Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker stepped down, won’t return next season

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) — When in doubt, Brian Snitker turned to Bobby Cox for advice.

It was only natural for Snitker to once again seek counsel from Cox, through Cox’s wife Pam, when considering if this was the right time to step down as Atlanta Braves manager. Snitker received reassurance that following his career as a manager, Cox relished serving the same advisory role that Snitker now assumes.

Snitker, who managed the Braves to the 2021 World Series championship as the highlight of almost a half-century with the organization, will not return to the dugout next season.

The Braves announced Wednesday that the 69-year-old Snitker will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame next year.

“I talked with Pam yesterday,” Snitker said at a news conference. “She did tell me once he got the hang of this position he really loved it.”

Cox was Snitker’s mentor. Snitker continued to visit Cox regularly after Cox was hospitalized in 2019 following a stroke. Cox, 84, returned to Truist Park on Aug. 22 for a 30-year celebration of the Braves’ 1995 World Series title.

The news conference to announce Snitker’s decision was described as a celebration by Braves chairman Terry McGuirk and general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Snitker was emotional at times as he described his late-season uncertainty about his desire to manage another year and how he finally concluded it was time to step down.

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