PB69 presents "Fire Dave Martinez" (2018)

[Smithian]

Turner needs to be leading off. Having him at the top with Eaton hitting second is scary. Anthony Rendon is basically the perfect #2 hitter but in this lineup he makes more sense in the middle of the order. Any argument of having Turner in the middle of the order is simply a rookie manager out thinking himself. I liked how Dusty Baker responded to any questions about moving Turner around with the phrase "Ricky Henderson hits leadoff".

Kintzler probably needs a few days off.

Other than that, the season is less than 10 games in. Get Turner back where he is comfortable, let the starting pitching get in rhythm, and we'll be alright. This club has the talent to go on hot streaks.

[Greg_SRT]

I don't agree that Taylor has nothing to prove.  He has to prove that last season was the real thing.  He has reverted to prior form and if he doesn't snap out of it he's going to find himself replaced by Robles, by June.

They showed a lot of faith in MAT by not moving him and selling high. In addition they are batting him without protection.

As sure as the sun rising, MAT is going to be swinging. It’s who he is. Idk if he ever changes from that. But having him in situations that allow him to be pitched around only hurts him.

He may be too comfortable because of the Nats faith. He loses time to Goodwin may light that fire.

[tzinc]

so when the Nats lost in the playoffs it was Dusty's fault but now that they lose in the regular season it is not the manager's fault?

yes these issues existed last year but guess what they still won the division in a cakewalk with Dusty behind the bench

this is what happens when you hire a camel wrangler as your manager

[tomterp]

Eaton is a better on-base guy than Turner, and better (smarter) base runner.  I'd keep him atop the lineup.

[BigMeech]

Fellas I think it's time for the Legion of Doom's (or w/e it was called) resurgence.  The team is trash!

[Greg_SRT]

Eaton is a better on-base guy than Turner, and better (smarter) base runner.  I'd keep him atop the lineup.

I think you need Eaton and Turner 1&2 in the lineup. I don’t see Rendon as a good #2 hitter. Rendon will be Tony Two Bags in RBI opportunities. Then he gets hot. And it’s ok to smile then.

[Natitude2018]

so when the Nats lost in the playoffs it was Dusty's fault but now that they lose in the regular season it is not the manager's fault?

yes these issues existed last year but guess what they still won the division in a cakewalk with Dusty behind the bench

this is what happens when you hire a camel wrangler as your manager

Careful. They will call You names for saying that and give you the infraction. They should rename the board: everything was Dusty’s fault.

What a joke.

[PowerBoater69]

so when the Nats lost in the playoffs it was Dusty's fault but now that they lose in the regular season it is not the manager's fault?

yes these issues existed last year but guess what they still won the division in a cakewalk with Dusty behind the bench

this is what happens when you hire a camel wrangler as your manager

Jim Zorn Jr.

Has anyone ever applied the picket fence play to baseball?

[tomterp]

Careful. They will call You names for saying that and give you the infraction. They should rename the board: everything was Dusty’s fault.

What a joke.

There's plenty of room for liking or not liking the way Dusty manages, for liking or not liking the way Davey does.  Nobody ever is "given the infraction" for civil disagreement. 

[UMDNats]

It's so strange to me the affection and devotion people have to Dusty Baker. The guy has a career of managing poorly in the postseason (not that all postseasons are his fault, of course). He's a good manager, but there is no reason to think we needed to tie ourselves to him long-term.

He's a good manager, a good guy, really enjoyed having him in the dugout. But there's a reason not a single other team called him this offseason for a dugout job.

[bluestreak]

It's so strange to me the affection and devotion people have to Dusty Baker. The guy has a career of managing poorly in the postseason (not that all postseasons are his fault, of course). He's a good manager, but there is no reason to think we needed to tie ourselves to him long-term.

He's a good manager, a good guy, really enjoyed having him in the dugout. But there's a reason not a single other team called him this offseason for a dugout job.

But you can’t understand the affection for him?

[PowerBoater69]

It's so strange to me the affection and devotion people have to Dusty Baker. The guy has a career of managing poorly in the postseason (not that all postseasons are his fault, of course). He's a good manager, but there is no reason to think we needed to tie ourselves to him long-term.

He's a good manager, a good guy, really enjoyed having him in the dugout. But there's a reason not a single other team called him this offseason for a dugout job.

One reason, because he's old teams want a guy to stick around for 5+ years. Baker had no problem finding jobs for a long time.

I'd bring him back on a one year deal. It would be expensive, but he wants one more shot and there is no one else you can take over who already knows the team.

