team,” Butler told BravesVision. “For me to just be out there, just roamin’ around, just getting a hit, running the bases … just being home, it was a pretty cool moment. One that I’ll never forget.”
Butler finished the series 1-for-7 with a walk, while Harris went 1-for-12.
Despite the quiet stat lines, the reunion meant more than what showed up in the box score.
For now, the two will go their separate ways. With the Braves and Athletics in different leagues, Harris and Butler only meet once a year. The Athletics’ next trip to Truist Park won’t come until 2028.
But even when they’re on opposite sides, their friendship — and the trash talk — isn’t going anywhere.
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