Braves' Walt Weiss wins over locker room with loud Ronald Acuna Jr. decision vs. Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are off to a hot start in the 2026 season, a welcome turnaround after a disappointing 2025 campaign. When healthy, the Braves boast one of the most dangerous lineups in all of baseball. They are also led by first-year manager Walt Weiss.
“The Atlanta Braves hired Walt Weiss as manager Monday, turning to their longtime bench coach in hopes of a turnaround after they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Weiss, 61, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016, going 283-365 and never finishing higher than third place. He inherits a talented Braves team that finished 76-86 and was ravaged by injuries,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.
On Monday, there were fireworks in the game against the Washington Nationals, as Ronald Acuña Jr. exited after being hit by a pitch for the second time in the game.
“Acuña left without talking to reporters. But the sense seems to be he could play tomorrow,” Braves beat writer Mark Bowman wrote.
However, Weiss responded in kind, as the Nationals’ CJ Abrams was hit in his next at-bat. For Atlanta, the moment underscored Weiss’s willingness to stand up for his team.
“After Atlanta rallied to score five runs in the top of the 6th inning and build a comfortable lead, it was time for retaliation. With one out in the bottom half of the frame, Washington's young star CJ Abrams stepped in the box. The first pitch of the at-bat was a Bryce Elder fastball that nailed Abrams on the back side. This just feels like something Weiss supported to take up for his players. The fact the pitch that hit Abrams was at his back side and no where near the head or anywhere else that would cause serious injury likely avoided an ejection and was proof that it was a simple "Don't mess with us" message,” FanSided’s Austin Owens wrote.
The fact that Acuña Jr. was hit twice in the same game was a clear flashpoint. It led to Weiss making a decision that sent a message through his dugout and beyond.
Weiss continues to establish a “no one is going to bully us” style of leadership. Not only does it resonate in the clubhouse, but it also reinforces the competitive edge he wants his team to play with every night.