Brian Snitker Named National League Manager of the Year
The Rome Braves and Atlanta Braves congratulate manager Brian Snitker on winning the 2018 National League Manager of the Year award. Snitker captured 17 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), which has presented the award since 1983. While never managing in Rome, Snitker is
The Rome Braves and Atlanta Braves congratulate manager Brian Snitker on winning the 2018 National League Manager of the Year award. Snitker captured 17 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), which has presented the award since 1983. While never managing in Rome, Snitker is a huge supporter of Rome Braves Baseball having attended the annual Hot Stove Gathering for many consecutive years. In 2016 when Rome was awarded Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year, Snitker was in attendance in Washington, D.C. as the team accepted the award.
In his second full season as manager and his 42nd with the Braves organization, Snitker led the Braves to a 90-72 record and the 18th division title in franchise history. He became the sixth Braves manager to take the team to the postseason by his second full season and the first since Fredi González led the 2012 club to the Wild Card Game. Prior to Snitker, Hall of Famer Bobby Cox was the only Braves manager to win Manager of the Year, earning the award in 1991, 2004 and 2005.
The Braves finished with a National League high-tying 20 victories in their final at-bat this season after also leading the league in such victories the last two years. They had 20 last season and 19 in 2016. Since Snitker took over as interim manager on May 17, 2016, the Braves have collected 57 last at-bats wins, most in the majors. Snitker agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2021 season on October 15.