Walt Weiss Named NL Manager of the Year Finalist
MLB Network named the Atlanta Braves manager among three finalists for the National League award.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
MLB Network announced that Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss is a finalist for NL Manager of the Year, alongside Don Mattingly and Pat Murphy. Chris Sale is also a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award.
Why it matters
Weiss was promoted from bench coach to manager after Brian Snitker retired, and his tenure has been a major factor in the Braves' turnaround. The honor recognizes a rebound that followed a season in which the team missed the postseason for the first time since 2017.
The Braves won 94 games under Weiss after going 76-86 the prior year, and earned the No. 3 seed before losing to the Dodgers in a five-game NL Division Series. The winner will be revealed November 10, and the final vote breakdown has not been published.
The players
Walt Weiss
Walt Weiss is the Atlanta Braves manager who was promoted from bench coach after Brian Snitker's retirement, and he previously played shortstop in the major leagues.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Atlanta that plays home games at Truist Park.
Chris Sale
Chris Sale is a veteran major league pitcher who is a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award.
The details
The Braves promoted Weiss from bench coach after Brian Snitker retired, and the team captured its first NL East title since 2023. Atlanta took two of three from the Phillies in the Wild Card Series at Truist Park before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: MLB Network announces Weiss as a finalist.
November 10, 2026: NL Manager of the Year award is announced.
November 11, 2026: NL Cy Young Award winner is announced.
Season Trajectory
Weiss's first season as Braves manager followed Brian Snitker's retirement and marked a sharp reversal from the 76-win, no-postseason campaign that preceded it. The finalist nod signals that the 94-win rebound has made the new skipper a leading candidate among National League managers.
The award results will determine recognition for the Braves' managerial change and for Chris Sale's pitching season. Fans tracking the postseason awards can mark November 10 and November 11 for the announcements.
The takeaway
Weiss's rise from bench coach to finalist shows how quickly a managerial change can reverse a team's fortunes after a missed postseason. Readers following the awards can track the November announcements to see how the vote shakes out.
What happens next
The NL Manager of the Year award will be announced November 10, and the NL Cy Young Award winner will be announced November 11.
Further reading
For more on the team, see Baseball coverage of Atlanta's season.
