Dodgers coach Davey Lopes hired by Nationals

On Thursday morning, the Washington Nationals introduced Dusty Baker as their new manager. That is because he is the older brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. Adaptation is no problem for me; my friends call me a chameleon, because they think I can adapt to any place, any time, anywhere.

“I know several players who will tell you oh my god, this guy is unbelievable”, said White. “But he’s done an outstanding job”. Also, as anyone who saw Baker do commentary during this past postseason can attest, he’s got a lively sense of humor and an even livelier feel for cool. “It came down to who were we – meaning the general manager-president of the team and ownership – most comfortable with”. “I love watching him play”, Baker said of Harper, who hit.

“We really chose Dusty for the resume he brings and the way he conducted himself”, Rizzo said. “We went after him extremely hard and aggressive and we got him. In one day, (Maddux) made his decision”.

“He fit a lot of the prerequisites that we look (for) in a pitching coach”. “We definitely had financial parameters discussed with him and Dusty at the same time”. He’s not only a mechanical expert with arm angles and tweaking of deliveries and that type of thing, he’s a mental skills expert. “You knew when you were going to pitch with him”, said Virginia native Bray, now in law school at William & Mary. He comes from a great pedigree. He’s had great success.

Today the Nationals announced that Davey Lopes was hired as first base coach.

“I think Black would have been Mike Rizzo’s preference because he’s a little more laid back, and I think Mike (Rizzo) would have liked to have a little more control over everything”, says White.

In his five years as a coach with the Dodgers, Lopes was also the club’s baserunning instructor, the same role he served in Philadelphia (along with outfield instructor with the Phillies) from 2007-2010. Several of our players have a real tie to him.

Baker likely was not the team’s first choice as manager. “Baserunning is probably the most overlooked part of baseball”.

“I’ve felt a sense of responsibility the whole time I’ve been managing because there’s never really been many managers of color”, Baker said at his introductory news conference.

Nationals’ players and staff are certainly excited. “These guys do most of the work”.

When talking about his philosophies of baseball and life, he referenced advice he’d received from folks such as former National Basketball Association player and coach Russell and late NFL coach Walsh – “They told me a team has to be close….”

Rizzo was asked if it’s “safe to say” all of the Nationals’ “big name free agents” this year will be gone.