Martinez: ‘We’re here to win the World Series’
New Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez (left) puts on his baseball cap as general manager Mike Rizzo holds his jersey during a press conference Thursday in Washington.
WASHINGTON — Rookie Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez certainly knows his audience.
Whether his words were intended for the man seated to his left in the Nationals Park home clubhouse, general manager Mike Rizzo, or the ownership group watching intently from the front row or any fans who might have been watching the live telecast of Thursday’s introductory news conference — or all of the above — Martinez kept sounding the same note.
“This team doesn’t lack much. It really doesn’t. I think we’ve just got to get over the fact that we’re not here just to win a playoff game,” Martinez said. “We’re here to win the World Series.”
That came shortly after he made a pair of other references to earning a title, and a little before he declared, “The ultimate goal is to win that championship, to bring a world title to the city of Washington and the fans who deserve it.”
Heady stuff for a franchise that has collected four NL East crowns in the past six years but never won a single postseason series despite such talented players as Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon — not to mention for a man who never has been a manager.
Rizzo used the term “co-manager” when describing Martinez’s work over the past decade as a bench coach for Joe Maddon, most recently with the Chicago Cubs and before that with the Tampa Bay Rays.
“The only thing ‘first time’ about Davey (is that) he’s never had the title ‘manager,’” Rizzo said. “He’s been managing games ... standing next to one of the best and bright- Nick Wass / Associated Press est guys in any dugout. I don’t see this as your typical rookie manager who hasn’t managed before. He’s never had the title of manager but he’s really done most of the job that a manager has to do. He’s very prepared for it and I think it’s going to be a comfortable transition for him.”
Martinez replaces Dusty Baker, who was dismissed after two division titles and two one-run Game 5 losses at home in two years as Washington’s skipper.
Asked to describe the trait that suits him best for his new duties, Martinez said: “The one thing I can tell you is that I have a lot of high energy, positive energy. I’m not a guy that’s going to sit in the manager’s office. I’m very handson. I love talking to players, I love conversations with players. It’s my strong suit. I (will) collaborate a lot with front office, Mike, ownership to get it right.” From contributed reports
A busy weekend proved successful for the Rome YMCA’s Arsenal Soccer Club Select teams as they went 10- 3 and improved their season record to 4829-5.
The G14- D West team went undefeated to stay atop the division with a 6- 0- 1 record, defeating SSA Chelsea Red 3-0 and SSA Chelsea Yellow 3-0. In both matches Joey Kunczewski scored a pair of goals while Malone Christen added the final one.
Deyvis Reader and Tatum Ballinger teamed in goal for the shut out in both contests. Kunczewski is tied for the league lead in goals scored with eight. Arsenal returns to action Saturday hosting second place UFA Black at Grizzard Park.
The B13- III West team remained in first place and improved to 8- 0 on the season with a 5-0 win over Henry County’s Elite on Sunday. Goals were scored by Noah Weaver, Isaiah Johnson, Cesar Perez, CJ Acas and Bleu Winters.
Goalkeeper Will Payne had three saves, and Joseph Hall came on in goal late and earned a dramatic save to ensure the shut out. Arsenal hosts two games at Grizzard Park this weekend.
The B15-VW team beat first place Concorde Fire Central White 9-1 to move
into top spot with a 6-1-1 record.
The B17- III West team beat Cherokee Impact 3- 2 and is in second at 8-1 this season. Andreas Svardh leads the division with 12 goals and 2 red cards.
The B19-II team is in a three-way tie for second in its division after defeating NGA 99B 5-1 last weekend.
Rahdriq Turner scored a pair of goals while Christopher Castro, Ivan Sandoval and Jack McCreless had a goal each. Arsenal will host the two other second- place teams, Smyrna White and Inter Atlanta, this weekend at Grizzard Park.
The G16- D team beat Troup County’s GA Storm 3- 1 to move into fourth place with a 5- 2 record, and the G19-A team beat Jefferson County’s Alliance SC 3-2.
The B14- IIIW team moved into fifth place with a 4- 3- 1 record after a 3- 1 win over Putnam Impact Elite, while the G16- A team beat Cherokee Impact 2-0 and lost to GSA North Red 1-0.
The B15- I team visited Atlanta and lost to DeKalb’s Wolves 3-2 and Lilburn’s Eagles 4-0.