[bluestreak]

One reason, because he's old teams want a guy to stick around for 5+ years. Baker had no problem finding jobs for a long time.

I'd bring him back on a one year deal. It would be expensive, but he wants one more shot and there is no one else you can take over who already knows the team.

This is ridiculous on multiple levels including this one: There is no way Dusty Baker even takes a phone call from the Nats.

[BigMeech]

1) Fire Dave Martinez
2) Rehire Dusty Baker
3) Fire Dusty Baker at the end of the season
4) Hire Dave Martinez to manage the postseason
5) Bryce Harper resigns

It's all so simple folks.

[nfotiu]

I think it was a mistake to take winning the division for granted.  It is a truer test of a team including the manager than a short playoff series. 

Everyone's favorite knock in the playoffs was having Werth in for game 5.  I don't know how much blame Werth or Dusty deserves for Werth losing that ball in the lights though.  He makes that catch, we probably win, and everyone will remember that Werth was 2 for 4 with a couple walks in that game.   

[UMDNats]

But you can’t understand the affection for him?

He's a good guy, but people are frothing at the mouth to get him back.

I also think Davey Johnson was a good guy, and enjoyed him coaching our team. I think Manny Acta is a good guy. Good guys are everywhere. Yankees fans aren't arguing about bringing Joe Girardi, another good man and good manager, back. It's almost an identical situation (except Girardi actually was called by other teams). Aaron Boone, like Dave, is young and unproven (even moreso), and the Yankees are "casual" and not "serious, focused" like they were under Girardi, but no one is clamoring for the old guy.

[tomterp]

1) Fire Dave Martinez
2) Rehire Dusty Baker
3) Fire Dusty Baker at the end of the season
4) Hire Dave Martinez to manage the postseason
5) Bryce Harper re-signs

It's all so simple folks.

Fixed.   

I wonder if there's a way that WNFF could manage via vote tools?          

"Pull Grace now, yes or no?"

"Pinch hit for Gio?"

[UMDNats]

Fixed.   

I wonder if there's a way that WNFF could manage via vote tools?          

"Pull Grace now, yes or no?"

"Pinch hit for Gio?"

the lerners could save a couple million a year by letting WNFF manage via live voting

[nfotiu]

Our bullpen would be empty by the 4th inning every game. 

[mitlen]

Fixed.   

I wonder if there's a way that WNFF could manage via vote tools?          

"Pull Grace now, yes or no?"

"Pinch hit for Gio?"

Do I have to turn on my cell phone?

[Traded For Mclain]

For better or worse Dave Martinez is the manager for the foreseeable future.  This team just needs to kick it in gear, hearing they're "playing good baseball" reminds me of the "it's early" mantra the team kept chanting in 2013, practically right up to the Barves clinching the division.  At some point there needs to be some sense of urgency with these guys.

[GburgNatsFan]

I don't know that - without being on the inside - you can really tell whether there's a sense of urgency or not. Urgency quickly turns to desperation, and that's not good either. They cut to Dave when Tanner gave up that four spot (after having the previous three batters 1-2, 0-2, 0-2) then walking them, and there was a glimmer of anger on his face.

I didn't hear the post game presser. If Dave said "They're playing good baseball, well, I'd have to wonder which team he was talking about.

I'd sure like to see them win.

For better or worse Dave Martinez is the manager for the foreseeable future.  This team just needs to kick it in gear, hearing they're "playing good baseball" reminds me of the "it's early" mantra the team kept chanting in 2013, practically right up to the Barves clinching the division.  At some point there needs to be some sense of urgency with these guys.

[PowerBoater69]

This is ridiculous on multiple levels including this one: There is no way Dusty Baker even takes a phone call from the Nats.

A $4 million offer for one year to win with this roster gets him here. The reason it won't happen is that Rizzo and ownership don't admit mistakes.

[BuckyHarris]

He would have scored the winning run on Adam's fly, correct?

Watched the video. Harp signaled mea culpa to Henley after stopping at second--so he admitted his error. On the other hand, the ball was in his blind spot. Maybe he was too cautious, but really, we had multiple chances to ice it that inning, and as y'all say, nobody delivered.

[Natsinpwc]

Watched the video. Harp signaled mea culpa to Henley after stopping at second--so he admitted his error. On the other hand, the ball was in his blind spot. Maybe he was too cautious, but really, we had multiple chances to ice it that inning, and as y'all say, nobody delivered.

He also left first base a split second late. That happens. Also looked like he made a bad turn at second.  Should have been on third.  As you say many to blame for last night.