Managing a baseball team is a thankless job. Unless the Braves win the World Series every season, the hardest trophy in sports to capture, some portion of the blame is going to be pointed at the manager, and even when they do win, some fans won’t be totally satisfied.
Over 162 games, even the best managers are going to make questionable decisions. Brian Snitker has had his fair share this year, especially recently, but none of that should take away from the brilliant job he’s done all season at keeping this team together and focused on the ultimate goal despite everything that’s been thrown at his club.
Most teams would crumble after losing the reigning NL MVP and their Opening Day starter, who was also the odds-on favorite to win the NL Cy Young award, let alone losing six other All-Stars for various periods, most for at least a couple of months. The Braves have been through all of that, yet they still sit 13 games over .500 with a four game lead in the NL Wild Card race. Hell, Atlanta is just six games out from having the best record in all of baseball.
Of course, the Braves came into the season with a bit more leeway than most clubs. Their roster was clearly better than the rest. Still, each loss takes it’s toll, and not just on the field. Baseball is 90% mental and having elite clubhouse chemistry makes a massive impact over a 162-game season. It’s part of what’s helped the Braves to six straight division titles, and while it may go unnoticed when the team is healthy and rolling, it’s impossible to overlook during times like these.
There have been a plethora of points in the season where the Braves could have waived the white flag, and nobody would have really blamed them. Hell, most fans did a month ago, and even I — the ultimate Braves optimist — began to question if this team could overcome each hurdle that was thrown in front of their feet.
But with Ronald Acuña Jr. Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, and Ozzie Albies all on the shelf, the Braves have managed to put together their best stretch of baseball since April, winning 12 out of their last 16 and 9 out of their last 11. The kind of togetherness it takes to withstand everything that has happened isn’t just random. There are many reasons the Braves have become the standard in baseball over the last seven years, and Brian Snitker’s steady presence leading the club is at the forefront of why.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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