LOS ANGELES — He was hired by Hall of Fame legend Hank Aaron and they frequently talked.
He worked alongside Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, and still sees him on a regular basis.
He met his wife, Ronnie, on a blind date, set up by two-time World Series champion manager Cito Gaston in Sarasota, Florida.
He keeps in touch with Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
Now, perhaps in his final season as manager, he’s entering his 49th year in Atlanta’s organization where he has done just about every job except for custodian or general manager.
He is Brian Snitker, one of the most beloved and admired men in the club's rich and proud history.
“Is there anyone," Snitker asks USA TODAY Sports, “luckier than I am?"
Well, perhaps except for the entire Atlanta franchise, knowing how invaluable he has been since he arrived in 1977 and never left.
Snitker has been a minor-league player for Atlanta, a roving instructor and a 20-year minor-league manager in Atlanta’s organization from everywhere from Anderson to Durham to Macon to Myrtle Beach to Greenville to Richmond to Lawrenceville. He has been a major-league bullpen coach, a third-base coach, an interim and Atlanta’s full-time manager since 2017, and, a World Series champion manager.
You name it, the man has done it.
“He’s going to be in the Braves’ Hall of Fame, I’ll tell you that," Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. “He’s got tremendous skills, instincts, and is the same person day in and day out. The players appreciate it. The front office appreciates it. And he’s authentic. He’s got the highest level of integrity and character of anybody I’ve ever been around.
“‘I find him to be the be the torchbearer of the tradition of the Atlanta Braves."
Now, at the age of 69 and in the final year of his contract, this could be Snitker’s final season. That was his plan as of a year ago, but he’s not ready to make a final decision. He doesn’t want any later regret.
“I still feel really good," Snitker says, “the 50-number is something I think it’d be kind of cool. But right now, I’m leaning towards getting through today. We’ll play it by ear and see what happens."
It’s the same with Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who is expected to call it a Hall of Fame career after this season, but also is keeping his options open. He regrets saying before the 2019 season that it would be his final season with the Giants, hating the constant attention on the road. The only benefit was the wine and bourbon and hunting trips he received by opposing teams, he says with a laugh, only to return in 2023 and manage the Texas Rangers to the World Series title.
“Right now, let’s get back to the postseason, that’s where my focus is," says Bochy, who also is in the final year of his contract. “Let’s see where we’re at."
It could be the end of a glorious era, Bochy managing 28 years with four World Series titles and Snitker, a man who has ...
