With the Washington Nationals sitting at 26-61 at the All-Star break, they have decided to cut ties with their head coach Manny Acta. In doing so, the front office has penned an offical letter to the fans of the Nationals.
In said letter, there were a lot of details pertaining to certain players on the Nationals roster. However, the main point of the letter is definitely one that can translate up to Cleveland as things aren’t all that different from a baseball standpoint.
No one is more dissatisfied in the first half of the 2009 Washington Nationals season than we are. Like you, we had hoped that some of our younger players would have matured faster, and that the addition of some of our new veterans would have significantly improved our record from a season ago. Our hope was that a solid club leadership would emerge on and off the field, and that some intangible combinations would begin to click, resulting in many winning streaks. […]
We know we have a way to go, but the end result will be all the richer for the early days we’ve spent together at Nationals Park. We are getting better. We want you to be with us as the pieces of the puzzle come together. Your support is powerful to the Nationals and baseball in Washington. Thank you for your continuing patience and your commitment to a shared dream.
I realize that things have been a lot worse for Nationals fans. They have endured quite a bit of losing since their inception and we were a game away from the World Series only two years ago.
But, with that said…
Where’s our letter? Where’s our assurance that this front office recognizes that there is a problem and actually plans on doing something about it? From the inability to consistently draft quality players to giving your prospects a chance to shine given the lack of meaningful baseball left for the year, there is an organizational issue that needs to be addressed. Our ace starting pitcher cannot wait to leave. Our shortstop-turned-third baseman looks more disinterested each night out. The occasional right fielder is a catcher by trade who now plays first base. Is there no end?
Sure, this letter will not magically put up a winning season. But admitting your short-comings to your fan base – instead of giving them the company line and hoping they buy it – goes a long way.
Admission is the first step towards recovery…