PHILADELPHIA — Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker's family stayed out of Philadelphia on Friday for the team's 2024 regular-season opener.
Snitker called out Philadelphia Phillies fans in spring training for what he said was objectionable behavior from them in the playoffs toward his wife and other Atlanta friends and family members.
"It's rough there," Snitker said in an interview with Atlanta radio station WZGC that was broadcast on March 21. "And they don't seem to mind, either, quite honestly. It was rough on them all last year to the point where it was concerning."
The Phillies eliminated the Braves in Philadelphia each of the past two MLB postseasons in Game 4 of a National League Division Series. The Braves have won six straight NL East Division titles and the 2021 World Series, with Philadelphia finishing 14 games behind Atlanta in the standings each of the past two years.
Snitker had also said Philadelphia had "by far the most hostile crowd" and his wife would refuse to return to Citizens Bank Park.
Asked what made his family feel unsafe at the ballpark, Snitker said Friday: "I'm not going to get into all that. Let's talk about today."
The Braves and Phillies were set for a 3:05 p.m. first pitch to start a three-game series that will continue Saturday and Sunday.
"My wife's babysitting and the grandkids are in school," Snitker said in Atlanta's dugout. "They wouldn't be anywhere, honestly, other than home."
Snitker otherwise praised the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park, which will celebrate its 20-year anniversary this season and has earned a reputation as one of the rowdiest places to play in baseball.
"This is a passionate fan base and there's a lot of energy in the air, and rightly so," Snitker said. "This is a really good club. These fans are passionate about what they do. It's a fun place to come play, quite honestly, because there is a lot of energy."