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Under Baker, the Nationals are wearing a new look Under Baker, the Nationals are wearing a new look
(about 9 hours later)
VIERA, Fla. — In Dusty Baker’s endlessly fascinating mind, a reputation is akin to a jacket. “Everybody in baseball has a jacket, whether it’s warranted or not,” he says, leaving the analogy open for contemplation.VIERA, Fla. — In Dusty Baker’s endlessly fascinating mind, a reputation is akin to a jacket. “Everybody in baseball has a jacket, whether it’s warranted or not,” he says, leaving the analogy open for contemplation.
Jacket? Interesting. It’s an essential outer garment for any wardrobe, worn daily for long stretches, which can create a major impression. Yet the moment weather or preference changes, a jacket can be shed, replaced, discarded. A reputation, like a jacket, isn’t necessarily as durable as advertised. It depends on how you choose to flaunt your style.Jacket? Interesting. It’s an essential outer garment for any wardrobe, worn daily for long stretches, which can create a major impression. Yet the moment weather or preference changes, a jacket can be shed, replaced, discarded. A reputation, like a jacket, isn’t necessarily as durable as advertised. It depends on how you choose to flaunt your style.
“Hey, man, I don’t care nothing about reputation,” says Baker, the new Washington Nationals manager, emphasizing his clean-slate mentality with his players.“Hey, man, I don’t care nothing about reputation,” says Baker, the new Washington Nationals manager, emphasizing his clean-slate mentality with his players.
It figures that Baker, who radiates comfort and confidence, wouldn’t care. Over the past four months, his presence has gone a long way toward changing how the Nationals are perceived, but he’s not someone who spends much time delving into how things used to be. But for those seeking a broader view, you should recognize that Baker represents the most dramatic example of a refreshing and somewhat accidental makeover the Nationals have undergone.It figures that Baker, who radiates comfort and confidence, wouldn’t care. Over the past four months, his presence has gone a long way toward changing how the Nationals are perceived, but he’s not someone who spends much time delving into how things used to be. But for those seeking a broader view, you should recognize that Baker represents the most dramatic example of a refreshing and somewhat accidental makeover the Nationals have undergone.
To put it bluntly, the Nationals don’t seem as uptight anymore.To put it bluntly, the Nationals don’t seem as uptight anymore.
[Dusty Baker makes the Nats his team without lifting a finger][Dusty Baker makes the Nats his team without lifting a finger]
These are the anti-Nationals in that way. They’re not as corporate. They’re not all programmed to live up to the Nationals’ Way. They don’t make the organization seem as entitled and sensitive as it had become. They’re flawed, a little crazy and possibly combustible.These are the anti-Nationals in that way. They’re not as corporate. They’re not all programmed to live up to the Nationals’ Way. They don’t make the organization seem as entitled and sensitive as it had become. They’re flawed, a little crazy and possibly combustible.
They’re real and raw, and if they ever stop making you nervous, they just might do a number on the opposition’s nerves. If you’re among the many who crave a strong-willed team capable of postseason audacity, you’ll appreciate the rough draft that the Nationals currently are. Even in their unpolished state, you can see some grit.They’re real and raw, and if they ever stop making you nervous, they just might do a number on the opposition’s nerves. If you’re among the many who crave a strong-willed team capable of postseason audacity, you’ll appreciate the rough draft that the Nationals currently are. Even in their unpolished state, you can see some grit.
It’s not all about Baker. The managerial change from the stoic and tense Matt Williams to the ebullient Baker is the most high-profile alteration, but the differences don’t end there.It’s not all about Baker. The managerial change from the stoic and tense Matt Williams to the ebullient Baker is the most high-profile alteration, but the differences don’t end there.
The Nationals let Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann, two foundational players, exit in free agency. In addition to their talents, they lost an influential clubhouse presence in Desmond and a player who meant much to making Washington a pitching-rich organization in Zimmermann. Their departures are just the beginning of inevitable transience. Over the next few years, the Nationals will face many decisions that will change the look of the franchise, if not the culture. The veterans who have contributed to two playoff appearances and four straight winning seasons can’t stick around forever, and the Nationals have some well-regarded prospects waiting to get their opportunity.The Nationals let Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann, two foundational players, exit in free agency. In addition to their talents, they lost an influential clubhouse presence in Desmond and a player who meant much to making Washington a pitching-rich organization in Zimmermann. Their departures are just the beginning of inevitable transience. Over the next few years, the Nationals will face many decisions that will change the look of the franchise, if not the culture. The veterans who have contributed to two playoff appearances and four straight winning seasons can’t stick around forever, and the Nationals have some well-regarded prospects waiting to get their opportunity.
