While the Atlanta Braves are keeping their player core intact heading into 2024, the coaching staff will have a different look to it for the 2024 season. Long-time third base and infield coach Ron Washington left to take over as the new skipper for the Angels, while first base coach Eric Young Sr. left to join Washington’s staff. Additionally, bullpen coach Drew French left to take over as pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles.
Washington was a beloved figure in Atlanta’s clubhouse and could be seen before every game going through infield drills with his infielders. He was also somewhat of a father figure to many of the Braves’ young players, including Ozzie Albies.
“It was tough. Me and him, we hopped on a phone call for like an hour. That was very hard,” Albies said of Washington. “He’s amazing on and off the field. Mentally, on the field, he gets your mind ready for the game. He’s the most special guy or coach I’ve had in my life. It’s a big loss for us. It’s great that I can see him do what he wants to do before he retires from the game of baseball.”
“Obviously, losing Wash and EY, those were my dudes. I love them,” Riley said. “They mean so much to me, where they got to me with my game. They’re going to be missed.”
Matt Olson, meanwhile, has actually seen Washington leave a couple of his organizations, as he crossed paths with Washington when he made his major league debut late in the 2016 season. He echoed Riley’s sentiments
“I think from the defensive side, Matt has worked behind Wash enough,” Riley added. “To me, he can do those drills with the best of everyone, even Wash. He does them really well. I think the core group that we have going, the routines that we have, I don’t see anything changing. I think we’re just kind of rolling right into it.”
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