Brian Snitker is entering his tenth season as the Braves’ manager, and his 49th season overall as a member of Atlanta’s organization. The skipper also turns 70 years old in October, and his most recent contract extension with the Braves (signed back in January 2023) was just a one-year pact that covered the 2025 campaign.
With all this in mind, Snitker seems to be at least considering ending his managerial career once this season is over. He recently told the New York Post’s Jon Heyman that “I’ll let the year get underway and see what happens,” and told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that last year, Snitker did view 2025 as his last season, though he now isn’t ready to make a final call.
“I still feel really good, and the 50-number [50 years with the Braves] is something I think it’d be kind of cool. But right now, I’m leaning towards getting through today,” Snitker told Nightengale.
It speaks to Snitker’s baseball-lifer status that stepping away from the manager’s chair wouldn’t mean he is retiring entirely, as “hopefully, I’ll just stay around here and be one of those advisor guys. I’ll go to the minor-league parks, come to Spring Training a little bit and spend a lot of time watching my grandkids.” So technically, such an advisory role could stretch Snitker’s Atlanta tenure into yet another decade, even if he would be free from the day-to-day grind of managing.
Bobby Cox and Frank Selee are the only managers in franchise history with more wins than Snitker, who is 735-585 over his nine-plus seasons. That resume includes seven consecutive winning seasons, and a streak of six straight NL East titles that ended only with last season’s second-place finish. Snitker’s run of success was highlighted by the Braves’ triumph in the 2021 World Series, as Atlanta overcame losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a torn ACL that season and launched something of a Cinderella run to the championship.
Snitker’s minor league playing career consisted of four seasons in the Atlanta farm system, and he then immediately pivoted into a roving instructor position in 1980. This was the stepping stone to becoming a minor league manager in 1982, with Snitker acting as the skipper for multiple teams at multiple rungs of the organizational ladder over the next three-plus decades. These minor league managerial assignments came in between three different stints on the Braves’ big league coaching staff — Snitker was the bullpen coach in 1985 and then again from 1988-90, and he acted as the third base coach from 2007-13.
Snitker was the manager at Triple-A Gwinnett when he was named the Braves’ interim manager in May 2016, after Fredi Gonzalez was fired. Though Snitker was only 59-65 over the remainder of that season, it was enough to earn him the full-time job, and Snitker then went 72-90 during the 2017 campaign. As Nightengale notes, Snitker’s job security was on shaky ground before an even bigger shake-up happened within the organization, as GM John Coppolella resigned due to a league investigation into allegations that the Braves violated international signing rules. Alex Anthopoulos was quickly brought on as the new general manager, and kept Snitker as manager in part to maintain some stability within an unusual situation for the team.
“I didn’t know anything about Brian Snitker but his name when I got here,’’ Anthopoulos told Nightengale. “I didn’t know who he was. I literally had no attachment, no history whatsoever. Now, I have the highest level of trust from a personal standpoint, a professional standpoint, which is critically important. I have so much trust in him in everything we do.”
It would appear that Anthopoulos would be more than happy to keep Snitker in the job beyond 2025, and if Snitker does decide to return, another one-year extension could be worked out in pretty quick fashion. All of Snitker’s contracts as manager have been short-term deals of no longer than two guaranteed years, perhaps as a nod to Snitker’s age even though his teams kept delivering on the field.
Snitker’s future will be a major running subplot of what is expected to be another year of high expectations in Atlanta. As much as flags fly forever, the Braves haven’t won a playoff series in the three years since that 2021 ring, and now face heavy competition just in the NL East, let alone the National League as a whole. Still, the Braves overcame a lot of major injuries to still at least reach the postseason last year, and a healthier roster could help Snitker potentially go out on a high note if he does decide to end his managerial career.
3 managers in 36 years. they sure are consistently competitive and know how to pick a good leader in the clubhouse
It’s a big change from the 1970’s and ’80’s, when their teams were usually among the worst in baseball, and Ted Turner himself even “managed” one game before Bowie Kuhn squashed that idea, lol.
Turner liked being in the dugout. I remember seeing a game on WTBS in the 70s when he was a bat boy.
