News Detail
Doug Wachter ‘05
We caught up with Doug, who is currently serving as the Manager of Major League Operations for the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves.
What memories do you have that stand out from your time at Brandeis?
Too many to count! I had a lot of great teachers, but in particular I remember morning yoga in Ms. Packer’s class. It was a great way to get us centered and focused and ready to learn. I also have fond memories of playground football and soccer at recess with my friends.
After the Braves won the World Series, your dad tweeted that you had wanted to work professionally in baseball since you read Moneyball in high school. What was it about the sport or the story that captured your attention and drove you to pursue a career in baseball?
Like a lot of people in my field, I think Moneyball was when the light clicked on for me that this was an actual career that I could take serious steps to pursue. I certainly never threw or hit the hardest, but Moneyball was part of an evolution in the industry that allowed people like me to play a role in a championship organization. I had always loved the game, of course, but Moneyball spurred me to think about how I could try to turn that passion into a career.
Even though you must be busy, does Jewish culture and practice still have a role in your life?
I definitely take inspiration from Jewish culture and values. The Jewish holidays give me lots of chances to connect with my family, particularly [during the pandemic.] The importance of community, being good to, and taking care of the people around you, these values are certainly close to heart for me. Working in baseball isn’t exactly a normal 9 to 5 job, so it’s crucial to have that sense of family among our group.
