The Atlanta Braves have wrapped up their season, and for the first time in a long while, they’ll be heading home without a playoff berth. As the offseason begins, one major question loomed: Would Brian Snitker return as manager? On Wednesday, that question was answered.
“Brian Snitker will not return as manager of the Atlanta Braves, sources tell ESPN. He informed the team of his decision yesterday. But he will remain with the organization in a senior advisory capacity,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.
Snitker was a game-changer for the Braves organization, and that impact will define his legacy. He led Atlanta to six straight NL East titles and finished third in all-time managerial wins in franchise history.
“Snitker, 69, led the Braves to six division titles and seven playoff berths during his 10 seasons as manager – capped off by [a] World Series championship in 2021. His 811 career victories trail only Hall of Famers Bobby Cox (2,149) and Frank Selee (1,004) on the all-time list of Braves managers,” wrote USA Today’s Steve Gardner.
One of Atlanta’s top sports talk show hosts stirred controversy by comparing Snitker to Braves legend Bobby Cox:
“Brian Snitker did more with less. Bobby Cox did less with more,” Bell posted.
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That comment didn’t sit well with Braves legend Chipper Jones, who fired back in defense of his former manager.
“U are….without a doubt….a clown! Only an absolute, talentless, gasbag….would take this opportunity to celebrate a glorious retirement by crapping on the generational GM and manager that ignited the last 35 yrs of baseball relevance. U can’t be serious with this post,” Jones responded.
Jones clearly didn’t hold back. To him—and many Braves fans—Cox remains the greatest manager in franchise history. While Snitker’s contributions were monumental, suggesting he surpassed Cox was seen by some as crossing the line.
This offseason will be a critical one for the Braves, but it’s clear Jones won’t be letting this debate go anytime soon. Having played almost his entire career under Cox, it’s no surprise he wouldn’t let anyone discredit the man who helped shape decades of Braves baseball.
