Atlanta Braves front office and managerial intrigue
By Fred Owens
Media surrounding the Atlanta Braves right now is focused on rumored tension amongst the front office staff and the future of the manager. Maybe there’s something going on in the front office is questionable. There’s no doubt the manager’s future is in doubt.
The Atlanta Braves front office became news a little over a month ago when players voiced their support for Brian Snitker.
A week later Ken Rosenthal writing for the Athletic (subscription required and recommended) suggested that a change in front office staffing was, “. . .the first step in a larger battle for the soul of the franchise, a highly sensitive dance between the Braves’ glorious past and promising future.”
"“It’s a power struggle over who is running the club,” one team official said. “Is John Schuerholz running the club or are John Hart and John Coppolella running it?”"
Rosenthal opined that tension was mounting within the Atlanta Braves organization because the team didn’t do as well this year as hoped. Others felt it was a trial balloon to see how more changes would be received and some claimed GM John Coppolella was “testy”with subordinates.
Sorting out those issues
There’s been constant talk about the future of Snitker among fans since the beginning of August but nothing in the press. Then team went to the front office in support; why? Turns out there’s been a lot behind the scenes of post game questioning of decisions going on and they wanted to make a statement.
The situation apparently escalated after the game against the Mariners on August 23rd. You may remember that the Braves entered the eighth inning with a one run lead and Snitker brought Jim Johnson into pitch.
Johnson’s second half had been horrid. In 13 games since the All Star break Johnson gave up 9 runs in 10 2/3 innings at opposing hitters posted a .319/.377/.553/.931 line. That was good enough – or bad enough – to generate a 7.59 ERA and a 1.874 WHIP.
In his previous three outings he gave up two runs to St Louis, one to Colorado and culminated that stretch by giving up four runs to Cincinnati in the top of the ninth inning on the 19th. To say fans were surprised to see Johnson enter is an understatement.
They were not surprised however when he gave up four runs on three hits and a walk without retiring a single batter. According to Rosenthal’s article today fans weren’t the only ones less than happy with Snitker’s choice. Jon Hart went to Snitker’s office after the game and made his feelings known.
"several players heard Hart berating Snitker,. . .(Hart) was upset that Snitker then summoned right-hander Dan Winkler in only his second appearance of the season to face the left-handed batting Kyle Seager, who hit a three-run homer. . ."