4:30PM UPDATE: For those curious, “Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams will join the Chiefs until a permanent replacement is named.”
Chico Harlan has the news over at NJ
The Nationals today fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire, the longest-tenured member of their coaching staff, and have replaced him with Class AAA pitching coach Steve McCatty. St. Claire, in his seventh year with the organization, was responsible for the staff that currently has a 5.69 ERA, worst in baseball.
The Nationals pitching staff has honestly been a mess this year and as the saying goes, you can’t fire the players (though they’ve tried with the bullpen).
As for McCatty, I can tell you that I have heard from multiple sources how respected he is among the minor leaguers who have worked with him.
#1 by Andrew F. - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:09
Scapegoat. Fire the owners instead.
#2 by rukidding - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:18
This should make Rob Dibble smile:) Listening to MLB radio on XM last week a caller made the suggestion that Dibble may be in-line for the pitching coach. That sure would bring some emotion to the staff!! Hell it may even be a good thing.
#3 by Andrew F. - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:23
Props to Brian for “Saint Elsewhere.” Good stuff right there.
#4 by John - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:25
Ditto on “Saint Elsewhere” lol. I’m going to you’re at least my age after that.
#5 by Brian Oliver - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:29
I was 11 when it debuted and 16 when it went off the air
Still annoyed by the snowglobe ending
#6 by Pilchard - June 2nd, 2009 at 14:47
I like Dibble, but his Dibble’s pitching recommendation for every situations is:
While that actually is pretty good advice for a young staff, would think that a pitching coach needs to go a little deeper than that in his analysis.
Like Randy St. Claire. For 4 years, the staff over-acheived its talent. The staff has taken a step back this year, but with the worst defense in recent MLB history hard to tell where the blame on the staff ends and on the defense begins.
#7 by Louis J - June 2nd, 2009 at 16:00
It’s time for Manny to go also. This teams has been playing with bad fundamentals for the entire year.
#8 by Sam - June 2nd, 2009 at 16:22
Does that mean this season exists only in the mind of Tommy Westphall?
#9 by Brian Oliver - June 2nd, 2009 at 16:27
Sam - Very nice. We can only wish
#10 by VladiHondo - June 2nd, 2009 at 16:37
Not a fan of Spin Williams, please hire a real pitching coach soon for AAA.
#11 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - June 2nd, 2009 at 17:45
Brian, that ending was one of the best endings to a series…ever!
#12 by Bill Wanner - June 2nd, 2009 at 19:10
How about we give Riggleman another chance to manage. At least he has some experience and a backbone.
#13 by Wallyball - June 2nd, 2009 at 21:48
Law has a new mock draft up, switching to Jenkins for the nats (same as BA), passing on Leake, White, Gibson and grant green (as well as a few prep pitchers). No explanation really, other than their desire for a college pitcher, but with two prominent sources tabbing Jenkins, it must be coming from somewhere. Guess that I ought to read up on him. Two other interesting points - he has Scheppers dropping out of the 1st round completely, and said that unless Gibson can get clean medical records, he could drop out also.
#14 by John - June 2nd, 2009 at 22:10
I think the Nats should draft Danielle Lawrie from U of Washington. She pitches everyday, throws strikes and can hit. :)
Lincecum’s the second best Huskie pitcher tonight.