John Coppolella was on Monday forced to resign as Braves general manager after an investigation by Major League Baseball revealed serious rules violations in the international player market.
Gordon Blakeley, a special assistant to the general manager who was the team’s international scouting chief, has also resigned.
Braves president John Hart is to take over general manager duties while the team searches for a full-time replacement.
The Braves cooperated when they first learned of the investigation “in the past couple weeks,” Hart said.
He would not reveal details of the rules violations, but he did say they did not involve criminal activity.
Hart did not know if the Braves would be penalized by MLB.
However, Hart acknowledged that there was no agreement with the league for lesser organizational penalties in exchange for Coppolella’s resignation.
“We didn’t bargain, if you will, on that,” Hart said. “The decision that was made here internally was it just wasn’t right and it wasn’t going to fit for what worked with the Braves going forward.”
“It didn’t pass MLB muster, but at the same time it didn’t pass Atlanta Braves muster,” he added.
Hart initially did not believe the probe would uncover serious violations.
That changed in the past three days as the team learned more about the the MLB investigation’s findings, Hart said.
“As we went into the last 72 hours I think in their investigation they dug up a number of things that were quite serious as far as the MLB rules,” Hart said. “Ultimately, I think because of what they did dig up and what they did have, I think it sort of drove us into the spot we’re in right now.”
MLB has “made clear” the investigation “has about wrapped up,” he added.
An MLB spokesman would not provide details on an ongoing investigation.
Coppolella declined comment “at this time,” when contacted by reporters.
Hart said the search for a new general manager would not affect the team’s decision on whether to exercise its next year option on manager Brian Snitker.
He said that decision could come this week.
“Obviously that will be my call as we move forward,” Hart said. “I think we’ve got a good feel for where we are with our club and what we’re doing.”
The Braves, who finished 72-90 this year, have been very active in the international market in recent years. More teams have increased their emphasis on international scouting, making the competition for top prospects intense.
Last year, the Braves signed a group of 13 international prospects led by Kevin Maitan, a 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop. Maitan, the consensus No. 1-rated international amateur prospect, signed for a US$4.25 million bonus, a record for a player from Venezuela.
Coppolella replaced Frank Wren as general manager in 2015. Like most general managers, Coppolella had a mixed record in trades.
Perhaps his most successful deal came in late 2015, when the Braves traded right-hander Shelby Miller and prospect Gabe Speier to Arizona in exchange for outfielder Ender Inciarte, right-hander Aaron Blair and shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Inciarte and Swanson are cornerstones of Atlanta’s rebuilding effort.
Also in 2015 came perhaps Coppolella’s worst deal: Cuban infield prospect Hector Olivera was the biggest name obtained by Atlanta in a three-team trade that sent left-hander Alex Wood and infielder Jose Peraza to the Dodgers.
Olivera hit .245 in only 30 combined games with Atlanta in 2015 and last year.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and