SE Atlanta News

Mark Bowman

BALTIMORE -- This week’s trip to Camden Yards brought back memories of events that transpired around this same time 20 years ago. On June 23, 2004, as the Braves prepared to play in Miami, they were 32-38 and had lost 10 of their last 13 games. In Bobby Cox’s office that day, discussions centered on the team's struggles. This was a period when managers could express themselves freely without constant media scrutiny.

Cox, taking a puff of his cigar, remarked, “What do you want me to do? Do you want me to go flip tables and throw things all around the clubhouse?” His reaction wasn't entirely unexpected; he had previously thrown objects in frustration after Barry Bonds hit two walk-off homers within a three-game series the previous year. He later apologized to Trey Hodges upon realizing the second game-ending homer was against an off-the-plate pitch.

Despite the challenges at that point in the 2004 season, Cox chose not to panic or display anger unnecessarily. The Braves won that night and ended their road trip by taking two out of three games against the Orioles. They overcame a seven-run deficit through six innings in Baltimore's series finale with a seven-run eighth inning comeback.

By late July, the Braves were 12 games above .500 and heading toward a 96-win season. The recovery of Chipper Jones and Marcus Giles played a significant role in their second-half resurgence in 2004. Although Ronald Acuña Jr. is not returning this year, the team expects Sean Murphy and Austin Riley to improve as they recover from recent absences.

Whether this year’s series finale win in Baltimore will mark a turning point remains uncertain. However, it is clear that Brian Snitker will maintain patience and support for his players during this challenging period, much like Cox did two decades ago.

“He’s authentic,” said Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos. “He’s consistent and he’s genuine. I think it’s huge for the team to have consistency, knowing who you are going to get from day in and day out."

Anthopoulos added: "He's the same person, whether he's winning a World Series, winning 100 games, or when we've lost four in a row and we're not playing well. I think that’s why he’s had so much success with players and dealing with people throughout the game. He’s so well respected.”

Snitker continues to have Anthopoulos’ full support along with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer who has been instrumental during the team’s string of six straight NL East titles.

“We’re going to take six years as a sample more so than we would a two-month period,” Anthopoulos stated.

Regarding roster improvements, Anthopoulos has demonstrated creativity and aggressiveness in trade markets before. While another starting pitcher might be beneficial, acquiring an outfielder may be even more critical.

Murphy, Riley, Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II are expected to remain key lineup figures for many years ahead. Orlando Arcia has excelled defensively but needs his batting performance to improve over upcoming weeks.

Adding an outfielder would allow flexibility for Adam Duvall or Jarred Kelenic's rotations occasionally but overall this lineup comprises proven players poised for better performances soon.

“When you have a high-character group like this when things don’t go well," Anthopoulos said "the floor doesn’t cave... That doesn’t mean they’re happy or satisfied... Guys are trying; they care.”