Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta Braves’ manager Brian Snitker is facing criticism after failing to bench outfielder Jarred Kelenic for lack of hustle on a play that mirrored a past incident involving star player Ronald Acuña Jr. While recovering from a torn left ACL, Acuña took to social media to point out the perceived double standard, stating, “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.” Snitker, known for his success and loyalty to the Braves organization, refrained from benching Kelenic and provided weak responses to questions regarding the incident.
The issue arose when Kelenic failed to run hard on a fly ball out of the batter’s box, similar to Acuña’s past offense that resulted in him being benched in 2019. The fact that Snitker disciplined Latin players Acuña, Ender Inciarte, and Marcell Ozuna for similar incidents, but not Kelenic, who is White, has raised questions of racial bias. However, Snitker’s track record of supporting and defending his players, including Acuña during a previous incident with the Miami Marlins, complicates the matter.
Despite Snitker’s reputation for fair and level-headed leadership, his handling of the Kelenic situation has been called into question. The lack of consistency in his actions has led to speculation about potential rifts within the team, which consists of a significant Latin contingent. The incident has overshadowed the team’s recent successes on the field, including a sweep of the Minnesota Twins.
While Snitker has defended his decision regarding Kelenic, stating that each lack-of-hustle situation is unique, the criticism continues. Acuña’s public scrutiny of the situation has added to the pressure on Snitker to address the issue internally. As the Braves look to maintain their success in the upcoming season, the manager’s handling of player discipline and team dynamics will be closely scrutinized. The team’s ability to navigate cultural differences and tensions will be essential to their continued performance over the course of the long season.