The Atlanta Braves began defense of their 2021 World Series championship with a familiar face on their pitching staff – former Viking Collin McHugh (09c).
McHugh, who made history in 2012 as the first Berry baseball player to reach the Major Leagues, most recently pitched in Tampa Bay, where he posted a 6-1 record with one save and a stellar 1.55 Earned Run Average in 2021. Other career highlights include six seasons in Houston, where he helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series.
McHugh attended high school in suburban Atlanta, making the Braves his hometown team.
“I’ve been a Braves fan as long as I’ve been a baseball fan,” said McHugh, a three-year standout at Berry whose style as a pitcher was influenced by Hall-of-Famers Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, all stars in Atlanta during his childhood. “I am the baseball player that I am because of watching all those guys.”
