Atlanta Braves Hire Former All Star Shortstop

ATLANTA, Georgia — The Atlanta Braves have officially named Walt Weiss as their new manager, the team announced Monday. Weiss becomes the successor to Brian Snitker, who retired after guiding the franchise through one of the most successful stretches in modern Braves history.

For Weiss, this is both a homecoming and a natural promotion. After spending the past eight seasons as the Braves’ bench coach — essentially the manager’s second-in-command — he now takes the reins of a team still firmly in its World Series window.

Weiss, 61, brings a deep history with the Braves organization. He spent the final three seasons of his 14-year major league playing career in Atlanta and was a key contributor to the 1999 National League pennant-winning team, hitting .286 in the NLCS.

His playing career also included stops with the Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, and Colorado Rockies. Drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1985, he went on to win the 1988 AL Rookie of the Year, started at shortstop for the 1989 World Series champion A’s, and was a 1998 All-Star with the Braves.

Before joining the Braves’ coaching staff, Weiss managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016, posting a 283-365 record. While he didn’t lead Colorado to the postseason, he earned praise for his leadership and player development in a rebuilding environment.

He joined Atlanta as bench coach prior to the 2018 season, right as the franchise was beginning its resurgence under Snitker. Together, Snitker and Weiss helped engineer one of the most impressive sustained runs in baseball:

• 6 straight NL East titles (2018–2023)

• 2 seasons with 100+ wins

• 2021 World Series Championship

• 7 straight postseason appearances

While Snitker was the steady hand at the top, Weiss played a key role in strategy, player relationships, and in-game decision-making. His promotion preserves continuity, culture, and trust within the clubhouse, which are critical factors for a team expecting to compete for another championship.

The hiring comes during one of the busiest managerial offseasons in recent memory. With nine teams searching for managers, Atlanta becomes the seventh to fill its vacancy. Only the Rockies and Padres remain without a skipper.

But for the Braves, this wasn’t about a nationwide search or a dramatic overhaul. It was about stability, experience, and rewarding a respected baseball mind already in the building.

Weiss inherits a roster loaded with talent: Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider, and more — all under long-term control. His key tasks will include:

• Maintaining clubhouse chemistry

• Fine-tuning the pitching staff

• Keeping the core healthy and motivated

• Building on the organizational philosophy that’s worked so well under Snitker

From Rookie of the Year to World Series champion, from bench coach to manager, Walt Weiss’s baseball journey has come full circle in Atlanta.

He steps into big shoes, following a beloved and highly successful manager, but his familiarity with the clubhouse, respect from players, and role in building this era of Braves baseball make him a natural fit.

The Braves didn’t need shock value. They chose continuity, trust, and a proven leader.

Walt Weiss is now the man in charge.