Brian Snitker
Brian Gerald Snitker
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 192 lb.
- School University of New Orleans
- High School Macon (IL) High School
- Born October 17, 1955 in Decatur, IL USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Brian Snitker has been affiliated with the Atlanta Braves for over 40 years. A catcher, he played in the team's farm system from 1977 to 1980. After retiring as a player, he was a longtime coach and manager in the Braves organization. Snitker started his coaching career as a roving instructor in 1981 before becoming a manager the next year. He was also the Braves bullpen coach in 1985 and again from 1988 to 1989. The 1990 season was a bit chaotic for Snitker. He went into spring training as the bullpen coach, but was moved to first base shortly before the season started. Another change came on June 29th when he left the major league coaching staff entirely and was named a special assignment scout for the remainder of the year. He returned to the minors in 1991 as a hitting coach with the Macon Braves. He managed Macon in 1992 before moving back to the coaching ranks with the Greenville Braves in 1993 and the Danville Braves in 1994. Snitker served as the Durham Bulls hitting coach in 1995 before returning to managing for the next decade. Snitker was named Atlanta's third base coach beginning in 2007 season. He held the position until the 2013 season, then was succeeded by Doug Dascenzo.
After managing the Braves' AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves, starting in 2014, he was appointed interim manager of the major league Braves on May 17, 2016, following the firing of Fredi Gonzalez. On October 11th the interim label was removed, the result of the Braves playing quite well under Snitker in the second half of the season. At age 61 at the start of the 2017 season, he was the 5th-oldest rookie manager in major league history. The Braves had a so-so season as they continued their rebuilding that year, but in 2018 the team confounded everyone by breaking through for a division title. Snitker received considerable praise for his excellent work in working numerous young players into the starting line-up and turning the Braves into contenders well ahead of schedule and he was voted the National League Manager of the Year in recognition of his good work. The success continued in the following years. Snitker led the Braves to the 2021 World Series title, defeating the Houston Astros in six games. In 2023 the Braves had the best won-lost record (104-58) in major league baseball under his leadership. Snitker led the Braves to another successful season in 2024, though not to quite the heights of previous years.
His son Troy Snitker has been a minor league player and a major league coach. The two were on opposite sides in the 2021 World Series, with Troy coaching for the Astros.
Notable Achievements[edit]
- NL Manager of the Year Award (2018)
- Division Titles: 6 (2018-2023)
- Other Postseason Appearance: 1 (2024/Wild Card)
- NL Pennants: 1 (2021)
- 100 Wins Season as Manager: 2 (2022 & 2023)
- Managed one World Series champions with the Atlanta Braves (2021)
| Preceded by Fredi Gonzalez |
Atlanta Braves Manager 2016- |
Succeeded by current |
Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]
Further Reading[edit]
- Associated Press: "At 61, 'late-bloomer' Snitker savors shot as Braves manager", USA Today Sports, February 20, 2017. [1]
- Mark Bowman: "Snitker has earned status as beloved skipper", mlb.com, October 16, 2021. [2]
- Mark Bowman: "Snitker's journey from Minors to WS champ: How the Braves' manager became a beloved figure in the organization", mlb.com, November 4, 2021. [3]
- Anthony Castrovince: "Melvin wins 3rd Manager Award, Snitker his first", mlb.com, November 13, 2018. [4]
- Gabe Lacques: "As MLB managers get younger, baseball lifers feel squeeze: 'I might be one of the last'", USA Today Sports, March 8, 2018. [5]
- Howard Megdal: "Braves manager Brian Snitker has simple mantra after 4 decades: 'Enjoy every day'", USA Today Sports, June 23, 2016. [6]
- Bob Nightengale: "Brian Snitker has young Braves poised for return to glory years", USA Today, September 23, 2018. [7]
- Joe Trezza: "Atlanta extends manager Snitker through 2025", mlb.com, January 27, 2023. [8]
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