Last week, the Braves announced Tim Hyers will replace Kevin Seitzer as the team’s hitting coach. Seitzer spent nine seasons with the Braves, helping the club to a World Series in 2021 and was even named MLB Coach of the Year by Baseball America as recently as 2023.
However, 2024 was frustrating for every member of Braves Country, including Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, who voiced his concerns during the season regarding the Braves approach at the plate.
“I’m old school man, and it’s not going away. Working with the Braves for the last couple of years has been very frustrating,” Chipper Jones said recently on the “Casa de Klub” podcast, via Sportsnaut. “Can’t stand giving away outs. I can’t stand strikeouts. Can’t deal with a guy on third, less than two outs, and hitting a ground ball to shortstop or second base.
“I can’t stand every once in a while not laying down a bunt for your best hitters. A hundred RBIs? So what. This is truly a ‘chicks dig the long ball’ kind of era.”
Many people took those words and ran with him, assuming Jones was displeased with Kevin Seitzer’s coaching, something Jones would later clear up after the Braves announced Seitzer was let go.
“What I said on this podcast, in no way was meant to smear or undercut the job that Seitz or Maggy are/were doing,” Jones said on X/Twitter. “I know what they are preaching and it was the same stuff that I mention. Sometimes it gets thru, sometimes it gets ignored. There’s no bullying involved here. I love both coaches to death. They are excellent instructors!”
Many others shared the frustrations of Jones. For years, the Braves have been a club that, while talented, seemed to completely ignore situational baseball. Over 162 games, the talent might overshadow the flaws, but when games are tighter in the postseason, the Braves inability to manufacture runs is a primary reason why they haven’t won a playoff series since 2021, despite winning nearly 300 games over the last three seasons.
These are points that were likely reiterated by Kevin Seitzer, but sometimes, a new voice is needed to get through. The Braves felt it was time, and they seemed to know who they wanted to target.
Tim Hyers is an Atlanta native that’s already made a name for himself as one of the league’s best hitting coaches, winning a World Series with both the Red Sox and Rangers. He brings with him a simplistic approach, one that’s earned the approval of Chipper Jones.
Approach is good….hunt the fastball, focus on the big part of the field (thru the middle), be better at situational hitting, don’t cloud the mind with too much info. Really good hire! https://t.co/gZLbpnAzcL
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 28, 2024
The Chipper Jones seal of approval may not be a requirement for the job, but having him in your corner can only be looked upon positively. He’s one of the greatest hitters to ever step foot on the diamond, and his opinion will always matter within the Braves organization.
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