Overcoming adversity was a message manager Walt Weiss instilled in his team all the way back in spring training. The Atlanta Braves' successful 2026 season allowed the same message to be reiterated as the Braves popped champagne in the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon.
Atlanta celebrated its first division title since 2023, thanks to a near wire-to-wire division lead. First year manager Walt Weiss praised his players during his champagne toast, but it's time to recognize the job Weiss has done in his first year in the driver's seat.
You could say Weiss overcame some adversity himself, hurdling every obstacle thrown his way this season, and as we all know, there were quite a few. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy is the odds-on favorite to take home NL Manager of the Year; our bias aside, that honor deserves to go to Walt Weiss.
Hear from the NL East Champion Manager Walt Weiss! pic.twitter.com/phrIzmDqtF
— BravesVision (@BravesVisionTV) September 20, 2026
Why Braves manager Walt Weiss deserves NL Manager of the Year
It's easy to forget, but before the 2026 season began, many pundits had the Mets or Phillies winning the NL East. To be fair, the Braves had so much go wrong over the last two seasons that returning to the playoffs was anything but a formality.
Things did not get off to a great start, as Atlanta's starting rotation was immediately purged due to injuries. Devastating injuries did not stop there, as Atlanta had to navigate the season without Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin, and Robert Suarez at various points. With that much talent missing, one would think the Braves' winning ways would slow down at some point.
However, Weiss found a way to keep his team atop the NL East for much of the regular season. Atlanta does not have the same league-high win total that the Brewers do (which is why Murphy is the favorite to win his third straight NL MOY award), but it does feel like Weiss got the absolute most out of the roster he was working with.
With six games left in the season, Atlanta ranks 21st in position player fWAR. The taped-up version of Atlanta's pitching staff finished 13th in FIP and ninth in fWAR. Somehow, a team that has 92 wins with a week left to play reached these heights without a dominant facet of the game to lean on.
Weiss thought he might never get another chance to manage after his 2016 exit in Colorado. He came to Atlanta and instantly became a vital piece of Brian Snitker's staff. When the players called for Weiss to get his shot this offseason, the front office answered. In his first chance to lead a team since 2016, Weiss showcased that he knows what it takes to navigate a challenging regular season, and for that reason, he deserves to win NL Manager of the Year.
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