The Atlanta Braves will observe a day of sorrow on Thursday after being eliminated from the Major League Baseball playoffs by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.
The Braves have won at least one postseason game each year since 2017, but this season, too many factors conspired against them.
Atlanta’s roster had already been ravaged by injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley. Just before the playoffs, Cy Young frontrunner Chris Sale was ruled out due to a nagging back injury.
If that wasn’t enough, the Braves have also had to deal with the impending departure of some of the franchise’s most cherished players. Max Fried, the starting pitcher, is an imminent free agent.
At least one of those issues appears to have been resolved. When asked if he expected to return after the loss, Snitker firmly denied any retirement rumors.
“Oh, absolutely,” Snitker told Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I was wondering if I’d get that question. I wish spring training started tomorrow. “I just told the guys that.”
“I can’t wait to come to camp and maybe see our boys all together again. And, to be honest, I’ll be more excited to go there next year than I’ve ever been. I stated I was exhausted, but honestly, I wish we could fast forward to tomorrow. I’m also serious. I cannot wait to go there.
with our guys, and do it again.” Snitker, who turns 69 on October 17, has been with the Braves since 1977, when he was a minor league catcher. He rose through the minor-league ranks before taking over the Braves’ managerial duties in 2017.
Since then, Snitker has delivered nearly nothing but success, capturing the hearts of every Braves fan along the way. Atlanta will delight when its skipper takes the field for Spring Training in 2025, hoping for better luck the following time around.
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