Before the Braves’ Opening Day game against the Phillies on Friday afternoon, manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves expressed gratitude for the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. However, he refrained from delving deeper into his contentious remarks from a radio interview regarding the treatment he claims his family received during the previous NLDS in Philadelphia.
Snitker stated that his wife vowed following the previous postseason that she would never again attend a game at Citizens Bank Park in a recent interview with 92.9 The Game in Atlanta.
Snitker stated that his wife is babysitting and his granddaughters are in school, which is why his family won’t be there on Friday. He claims that if the game hadn’t been at home in Truist Park, they wouldn’t have gone to any Opening Day games.
Friday, Snitker sidestepped the topic when asked what had been said or done to make his wife and family feel endangered during the previous postseason.
During his pregame media availability, Snitker stated, “I’m not gonna get into all of that.” “Let’s discuss today.”
When questioned earlier this month about the most challenging road settings, Snitker seemed open to having the conversation, so this refusal to talk about Citizens Bank Park’s atmosphere was unusual.
“Philly is by far the most hostile crowd, and that is where we’re heading,” Snitker stated. “I know my wife said, ‘I don’t care what you guys are doing, I’m not going back there,’ after the playoffs the previous year.
Snitker went on, “There, it’s rough.” To be honest, they also don’t appear to mind. They all had quite difficult circumstances last year, to the point of concern.
One of the hosts made a hazy hint later in the talk that he knew of folks who had bad experiences going to games in Philadelphia wearing the opposite jersey. Snitker stated that he has specially told his family not to go to Citizens Bank Park dressed as the Braves.
Snitker went on, “I tell her not to wear anything with Braves on it either because you’re a marked person.” “And that home team, they don’t seem to care that it’s our girlfriends, spouses, and families—that is, our wives. Do you understand what I mean? People are saying offensive things around kids and other such things, and no one seems to care.
However, once more, Snitker declined to provide specific instances of verbal or other forms of abuse on Friday when given the opportunity.The Braves led by Snitker have won six straight NL East championships. However, the Braves have lost to the Phillies in the NLDS two straight years after winning the 2021 World Series, reigniting the animosity between the two NL East rivals.
To a certain extent, Phillies captain Rob Thomson enjoys it when other teams aren’t excited to visit Citizens Bank Park.
Without a doubt. When asked if he enjoys hearing that other teams see Philadelphia as a hostile place to visit, Thomson replied, “I do.”
“I love the atmosphere, even though I don’t want to see anyone hurt.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 29: Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker (43) prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on June 29, 2022, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)
