Brian Snitker’s comments on Marlins hitting Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t remotely good enough
By John Buhler
Atlanta Braves fans should not be satisfied with manager Brian Snitker’s comment on All-Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. getting hit once again by Miami Marlins pitching.
Ronald Acuña Jr. keeps getting hit by the Miami Marlins pitching staff, and Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker is not going about it the best way to back his team’s best player.
When Anthony Bender’s breaking ball struck Acuña in the seventh inning of the series opener between these bitter NL East rivals, it was the seventh time the Marlins hit Acuña. While it was a breaking ball, and therefore, perceived as unintentional, Snitker’s comment about Acuña getting plunked again is not sitting well with anybody outside of Chip Caray in Braves Country.
“Not a big deal,” said Snitker in the post-game press conference to McClain Baxley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He hit him with a breaking ball. I think everybody handled themselves fine.”
If this were to be from any other team, it would be no big deal, but this is the Marlins once again.
Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker does not defend Ronald Acuña Jr. after getting hit
Atlanta has not been above .500 the entire 2021 MLB season. The Braves are one of three teams in baseball who can embarrassingly say that. To make matters worse, Atlanta is the three-time reigning NL East champions who entered the season with serious World Series aspirations.
Snitker’s comment is another example of why he is falling out of favor with Braves fans.
Throughout Friday night’s broadcast on Bally Sports, you could prominently see a “Fire Snit” sign behind the first base dugout in Miami. While Acuña may not be the traditional “Braves Way” type of player conservative Atlanta is used to, he is the team’s best shot at getting back into contention this year. If a manager is not interested in sticking up for his best player, then what is he doing?
Death, taxes and Snitker not going to war for Acuña after he gets plunked by the Marlins yet again.
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