Braves' Walt Weiss Reflects on Rockies Tenure

New Atlanta manager opens up about challenges and silver linings from his time in Colorado.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action on the field.Weiss' journey from a tumultuous Rockies tenure to leading the surprising Braves reflects the unpredictable nature of professional sports.Cleveland Today

First-year Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss is reflecting on his tumultuous tenure with the Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016, where he struggled with a 283-365 record and felt he lacked support from the organization. However, Weiss says that experience ultimately prepared him for his current role leading the surprising Braves, who currently lead the NL East.

Why it matters

Weiss' openness about his Rockies tenure provides insight into the challenges of managing in the major leagues, especially for a manager who wasn't the organization's first choice. His perspective sheds light on how difficult situations can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities down the line.

The details

Weiss tells USA Today that he 'never felt like I had any support' in Colorado, as he was seen as the 'guy' of the previous GM Dan O'Dowd, who had hired him. Weiss says the Rockies' new leadership 'did not want me there.' Despite the struggles, Weiss believes that experience ultimately prepared him for his current role with the Braves, where he has worked as a coach for several years under former manager Brian Snitker.

  • Weiss managed the Rockies from 2013 to 2016.
  • The Braves currently lead the NL East with a 9-6 record in 2026.

The players

Walt Weiss

The current manager of the Atlanta Braves, who previously served as manager of the Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016.

Dan O'Dowd

The former general manager of the Colorado Rockies who hired Weiss as manager.

Brian Snitker

The former manager of the Atlanta Braves, under whom Weiss served as a coach before taking over as manager.

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What they’re saying

“'To be honest with you, I never felt like I had any support. Matter of fact, it felt like I was working against them. They knew I was Dan's (O'Dowd) guy. So it was a really, really difficult situation. He wanted his own people. He did not want me there.'”

— Walt Weiss, Atlanta Braves Manager

“'But look, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today if I didn't have that opportunity in Colorado, as tough as it was. So, yeah, I'm grateful for that.'”

— Walt Weiss, Atlanta Braves Manager

“'I didn't have to manage again. That wasn't my goal. I always said, 'Hey, if the right thing comes up, I'd do it again, but I'm not pursuing it.' I would have loved to be Snit's bench coach for another 10 years.'”

— Walt Weiss, Atlanta Braves Manager

“'But once Snit stepped down here and decided he was done, and his job became available, then it got my juices flowing. Just with this group of guys, and my connection to this organization, I really wanted to do it.'”

— Walt Weiss, Atlanta Braves Manager

What’s next

The Braves will look to continue their strong start to the season when they face the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

The takeaway

Weiss' openness about his difficult tenure in Colorado shows how even the most challenging experiences can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities down the line. His perspective provides a valuable lesson about resilience and making the most of difficult situations in professional sports.