The Atlanta Braves stability has been shaken after a quarter of a century when they fired on of their own.
This is their first major off-the-field firing since 1990, the Braves dismissed general manager Frank Wren less than 24 hours after being eliminated from the NL playoff race.
Because of this major change, Former Cleveland and Texas general manager John Hart will serve as Wren's interim replacement.
According to team President John Schuerholz "It was time. It was time for the organization's well-being."
He added "It was time for the organization's well-being. It was time, having been eliminated from any postseason possibility, rather than continue to wait, that it would give us an opportunity to form our committee and start this transition a week sooner than perhaps, and we thought it was the right day."
According to Yahoo Sports, For the Braves, it was the most jarring change of direction since manager Russ Nixon was fired 65 games into the 1990 season. He was succeeded by Bobby Cox, who remained in that job until his retirement in 2010. Schuerholz was the general manager for 17 seasons before moving up to president in 2007, handing over the GM job to his hand-picked successor, Wren.
Now the focus turns to the current manager, Fredi Gonzalez, a protege of Cox's who is finishing up his fourth season.
According to Gonzalez "I love Atlanta. I love our organization. I would love to get another shot at it like anybody else would. I want to be here."
Aside from Wren, the Braves also dismissed Wren's right-hand man, assistant general manager Bruce Manno.
On the other hand, interim manager Hart commented "'In this job, you've got to be able to delegate. You've got to be able to encourage. You've got to be the guy who walks in the door when you've lost four straight and picks your manager up."
Hart just recently joined the Braves as a senior adviser for baseball operations. He said "I'm not seeking the job. It's been discussed, but at this particular stage it's not what I'm looking to do."
The Braves would have to manage themselves with this new change to their team.
