"This afternoon, the Atlanta Braves surprised - or maybe shocked - the fan base by naming former bench coach Walt Weiss the team's new manager. Weiss, 61, will now look to get the Braves back in the playoffs in 2026 after the team missed the post-season for the first time since 2017 this past season. There is a segment of fans, especially those perpetually online, who are quite unhappy with the decision to stay in-house for their manager."
"The news was a jolt given several weeks of speculation that a younger, first-time manager from outside the organization could infuse new life into the ball-club and shift away from some of the shadows of "The Braves Way" to the light (or darker shadows) of all-in analytics. Atlanta opted to go the same route they have taken since 1976 and hire a manager who has had past or current ties to the organization. Will the Weiss hire work out for the organization? That is a question no one will be able to answer for several years."
Walt Weiss, 61, was named the Atlanta Braves' new manager after the team missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, with a target of returning to the playoffs in 2026. A segment of fans reacted negatively to the in-house hire, expecting a younger, first-time manager from outside the organization and a shift toward more aggressive analytics. The Braves chose continuity and a manager with past or current ties to the organization, continuing a hiring pattern dating to 1976. Several speculative candidates with organizational ties were discussed, while a few outside names lacked prior Braves employment. The ultimate success of the hire will take years to determine.
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