In what seemed like hardly more than a formality, the Washington Nationals announced on Monday that they’ve fired manager Matt Williams and dismissed their entire coaching staff.
Williams entered the season with high expectations, as the Nationals were picked by most as odds-on favorites to win the 2015 World Series. However, injuries to several key stars derailed Washington’s season, and an article in the Washington Post last week documented Williams’ struggles with communicating with and retaining the respect of his clubhouse dating back to as early as June.
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Speculation that Williams would be removed has been rampant for months, but the news became official Monday. Perhaps slightly less expected was that the rest of the staff would be dismissed, though general manager Mike Rizzo said that any coaches could still find work in the organization or be hired by the new manager for 2016.
Rizzo also said that Knorr will still be considered as a candidate for the club’s managerial opening, however it seems the club will look for someone with previous managerial experience. It’s worth nothing, however, that Knorr has managed in the organization’s minor leagues from Class A up through AAA, serving as the bench coach for part of 2006, 2009 and then full-time the last four seasons under Williams and Davey Johnson.
Other candidates that seem likely to be considered for the job include Bud Black and Ron Gardenhire, while Cal Ripken Jr.’s name has also been mentioned (as it was last time), and the Washington Post lists Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez, Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu and Giants bench coach Ron Lotus as other candidates. Martinez and Ripken were both looked at as candidates prior to Washington hiring Williams, with Martinez getting an interview.