Atlanta Braves turnaround coincides with ‘Snitbear’ arrival in dugout

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 18: A teddy bear affectionately nicknamed SnitBear, which was a gift from Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves to Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves, sits behind Ozuna during the game against the Tigers from Detroit to Trui

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have a new four-legged friend in the dugout to coincide with their turnaround.

“Snitbear” has become a regular presence on the Braves bench since being assigned to slugger Marcell Ozuna by manager Brian Snitker. The cuddly brown stuffed animal has a red bandana around his neck and is wearing an oversized blue and white Braves cap.

Atlanta is 5-1 since the Bear debuted in the dugout in a 9-2 win over Tampa Bay on June 15.

“I don’t know,” Snitker said when asked if there was a correlation. “I should have bought the damn thing two months ago.”

Snitker wasn’t sure how the bear got into the clubhouse. He said he first had a clubhouse attendant open the package, then followed a suggestion to place the bear in the shelter as a spectator.

“I didn’t know what it was,” Snitker said after Friday night’s 8-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. “I didn’t want a tarantula to jump on me or anything like that. It was a bear and I thought, what the hell, why not? He said, put that in the dugout and keep the big bear company .”

ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 19: A teddy bear that the Atlanta Braves call Snitbear sits in the dugout during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on June 19, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

Jarred Kelenic is 9-for-28 (.321) in six games since moving into the No. 1 spot and is on a modest seven-game hitting streak.

“So far it’s been good luck for us,” Kelenic said. “He’s in the front row and he doesn’t have to buy a ticket to get in here, so he’s lucky. He’s got us some wins. That’s the main thing.”

Austin Riley homered Friday and has 12 hits in his last 22 at-bats, including four homers and four doubles.

“It’s a weird game and we’ll find anything and everything to get us going and get some good mojo going,” Riley said. “I’m here for that, whatever makes it light, whatever keeps it going.”