Fredi Gonzalez was not a great Atlanta manager but Bobby was an all time great and snit is definitely going into the ring of honor
Snit in the Ring of Horror, Right next
to Uncle Fester of the Addams Family!
Once Ted Turner quit meddling and hired Bobby Cox back, it all fell into place.
Didnt realize cox was braves skipper late 70s/early 80s got canned then brought back
And nor should he be. He’s 70 years young. No rush.
What if Snickers doesn’t get offered a job? These MLB employees don’t seem to understand that there’s only 30 of these jobs out there, and it’s not up to them whether they are employed or not.
The Braves are not going to let Snitker leave if he still wants to manage. C’mon.
Furthermore, the Braves will let Snitker participate in whatever advisory capacity he wants, if he does step down as manager. He is clearly not gunning for managing in another dugout.
R E T I R E ! A L R E A D Y !
Same thing Braves fans said about Bobby Cox for years.
You must be a fan of a different team because that’s an awful take if you’re a Braves fan.
As a Braves fan, we need a new manager. Maybe soon once the Braves start 0-7!!
Hard to blame him for the start this season. His GM hung him out to dry with the worst bullpen (on paper at least) of any “contending team”.
I know it’s not his fault, but he has no fire whatsoever. As far as the bullpen goes, most of the guys from last year are still here. Braves arent hitting 4 games in. Braves need those Yankee torpedo bats
AA sat on his hands all off season, can’t blame Snit for that. Glaring holes all over the place…hopefully we get going but definitely not looking good heading to LA. And the latest bat fad didn’t exist in 2023 so to me that’s not an excuse, they look kinda cool tho haha
I need to look those bats up. I heard about the “torpedo” bats or as some call them “bat plug” after the 9 hr game. I seen a few people saying they were “obscene”. I thought it was the shape that was being referred to but after the latest game i am thinking its the performance.
@Skyrider: It was mentioned on the broadcast last night that Baldwin and another player had ordered a couple of those bats yesterday.
This is hilarious. 90% of baseball fans are wishing their team was the Braves.
Yet, Braves fans are calling for gutting the team after 4 games. Unbelievable.
Only tradeacuna is calling for gutting the team and he has been saying that since 2021.
I’ve watched the Braves consistently since 2000 and I’ve always been shocked how histrionic they can be. You’d think we’d have learned our lesson after 2021.
Hi, Braves fan here. We gutted the team once. I would rather walk over hot coals than do that again.
This team will be fine. March/April was always the toughest part of this schedule.
I know betting against the Braves is a fools game. That said, I think they will have a tough year in 2025 and because of that I see Snitker retiring after the season. Just my gut feeling. I wish them good luck though.
@roob: That would be some Braves “fans.” Don’t let a few ignorant loudmouths fool you into thinking they’re the group think leaders for an entire fan base, They aren’t.
Shut up. I am sure your boss wishes he could fire you. Dude has had the team in the race every season. Keeps that team playing hard when they lose start players to injury. Just to have some sofa know it all think they can do better. You are a virus.
Snit didn’t let Fried, Minter, & Morton go without replacing them with any quality pitchers.
Nothing the manager did would have helped the losses this weekend lol.
A new manager wouldn’t be able to do anything that Snit can’t do. It’s early; relax. Losing a few games to start the year is far from a crisis.
Really enjoy Snit as the manager. People overreact over some questionable decisions, but those are decisions all managers have to make and they aren’t always right. He has led us to a WS win and a great competitive run ever since he has been here. Can only hope the next manager can be as impactful as Snit.
You said it exactly right, dude. Snit has set a standard of excellence since he’s been there. Hard to argue with the achievements.
Assuming Bruce bochy doesn’t want to retire again (and marmol doesn’t get fired in St. Louis) I could see skip schumaker as the next Atlanta manager
I’m guessing they hire from within. Walt Weiss, Matt Tuiasosopo, or Tom Goodwin would be my guesses.
Yep. My money’s on Weiss or Tui. The one not hired will probably be the bench coach.
Actually I think Marmol will be replaced at seasons end. And I believe Schumaker gets hired by the Cards. He’s a good manager.
This team needs a fire sale badly.
Please be mindful of electrical fires.
