Braves Manager Walt Weiss Finishes Second in NL Manager of the Year Ballot
Weiss led Atlanta to a division title in his debut year, but Milwaukee's Pat Murphy claimed the award for a third straight season.
By Alessia Desai ·
Walt Weiss finished second in the National League Manager of the Year voting. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the results on Tuesday. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy won the award for the third consecutive year.
Weiss took over the Braves in 2026 after veteran manager Brian Snitker retired. Snitker stepped down following a 76-86 season where Atlanta missed the postseason for the first time in seven years. In his first season at the helm, Weiss guided the team to a National League East title.
The Braves faced major challenges during the regular season. Outfielder Jurickson Profar missed the entire campaign after receiving a 162-game suspension for a second straight positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. The team also lost star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to a hamstring injury and reliever Robert Suarez to an elbow injury for months.
Weiss managed a roster with limited pitching depth. He relied primarily on starting pitchers Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle. The Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Series. They then advanced to the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Interim manager Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies placed third in the voting. Mattingly assumed the role in April after Rob Thomson was fired. The 2026 season marked a transition period for the Braves as they rebuilt their lineup and rotation.
A potential lockout in 2027 could impact the next season. Weiss has served as a bench coach for the Braves for several seasons before his promotion. The team will begin its next campaign in 2027 with Weiss in the dugout.
