Braves Report

I feel as though most fans know a lot about the players but little about the coaches. Most of them did not have successful playing careers, but most of them played or coached in the Braves system (excluding McDowell and Fultz) before joining the big-league club. Without further ado, here is your 2008 Braves coaching staff:

Bobby Cox (Manager)

This man needs no introduction. He will forever be a part of Braves’ lore after rebuilding then leading the Braves to 14 straight division titles. However, before he was a manager or general manager, Cox was a baseball player, albeit not a very good one. Actually, you know what; he got to the majors, so he was a good baseball player, just not a good major leaguer. In his two seasons, he hit .225 with 9 HR and 58 RBI as a third baseman for the New York Yankees after he was traded from, guess who, the Braves.

After managing in the Yankees farm system, Cox was hired as the coach of the Braves in 1978, but his first tenure (4 years) in Atlanta was forgettable. The major move was moving Dale Murphy from first base into the outfield, and that turned out to be an ingenious move. For the next four years as the Blue Jays’ manager, the Blue Jays improved from a bottom-dweller into a division champ, but in 1986, Cox came back to Atlanta as the general manager. Attempting to end the Braves’ habit of picking up free agents who didn’t perform, Cox spent most of his tenure revamping the farm system bringing in Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, David Justice, Ron Gant, and Steve Avery among others. However, Cox became frustrated with the managers of his teams, so he appointed himself manager in the middle of the 1990 season. John Schuerholz became the general manager during the offseason, and the rest is well, history.

Chino Cadahia (Bench Coach)

Little-known Cadahia did play professional baseball but never in the major leagues. He bounced around the minors for seven years as a catcher in the Phillies and Twins organizations. He won several awards, but he was terrible defensively leading the minors with 17 passed balls in 1978 and 19 errors in 1979 which may be the reason he never got to the majors.

Cadahia has had a much better coaching career. Beginning as the pitching coach for the Salem Redbirds in 1984-85, Cadahia moved into the Texas Rangers’ system. For eleven years, Cadahia was a manager in the farm system, and his most notable (maybe not most important) contribution was giving Ivan Rodriguez the nickname “Pudge” (not really sure which person deserves the nickname more). In 1996, Cadahia came to Braves as a roving instructor and became the bench coach last year as the replacement for the venerable Pat Corrales, who now coaches at the right hand of Manny Acta in Washington.

Glenn Hubbard (First-Base Coach)

Hubbard may have had the second-most success as a position player of the Braves’ coaching staff. He played 12 seasons (10 as a Brave, 2 as an A) from 1978-1989 as a second baseman. Known mostly for his defensive wizardry and his beard, Hubbard was a one-time All-Star in 1983 in which he hit a scorching grounder that hopped past Cal Ripken Jr. He still holds numerous Braves’ fielding records.

As a coach, Hubbard has been outstanding. From 1990-1998, Hubbard served as a coach in the Braves’ farm system until promoted to first-base coach from where he has never moved. During his time as first-base coach, Hubbard is most known for changing Marcus Giles from a horrid infielder to a respectable one and aiding Kelly Johnson move from left field to second-base last season. Interesting side note according to baseball-reference.com, Hubbard used to tour with ZZ Top during the off-season (due to his beard).

Brian Snitker (Third-Base Coach)

Similar to Cadahia, Snitker never made the big show, and his minor league career was short (4 seasons) starting in 1977. In 1981, Snitker became a roving instructor in the Braves organization and moved to Anderson of the South Atlantic League as manager. Snitker then became the bullpen coach in 1985 and 1989-1990. However, he went back to managing in the Braves’ farm system. In 2006, Snitker received a promotion to third-base coach when Freddi Gonzalez left for the Florida Marlins to be their manager.

Roger McDowell (Pitching Coach)

Known as much for his pranks (the “Hot Foot”) as for his success on the diamond, McDowell was a successful reliever in the majors. Posting a 3.30 ERA for his career, McDowell spent most of his career as a ground-ball specialist and closer with 159 career saves (he beats Smoltzie by four) for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles. One of his most infamous moments saw him give up a game-winning homer to Terry Pendleton during the 1987 stretch.

After retiring in 1998, McDowell took some time-off until 2002 when he became the pitching coach for a Dodgers minor league team. He was promoted to the AAA team in 2004, and he came over to the Braves as the pitching coach after Leo Mazzone left for Baltimore to join his good friend Sam Perlozzo who was the manager.

Terry Pendleton (Hitting Coach)

Arguably the most famous coach on the staff, Pendleton played fifteen seasons and five World Series without winning one. Most of his career was spent with the Cardinals and Braves, but he also played for the Marlins, Reds, and Royals. With the Braves, Pendleton won his only MVP award and made his only All-Star appearance (although not in the same season). He added three Gold Gloves and a batting title. He owns a career .270 batting average along with 140 HR and 946 RBI.

Pendleton took a few years off after retiring in 1998, but he decided to return to baseball in 2001 as the hitting coach for the Braves, a position he has held since. However, he has been rumored to managerial jobs for the Nationals after Frank Robinson and Cardinals when Tony La Russa was uncertain about his future.

Eddie Perez (Bullpen Coach)

“Steady Eddie” played 10 seasons, eight with Atlanta, one with Cleveland, and one with Milwaukee. Known primarily for his extraordinary defense and game-calling skills, Perez served as Maddux’s personal catcher during Perez’s first stint in Atlanta. Perez could also hit fairly well (.254 career average) for a back-up catcher. Ultimately, his best moment may have been running in the famous sausage race in Milwaukee (although he lost in rigged race, Eddie was never known for his wheels).

Right after retiring in 2005, Eddie became a coach for the Mississippi Braves. The next season, after Bobby Dews stepped down in the major overhaul during the 2006 offseason, Perez took over as the bullpen coach.

Frank Fultz- Strength and Conditioning Coach

Although never a player, Fultz is no stranger to baseball. After receiving a degree in educational psychology from Texas Wesleyan, Fultz got his master’s degree in physical education from Utah State and then a health science doctorate from the University of Utah. Then he became a pitching coach at Triton College before becoming the manager at Texas Wesleyan. He then became the assistant head coach at the University of Houston while also the strength and conditioning coach for the Astros. Later in 1992, Atlanta hired him on as their strength and conditioning coach.