The Atlanta Braves' offense never got off the ground during the 2014 season, and now hitting coach Greg Walker is officially stepping down, according to the team's announcement on Tuesday evening. Walker's resignation comes just one day after manager Fredi Gonzalez expressed his wishes to keep his coaching staff together, but it was an expected move after the team trotted out one of the least productive lineups in franchise history.
The Braves scored just 3.54 runs per game this season, the second-worst mark in baseball ahead of only the 77-85 San Diego Padres. they also finished among baseball's worst in on-base percentage, batting average, slugging percentage, home runs and strikeout rate.
"Greg is a man of great character, integrity and work ethic and is a true 'baseball man,'" Braves interim general manager John Hart said in a statement. "We thank him for his passion and dedication, and wish him well."
Walker served three seasons as the team's hitting coach after coming over from the Chicago White Sox following the team's infamous 2011 September collapse. Over that three-season stretch, Braves hitters batted .246/.315/.384 with 453 home runs, the 18th-best overall production in baseball according to weighted runs created plus.
"I grew up in South Georgia and have been a Braves fan my whole life," Walker said. "It has truly been an honor to work the past three seasons with this great organization. However, this past weekend I informed Fredi Gonzalez of my desire to step away. I have made many new friends here and have worked with some special people. I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me."
Walker's resignation opens up yet another position for the Braves to fill. The organization fired general manager Frank Wren before the season ended and are actively seeking his replacement. At the press conference announcing Wren's firing, Hart and team president John Schuerholz said that the new GM will have a say in the future of Gonzalez after the team finished with a disappointing 79-83 record, tied with the New York Mets at second place in the division standings and missing the playoffs for the sixth time in nine years.
