The Atlanta Braves have replaced hitting coach Kevin Seitzer after a difficult year on and off the field. Seitzer struggled to keep the Braves’ hitters focused in the box, and it showed. However, it’s difficult to place all the blame on Seitzer, especially considering what he went through at home.

Seitzer’s wife Beth was diagnosed with colon cancer. While she thankfully received emergency surgery and is now on the other side of her health scare, Seitzer has struggled to focus on day-to-day tasks during what he considers the toughest season of his career.

“It was the hardest season of my life because the guys tried so hard and couldn’t get going and I couldn’t get them (not to press),” Seitzer said in an interview with The Athletic’s David O’Brien. “If they can find someone who can make these people not try so hard, then that has to be the guy they hire. You can talk mechanics until the cows come home, but this (problems this season) was all between the ears.”

When teams fail to meet expectations, there is always a scapegoat. In this case it was Seitzer and catching coach Sal Fasano. Seitzer was one of the longest-serving members of manager Brian Snitker’s coaching staff.

Replacing someone with Seitzer’s pedigree is easier said than done. Alex Anthopoulos made his first attempt on Thursday, announcing that the team has hired former Texas Rangers hitting coach Tim Hyers.

The Hyers’ Rangers won the first-ever Team Silver Slugger Award in 2023. Texas also won the World Series that year. In his career, Hyers has coached twelve silver bats. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Rangers recorded the third-most runs and home runs in the American League during Hyers’ three-year tenure.