A little boy from Decatur, Illinois never thought that he would grow up and spend 50 years in baseball, let alone the same organization for that entire length of time. But a little boy named Brian Snitker grew up to become manager of one of the most historic franchises in baseball history, the team that originated from Boston, then to Milwaukee, and now present day Atlanta Braves since 1966. Snitker, 69, was manager of the Braves from midway 2016 season through this past 2025 season, earning a managerial record of 811-668. Braves fans didn’t realize what they had with Bobby Cox, and goes the same with Snitker.
This season wasn’t the best season as the Braves missed the playoffs for the first time since they moved into Truist Park (Suntrust Park 2017) back in 2017. Braves had a run of six straight years making the playoffs under Snitker. In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Braves in the NLCS to eliminate the Braves from the playoffs, just one series away from the World Series. One year later in 2021, the Braves got redemption and beat the Dodgers in the same NLCS on their way to beat the Houston Astros in the World Series. The pure joy on Snitker’s face as he embraced bench coach Walt Weiss and 1B coach Eric Young, Sr as SS Dansby Swanson threw to 1B Freddie Freeman for the 3rd and final out to win. Snitker only had one true season of his team playing below .500 baseball. That was this season as the Braves finished 76-86, 4th place in the NL East.
As Snitker retires from managing, he will still be around the Braves organization taking on an advisory role. Not sure what type of role that will be…time will tell.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos (AA) is interviewing candidates for the Braves managerial vacancy this week. Top candidates for the job in my opinion in order are:
- David Ross
- Mark DeRosa
- Walt Weiss
David Ross: From Bainbridge, Georgia. Played for Bobby Cox and the Braves as a platoon catcher from 2009 – 2012. Was a fan favorite here in Atlanta. Was a gritty player. Managed the Chicago Cubs from 2020 – 2023 with a 262-284 record. My positive is he is a Georgia boy and has managerial experience. He has ties with the Braves.
Mark DeRosa: Played for the Braves from 1998 – 2004 under Bobby Cox. Retired in 2013 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He currently works as an analyst with the MLB Network. My positive is he has ties with the Braves. My negative is no managerial experience except for managing the USA in the World Baseball Classic in 2023 where USA won Silver.
Walt Weiss: Played shortstop for the Braves in 1998-2000. Managed the Colorado Rockies 2013-2016 with a record of 283-365. He is currently on the Braves coaching staff since 2018. My positive is he’s been a manager in the major leagues before. He has ties with the organization, and he is familiar with the current organization as it is put together in present day.
I’m hoping that AA is quick, but thorough in his selection. A manager selection that knows the organization, that is a player’s manager, and can build chemistry with how the Braves are put together present day. Knowing there will be new players and new coaches on next year’s team. It’s exciting for me hoping to turn on the radio and hear BREAKING NEWS: BRAVES HAVE A NEW MANAGER. That time will come at some point. The question is, will it be sooner or later?
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