In January, Laughlin announced that he needed heart surgery and would be stepping away from the booth. On Sunday, he was welcomed back by his longtime broadcast partner, play-by-play man Joe Beninati.

Ballard then said, “I’m gonna go to work up here, guys. Good luck the rest of the way,” to Braves announcers in the TV booth for the telecast, though Ballard’s meaning at that point was ...