The Dodgers took the media by storm on Saturday afternoon when it was announced that they had complete a blockbuster trade with the Atlanta Braves. Dodgers veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, left-hander Scott Kazmir, right-hander Brandon McCarthy, utility infielder Charlie Culberson and cash considerations were sent to the Braves in exchange for former Dodger Matt Kemp. Yes, you read that right, Matt Kemp.

The main goal of the transaction, which had Twitter buzzing for hours, was a massive salary dump by the Dodgers to finally get them below MLB’s competitive balance tax (aka: luxury tax); a tax that cost them $30 million in penalties last season alone and something that they have been unable to accomplish for the past five seasons.

With the trade, the Dodgers unloaded several of their largest and most suffocating contracts while bringing back former fan-favorite Matt Kemp to the place where it all began for the now 33-year-old Midwest City, Oklahoma native. But unquestionably the saddest part of the deal is that it forced the Dodgers to bid farewell to Dodgers current fan-favorite and folk hero Charlie Culberson.

Unless you follow baseball closely, you might not have known Charlie Culberson’s name a few years ago. He changed all of that with one swing of the bat on September 25, 2016 when he hit 10-inning walk-off home run that clinched the National League West title for the Dodgers on what would be Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully’s final call from the booth at Dodger Stadium as the crowd roared. It was Culberson’s first home run in two years and his first as a Dodger.

From that moment on, I was reminded of just how special baseball is; that you can be a guy who finally gets a chance and make the most of it. Culberson reminded me of this truth and exemplified it during his time with the Dodgers. The 28-year-old Rome, Georgia native and former 2007 first-round draft pick (by the San Francisco Giants) appeared in just 34 games during the 2016 season and finished with a batting average of .299.

Culberson’s 10th-inning, game-winning, division-clinching, walk-off home run on September 25, 2016 ranks right up there with the greatest home runs in Dodgers history, along with those of Kirk Gibson, Steve Finley and Rick Monday. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In 2017, we saw even less of Culberson as he primarily remained in Oklahoma City taking hacks for the OKC Dodgers Triple A affiliate. He appeared in just 15 games for the major league club.

Culberson again showed the world that he could handle having extreme pressure placed on his shoulders. The Dodgers were looking strong heading into the NLCS after sweeping their division rivals in the Arizona Diamondbacks when the news read ‘Corey Seager Left Off NLCS Roster.’ Don’t lie, as a Dodger fan, your heart quickened when you read that headline. No Seager? How were the Dodgers supposed to get through the Chicago Cubs without their everyday 2016 NL Rookie of the Year shortstop?

Once again, here comes Culberson ready to step up to the plate with the playoff pressure placed on his shoulders. Culberson played in five games during the NLCS against the Cubs and finished with a batting average of .499. In just thirteen plate appearances, Culberson showed the world – once again – that he could play baseball at its highest level. His postseason starts were so impactful that he even saw playing time during the World Series. While Culberson only had five plate appearances in the World Series, he hit .600 in those appearances. If Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was going to give him a chance to get to the plate, Culberson was going to make the most of it.

With Culberson’s postseason memories still fresh in our minds, saying goodbye to him is a sad thought. But while Dodger fans will surely miss the class-act guy that he is, Culberson is also getting to go home. The Georgia native will be home and playing for the ballclub he grew up cheering for and wearing the same uniform his childhood idols once wore. The father of three and his wife Sarah will now get to have his family home where he grew up.

Although the Dodgers are bidding farewell to a great ball player and even greater man, Culbie now has a legitimate chance to become an everyday player for the Braves, something that he never would have been able to do with the Dodgers. The Dodgers 40-man roster was simply too crowded to allow for that, whereas the Braves do have room on their roster for Culberson to become an everyday player.

Late Saturday evening, Culberson posted this message on Twitter. Yet another example of the class of this fine young man.

Although the trade is bittersweet in many ways, it is probably the best-case scenario for Culberson. While fans will miss him coming off the bench in Dodger Blue, Culberson will take the field wearing white and red, grinning and thinking of all the great men he admired growing up who have worn the same uniform.

Godspeed to you Charlie.

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Editor’s Note: The staff at ThinkBlueLA.com is pleased to welcome 21-year-old Amanda Howell to our team of talented writers. Amanda was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California and is a graduate of Saugus High School. She is currently attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, where she is majoring in Business Sports Management. We encourage you to follow Amanda on Twitter at @AmandaHowell15.