Respond to prefers-color-scheme dark in app web views

Follow section front redirects in Spectrum

Enable NLP source in PCS for load testing

Switch off the News Alerts Survey Widget when we have enough responses

Poll to determine if new LUF updates are available

Allows the winning A/B test variant to be turned on without Spectrum deployment

Show infinite scrolling sections in Assembler MultiView

Show option for NLP article summaries in Action Bar

A general feature flag for Recipe Features that aren't yet released

Feature flag for media team features that aren't yet released

Use new Orca video player for preroll plugin in Spectrum

Show the snow tracker (instead of the heat tracker) on Spectrum

A frank look at hot dog prices at MLB ballparks

Sloppy first inning dooms the Nationals in a 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays

In a pinch, the Nationals finally find some offense

Ask Amy: I live with my boyfriend – and his sister and her family

Carolyn Hax: Working for a celebrity has this employee feeling ‘small’

Carolyn Hax: Longtime friend won’t forgive being last-minute canceled for a guy

The New York Times, alone in its outrage over access to Biden

The ‘Access Hollywood’ video cemented Trump’s air of invincibility

Stephen A. Smith would like even more of your attention

There’s still time for Congress to Trump-proof the Insurrection Act 

The Post endorses April McClain Delaney and Tom Royals for Maryland’s 6th District

On Press Freedom Day, little to celebrate for Hong Kong’s journalists

The new cure-all for vacation excess: the IV drip 

What’s the best bus to New York? We tested 5 for comfort and value.

You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise?

In photos: The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby

Bodies found in Mexico where 3 tourists went missing

Protesters clash with law enforcement at U-Va.

How Pope Francis opened the Vatican to transgender sex workers

Israel shuts down Al Jazeera’s operations, raids Jerusalem office

Hamas attacks border crossing, killing 3, as Gaza cease-fire talks drag on

Strangers help Sesame Street puppeteer after heirloom necklace was stolen

Teen grabs wheel when driver passes out and school bus veers into traffic

Cat climbed into Amazon return box, found alive 630 miles away

Twitch streamers become go-to news source for campus protest coverage

After years of delay, Boeing to try again with Starliner space capsule

Divided Trump campaign weighs joining TikTok, the app he tried to ban

Top RNC lawyer resigns after rift grows with Trump

Trump escalates attacks on prosecutors, says Democrats run ‘a Gestapo administration’

The Nationals intend to hire former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black to become the sixth full-time manager in the team history, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. The Nationals have not announced Black’s expected hiring as Major League Baseball frowns upon teams making major announcements during the World Series.

Black managed the Padres for eight and a half seasons before he was fired midway through this past season when San Diego got off to a disappointing 32-33 start. Black compiled a 649-713 record (.477) and never reached the playoffs with the Padres. But in San Diego, Black built a strong reputation for handling a pitching staff and for his ability to communicate well with players thanks to an easy-going personality.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo could not be reached to comment.

Thomas Johnson

Despite a late-season collapse that left the Padres out of the 2010 playoffs despite leading the division most of the season, Black, 58, was named the National League manager of the year, edging out Cincinnati’s Dusty Baker, another finalist for the Nationals’ job. A small-market team with a low payroll, the Padres posted two winning seasons under Black: 2007 and 2010. Prior to San Diego, Black was the Angels pitching coach under Manager Mike Scioscia for seven years and won a World Series ring in 2002.

Born in California and raised in Longview, Wash., Black spent 15 years in the majors as a pitcher, playing for the Royals, Giants, Indians, Mariners and Blue Jays. He won 121 games and posted a 3.84 ERA, and was part of the rotation of the Kansas City team that won the 1985 World Series. He finished his collegiate career at San Diego State, also the alma mater of Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

After Matt Williams was fired by the Nationals the day after the disappointing 2015 season ended Oct. 4, Black was instantly seen across baseball as a top candidate because of his personality and skills.

Williams had no managerial experience when he was chosen by Rizzo, and this time, the Nationals conducted a more extensive search, admitting that previous experience would be a priority. They interviewed at least seven candidates, a few with many years of minor league managerial experience but none in the majors. But the Nationals focused more on veteran coaches, such as Giants longtime bench coach Ron Wotus, and managers such as Black, Baker and former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

The choice came down to Black and Baker, a skipper with old-school tactics who has 20 years of managerial experience, an NL pennant and three manager of the year awards. Baker, 66, impressed the Lerner family so much earlier this month that the Nationals asked him to return Washington on Monday for a second interview. So did Black, and the Nationals opted for the younger candidate who is also open to advanced statistics that have become prominent in the sport. Black played under Baker in San Francisco in 1993 and 1994, and also beat him out for the Padres job in 2006.

Black will be tasked with restoring relationships in the clubhouse and leading the Nationals to the playoffs again after a disastrous 2015 season. Considered a preseason World Series favorite, the Nationals sputtered because of injuries, under-performance, roster holes and managerial issues, finishing 83-79 and missing the playoffs. Williams’s relationships with some players frayed deeper into the season, and his handling of the pitching staff often was questioned.

Black joins Boston’s John Farrell and Cincinnati’s Bryan Price as the only active managers who are former pitchers. With the Padres, Black was scrutinized for his struggles in developing young hitters and for never reaching the playoffs. But in Washington, Black inherits a team that won division titles with strong pitching in 2012 and 2014, and that has a more capable lineup headlined by presumptive NL MVP Bryce Harper along with Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth.

The shape of Black’s coaching staff is unclear. When the Nationals fired Williams, they also dismissed all his coaches, some longtime Nationals instructors. A few were told they would be recommended to the new manager, and some, such as popular former bench Randy Knorr, took other jobs within the organization. Rick Renteria, who managed the Cubs for one season in 2014 and was Black’s former bench coach in San Diego, is an early favorite to serve as Black’s right-hand man again.

<em>Chelsea Janes and Adam Kilgore contributed to this report.</em>

James Wagner covered the Nationals for The Washington Post. He left The Post in June 2016.

James Wagner

The Washington Post

name

prism://prism.query/site,/sports/nationals&limit=20

Washington Nationals

Your source for Washington Nationals &amp; MLB baseball news and information. Get the latest schedule and stats for the Washington Nationals. Stay updated on the latest Washington Nationals news!

prism://prism.query/site-articles-only,/sports&limit=20

Sports

The Washington Post Sports section provides sports news, video, scores, analysis and updates about high school, college, and pro sports teams, including the Capitals, Nationals, Washington Football Team, United and Wizards. Post Sports also offers blogs and discussions about the latest sports news.