I honestly understand your premise of trading Acuna more than most. We would never sign him to a monster contract if it gets to that point and why not get assets in return before if possible…but man I definitely don’t want another fire sale, it’s possible to re-tool and re-stock along the way if AA can’t actually figure out how to.
People can say this and that, but the reality is that the last few post-seasons proved this team is not capable of getting big hits. They have major holes at second, SS, C, left, and right (until Acuna returns). I’m not worried about the bullpen or rotation. As I said before, the Braves have an elite rotation, and SS is the key for this assertion. I’ve been very high on him since I saw his debut last season. Regardless, the offense needs to change. Loss of Freeman and Swanson has paid the team dearly.
I should mention the Braves need to trade the rest of the **** they have in the rotation aka AJ and HW.
@Trade: Funny you keep praising Schwellenbach. Prior to the season when I told you he was the darkhorse to make the rotation before the AS break, you called me an idiot for thinking the Braves had any minor league pitchers worth keeping. Btw—-they don’t have a hole at catcher. Once again you show your inability to judge young talent. Baldwin’s going to be their starter for the next 10 plus years. Profar’s not a “major hole” in lf either.
To be fair, I was looking into the short term benefit of acquiring reliable pitching for a postseason run. With that being said, it was the offense that dropped the team on its face.
I know who Baldwin is and he might be a star. The very little I’ve seen of him, I like him. But just like before, this team has too many holes to rely on a rookie with zero experience. Never said they need to acquire a catcher.
@Trade: You just posted that they have major holes at second, SS C, left, and right…..” What else could that “C” have referred to?
They are holes but it is not realistic to think they will all be addressed within one season. I want Albies gone, but that doesn’t mean the Braves will trade him. With Profar out now, the Braves need to address the outfield
I was only referring to your statement that said the Braves have a hole at C. The rest of your opinions on the other positions wasn’t part of our conversation.
It is a hole until Baldwin proves otherwise. Simple. Objectively, the only two positions that are stable are 3rd and 1st.
Harris II is very stable in CF. So is Acuna in RF—–no matter your inability to see that.
Nashville: Profar is now a major hole to fill. For at least 80 games.
Just go play video games and leave the baseball talk to the real fans little fella.
Oh, Elon, you rascal you!
I’m unfamiliar with the term. What’s a ‘real fans little fella’?
Makes me sad that wash left.
Can we please get through a month of the season before people start jumping off the boat??
Braves have now officially lost 6 straight to the Padres and heading to LA..soooo no hand me a life jacket cause I’m going overboard lol
I wonder if Snitker retires will they hand the reigns to Walt Weiss or look outside the organization for a replacement
I think the Braves would go in house. Last 3 managers have all been in house. I think Weiss would have the inside advantage.
Definitely stick in house. Unless Wash is on the market.
Snitker’s case proves teams could dominate longer by treating veteran managers as living algorithms, not just dugout figureheads, and no one’s calculating the cost of that missed opportunity.
Your point for sure 3 of the last 4 World Series have been won by old school very veteran managed team. I think some teams go by stats to much while old school manager go by gut and feel a lot more
I’d say the last four. Roberts managed the last win a lot more by feel than in previous seasons. You don’t disregard analytics you take the information and let it give you additional insights into what is right in front of you.
For me personally, after the Freddy Gonzales debacle, Snitker has done a good job. he won the 2021 world series when no one thought that would happen I hope it stays after 2025
Frank Selee?
Great, great find!
2 seasons with a playoff series win. You would think he has won multiple rings according to the comments.
He won A ring, same as Bobby Cox. I don’t always love his choices, but he’s a good manager. The players love him.
Snit and Bobby both have a ring. Bobby had the talent to win more but didn’t.
Wake me up when we’re five games in front of everyone else.
Rip Van Winkle has entered the chat
Snitker is certainly a Braves man through and through. He would stab you in the back and torture your children if he thought it could bring an advantage to his team
I bet Walt Weiss will be the manager for 2026
David Ross raised his hand. Braves are a well run organization pretty sure they’ll be alright.
I always thought Eddie Perez was going to get the call when they fired Gonzalez. If Snitker doesn’t return maybe it is time for Perez to lead the Braves.
Go 0-162 and Braves will be pretty non committal too
We found the leak! You know what they say about snitkers. Snitkers get stitchkers