The Nationals have reportedly found their next manager in Bud Black, who they have tabbed to replace Matt Williams, according to The Washington Post’s James Wagner.
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According to the newspaper, an announcement isn’t immediately forthcoming because Major League Baseball doesn’t like teams diverting attention from the World Series.
Over the weekend there were reports that the Washington Nationals had already narrowed the field of candidates vying to become the sixth full-time manager in the franchise’s 11-year history to either former San Diego Padres’ skipper Bud Black or veteran manager Dusty Baker.
Randy Knorr, the Nationals’ former bench coach, who was recently promoted to senior assistant to General Manager Mike Rizzo, was also believed to be in the running.
Black is a two-time World Series champion; as a pitcher for the 1985 Royals, and as pitching coach for the 2002 Anaheim Angels. Listen to Chris” radio show, “The Download, ‘ Sundays at 7 a.m. on 106.7.
Born in California and raised in Longview, Wash., Black spent 15 years in the majors as a pitcher, playing for the Royals, Giants, Indians, Marines and Blue Jays. Black’s younger age and willingness to incorporate advanced statistics into game strategy may have given him the nod. He took over as manager in 2007, when Bruce Bochy departed to manage the San Francisco Giants.
Black will be tasked with restoring relationships in the clubhouse and leading the Nationals to the playoffs again after a disastrous 2015 season.
Black inherits a talented but controversial Nats team that won only 83 games after being projected as a World Series favorite at the beginning of the season. Yet the Padres could never really get into the playoff race and general manager A.J. Preller decided a managerial change was necessary. “Williams’ relationships with a few players frayed deeper into the season, and his handling of the pitching staff often was questioned”.
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In San Diego, Black’s failures could easily be explained by saying he didn’t have the talent, or that the franchise didn’t have enough money to build a competitive team. However, San Diego only finished above.
