Davey Johnson confident of leading Washington Nationals to Fall Classic – MLB Update
The Washington Nationals exercised their option to bring back manager Davey Johnson for the 2012 on Monday, October 31, ending speculations that had boiled up regarding his position after the team failed to qualify for the postseason.
Johnson took charge midseason, guiding the Nationals to a 40-43 win-loss record during his period at the helm of the affairs. However, it is worth mentioning here that the team was not set up the way he wanted to and thus a decent record in the given circumstances
compelled the management to bring the 1986 World Series winner back to the franchise.
The Nationals failed miserably during the first half of the season, but resurfaced after the All-Star break, ending the season on a positive note. Johnson was aware of the fact that positive results cannot be reaped in his first year at the helm and thus
he needed more time to get acquainted to the mind-set of the players and fans alike.
Towards the end of the regular season, Johnson asserted that the team has ample talent and can do wonders in the next season. He expressed his desire to stay with the team and the management did not have issues with that either.
Now that he is here, Johnson wants to replicate the magic of 1986 that he produced with the New York Mets, winning the World Series when no one expected him to. The Nationals believe that giving Johnson charge from day one will surely reap benefits for the
ballclub.
Expressing his views after being named manager for 2012, Johnson was quick to add that he aims at winning the division, pennant and then possibly performing above par in the World Series. Not going overboard in his speech, Johnson said, “I didn’t think the
talent was ready, but after being there and seeing the progress that some of the young players made, I think we definitely can contend. And I would be sorely disappointed if we didn’t do just that.”
Johnson stated that his baseball instincts are good enough and are giving an indication that the team is talented enough to qualify for the Fall Classic.
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