Why opt out when you can walk-off like Nick Markakis? (Video)

Nick Markakis is back and winning ball games for the Atlanta Braves.

Nick Markakis proves playing baseball professionally is better than watching it professionally.

After opting out of the 2020 MLB season, Markakis was the first player to opt back into some big league action. Markakis initially opted out before the start of the year, as hearing from long-time teammate Freddie Freeman just how scary contracting the coronavirus can be. But after a weekend of watching the Atlanta Braves play without him, Markakis decided he wanted back in.

With second baseman Ozzie Albies and first baseman/designated hitter Matt Adams going on the IL, Markakis made his way back to Atlanta for the first time since opting out. A day later, he was the reason the Braves improved to 9-5 on the year. Markakis crushed his first home run of the year, as he propelled Atlanta to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in walk-off fashion.

Nick Markakis will be key in the Atlanta Braves going far in postseason.

Despite being one of the most stoic individuals to ever grace a baseball diamond, you could sense a little bit of emotion out of Markakis as he touched home with his teammates practicing social distancing in a circle around home plate. Markakis may not have the pop in his bat from his days with the Baltimore Orioles, but this will have to go down as one of his greatest home runs ever.

With the team’s ace pitcher Mike Soroka going down for the year with a torn Achilles’ tendon, it is more important than ever this team be united in a sprint of a 60-game season. Markakis has been a veteran leader for this team for a long time. He’s been there when the team was rancid back in 2015. Along with Freeman, they are the two most-tenured guys on the entire roster.

Markakis will continue to use that slick glove of his in the outfield, as well as serve as the designated hitter if manager Brian Snitker wants to get an extra left-handed bat in there. Every game is precious and the Braves found a way to eke this one out against a feisty Toronto Blue Jays team. With a starting rotation in flux sans Soroka, the Braves need every win more than ever.

By coming back to the Braves, Markakis may have given the team the jolt they were hoping for.