Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker reiterated Sunday that he has not decided whether he wants to continue managing or retire. He\u2019s at the end of his contract, will be 70 next month, and has been in the Braves organization for 49 years as a player, coach, instructor and manager.<\/p>\n
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has not said whether the Braves will offer Snitker another contract, only that Snitker would \u201calways be\u201d in the organization and that they would talk with Snitker after the season. Snitker said those conversations would happen in the next few days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be honest with you, I teetered on the fence,\u201d Snitker said of his decision. \u201cI\u2019ve never been through this before. So I wasn\u2019t sure how to navigate it. Talked to a lot of people that had been through it, and I got some good advice. And so I just tried to stay in the moment pretty much and not focus it onto (the team) on that day\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Snitker said he\u2019s talked with multiple former managers who had been in similar situations, without naming them. He also said the Braves\u2019 improved play in the second half and in recent weeks might\u2019ve influenced his thinking some.<\/p>\n
He has said repeatedly in recent weeks, and again Sunday, how proud he\u2019s been that his team kept playing hard until the end. Snitker told the team as much Sunday.<\/p>\n
One thing seems clear: He has their support.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Braves pitcher Chris Sale said, when asked if he\u2019d like to see Snitker return. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have a celebratory send-off for him, so he can\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braves first baseman Matt Olson said, \u201cSnit has always been great to us. I always talk about how he has the perfect demeanor. He just sets the clubhouse up nice. I don\u2019t think that the highs and the lows \u2014 as a manager, you can\u2019t ride those, and Snit is the epitome of that. He\u2019s always rolling even keel all the way through. And I think that frees guys up to let him play.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it\u2019s kind of his decision to make. We\u2019ll see where it goes, but nothing but respect for Snit.\u201d<\/p>\n
National League Rookie of the Year candidate Drake Baldwin said of Snitker, \u201cHe\u2019s an awesome guy. He kind of lets us be and lets us do what we have to do every day to be the best player we can be. He hasn\u2019t told us anything, but I\u2019m definitely curious what he decides.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox \/ Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has not said if the Braves would offer Snitker another contract.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":100410,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-100406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-atlanta-braves"],"yoast_head":"\n