Aaron molded careers of World Series managers Snitker, Baker

ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Aaron's imprint is firmly stamped on the World Series.

His No. 44 has been painted on the grass in center field at the Braves' Truist Park all season. It remains in big, bold green for Friday night's Game 3 against the Houston Astros.

The impact of Aaron, the Hall of Famer who died on Jan. 22, is seen in much more than the number.

“Hank’s footprints are all over this series,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said.

If not for Aaron, it's possible neither Baker nor Atlanta manager Brian Snitker would hold their current jobs.

“I would assume he helped mold both of us, Dusty as a young player and me as a young manager/coach,” Snitker said Thursday. “He was very instrumental, I know, in both our careers because I know both of us just loved the man to death for what he did for us.”

Aaron was responsible for convincing Baker to sign with the Braves as a teenage outfielder in 1967. Aaron, already an established star, promised Baker's mother he would take care of her young son.

Aaron kept the promise — and kept up with Baker's mom, even after Baker's playing career ended.

“Going over the conversations we would have had, we probably wouldn’t have much about baseball,” Baker said Thursday. "First thing he asks, he asks me about my mother. ... Like I said, he promised my mom when I was 18 years old.”

Baker was only 19 when he made his major league debut with Atlanta in 1968 — against the Astros, then a National League team.

As the Braves' farm director, Aaron set the path for Snitker's long career as a coach and manager. When it was clear Snitker had no future as a catcher or first baseman, Aaron offered an opportunity to remain in the game as a coach.

Snitker has remained in the organization as roving instructor,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Aaron-molded-careers-of-World-Series-managers-16573806.php