UPDATE: In an extraordinary turn of events, Blake Butera has officially been named the new manager of the Washington Nationals—on the very same day his wife, Caroline, gave birth to their first child, daughter Blair. This remarkable coincidence adds a personal milestone to what promises to be a pivotal moment in the franchise’s future.
Butera, 33, shared the whirlwind experience during his introductory press conference at Nationals Park, held just over two weeks after that monumental day. “It was a long labor, and just the fact that she’s talking to me about this job opportunity while she’s laying in the hospital bed—I was like, ‘Focus on Blair, right?'” he reflected, capturing the urgency and joy of that life-changing moment.
The Nationals, who have struggled through six consecutive losing seasons since winning the 2019 World Series, are hoping Butera can revitalize the team. He replaces Dave Martinez and Mike Rizzo, who were let go in July after the team’s disappointing performance. New president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni, emphasized the need for a fresh direction, stating, “It’s like we want Blake to feel really good about the decision that he’s making, hopping into the Nationals organization.”
Despite his youth and limited managerial experience—his only prior role was with the Tampa Bay Rays‘ Class A minor league team—Butera has garnered attention through a strong recommendation from Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza. The two worked together when Butera served as bench coach for Piazza during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Butera shared how Piazza entrusted him with key responsibilities, saying, “He basically told me he’s there to do all the media and give the speeches… in-game management, he’s like, ‘You handle that.'”
Additionally, renowned two-time World Series champion Terry Francona provided guidance during the hiring process, encouraging Butera to embrace his unique qualities as a manager. “He said, ‘Just be yourself. Be who you are. Don’t fake it. There’s a reason why they’re continuing to talk to you,'” Butera recalled, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in leadership.
Butera has been proactive in connecting with at least 20 current Nationals players. He expressed optimism about their commitment to improvement, stating, “I’ve been impressed by their urgency to get better on the field.” His vision is to cultivate a fundamentally sound team built on character and accountability.
In a related note, Toboni confirmed that former Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle, a member of the 2019 championship team, will remain with the organization in a coaching capacity, although his specific title is still to be determined.
As the Nationals embark on this new chapter under Butera’s leadership, fans are eager to see how he will blend personal and professional milestones to forge a new path for the team. This story is developing, and updates are expected as the season approaches.
