The Atlanta Braves' 2025 season continues to find ways to reach new lows in a year of absolute misery.
Whether it is injuries or fan-favorite players underachieving, there isn't a shortage of frustrating stories to focus on. Among them has been a trio of attempts to breathe life back into Jesse Chavez as the franchise has done so many times before. It is a running joke that it doesn't matter where Chavez signs, the veteran will struggle and land back with the Braves. Every time this has happened previously, Chavez has been able to find an extra gear and put his season back on track.
Having said that, even this trend was broken in 2025, with Chavez attempting three different tenures with the Braves, and none of them showed the results of the previous seasons. It isn't fair to give the aging veteran heat for this, given how many times he has defied the odds for Atlanta. He was most recently designated for assignment by the club last week.
The long-time Braves fan favorite deserves credit for his past accomplishments, even if this season hasn't worked out as planned. With this in mind, Chavez has announced his intention to retire and leave the game behind after an impressive career, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien.
#Braves Jesse Chavez, 41, announced his retirement today on Foul Territory podcast.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 24, 2025
“Coach” had 18-year MLB career, more stops with Atlanta than any other team.
Extremely popular in clubhouse. Pitched better for ATL each time he returned in recent years than with previous team.
The reliever will be missed in the Atlanta bullpen and clubhouse.
Former Braves Reliever Jesse Chavez Retires From MLB
Being able to pitch at the Major League level in your age-41 season is an incredible accomplishment, no matter the results. Putting together a career that has lasted this long and involved a myriad of postseason contenders hands the veteran an impressive resume as he decides to walk away. One could argue that it was a year too late with Chavez helping the Braves to a postseason berth a season ago.
It would have been great to see the veteran go out on his own terms while still offering consistent production. However, Chavez making sure there weren't any bullets left in the chamber is also understandable. It offers an accomplished reliever the peace of knowing he played as long as his body would allow. The 41-year-old hurler will remain popular in Atlanta as well, based on his impressive story and what Chavez meant to the organization.
Across six seasons with the Braves, Chavez went 12-10 with a 3.30 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 190 games (6 starts). He also pitched to a 1.42 ERA in 11 postseason outings, with the highlight coming when Atlanta won the 2021 World Series.
For the Braves, it is yet another season low in understanding the gravity of where the team now finds itself. This isn't going to be fixed overnight, and continues to roll downhill. Drastic changes should be considered both at the upcoming trade deadline and in the offseason.
Chavez's retirement simply serves as another reminder of this fact.