Former Atlanta Braves President of Baseball Operations, John Hart, getting another chance
By Jeff Schafer
So how does this work? John Hart gets a job at MLB Network three months after leaving Atlanta
Someone please explain this one to me…I’m going to need some help here. On Thursday, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post tweeted out that John Hart has been brought back to MLB Network.
The type of job has not yet been announced, but I’m guessing it would be similar to his previous stint with the production company as a studio analyst.
Marchand tweeted the following a few hours ago…
"MLB Network has hired John Hart back, despite his being the president of the Braves as they broke international signing rules. Hart’s GM John Coppolella was banned for life. Hart said on-air he takes “full responsibility” for what happened. Seems like Coppolella has taken more."
On September 22, 2014, Hart was named as the Atlanta Braves interim general manager to replace the fired Frank Wren. Following the season in October, Hart accepted a position that made him President of Baseball Operations for the Braves organization.
Hart and John Coppolella were running ship for the Braves and all things seemed to be going well…until the news broke that the MLB was investigating them last season.
On October 2, 2017 Coppy resigned from his duties within the Braves organization after the MLB disclosed several infractions regarding the signings of international players. And on November 21st, he was sentenced with a lifetime band from the MLB.
John Hart? Coppolella’s boss? The guy responsible and oversaw numerous of these violations? The guy at the helm of the biggest scandal in Braves history? Well, he just resigned from the Braves organization.
Now, he’s going back to TV with MLB Network? This just doesn’t seem right. I’m completely surprised the MLB is allowing this AND as it’s so soon afterwards.
Many people are taking to twitter with their displeasure of this “signing”. Nothing is official from the MLB Network and they could revert their thoughts on adding him to the roster after seeing all the negative feedback.
Here are a few to sum things up…
It is incredible that MLB Network would bring John Hart back to talk baseball. What a joke. Where was his accountability? Simply incredible. He was there in the biggest scandal in Braves history - in charge - and it's like he is absolved of any blame. Unreal.
— BillShanks (@BillShanks) February 22, 2018
There are sometimes I think...cutting the cord was mostly a great decision, but I sometimes miss having @MLBNetwork to tune into. And then...they hire John Hart and I remember that they think fans of baseball are incredibly stupid.
— Tommy Poe (@WalkOffWalk1) February 22, 2018
Great message sent by @MLBNetwork to hire John Hart. He only narrowly avoided being banned for life from @MLB for something he admitted to being a part of. Have some class.
— the duder (parody) (@ATLck23) February 22, 2018
@MLBNetwork what a joke that your network brings back John Hart as an analyst. His hands are guilty with the Braves scandal and he continues to get a “pass”. His GM - Coppy is kicked out of baseball for life and Hart gets a plush desk job at MLB Network. Embarrassing.
— Don Wingate (@DonnyBaseball10) February 22, 2018
Next: Sam Jethroe's 1950 season made Braves history
I’m pretty shocked by this, but hell what are we going to do about it? Pete Rose is on TV. Maybe the MLB offices don’t have a say on the MLB Network.