VENICE, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker held court in front of a "2021 World Champions" banner, peaking occasionally at the nearby bullpen, where World Series hero Charlie Morton threw a side session. Around the corner, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Cristian Pache pulled up in matching, glitzy-gold SUVs and posed for a photo.
"It's like the first day of school," October star Tyler Matzek said.
Big leaguers filed into camps across Florida and Arizona on Sunday for the first official day of spring training following a 99-day lockout, with one notable absence for the Braves: All-Star and 2020 National League MVP Freddie Freeman.