Fire Dusty Baker!

[Slateman]

Eventually one of these damn teams will win.

Uh .... The Caps never have and it appears the window is gone.

Dusty has to go if you want to progress in the playoffs.

[imref]

Uh .... The Caps never have and it appears the window is gone.

Dusty has to go if you want to progress in the playoffs.

Yeah, let's bring in someone who's won a world series and has had playoff success, like Davey Johnson.

[Slateman]

Yeah, let's bring in someone who's won a world series and has had playoff success, like Davey Johnson.

We don't have to do that either.

We need to bring in someone who will make smart, in-game decisions, and not be overly loyal to players who are struggling in the playoffs.

If Dusty Baker doesn't start Werth in Games 3 & 4 and pulls Scherzer after the 6th inning in Game 3, we're discussing how hard fought our series with the Dodgers is going and how we're the first DC sports team to advance to a championship game in almost 20 years.

The thing that makes Baker a great regular season manager is what kills him come the playoffs: He won't remove a player until it's too late.

[Smithian]

I'm irritated by the Werth thing but it is tough to find a manager who hasn't been hammered for leaving a veteran out there past his time. In any sport.

[GburgNatsFan]

I agree with this. I like Dusty, and if the FO decides he's the best guy for the job, well, I'll be okay enough with that. But I would rather see DeRosa,
 or someone like that, get a shot. He's from freaking Passaic, New Jersey. He's not afraid of players.

We don't have to do that either.

We need to bring in someone who will make smart, in-game decisions, and not be overly loyal to players who are struggling in the playoffs.

If Dusty Baker doesn't start Werth in Games 3 & 4 and pulls Scherzer after the 6th inning in Game 3, we're discussing how hard fought our series with the Dodgers is going and how we're the first DC sports team to advance to a championship game in almost 20 years.

The thing that makes Baker a great regular season manager is what kills him come the playoffs: He won't remove a player until it's too late.

[UMDNats]

Wait, where the freak is this DeRosa stuff coming from? The guy was a bench player. Why do people think he's some hidden gem as a manager? Is he even coaching?

[Smithian]

Wait, where the freak is this DeRosa stuff coming from? The guy was a bench player. Why do people think he's some hidden gem as a manager? Is he even coaching?

I agree with avoiding individuals with no experience that gave good interviews as a player. The only reason an Alex Cora would be acceptable, if the Nats had a vacancy, is he spent this season as a bench coach.

Ready for them to announce Baker extension.

[UMDNats]

Baker is gone.

[imref]

Reports are that this was against Rizzo's wishes.

[RobDibblesGhost]

I kind of figured this was coming. I feel bad for Dusty and appreciate all he did here but I think they probably want to groom someone else. Given his age and health issues (remember the one game where he couldn't even walk out of the dugout onto the field?) and the daily grind of the season, this really doesn't surprise me.

[UMDNats]

JFC if we hire some turd super old white guy i'm gonna be so pissed

Barry S throwing out Gardenhire's name, lamenting that he was hired by detroit (LOL AT US IF WE HIRED HIM), Heyman wondering about La Russa

kill me now

[bluestreak]

Dumb. Everyone here is getting excited about a guy who has zero coaching experience because he sounds polished on a TV program.

I hope they get Ausmus. But a small, small part of me hopes the Nats lose next year, to see the mental gymnastics as everyone tries to convince themselves it’s still the manager’s fault.

[UMDNats]

Dumb. Everyone here is getting excited about a guy who has zero coaching experience because he sounds polished on a TV program.

I hope they get Ausmus. But a small, small part of me hopes the Nats lose next year, to see the mental gymnastics as everyone tries to convince themselves it’s still the manager’s fault.

Deck chairs on the titanic, etc.

[UMDNats]

hire a-rod

[imref]

I'm definitely torn on this decision.   I argued a few days ago for firing him solely based on mismanagement of the playoffs, specifically with his handling of Werth.  But i'm also concerned that letting him go will have a very negative impact in the clubhouse where it appears that Dusty was beloved.  Dusty also did a fantastic job handling the team throughout the season, and guided them to a division title despite lots of injuries and not much of a bullpen until after the ASB.

It will be tough for anyone to step into his shoes.  Fingers crossed that we get someone good.

[nfotiu]

(Image removed from quote.)

Reports are that this was against Rizzo's wishes.

Yeah, this letter from the Lerner's makes it sound like it was their call
https://curlyw.mlblogs.com/a-letter-from-the-lerner-family-a8c04ecb811e

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Canseco.  We need 3 more years of 2017 [insert name]. 

[imref]

Say what you will about Dusty as a manager, the guy was pure class.  He'll be missed for that alone.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Say what you will about Dusty as a manager, the guy was pure class.  He'll be missed for that alone.

Agreed.

[GburgNatsFan]

Yep. Hell of a guy.

Say what you will about Dusty as a manager, the guy was pure class.  He'll be missed for that alone.

[bluestreak]

Say what you will about Dusty as a manager, the guy was pure class.  He'll be missed for that alone.

Agreed. Which is why the vitriol towards him really rankled me. I really hope this doesn’t spark some clubhouse backlash.

[bdevil02]

I fear firing Dusty is just going to make it harder to replace him. Convoluted way of saying this makes organization look bad to potential candidates.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Say what you will about Dusty as a manager, the guy was pure class.  He'll be missed for that alone.

He's a good dude. Very loyal, which caused some of this mess, but still a great guy.

[Ray D]

Heyman wondering about La Russa

Heyman is and always has been an idiot. La Russa  for christ sake!  We fire Dusty because he's an old man at 68.  La Russa is 73.  He no longer has the passion or energy for the job, alcohol will do that. Sure, La Russa would take the job, he needs the money.

[skippy1999]

I absolutely hated his hiring but he totally grew on me and I think he did a fine job here even though I was beyond frustrated that he kept trotting Werth out there in the playoffs.  I am hoping post-davey that the third time is the charm and we can get a manager who will be with the club for a long time.