Fire Matt Williams! (2015) - Standard Decision.

[PC]

I'll be generous and call the Svrluga column "poor written".  He weaves in an out of comments without making it clear how many players he's quoting.  Also if this is the consensus opinion on the team, he spoke to a number of players.  He never discloses how many players he spoke with.  That would have been a good thing to have, the number, even if he didn't quote all of them.

[Slateman]

What a hit job by Svrulga. I'm not a supporter of Williams but a balanced piece would have mentioned that some players support Williams (Harper has gone on record as doing so) and these are the same guys didn't get it done in for another manager in 2013. And, just maybe, he could have mentioned that some of the players need to own up to their own failures.

And regarding giving the proper send off to JZimm and Desmond, a nice ovation when they're introduced for their final home game is all that's needed. These are not guys who are retiring after a long and distinguished career with the team. They've had a nice run and should be appreciated but let's not make them out to be Cal Ripken or Derek Jeter.

What if it's possible that no players support Williams beyond his billet of manager?

[PowerBoater69]

What if it's possible that no players support Williams beyond his billet of manager?

So the guys celebrating with him are the same rats who stabbed him in the back. Fire Williams, fire Rizzo, blow up the team, get these losers out.

[BrandonK]

So start him at second base

[mitlen]

So the guys celebrating with him are the same rats who stabbed him in the back.

That's bitness and/or politics.

[DPMOmaha]

I'll be generous and call the Svrluga column "poor written".  He weaves in an out of comments without making it clear how many players he's quoting.  Also if this is the consensus opinion on the team, he spoke to a number of players.  He never discloses how many players he spoke with.  That would have been a good thing to have, the number, even if he didn't quote all of them.

What would that have added? He covered it fine for me when he said

And this isn’t just one or two malcontents. These opinions span positions and experience. “It’s a terrible environment,” one player said. “And the amazing part is everybody feels that way.”

[Baseball is Life]

What if it's possible that no players support Williams beyond his billet of manager?

I suppose it's possible but not probable. But you still have to address the issue if you're writing a balanced piece. You know, "Some players still suporrt him" or "only Harper supports him..."

Ask any losing team what they think of their manager and there are going to be some who the stab manager in the back. It goes with the territory. You could probably get a sizable number on a winning team to do it too I bet.

[Baseball is Life]

What would that have added?

He could have mentioned that the superstar on the team has gone on record as supporting him. Or he could have mentioned that not a single player supported him, which he would have done if it was true. Either way, mention if it is unanimous or not. I kinda think that's important.

[Optics]

Matt has lost the clubhouse. He gots to go.

All the other stuff you can kinda sorta excuse or look past, but once a Manager/Coach loses control of his players, he's done.

[houston-nat]

Time to start thinking about the worst managers in MLB history.

[PC]

Time to start thinking about the worst managers in MLB history.

Williams isn't the one who traded for Papelbon.

[rileyn]

LOL at Williams giving all of us the middle finger by sending Papledouche back out for the 9th.  He knows he is gone so he is going to stick it to us all.

[Cinqo de Mayo]

Can the Nats finish with a winning record, and does it matter?

[Slateman]

I suppose it's possible but not probable. But you still have to address the issue if you're writing a balanced piece. You know, "Some players still suporrt him" or "only Harper supports him..."

Ask any losing team what they think of their manager and there are going to be some who the stab manager in the back. It goes with the territory. You could probably get a sizable number on a winning team to do it too I bet.

I think players publically support him because of his billet as manager. But they do not support Matt Williams for manager next season.

It's pretty obvious that this team never got their heads right.

[Slateman]

Williams isn't the one who traded for Papelbon.

He is the one who couldn't keep Storen's head straight. Papelbon is a good closer. And jerk but a good closer.

[Cinqo de Mayo]

He is the one who couldn't keep Storen's head straight. Papelbon is a good closer. And jerk but a good closer.

And yet, Storen will finish with more saves this season.

[axman]

Matt has lost the clubhouse. He gots to go.

All the other stuff you can kinda sorta excuse or look past, but once a Manager/Coach loses control of his players, he's done.

Matt has made his mistakes, but he's not responsible for the composition of the team.  Matt managed the team to a winning record in the first half of the season despite the injuries and a depleted bullpen.  Rizzo traded away team chemistry (Clipp) and brought in a cancer (Pap), while doing nothing to address the team's real problem (middle relief.)  Rizzo did the same thing after 2012 (Soriano.)  This was always Mike's team, not Matt's.

If anyone goes it needs to be Rizzo. I realize there's a fire Rizzo thread, but it's relevant to the Williams discussion.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that many of Matt's decisions were influenced by Rizzo; for example, the only explanation for Ian playing practically every game and Danny getting little playing time despite his rebound this year is because Rizzo wanted to increase trade value or potential FA compensation draft pick.

[Mattionals]

Williams, on why he let Papelbon pitch the ninth, given he put his hands on Harper's throat: "He's our closer."

[Natsinpwc]

Give Matt some credit. He sticks with his standard answers.

[Baseball is Life]

The fight today sealed his fate. He's done.

[whytev]

Could Randy Knorr stay on as the manager if the rest of the assistant coaches were cleaned out?

Could and should.

[comish4lif]

LOL at Williams giving all of us the middle finger by sending Papledouche back out for the 9th.  He knows he is gone so he is going to stick it to us all.

I see that as giving Paps the middle finger..

[RobDibblesGhost]

So he defends sending Papelbon out, but why would you take your best bat out in a tie game?

[whytev]

I see that as giving Paps the middle finger..

I wish he had left him out there indefinitely.

[Natsinpwc]

So he defends sending Papelbon out, but why would you take your best bat out in a tie game?

He didn't take Harper out apparently.