On Friday, the Braves reconnected with one of their own.
Pitching coach Rick Kranitz is back on the squad. He had been absent from the club since early July due to a family problem.
“That was good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said about getting Kranitz back. “I know the lads were thrilled to meet Kranny. He makes significant contributions as well. That’s another significant piece that’s difficult to replace when you lose someone as connected and important to that group of pitchers. And Erick (Abreu) came in and performed an incredible job. “He did an excellent job in Kranny’s absence.”
With Kranitz gone, bullpen coach Erick Abreu, in his first season with the Braves, took on the role of pitching coach. Kranitz, however, was a significant loss for the Braves while he was absent.
Kranitz, 66, is in his sixth season with the Braves and 24th as a major league coach. He knows all of the pitchers well and has built relationships with them.
Kranitz stayed in touch with the Braves throughout his absence. The squad involved him in numerous daily game-planning meetings. He watched every game.
He still had a voice.
“It’s hard to replace that experience and the guy that he is,” says Snitker. “Because he communicates with all of those guys on a daily basis. It’s just nice to have him back.”
Kranitz is also a significant figure in the Braves’ dugout. Snitker relies on his intuition when organizing games.
“He and I have been tied to the hip for how many years now,” Snitker replied. “It’s huge. With his feel and knowledge, there is a huge hole within this dugout. I bounce a lot of stuff off him during a game. “I’m thrilled to have him back.”
During an August interview in Anaheim, Angels manager Ron Washington, the Braves’ former third base coach, was asked about the team’s troubles. He mentioned that the Braves were missing Kranitz.
This was significant, Washington stated.
“Well, Kranny has a relationship with every one of his pitchers,” Washington explained. “He also assists (bench coach) Walt (Weiss) and Snit with strategy, providing them with a forward-looking perspective. He’s constantly in Snit’s ear regarding issues. They now have a new pitching coach who has taken charge. I’m not sure if that child is doing it, but that was the role that Kranny portrayed. He constantly told him when he thought a pitcher was losing it. He always told him who he thought we needed to bring right here. And Kranny was not the only one who told Snit this. They had a debate and reached a decision. But he was present.
“He was someone Snit put a lot of trust in. He was someone Snit could sit and watch the game without missing anything since Walt and Kranny see things he doesn’t, and then they bring them to his attention. So that’s what they are missing.
Charlie Morton, who started Friday’s game against the Marlins, saw Kranitz for the first time since the pitching instructor left the team this summer. Morton offered Kranitz a hug.
“It’s good for us, and good for the group,” Morton said of Kranitz’s comeback. “He’s been an important part of what we’ve been doing on the pitching side and in the clubhouse. Everyone loves Kranny, so it’s fantastic that he’s back.”
