The Atlanta Braves have appointed a new hitting coach, bringing in a World Series champion with local ties. Kevin Seitzer has been replaced after a challenging season both on the field and personally. Seitzer faced difficulties keeping hitters focused, but his struggles were compounded by his wife’s battle with colon cancer. Although she has since undergone emergency surgery and is recovering, Seitzer found it hard to concentrate on his responsibilities during what he described as the toughest season of his career.
In an interview with The Athletic’s David O’Brien, Seitzer reflected on the challenges he faced, noting, “It was the hardest season of my life… If they can find somebody to get these guys to not try so hard, that needs to be the guy they hire.” His departure, along with that of catching coach Sal Fasano, comes as teams often look for accountability when expectations aren’t met.
Replacing a coach of Seitzer’s caliber is no small task. Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos has taken the first step by hiring Tim Hyers, formerly the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers. Under Hyers’ guidance, the Rangers won the World Series and achieved the franchise’s first Silver Slugger award in 2023. During his tenure, the team ranked third in the American League for runs and home runs.
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