MLB Nationals fire manager Martinez, GM Rizzo after loss
Lerner, in a statement released on social media, praised Martinez and Rizzo for their roles in directing the Nationals to the 2019 World Series title, but they have not enjoyed a winning season or playoff berth since.
"While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be," Lerner said.
"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."
The Nationals are 37-53, last in the National League East division, and went 7-19 in June. They are 1-4 this month and were swept at home by Boston by 11-2, 10-3 and 6-4 over the US Independence Day holiday weekend.
Martinez, hired in October of 2017, was the longest-tenured manager in Nationals history. The 60-year-old American was 500-622 with the Nats after replacing Dusty Baker while Rizzo was in his 17th season as baseball operations boss for the club.
The Nationals have traded such stars as Max Scherzer and Juan Soto to obtain younger talent in building for the future but have been unable to make the moves pay off with triumphs.
Martinez has spent 39 seasons in baseball as a player, coach and manager. He spent 16 seasons as a player and was an assistant coach on the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series championship squad before taking his first manager's post with the Nats.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
21 minutes ago
- France 24
Swiss MLS goalie Frei resting at home after on-field collision
The 39-year-old Swiss collided with Crew midfielder Amar Sejdic in the final seconds and went down after being struck in the head by the attacker's knee, prompting medical personnel to race onto the field. Frei was went in an ambulance and taken to a Seattle hospital for evaluation. "Still trying to figure out what happened at the end of the game," Frei posted on X. "I'm incredibly grateful to all the staff that looked after me and happy to be back home resting now. "What resonates is all the messages, calls and love I've received from so many of you. Thank you – truly. It means more than I can put into words. I feel the support and I'm thankful for every single one of you." Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer and Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy asked to halt the contest without playing the last seconds. "Wilfried, I appreciate what he did because the ref wasn't going to stop the game," Schmetzer said. "Everybody knew that the game should have been stopped. Good on him. So thank you, Wilfried." Nancy agreed the game should be stopped. "When you see a situation like that, again, football is not the most important," he said. "We stay positive, and hopefully everything is going to be good for him." Both clubs are fighting for MLS playoff berths.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
MLB Nationals name Cairo interim manager after shake-up
The 51-year-old Venezuelan, who played for nine different MLB teams in a 17-year career that ended in 2012, replaced Dave Martinez, who was fired by the struggling club on Sunday in a shake-up that also included the ouster of general manager Mike Rizzo. "Miguel is well-respected in our organization and around baseball," interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said in a statement. "A diligent worker and student of the game, he has a proven track record of showing strong leadership in a variety of situations and I believe that his voice and energy will serve as a catalyst to our team and our fan base in the second half of the season." The Nationals are 37-53 and last in the National League East division. They are on pace for a sixth straight losing season since winning the 2019 World Series under Martinez. DeBartolo took over on Sunday for Rizzo, who had been making personnel decisions for the Nats sine 2009. Cairo has MLB managerial experience. In 2022, he was a bench coach for the Chicago White Sox and served as acting manager when Tony La Russa stepped away with health issues. Cairo guided the White Sox to an 18-16 record over the final games of the campaign. The Nationals take the field under Cairo for the first time on Tuesday at St. Louis. Washington holds the top pick Sunday in the MLB Draft.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Pacers guard Haliburton will miss entire '25-26 NBA season
Haliburton was playing with a right calf strain when he went down in the first quarter of Indiana's 103-91 loss to Oklahoma City in the title-deciding contest. "I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever," Pritchard said. "He will not play next year though. We would not jeopardize that now. Don't get any hopes up that he will play." Haliburton sparked the Pacers to their first NBA Finals since 2000, averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game. "He plays best when he is really hungry and I'm guessing next year, he's going to be champing at the bit to prove to everybody that he's back," Pritchard said. "We're just going to have to take it slow and make sure he's back to 100 per cent. I expect great things and him being an-All NBA player -- we witnessed something with clutch shotmaking that I've never seen in the NBA." That included a game-winning basket at the buzzer to beat Oklahoma City in the finals' opener. Pritchard said the Pacers haven't given up on being an NBA contender but realize they will lack something special until Haliburton returns from June 23 surgery. "We were 24 minutes and an injury away," Pritchard said. "We have some challenges with Ty's injury but we like what we have. "We'll have some guys that hopefully will have some opportunities and when he gets back, it'll be the cherry on top, I guess." Haliburton's rehabilitation is off to a strong start, Pritchard said. "He has been doing great," Pritchard said. "He's doing good, but the real work starts now in terms of rehab and it's tough." Haliburton has said he would take the chance again and play in the winner-take-all last game of the NBA Finals despite suffering the injury, but Pritchard said he didn't feel the same. "Would I have him do it over and over? I would not," Pritchard said. "If I knew he was going to get hurt, I would sacrifice that game because I care for the kid so much." The Pacers have also lost another key member of their run to the finals as center Myles Turner signed a four-year free agent deal with Milwaukee.
