New Brave OF Mark Markakis Admits to Being Big Braves Fan

ATLANTA (AP) – Nick Markakis rattled off the names of Braves players he cheered for as a kid living near Atlanta.

Chipper Jones. Andruw Jones. David Justice. Fred McGriff. Greg Maddux. John Smoltz. Tom Glavine.

Markakis says the Braves teams of his youth played "the right way … it’s what they preach over here." He says signing a four-year, $44 million free-agent deal with Atlanta "just felt right."

Markakis spoke with reporters in the Braves’ clubhouse on Friday after passing a physical exam. He was assigned the No. 22 jersey that had been worn by Jason Heyward, who he’ll replace in right field.

The 31-year-old Markakis says he has "mixed emotions" leaving Baltimore, where he played his first nine seasons.

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