Braves give manager's job to Snitker

The Atlanta Braves named Brian Snitker as manager on Tuesday, and also announced the rest of the coaching staff for the 2017 season.

His contract is for 2017, with a club option for '18.

Snitker, who was named the Braves' interim manager on May 17, led the team to a 59-65 record after taking over for Fredi Gonzalez.

"Brian earned this opportunity through his dedication to the Braves and to our players," general manager John Coppolella said in a statement. "We are excited for the energy and momentum he will bring into SunTrust Park next season."

The decision to hire Snitker as the club's permanent manager wasn't just based on the team's late-season success - which included a 37-35 mark after the All-Star break and a 20-10 record in its last 30 games - but also because the front office was impressed with how he immediately changed the culture of the team, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

"Great for Snit, great for the Braves. For where we are and who we are, we felt Snit was the right choice for right now," Coppolella told AJC.com's David O'Brien. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There was momentum created ... the way the team performed. Snit was the guy leading the charge."

Before being named as the team's interim manager, the 60-year-old filled many roles within the organization, including stops as third base coach for the Braves from 2006-13.

Atlanta also named the rest of the coaching staff for 2017, exercising contract options on bench coach Terry Pendleton, first base coach Eddie Perez, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, and assistant hitting coach Jose Castro.

Bullpen coach Marty Reed will return in the same role next season, while Chuck Hernandez has been named pitching coach, and Ron Washington has been named third base coach.