Rookie MLB manager has his team practicing celebrations
Spring training is a time for MLB players to practice hitting, pitching, fielding and baserunning.
But celebrating?
On Saturday, Washington Nationals first-year manager Dave Martinez had his players working on their walk-off home run celebrations at the team’s complex in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“It’s going to happen,” Martinez told his team, according to the Associated Press. “One of you guys are going to hit a walk-off home run.”
Practice makes perfect. pic.twitter.com/TD1aI2oZQj
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 10, 2018
About 100 Nats fans watched as each player rehearsed his celebration and was greeted by his cheering teammates when he touched home.
Washington slugger Bryce Harper swung an imaginary bat, flipped it, pointed to where the home dugout would be and loped around the bases.
Shortstop Trea Turner imitated Sammy Sosa’s trademark double hop as the imaginary ball left the park.
Outfielder/second baseman Howie Kendrick let out a scream as he trotted to first, gave a leaping high-five to the third base coach and ran home — a re-enaction of the celebration from his grand slam that defeated San Francisco last August.
“Howie was all in,” Martinez said. “I loved it.”
While this might seem like a ridiculous exercise, the rookie manager had an explanation.
Further evidence that Dave Martinez is the wrong man for the job. They don't even do this in Little League. Next, they'll be practicing popping champagne bottles while hoisting an imaginary WS trophy. SMH
— JJ37 (@JasonSellsVA) March 11, 2018
“I tell them, just like everything else, we work really hard, I also want them to have fun,” he said.
Martinez was hired in October to replace Dusty Baker, who was fired despite leading the team to back-to-back NL East titles and 97 wins in 2017.
Washington was third in the NL last year with 819 home runs, but hit only three game-winners.
It remains to be seen whether the Nats will improve on that number, but at least they’ll know what to do when it happens.
“I guess it can’t hurt,” said Turner. “Why not practice, right?”
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