With the Braves looking to the future and Freddie Freeman feeling the need to do the same, the team’s best player and longest tenured veteran did something unusual recently. He left the confines of the clubhouse, walked to the executive office and, unsolicited, gave a stirring endorsement of manager Brian Snitker.
“I went to them a couple of weeks ago and expressed to them that we love Brian in here,” Freeman said Friday night. “That’s all I can do is tell them how I feel about a guy who’s put in all the time and done everything possible to help us win. He deserved the managerial job when he got and we all hope that he’s back.”
Freeman is signed through the 2021 season. Snitker is guaranteed an income for only two more months. But that’s likely going to change soon.
The Braves’ manager, who replaced Fredi Gonzalez in 2016 on an interim basis and was retained this season but with only a lukewarm endorsement of a one-year contract (plus a club option), is almost certain to return next season.
The way Snitker has gone about his job has made an impression on not only Freeman and teammates but president of baseball operation John Hart, whose comments strongly suggest the decision has all but been made.
For more on Snitker's likely return, including comments from Hart, Freeman and the manager, go to the full column on MyAJC.com.
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