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Five years after being suspended from Major League Baseball for life, former Braves general manager John Coppolella has been reinstated from the “permanently ineligible” list by the Commissioner’s Office.
Two major league sources said athletic On Coppolella’s recent reinstatement. Then, late Sunday, both Coppolella and the commissioner’s office confirmed the decision made by commissioner Rob Manfred.
It was Manfred who suspended Coppolella in November 2017. What Coppolella said at the time was because the Braves had a long period “from 2015 he circumvented international signing rules until 2017.”
Questioner athletic If the league could provide any insight as to why Coppolella’s actions and statements over the past five years have caused MLB to reconsider and bring him back, a spokesperson provided the following statement from the league:
“Given the more than five years spent on the ineligible list by Mr. Coppolella, the repentance he has expressed, and the other steps he has taken in response to this matter, we can confirm that Mr. Coppolella has been reinstated. increase.”
Coppolella, now 44, was suspended by MLB just over a month after resigning as general manager the day after the Braves’ final game of the 2017 season. At the time, the Braves said his departure was due to “violations of Major League Baseball’s rules regarding the international player market.”
Inquired this weekend athleticCoppolella chose to respond with a written statement of apology after declining a request for an interview.
“I would like to thank Commissioner Manfred for authorizing my request to be removed from the ineligible list. (Executive Vice President, Research) Brian Seely and (Senior Vice President, Research and Deputy General Counsel) Moira Weinberg (Major League Baseball).
“I deeply regret and accept responsibility for my actions. I once again apologize to the Atlanta Braves franchise, Major League Baseball, its fans, and especially my family and friends. Thank you for this decision and take this opportunity. We strive every day to respect
Despite the decision, it’s not clear if the return will be a stepping stone to Coppolella’s return to baseball. As Pete Rose proved, the vast majority of people on the permanent ineligible list never work in the MLB again.
but others Have No one is more famous than former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He was suspended for life by his then-commissioner Faye Vincent in 1990, but only three years later he was allowed to return to the team.
Most recently, two of baseball’s most famous managers, AJ Hinch and Alex Cora, found work shortly after returning from suspension for their roles in the 2017-18 Astros sign-stealing scandal. Of course, those suspensions were only for his one year. However, they still serve as examples of baseball players deemed employable after their controversial suspension.
It’s not immediately clear how wary other teams are about hiring Coppolella. Also, Coppolella did not say in a statement whether he would be interested in resuming his front-office career, which began the week after he graduated from Notre Dame in 2000. He moved to the Braves in 2006 and joined the club in 2014. Promoted to his GM position in October.
He will be succeeded in Atlanta by Alex Anthopoulos, who led the Braves to five consecutive first-place finishes and one World Series parade in the National League East in 2021. Drafted or acquired during Coppolella’s time in Atlanta: Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzy Albies, Austin Riley, Max Freed, Dansby Swanson and more.
Nonetheless, that job has clearly been overshadowed by the way Coppolella’s career with the Braves ended. It said it reported contract bonuses for a number of international players well below what was actually agreed upon. additional restrictions on sensible signatures.
Three weeks after being suspended, Coppolella told ESPN.com he was “embarrassed” by his actions and in a lengthy email issued an apology similar to the one he provided this weekend. athletic.
In a 2017 statement, Coppolella said, “I apologize to those in the baseball industry, including employees of the Braves and other organizations, who I feel have been disrespectful or dishonest in any way.” Please accept my apologies to the Commissioner’s Office for spending so much extra time dealing with the Please know that I understand and accept your anger and frustration. To my family who have stood by me throughout this ordeal, I love you so much.
“I learned a once-in-a-lifetime lesson because my mistake cost me my dream job and my future in the game I love. I am humiliated and humbled and will try to live the rest of my life honorably so that this does not become my defining moment. “
Coppolella has not been involved in sports in any way since his suspension. He is currently the Head of Talent Acquisition for Capital Vacations, a timeshare company in Orlando, Florida.
Previously, he served for several years as Senior Vice President of Diamond Resorts, another timeshare company in Orlando. While away from the game, he also earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Florida, graduating with “highest honors” in 2022, according to his LinkedIn page.
But is he now ready to “graduate” from exile and return to the game he loves?
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(2015 John Coppolella photo: Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
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