Black, Washington to interview for skipper’s job

ATLANTA — Top internal candidate Brian Snitker sat directly next to Braves president of baseball operations John Hart on Monday morning, when Hart revealed that Bud Black and Ron Washington will be interviewed this week for the club’s managerial vacancy.

“If I was them, I’d be doing the same thing,” Snitker said. “You never know. Somebody might come in here and blow them away with something they’ve never thought of before. If that is going to make this club and this organization better, then heck, I’m all for it.”

Snitker’s honest and unselfish response provided another glimpse of why he has become one of the organization’s most beloved figures as he has served as a coach or manager at both the Minor League and Major League levels within the Braves organization since 1980, the same year he concluded a four-season stint as a player in their farm system.

After accepting the unenviable challenge to be Atlanta’s interim manager when Fredi Gonzalez was dismissed after a 9-28 start, Snitker steadily became a legitimate candidate to maintain the role beyond this season. His candidacy was certainly strengthened as the club managed to avoid a seemingly inevitable 100-loss season by winning 20 of its last 30 games, including 12 of its last 14.

But before simply giving the job to Snitker, the Braves will talk to Black and Washington, both of whom have prior relationships with both Hart and vice chairman John Schuerholz. Hart indicated that he does not expect interviewing to be a long, drawn-out process.

“There’s a lot of smart guys out there and a lot of guys with different ideas,” Hart said. “It would be shame on us …

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