The Atlanta Braves have won six straight NL East titles, so you can forgive manager Brian Snitker for not being too introspective about games in April. The New York Mets took two out of three games against the Braves in Atlanta, with the last win coming in blowout fashion.
New York defeated Atlanta 16-4, as Allan Winans season debut did not go according to plan. Winans gave up six runs on eight hits over five innings, and the Mets only poured on the Braves bullpen from there.
However, Snitker doesn’t seem to care about Atlanta’s early-season series defeat. This is manager judged by pennants and division titles, rather than series victories in April.
“Our eye is always going to be on the long haul here,” Snitker said.
Brian Snitker’s comment is correct, but shortsighted Braves fans disagree
The only reason Snitker’s comment might raise some red flags around Braves country is because of the injury to ace Spencer Strider. Strider, who could be out long-term or perhaps for the entire season with an elbow injury if the team’s worst fears are realized, is a workhorse for the Braves. Without him, their rotation takes a major hit than cannot be filled with an internal replacement.
Snitker was asked over the weekend if he had been given an update on Strider. His answer wasn’t encouraging.
“No, I don’t think so,” Snitker said. “The good news is he’s going to get whatever it is fixed and come back and continue to have a really good career.”
If Strider is forced to undergo Tommy John surgery, it would be the second of his career. Coming back from even one TJ surgery is tough, let alone a second. Yes, Strider will pitch again, but will he be the same ace the Braves grew accustomed to? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, losing series to the Mets, of all teams, will not help the mood of a fanbase that is rightly concerned about its starting rotation. Strider could be out long term, and Max Fried is set to leave in free agency next winter. Suddenly, another World Series run doesn’t seem as likely as it once was.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves honored the late, legendary Hank Aaron during a luncheon and a pregame ceremony Monday, on the 50th anniversary of his 715th home run that beat Babe Ruth’s career homer record. It remains one of the most iconic moments in American sports history. Here are thoughts from a few of the countless people impacted by Aaron, who died in 2021 at 86.
Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Braves
“I hated that I wasn’t able to be here for Opening Day, but I sure as heck wasn’t going to miss this one,” Jones said of attending Monday’s game.
“Each and every opportunity that I got to be around him and sponge off him as much as I could, talk hitting, talk bats — I mean, just. … Speaking at his funeral. All those things meant the world to me. And I wish he was still here to have one last conversation, you know?”
Is it nice to be included in the same sentence or paragraph with him when people list the greats in the Braves organization?
“Obviously. Just like the switch-hitter fraternity or the third base fraternity, there’s a fraternity here amongst the Atlanta Braves that is steeped in thick tradition. We take great pride in being a part of this family, and Hank was the godfather, if you will. And we’re all just playing for second.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker, who was hired to his first minor-league managerial job by Aaron, the Braves’ farm director at the time
On Aaron being larger than life and a key figure in Snitker’s career:
“I’m sitting there stretching and he’s walking around as a farm director and you’re just like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Hank Aaron.’ One of those larger-than-life, surreal things, that he’s actually walking around. Guys like that, they walk around with a presence, a gentleman like him. You watched him, a man like that — how he carries himself is something else in itself. And just to think that, holy cow, that’s Hank Aaron. That’s pretty special. And then as I started managing and got to know and become friends, he and (Aaron’s wife) Billye, it really was something special.”
On how Aaron exemplified the best of the Braves organization:
“It’s always been about the people. How Hank would call and the first question out of his mouth was, ‘How’s your family?’ Your wife, kid, whatever. And it makes you feel good just to know that, you know what, it’s our job to carry this on because of those guys right there. I remember Cito (Gaston) used to tell me, ‘Once a Brave, always a Brave.’ And the impact that that’s had on all the players who’ve come through here.”
“They’re remiss if they don’t go out and learn more about what Hank did and the man that he was, and read up on him and see what he was all about. Because there’s just so much good in there. How he used his platform, the Chasing the Dream Foundation. … I’ve seen at celebrations that Mrs. Aaron has invited (Snitker’s wife) Ronnie and I too, the results of all their hard work. You see these young people who’ve been given that help and how successful they are.”
On whether he can still feel his impact or presence in this organization:
“Absolutely. I think you even listen to the young guys talk. It was a shame because before he passed, I talked about wanting him to come down (to spring training) and be more visible here. I wanted him to just come in and have his coffee (at the ballpark). Because I wanted him to be around the guys, and let them get to know him better. He was all for it and was going to do it, and we didn’t get that far. I was really sad that that didn’t happen because I think he was really looking forward to that.”
Ron Washington, Angels manager and former Braves third-base coach
On Aaron:
“A very special person. Not only as a baseball player but in the community in Atlanta. And in the state of Georgia. What he did in Milwaukee. I don’t know how many times he drove in 100 (runs). He drove in a lot of RBIs (in addition to the homers). I think he had more than Willie Mays, and I thought Willie Mays was the most special player in baseball. But Hank did everything quietly. But he did it with grace.
“I was with the Dodgers in ’77, and we were in Atlanta, and I did not get a chance to go and meet Hank. We didn’t meet until I went to Atlanta (to coach). I didn’t take that opportunity in ‘77 when I was in the big leagues with the Dodgers. … Why? I don’t know. I was a young kid, full of vinegar. Wasn’t even thinking about things like that. …
“I was oblivious. I was just happy to be in the big leagues. I was happy to be in Atlanta, first time in a big-league park. You know what I mean? Except for Dodger Stadium, because that was my first road trip. To Atlanta. And Cincinnati, that’s where I met Pete Rose. And I only met Pete Rose because Dusty Baker took me in to meet with him. I don’t know why he didn’t take me and introduce me to Hank.”
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