Walt Weiss’ legend continues to grow as more stories about the Braves’ manager emerge

It didn't take Walt Weiss long to make a national name for himself as the manager of the Atlanta Braves. Weiss' fearless tackle of Jorge Soler during the April 7 brawl between the Braves and the Los Angeles Angels garnered respect for Weiss around the entire league. His own players loved it, Braves fans loved it, and even Soler respected the move.

We also learned in the aftermath of the brawl that Soler isn't the only MLB player Weiss has physically handled during his coaching career. In sum, don't mess with Walt!

With Weiss having now entered the MLB headlines, more stories are emerging about the 62-year-old skipper and former All-Star shortstop (he was American League Rookie of the Year in 1988 for the Athletics). USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday that Weiss is a "highly trained martial artist who has a black belt in taekwondo and training in MMA, including jiu-jitsu." Yeah, that all checks out.

Braves manager Walt Weiss isn't afraid of anyone apparently

But there's more. Rene Lachemann, who coached Weiss on the Athletics, told Nightengale a story of how Weiss was once yelled at by a pitcher after striking out. Apparently, the pitcher told Weiss to get back in the dugout. Following the game, Weiss used the clubhouse phone to invite the pitcher to meet him in the parking lot. The pitcher made a business decision and declined the invite.

Lachemann's other quotes on Weiss were particularly striking. “Walter is an outstanding person ... but don’t press the wrong [expletive] button on him," Lachemann told Nightengale. "He can hurt you ... He’s quiet, but you push that button, you’re going to be sorry you did."

Weiss played under legendary manager Tony La Russa in Oakland, and La Russa verified with Nightengale that Weiss isn't someone to mess with, saying that Weiss has "guts" and "no fear."

Walt Weiss has the perfect personality to succeed with the Braves

This isn't Weiss' first rodeo as an MLB manager. He managed the Rockies between 2013 and 2016, but it was an entirely different situation than his current one. Weiss didn't feel supported by a Rockies front office that came in and replaced the regime that had hired Weiss, leading to discord and bad vibes. At one point, Weiss verbally threatened then-Rockies GM Jeff Bridich when Weiss heard Bridich talking down to one of Weiss's coaches (per Nightengale).

If you're wondering how on Earth the 2026 Braves have gotten off to a good start, given all of their injuries and setbacks during spring training, take a look at Weiss. He's stepped up to the managerial plate and immediately established his own version of a rock-solid culture in Atlanta, building on the work of the man he happily worked under for years, Brian Snitker.

The Braves have an iconic lineage of managers, so Weiss has big shoes to fill. But he already looks like the perfect man for the job.

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