Things are getting rocky in Atlanta. The Braves are nine games under .500, the offense has gone ice-cold at times, and the postseason odds are starting to wobble. But for now, Brian Snitker’s job is safe—though that may not matter in the long run. According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the longtime manager might be calling it a career at season’s end.
Snitker’s Long Road May Be Nearing the End
Let’s get this straight—Brian Snitker is Atlanta Braves baseball. He’s been in the organization for nearly five decades, grinding his way through minor-league jobs before taking the big-league reins in 2016. Since then? A 764-620 record. A World Series title. A perennial postseason presence. And more often than not, a dugout full of guys who’d run through a wall for him.
But time has a way of catching up. And while Snitker hasn’t publicly stated he’s done after 2025, Bowden’s report suggests the 68-year-old skipper could be ready to step down on his own terms—especially if this season doesn’t turn around. Retirement talk isn’t coming out of nowhere. This means Atlanta might soon be searching for the next leader of a clubhouse still built to contend.
David Ross Back in Atlanta?
One name picking up early steam: David Ross. FanSided’s Eric Cole dropped his name into the mix, and honestly? It makes sense. Ross is respected, available, and familiar. He played four seasons in Atlanta, has a World Series ring as a player, and was considered a solid clubhouse guy during his stint managing the Cubs.
Sure, the numbers weren’t sparkling—262-284 in four seasons—but part of that came from rebuilding years and a front office that never fully committed. He still made one postseason appearance and brought a modern-meets-old-school blend that players seemed to respect.
And hey, the resume’s not the only thing that fits—Ross is Georgia-born, and he’s not tied to any team right now. There’s the family factor—he’s got three kids and may not be eager to jump right back into the grind—but if the phone rings from a franchise he already knows, in a state he calls home, that call might hit differently.
Braves Will Have Options
Of course, Ross won’t be the only candidate if the Braves go searching. There’s a growing pool of managerial talent—some old-school, some analytics-heavy, and some like Ross, who fall somewhere in between. If Brian Snitker retires, the Braves won’t just be looking for a clipboard holder. They’ll need someone who can lead a young, talented team with high expectations and a deep connection to its culture.
That’s a tall order. But as the organization looks toward its post-Snitker era—whether it starts in 2026 or not—it may already be building a list behind the scenes.
For now, the focus remains on saving the 2025 season. But the dugout? It might not look the same next spring. And if David Ross is sitting near the top of the replacement list, don’t be surprised. He’s already been a Brave once. And Atlanta might just call him home again.
