Braves Manager Brian Snitker - 1971 Macon Ill. baseball takes almost "Hoosiers" story. Very cool.
Atlanta Braves manger Brian Snitker is from Macon Illinois (pop. 1,200) that in 1971 was still living in a pre-Beatles America existence. The high school principle hires Lynn Sweet - in and out of college Army brat turned hippie-ish - from Chicago to teach English. Never coached baseball before. The team goes on an incredible run reaching the state high school championship.
They lost 4-2 to Waukegan High (4,250 students) with Snitker grounding out to end the game.
Sports Illustrated article by Chris’s Ballard author of the book “One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season”
https://vault.si.com/vault/2010/06/28/the-magical-season-of-the-macon-ironmen
Check out the 3 different uniforms and the hats
Brian Snitker wasn't kidding when he said he resembled the Ernie Douglas character on "My Three Sons." The Snitker of 1971 also wore horned-rimmed glasses while he played. Photo courtesy of Brian Snitker.
From 2013
