The Washington Nationals dismissed manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo on Sunday, more than five years after they guided the franchise to its only World Series title.
Martinez, who helped Washington win the 2019 World Series in his second year on the job, nonetheless has a lopsided 500-622 record through 7 1/2 seasons as manager.
Following their sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox that concluded Sunday, the Nationals are 37-53, last place in the National League East and 16 games out of first.
They have the second-worst record in Major League Baseball since the start of the 2020 season at 325-473. Only the Colorado Rockies have been worse.
In a statement, Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner said Mike DeBartolo will serve as interim general manager, while a decision about the interim manager will be made Monday. DeBartolo was Washington’s senior vice president and assistant GM of baseball operations.
“On behalf of our family and the Washington Nationals organization, I first and foremost want to thank Mike and Davey for their contributions to our franchise and our city,” Lerner said in his statement. “Our family is eternally grateful for their years of dedication to the organization, including their roles in bringing a World Series trophy to Washington, D.C. While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be.
“This is a pivotal time for our club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”
Martinez, 60, was a longtime MLB player and coach who won a World Series as the Chicago Cubs’ bench coach before Washington gave him his first managerial job.
Rizzo, 64, had been with the Nationals since 2007, when he was hired as their assistant general manager. He was promoted to GM in 2009 and given the additional title of president of baseball operations in 2013.
–Field Level Media
