Washington, D.C. — The Washington Nationals are embarking on a new chapter after a challenging start to the season, announcing on Sunday the dismissal of manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. The team currently holds a record of 37 wins and 53 losses, placing them at the bottom of the National League East standings.
Martinez, who became the skipper in 2018, led the Nationals to a memorable World Series championship just two years later, finishing that season with a record of 93-69. However, the team’s recent performance has fallen short of expectations, missing the playoffs for five consecutive seasons and likely set to repeat this trend in 2023. Over the past two years, the Nationals have struggled with identical records of 71-91.
In a press conference last month, Martinez defended his staff amid growing concerns about the team’s direction. He emphasized the hard work of the coaching team, insisting that the challenges faced were not a reflection of coaching practices but rather the responsibilities of the players. “It’s never on coaching. Coaches work hard every day,” he asserted, dismissing any notion that blame should fall on the coaching staff.
Rizzo, who has been with the Nationals since 2007, rose from assistant general manager to head of baseball operations by 2013. Under his guidance, the team drafted standout players like Bryce Harper, an eventual MVP, and secured Max Scherzer, who would go on to claim two Cy Young Awards while with the franchise. Despite these successes, the Nationals’ postseason track record under Rizzo has been less impressive. Despite clinching the World Series in 2019, the team has only advanced past the National League Division Series once during his tenure.
In light of the recent changes, the Nationals have appointed Mike DeBartolo as the interim general manager. DeBartolo has been part of the organization since 2012 and is currently the assistant general manager as well as the senior vice president of baseball operations. His familiarity with the team may provide some continuity during this transitional phase.
As the Nationals look ahead, the focus will be on rebuilding and finding the right leadership to steer the franchise back to contention. The upcoming months will be crucial for assessing the talent on the roster and determining the path forward for a team that has recently struggled to find success.