How's this for validation of a Cinderella season?
On Tuesday, Braves skipper Brian Snitker (17 first-place votes) won the hardware for National League Manager of the Year, beating out Craig Counsell (Brewers) and Bud Black (Rockies) for the award.
Snitker's honor comes just 24 hours after Braves phenom Ronald Acuna Jr. claimed the 'Rookie of the Year' trophy with the National League, prevailing over Nationals outfielder Juan Soto and Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler.
Was Snitker's first-place finish a surprise?
The initial response would be Yes, since Snitker–whose association with the Braves organization dates back to 1977–doesn't have a sustained national reputation in baseball circles.
(While typing this, we're flashing back to Counsell scoring the title-clinching win in the 1997 World Series.)
The pragmatic answer would be No, since Snitker piloted the best turnaround of any playoff-bound club this season, guiding the Braves to an 18-win improvement in 2018 (from 72 to 90 victories, along with NL East champions).
Snitker also deftly handled a young staff that involved at least one start from 12 different pitchers, while juggling a bullpen that only had a definitive closing option (Arodys Vizcaino) for roughly half the season.