Change can be good or bad, but it’s unavoidable. And while the Nationals have established a way of doing things that should be preserved and repeated, there’s nothing wrong with a new wave providing a fresh interpretation of what it means to play for this franchise.Change can be good or bad, but it’s unavoidable. And while the Nationals have established a way of doing things that should be preserved and repeated, there’s nothing wrong with a new wave providing a fresh interpretation of what it means to play for this franchise.
There’s nothing wrong with having more edge. Consider the faces of the franchise right now. Max Scherzer, who is a motley combination of intensity, playfulness and outspokenness, is a different kind of franchise pitcher. And Bryce Harper, the reigning National League MVP, is a fiery 23-year-old with peerless talent and often overflowing emotion. He is polarizing. He’s not always going to say or do the right thing. And he’s so good that he’ll soon transcend the curly “W.”There’s nothing wrong with having more edge. Consider the faces of the franchise right now. Max Scherzer, who is a motley combination of intensity, playfulness and outspokenness, is a different kind of franchise pitcher. And Bryce Harper, the reigning National League MVP, is a fiery 23-year-old with peerless talent and often overflowing emotion. He is polarizing. He’s not always going to say or do the right thing. And he’s so good that he’ll soon transcend the curly “W.”
Until recently, the Nationals had enjoyed a rather easy time folding their exceptional talent into the team’s brand. And Stephen Strasburg, for all the hype when he came to Major League Baseball, fit neatly into Washington’s identity. Scherzer and Harper are their own brands. Scherzer qualifies because of his $210 million deal, Harper because of his, well, everything. The player-team relationship is a little different when it feels like a true partnership. And so is the personality that those two give the ballclub. Until recently, the Nationals had enjoyed a rather easy time folding their exceptional talent into the team’s brand. And Stephen Strasburg, for all the hype when he came to Major League Baseball, fit neatly into Washington’s identity. Scherzer and Harper are their own brands. Scherzer qualifies because of his $210 million deal, Harper because of his, well, everything. The player-team relationship is a little different when it feels like a true partnership. And so is the personality that those two give the ballclub.
[Dusty Baker survived ruin and humilation, and thrived][Dusty Baker survived ruin and humilation, and thrived]
And then there’s Jonathan Papelbon, who can’t apologize enough for putting his hands around Harper’s throat late last season, a 35-year-old closer who is harmlessly goofy until he isn’t. Since last July, the Nationals have employed one of the sports’ most accomplished renegades. Even in the carefree environment of spring training, even when Papelbon is on his best behavior and teammates are making him feel comfortable, you feel the tension. Keeping Papelbon on the team is the craziest thing General Manager Mike Rizzo has done — unless the Nationals reach the playoffs and Papelbon makes good on his career 1.00 ERA in 18 postseason appearances. And then there’s Jonathan Papelbon, who can’t apologize enough for putting his hands around Harper’s throat late last season, a 35-year-old closer who is harmlessly goofy until he isn’t. Since last July, the Nationals have employed one of the sports’ most accomplished renegades. Even in the carefree environment of spring training, even when Papelbon is on his best behavior and teammates are making him feel comfortable, you feel the tension. Keeping Papelbon on the team is the craziest thing General Manager Mike Rizzo has done — unless the Nationals reach the playoffs and Papelbon makes good on his career 1.00 ERA in 18 postseason appearances.
At the end of last season, I wrote that a humbling was good for the Nationals, that they needed it badly and that a little poverty of spirit could help refresh the franchise. We’ll find out in seven months if last season’s embarrassment helped them. But in the early stages of tracking their redemption, it’s easy to notice that they seem less like the annoying franchise making a transparent attempt to show everyone how baseball really should be played and more like a regular, approachable, embraceable team just trying to figure out a hard game. At the end of last season, I wrote that a humbling was good for the Nationals, that they needed it badly and that a little poverty of spirit could help refresh the franchise. We’ll find out in seven months whether last season’s embarrassment helped them. But in the early stages of tracking their redemption, it’s easy to notice that they seem less like the annoying franchise making a transparent attempt to show everyone how baseball really should be played and more like a regular, approachable, embraceable team just trying to figure out a hard game.
The Nationals shouldn’t feel entitled anymore. They’ve seen people laughing at them. They’ve watched moves blow up in their face. They’ve turned to Baker, a survivor, a man undeterred by controversy, a spokesman who won’t recite the company line.The Nationals shouldn’t feel entitled anymore. They’ve seen people laughing at them. They’ve watched moves blow up in their face. They’ve turned to Baker, a survivor, a man undeterred by controversy, a spokesman who won’t recite the company line.
To mangle his analogy, Baker is the Nationals’ jacket, their new jacket. The weather is changing, along with the personalities. It’s time for a fresh look.To mangle his analogy, Baker is the Nationals’ jacket, their new jacket. The weather is changing, along with the personalities. It’s time for a fresh look.
For more by Jerry Brewer, visit washingtonpost.com/brewer.For more by Jerry Brewer, visit washingtonpost.com/brewer.