During most of Brian Snitker's tenure as manager of the Atlanta Braves, the team has had a reputation of playing with loads of energy and fighting to the last out. A large portion of that was just a function of the types of personalities on the roster, but Snitker did seem to get guys to want to run through a wall for him. However, something seems to have changed both with the Braves and Snitker in 2025.
There isn't a lack of effort, per se, from the Braves' players. They are clearly trying to do well and win ballgames, but much of the swagger, intensity, and energy that Atlanta made their trademark in recent years has certainly waned.
With the Braves struggling again, Snitker himself may have revealed that even he seems to be over dealing with it all. When asked about Atlanta's latest slump, Snitker pretty much waved it off as just how baseball goes sometimes and said, "How does that happen? It’s just the way the game is."
Brian Snitker's lack of urgency can't be helping the Braves right now
In fairness to Snit, there is a very, very good chance that he is just trying to ratchet down the pressure that is struggling team is already experiencing. Snitker has long been a guy that has refused to throw guys under the bus for slumps and he probably honestly feels like Atlanta is going to turn things around and that they will figure things out eventually.
However, it would be nice to see some fire out of Snit instead of just throwing his hands up and basically saying "that's baseball" as the Braves putting up one of the most disappointing starts to the season in recent history. Snitker usually left that sort of motivational speaking to Ron Washington, but it is on him now that Washington has moved on and is managing the Angels.
One does wonder a little bit if Snitker's somewhat subdued tone here is reflective of where he is at personally and professionally. He has been with the Braves for five decades and some seriously wondered before the season if 2025 would be his last before a well-deserved retirement. Whatever the reason, the Braves season is on the precipice of total collapse and, at least publicly, Snitker doesn't seem to be bothered all that much.