Lawrence Butler's connection to Atlanta runs deeper than just a hometown label. It's the city that shaped his passion for baseball, the place he returns to every offseason as an Athletics outfielder, and where he envisions giving back through his L4W Foundation once he hangs up his cleats.
“Atlanta is pretty much all I know,” Butler shared. “I’ve been there my whole life.”
Even when miles away, Atlanta stays with him-quite literally. The Braves' iconic red ‘A’ is inked on his skin, and every home run he hits is celebrated by raising four fingers, a tribute to his Sandtown neighborhood, Zone 4, also tattooed on his forearm.
“It always reminds me where I come from and where I’ve made it from,” Butler reflected after his first MLB homer in 2023. “I’ll always throw up the fours.”
This week marks a special occasion as the Athletics face the Braves in a three-game series at Truist Park. For Butler, it’s not just another road trip. It’s a return to the stadium he once frequented as a teenager, admiring stars like Freddie Freeman and, before that, legends at Turner Field like Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones.
Butler had long dreamed of playing on this field. He missed a chance in 2024 when he was sent to Triple-A just before the A’s series in Atlanta. Last year, he narrowly missed an All-Star selection at Truist Park but attended as a fan.
Now, Butler’s dream is realized.
“It means a lot,” Butler said, anticipating a large turnout of friends and family. “Turner Field holds many memories for me, and I’ve made great ones at Truist too. Playing here as a big leaguer is special.”
One standout memory at Truist came in 2023. Butler watched his childhood friend, Braves center fielder Michael Harris II, make a game-saving catch in the NLDS against the Phillies, a moment that left him in awe.
Butler and Harris share a friendly rivalry dating back to their youth baseball days. They continue to train together in the offseason at Marquis Grissom’s facility in Georgia.
“It’ll be cool to see him in center field,” Butler said of Harris. “Hopefully, I rob him and he doesn’t take any hits from me.”
The two have faced off before, but sharing the field in Atlanta carries a deeper significance. It’s a powerful message for young athletes in Atlanta, inspiring them to dream big.
“For kids in Atlanta to see us, two Black kids from the city, playing on the big league stage, it means a lot,” Butler emphasized. “It’s about showing them what’s possible.”