During Tuesday night’s game between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium, Braves manager Walt Weiss unexpectedly demonstrated impressive physicality during an on-field brawl. The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning when Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler charged the mound following a pitch near his head. Soler pursued starting pitcher Reynaldo López, prompting Weiss to sprint from the dugout and intervene.
At 62 years old, Weiss delivered a textbook tackle on Soler, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 235 pounds, dropping his shoulder and taking him to the ground. Weiss later explained that his primary goal was to prevent Soler from causing harm to anyone. “I just felt I’ve gotta get him off his feet because he’s gonna hurt somebody. That was my instinct,” Weiss said, reflecting both quick thinking and a sense of responsibility toward his players.
Weiss’ Viral Tackle Earns NFL Attention and Highlights Teaching Opportunity for Players
The tackle quickly went viral, catching the attention of the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL team posted a screenshot of Weiss’ maneuver to X with the caption, “Come put on the pads, Skip,” highlighting their amusement at his unexpected form. While Weiss has no plans to switch sports, his technique could serve as an unusual teaching example for football players learning proper tackling and situational awareness.
Weiss and Soler share a history as teammates on the Braves’ 2021 World Series-winning team, with Weiss as an assistant coach and Soler earning World Series MVP honors. This prior relationship likely influenced Weiss’ approach, aiming to neutralize Soler safely without excessive force.
Both teams hope to avoid further incidents as they prepare for the final game of their three-game series on Thursday at 4:07 p.m. ET. Weiss’ tackle has become an instant highlight, blending athleticism, quick judgment, and a dash of humor, leaving fans and the Falcons alike thoroughly entertained.
