Braves name Snitker full-time manager, hire Ron Washington to coach third base
The Braves were reportedly down to three managerial candidates over the weekend
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
The Atlanta Braves have hired a new full-time manager. It's the same man who led the team for most of last season.
Tuesday morning the Braves announced interim manager Brian Snitker has been hired as the team's full-time skipper. He received a one-year contract for 2017 with an option for 2018. Here is the club's announcement:
The Atlanta #Braves today named Brian Snitker as the club's manager and announced the 2017 coaching staff! pic.twitter.com/u3wGSEvMPR
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 11, 2016
Snitker, 60, took over as interim manager in May after Fredi Gonzalez was fired. It was his first MLB managerial job. The Braves went 59-65 (.476) under Snitker overall and 37-35 (.514) in the second half. They were 9-28 (.243) under Gonzalez.
Snitker has been with the Braves for a very, very long time. Since 1977, in fact. He started his professional career as a player before getting into coaching and managing. He's managed well over 2,500 games in 19 minor league seasons, so while this is his first full-time MLB manager's job, it's not the first time he's been a manager.
The Braves were said to be down to three managerial candidates over the weekend: Snitker, former Rangers manager coach Ron Washington, and former Padres manager Bud Black. Atlanta hired Washington as their new third base coach, according to the team's announced. He's widely regarded as an excellent third base coach and infield instructor.
Despite the last place finish in 2016, the Braves are clearly a team on the rise given their young talent in the big leagues and deep farm system. They're also opening a new stadium, SunTrust Park, in 2017. They want the right man leading this team going forward, and the club has decided longtime staffer Brian Snitker is the man for the job.
