If the Atlanta Falcons needed defensive depth, they might want to take a look at 62-year-old Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss.
The first-year Atlanta skipper fearlessly injected himself into the middle of Tuesday’s bench-clearing brawl at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., as Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez and Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler mixed it up in a chaotic scene.
What many may have missed amid the brawl was Weiss’ heroic attempt to pacify the situation. Weiss forgot about his age and tackled the 6-foot-3 Soler down to the ground with some help from Braves catching coach Dustin Garneau.
Here’s an angle showing Weiss coming out of nowhere to bring down Soler.
62-year-old Braves manager Walt Weiss tackled Jorge Soler. pic.twitter.com/GGRSTJK3yr
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 8, 2026
It is worth noting that Weiss is quite familiar with Soler, given their shared Braves ties. Soler had two separate stints with Atlanta before joining the Angels in 2025, while Weiss has been part of the Braves’ coaching staff since 2017. They were also both part of the Braves’ World Series-winning team in 2021.
Soler didn’t take offense to Weiss’ tackle and even appreciated what the manager did.
“We have a good relationship,” Soler said after the Braves’ 7-2 victory, via Rhett Bollinger and Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com. “I don’t think he tried to do anything against me. We’re friends. I think he was just trying to protect me.”
It is back to work for the two sides on Wednesday, as the Braves and the Angels play the finale of their series.
Atlanta will have left-handed pitcher Grant Holmes starting on the mound, while Los Angeles will have southpaw Reid Detmers toeing the rubber.
