Atlanta Braves miss Ron Washington, and it sure sounds like he misses them, too

The Braves are playing the Angels in a three-game series that began Friday – Atlanta went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and lost 3-2 — and many Braves players made it a point to seek out and hug Washington on the field before batting practice.

Not the cursory greetings for a coach who left. These were genuine, rigorous hugs, like you might see from close friends or family members who’ve not seen one another in a while.

“It was good to see him, I know that,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker, who stood and chatted with him in front of the visitors dugout for at least 30 minutes, as Washington, 72, made Angels media members wait a good while in the home dugout for their scheduled pregame session with him. “I’m sure he enjoyed seeing all the guys and everything.”

He absolutely did.

Ron Washington has been hugging #Braves players and chatting with Brian Snitker. pic.twitter.com/fJgLGrG6jn

— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 16, 2024

Washington was more than a coach to Braves infielders. He was a dude who all players relished being around, but also revered.

He was a mentor and father figure to second baseman Ozzie Albies. He was the coach who wasn’t afraid to say what needed to be said to Ronald Acuña Jr., back when the Braves superstar was young and immature.

He’s the man whom third baseman Austin Riley, first baseman Matt Olson and former Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, among others, credit for taking their defensive games up a notch — or in Riley’s case, a couple of notches.

There’s a reason, Riley pointed out, that the Angels hired Washington as manager despite the fact he was 71 at the time, at least 25-30 years older than most managerial hires these days. He’s unique. He is a master motivator. He walks into a room and his presence commands attention. He had the players’ backs, and man, did they ever have his. They loved Wash. Still do.