Weiss Guy, Eh? – Walt Weiss Is A Perfect Match For Dominant Braves

 

Truist Park – With every team in the MLB dealing with some type of bad stretch this season, the Atlanta Braves continue to dominate the season in all aspects of the game. As great as the ball club has been, Walt Weiss has been the engine that drives the success.

Most MLB teams usually reflects the persona of their manager.

Some might wonder what is Weiss’ persona?

The most obvious trait of Weiss is his composure. He’s always even keeled. No matter what the situation brings to him or the team, his uncanny approach to adversity and/or success is a characteristic that the team displays.

This Braves team’s ability to not panic in situations, whether injuries to their pitching staff and impactful players or being down a couple runs in the ninth is a reflection of Weiss.

“It’s been good vibes, but we also know that likely tough times are ahead,” stated Weiss. “But I’ve always talked about how I feel like we’re better to handle those tough times.”

Weiss has preached about good vibes in the clubhouse and keeping it light since he took over as manager, but that also is coupled with playing with pride for the Braves organization.

“There’s always a sense of urgency. We have a lot of fun but there’s urgency,” said Chris Sale. “I know Walt always talks about the pride he takes in this organization wearing the Braves uniform and I think that flows through our clubhouse.”

An underrated key to his approach as a manager is being able to relate to the players and understanding what they are going through on the field.

The 1988 American League Rookie of the Year (Oakland Athletics) played 14 seasons and understands what it’s like to deal with the ups and downs of the season as a player. Weiss learned from the late Bobby Cox that you need to always be a great encourager while players go through slumps and make them feel like it’s not as bad as they thought.

Although the Braves have the best record in the MLB, their key players aren’t performing up to their normal standards at the plate.

“I know how hard the game is. During over the course of my career, I struggled at times as much as anybody in this game,” Weiss explained. “I don’t ever want to forget that. I think it’s important to be an encourager. And you have standards and you want to hold guys to those standards, but at the same time, you got to encourage them.”

He’s been just that, in particularly for Austin Riley (BA. .211) and Mike Yastrzemski (BA .238).

“I think he knows that what’s been going on isn’t my best,” Yastrzemski said.  “That gives you confidence when your manager keeps throwing you out there and write your name in the lineup as often as possible.”

With a an old school approach but still able to adapt to the the present time, Weiss can continue the lineage of the last two mangers and possibly surpass them in championships.