The sudden departure of Kevin Seitzer from the Atlanta Braves has surprised many. The team announced the dismissal of its long-time hitting coach, along with assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes and catching coach Sal Fasano. This happened just days after it was suggested that the entire coaching staff would return for the 2025 season. The decision shocked fans and analysts alike, especially given Seitzer’s tenure and contributions to the team.
Seitzer had been with the Braves for a decade, playing a key role in their success, including their recent World Series win. Named Baseball America’s 2023 MLB Coach of the Year, Seitzer’s work with the team had earned him widespread respect across the league. However, 2024 was a difficult season for him, both professionally and personally.
In an interview with David O’Brien of The Athletic, Seitzer shared some of the challenges he faced during the past season. One of the most significant was a personal issue. His wife suffered a serious medical problem that required him to take time away from the team. Thankfully, she has since fully recovered, but the situation added an extra layer of stress to what was already a tough year on the field.
Kevin Seitzer described the 2024 season as the hardest of his career. Injuries plagued the Braves lineup, and Seitzer struggled to help the hitters manage the mental toll. He explained that many players were pressing too hard, trying to make up for lost production due to the injuries. This mindset only compounded the team’s struggles at the plate. Despite his best efforts, Seitzer couldn’t help them find a rhythm.
Despite the difficulties, Seitzer expressed nothing but gratitude for his time with the Braves. “I’ve always been thankful for every day I had an opportunity to have a major-league uniform on,” he said. “We had a whole lot of success, won a World Series. I couldn’t be more thankful to Alex (Anthopoulos) and the Braves for having me around this long.” Seitzer’s professionalism and perspective were clear, as he showed no bitterness about the decision to part ways.
As the Braves head into the offseason, they’ll need to fill the void left by Seitzer and Magallanes, though reports suggest the team does not plan to replace the catching coach position vacated by Fasano. The changes come at a pivotal time for the Braves as a team that remains one of the best in the National League when healthy.
Kevin Seitzer, now 63, isn’t sure what the future holds for his coaching career. After a decade with the Braves and many years in professional baseball, it remains to be seen if he will pursue another opportunity or step away from the game. Whatever he decides, his impact on the Braves and the players he worked with will be felt for years to come.
