BREAKING – Braves Announce Emotional Transition: Brian Snitker Steps Down as Manager After 2025, Will Serve as Advisor and Enter Team’s Hall of Fame in 2026
ATLANTA — For nearly a decade, Brian Snitker has been the face of Braves leadership in the dugout, a steady hand who guided Atlanta through triumph and heartbreak. On Wednesday, the organization confirmed what had been rumored for weeks: Snitker will not return as manager in 2026. Instead, the 68-year-old will shift into an advisory role within the front office, closing one of the most successful managerial chapters in Braves history.
The decision comes after a disappointing 2025 campaign that ended short of expectations. Still, Snitker leaves behind a resume that cements him among the most respected figures in franchise history. His tenure included a World Series championship in 2021, multiple division titles, and a reputation for steady leadership that earned him admiration across the sport.
“This is not a goodbye,” Snitker said at a press conference held at Truist Park. “It’s a new chapter. I love this organization, and I’m grateful that I can continue serving it in a different way. My time in the dugout has been a blessing, and now I look forward to supporting the next generation from a different seat.”
The Braves announced that Snitker will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 2026, honoring a career that spanned more than four decades with the organization as a player, coach, and manager. For many fans, the induction feels like a natural reward for a man who embodied the Braves way.
Team president Alex Anthopoulos praised Snitker’s leadership, describing him as “the ultimate Brave.” “Brian’s impact cannot be measured just by wins and losses,” Anthopoulos said. “He built trust, he guided young players, and he showed what loyalty to an organization truly looks like.”
Snitker’s story has always been one of perseverance. After spending years managing in the Braves’ minor league system, often with little recognition, he was elevated to the big-league staff in 2016. By 2017, he was named full-time manager, and under his guidance, Atlanta blossomed into one of baseball’s most consistent winners. His crowning achievement came in 2021, when he guided the Braves to a World Series title — their first since 1995.
Players past and present reflected on the news with heartfelt tributes. Freddie Freeman, who played under Snitker during that championship run, wrote on social media: “Snit wasn’t just a manager. He was a mentor, a father figure, and someone who always believed in us.”
Current outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. echoed the sentiment. “He always had our backs,” Acuña said. “We played hard for him because we knew he cared about us as people first.”
While the Braves search for a new manager, Snitker’s continued presence as an advisor ensures that his influence will not fade. He will assist in player development and organizational strategy, roles well-suited for his decades of experience.
For Braves fans, the announcement is bittersweet — the end of an era in the dugout, but also a celebration of a career that helped define the modern franchise. As the team prepares for 2026, Snitker’s voice and wisdom will remain part of the fabric of Atlanta baseball.
“I’ve always said this isn’t just a job,” Snitker said as he closed his remarks. “It’s family. And I’ll always be a Brave.”
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