Former Braves Pitcher Punches, Pins Knife-Wielding Man To Protect Players, Per Report

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: The Atlanta Braves logo connected a chapeau against the Chicago White Sox connected July 15, 2023 astatine Truist Park successful Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

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The Atlanta Braves person employed countless players passim their agelong history, from Hall of Fame stars to short-term contributors whose careers successful Atlanta were measured successful only a fistful of appearances.

Kevin Lomon belongs successful the second category, pitching concisely for the Braves successful 1996 during a awesome convention profession that yet lasted conscionable 12 games. Lomon made six alleviation appearances for Atlanta that season, moving seven-and-one-third innings pinch a 4.91 ERA. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks while striking retired 1 batter, pinch his last awesome convention quality coming connected Sept. 28, 1996.

Overall, Lomon sounded 16 2/3 innings, surrendering 24 hits and 8 walks while signaling 7 strikeouts successful his career. But astir 3 decades later, he has made headlines for a heroic guidance to a convulsive threat.

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Former Atlanta Braves Pitcher Turned Coach Stops Knife Threat Against Players

Lomon is now the caput shot coach astatine Cameron High School successful southeastern Oklahoma. Earlier this month, he was walking pinch 13 players for a shot crippled successful Shawnee erstwhile an alarming business unfolded astatine the team's hotel.

“An Oklahoma precocious schoolhouse shot coach says he didn’t person overmuch clip to deliberation erstwhile 1 of his players called from a edifice room saying a man had pulled a knife,” Taylor Howard reported for 5 CBS News.

Lomon said that 1 of his players called him astir 9 p.m. aft encountering a man successful the edifice hallway. The subordinate reported that the man had opened a weapon and moved toward him earlier retreating into his room.

Lomon instructed his players to get wrong their rooms and called 911. He past went into the hallway himself.

The constabulary study indicated that Lomon encountered the man adjacent the elevators pinch an unfastened knife. The man allegedly moved toward Lomon, who punched him respective times earlier holding him connected the crushed until constabulary arrived.

Former Atlanta Braves Pitcher Refuses To Call Himself A Hero

The confrontation ended without beingness injuries being reported among Lomon aliases his players. Police reportedly recovered 2 knives, while Stevens was arrested connected complaints of battle pinch a deadly limb and nationalist intoxication, according to Howard.

For Lomon, the determination was little astir bravery than responsibility.

“I don’t deliberation I’m a hero,” Lomon said, per Howard. “I conscionable deliberation I would do it again.”

That mindset reflects the domiciled he has embraced agelong aft his little MLB profession ended. As a coach responsible for 13 young players connected the road, Lomon viewed protecting them arsenic portion of his job.

His erstwhile life arsenic a Braves pitcher whitethorn person lasted only portion of 1 season, but astir 30 years later, Lomon recovered himself facing different high-pressure business — this clip pinch his young squad depending connected him to support them safe.