Atlanta Braves president and former general manger John Schuerholtz, right, speaks during a news conference as Braves chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk looks on Thursday, March 31, 2016, in Atlanta. After 51 years in baseball Schuerholz is moving to an advisory role he says is perfectly timed to finally provide more family time. Schuerholz moving from team president to vice chairman. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – After 51 years in baseball, longtime Atlanta Braves executive John Schuerholz is moving to an advisory role he said is perfectly timed to finally provide more family time.
As the team approaches its final season at Turner Field, it announced several front-office changes Thursday, including Schuerholz moving from team president to vice chairman – but Schuerholz and Braves chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk were careful to avoid any hint that Schuerholz, 75, is retiring.
“I’m not stepping out, I’m not stepping back,” Schuerholz said. “I’m stepping forward, maybe with little bitty steps this time and not the larger steps I’ve taken over my career.”
Added McGuirk: “Stepping up is what I call it.”
McGuirk said Schuerholz’s new role will “give him a perch to opine about almost anything.”