The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
B.J. is now Melvin Upton Jr.
Change comes after center fielder’s two poor seasons.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — It’s official: B. J. Upton is now Melvin Upton Jr. on your scorecard.
The Braves center fielder is listed as Melvin Upton Jr. on the Braves’ spring training roster, just as Upton Jr. is on the back of the jersey hanging in his locker at spring training. This marks the first time he’s had “Jr.” on his jersey in his professional career.
Braves pitchers and catchers began workouts Friday and the rest of the position players are due to report by Wednesday, with the first full-squad workout set for Thursday. So far, Upton hasn’t been among the early arriving position players.
Team officials confirmed he will go by Melvin Upton Jr. this year and would answer ques- tions about the decision when he arrives in camp.
Melvin Emmanuel “B. J.” Upton is the son of Manny Upton and has gone by “B.J.” throughout his amateur and professional career. Those initials stand for Bossman Junior, also a nod to his father, who has long been known as Bossman back home in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Upton is coming off consecutive seasons that were the worst of his career and coincided with his first years in a fiveyear, $75.25 million contract, the largest freeagent deal the Braves ev- er gave a player. He’s hit a combined .198 with a .279 on-base percentage, 21 home runs and 32 stolen bases in two seasons, with 324 strikeouts and 101 walks in 1,208 plate appearances.
The name change is apparently in club usage. Braves president of baseball operations John Hart, discussing new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, said unprompted, “He’s had some really good work with Melvin.”
Did that mean Upton will be introduced that way when he comes to bat?
“Yes, he is,” Hart replied.