Ryan Zimmerman Nationals All Star 3rd Baseman Ryan Zimmerman
Nationals All Star 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman was equivocal today about the firing of Manager Manny Acta, saying that all the losing was Acta's "responsibility."
True enough, I suppose, but you would think that might apply equally to players like Zimmerman. But Zimmerman has an explanation for that:
"We're talented enough to win. You look at our lineup and look at our young pitching. Sure, we have our spots that aren't as strong as other teams. But I think we're way better than what we've done. As bad it sounds... maybe something like this happening will wake some people up and get them to realize, 'Hey, this isn't just about me. It's about everyone.' Unfortunately, it takes someone like Manny, who was a great person and great manager, to lose their job."
As Bill Parcells has famously said: You are what your record says you are. The Nats have the worst record in the Majors because they're the worst team in the Majors -- by far. Firing Acta is just more shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic; a blatant attempt by ownership to deflect attention from the grotesque failings of the front office.
I have a hunch, though, and it goes like this: new manager Jim Riggleman takes over managing duties once the All Star break is concluded and the Nats go right back to their losing ways, finishing the season with -- easily -- the worst record in Major League Baseball and Riggleman's won-loss percentage, already well shy of .500 for his career, takes another nosedive. The Nats are a bad, bad team and the reason for that is terrible work in the front office -- a combination of bad mistakes and unwillingness to shell out money to improve the roster. The team has gotten good production from players who earn good money, like Zimmerman and Adam Dunn. Seems like the team ought to learn something from that. You get what you pay for.
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