Paul Snyder (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Paul Luther Snyder is a retired American
front-office executive in Major League Baseball
. He played an integral role in the rise and sustained dominance of the Atlanta Braves
during the 1990s as the team's longtime amateur scouting director (1981-90; 1999-2000), assistant to the general manager
(1991-95; 2001-06), and director of player development (1977-80; 1996-98). In recognition of Snyder's career accomplishments, Baseball America
named him one of the top 25 people in the game on the publication's 25th anniversary in 2006.
Snyder spent his entire 50-year professional baseball career in the Braves' organization, signing with them as an outfielder
and first baseman
in 1958 when the team was still based in Milwaukee
. As a player, Snyder never reached the Major Leagues, peaking at Class AAA in 1963 with the Denver Bears of the Pacific Coast League
— a season which also saw his debut as a minor league
manager
in the Braves' farm system. Snyder, however, was a strong hitter in his playing days, compiling a lifetime batting average
of .318 during his seven-year active career. In his finest over-all campaign, 1962 with the Austin Senators
of the Class AA Texas League
, Snyder hit .312 with 19 home runs and 113 runs batted in in 132 games played. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, stood 6'2" (1.9 m) tall and weighed 200 pounds (91 kg).
Snyder managed Braves' farm clubs and scouted for them between 1963 and 1972. In 1973, he joined the team's front office as assistant minor league administrator before taking the reins of the Braves' farm department in 1977. Working with then-general managers Bill Lucas
and John Mullen
, Snyder was a major architect of the Braves' strong early 1980s teams under manager Joe Torre
— despite having suffered a stroke
at age 42 that required brain surgery and an extensive period of rehabilitation.
When the MLB Braves went through a prolonged rebuilding process after winning the National League West Division championship, Snyder, by now scouting director, assisted general manager Bobby Cox
in drafting and developing the talent base – players such as Tom Glavine
, Steve Avery
, David Justice
, Jeff Blauser
and Chipper Jones
— that served as the foundation for the Braves' string of first-place teams of the 1990s and the 1995 world champions
. He also served as top assistant to John Schuerholz
when he took over the Atlanta front office after the season and performed a number of key functions in the Braves' baseball operations department in addition to working as scouting or player development director.
Snyder finally retired from the Braves after the season, which saw Schuerholz move upstairs to the team presidency and a new general manager, Frank Wren
, assume control of baseball operations. In 2006 he was presented with the King of Baseball
award given by Minor League Baseball.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
front-office executive in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He played an integral role in the rise and sustained dominance of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
during the 1990s as the team's longtime amateur scouting director (1981-90; 1999-2000), assistant to the general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
(1991-95; 2001-06), and director of player development (1977-80; 1996-98). In recognition of Snyder's career accomplishments, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named him one of the top 25 people in the game on the publication's 25th anniversary in 2006.
Snyder spent his entire 50-year professional baseball career in the Braves' organization, signing with them as an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in 1958 when the team was still based in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. As a player, Snyder never reached the Major Leagues, peaking at Class AAA in 1963 with the Denver Bears of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
— a season which also saw his debut as a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in the Braves' farm system. Snyder, however, was a strong hitter in his playing days, compiling a lifetime batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .318 during his seven-year active career. In his finest over-all campaign, 1962 with the Austin Senators
Austin Senators
The Austin Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Austin, Texas, USA that existed on-and-off from 1898 to 1964. They played in the Texas League , Texas-Southern League , South Texas League and Texas Association...
of the Class AA Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, Snyder hit .312 with 19 home runs and 113 runs batted in in 132 games played. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, stood 6'2" (1.9 m) tall and weighed 200 pounds (91 kg).
Snyder managed Braves' farm clubs and scouted for them between 1963 and 1972. In 1973, he joined the team's front office as assistant minor league administrator before taking the reins of the Braves' farm department in 1977. Working with then-general managers Bill Lucas
Bill Lucas
William DeVaughn Lucas was the first African-American general manager in Major League Baseball as front-office boss of the Atlanta Braves from mid-September 1976 until his death at age 43 in May 1979...
and John Mullen
John Mullen (baseball executive)
John Mullen was an American Major League Baseball executive from 1947 to 1990 with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros.Mullen served as the farm system director and head of minor league operations with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves from to ....
, Snyder was a major architect of the Braves' strong early 1980s teams under manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
— despite having suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
at age 42 that required brain surgery and an extensive period of rehabilitation.
When the MLB Braves went through a prolonged rebuilding process after winning the National League West Division championship, Snyder, by now scouting director, assisted general manager Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
in drafting and developing the talent base – players such as Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
, Steve Avery
Steve Avery
Steven Thomas Avery is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was a young star with the Atlanta Braves in the early 1990s.-Young Gun:...
, David Justice
David Justice
David Christopher Justice is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , and Oakland Athletics .-Early life:David was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Robert and Nettie Justice...
, Jeff Blauser
Jeff Blauser
Jeffrey Michael Blauser is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs from 1987 to 1999.-Career:...
and Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
— that served as the foundation for the Braves' string of first-place teams of the 1990s and the 1995 world champions
1995 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ace Greg Maddux pitched a two-hit complete game victory in his first World Series appearance ....
. He also served as top assistant to John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
when he took over the Atlanta front office after the season and performed a number of key functions in the Braves' baseball operations department in addition to working as scouting or player development director.
Snyder finally retired from the Braves after the season, which saw Schuerholz move upstairs to the team presidency and a new general manager, Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Franklin E. Wren is an American front office executive in Major League Baseball. Since the end of the baseball season, he has been the general manager of the Atlanta Braves....
, assume control of baseball operations. In 2006 he was presented with the King of Baseball
King of Baseball
King of Baseball is a ceremonial title awarded by Minor League Baseball to one person each year in recognition of longtime dedication and service to professional baseball.- Background :The title was first awarded in 1951...
award given by Minor League Baseball.