This was inevitable even before the raw sight of leadership in the "clubhouse" being in disarray (the Papelbon incident). Rizzo should not feel too comfortable in his seat either. The demeanor of this team did not change from the early troubles last April - and the stark comparison with the Cardinals, who also suffered many devastating injuries throughout the year, could not be more clear. As always, it's more than just the manager...but the manager certainly was one of the problems.
Something forgotten or not mentioned.....
When the NATS won their division in 2014 under Matt Williams, during the clubhouse celebration where players wore goggles and the open lockers were covered with a plastic sheeting....champagne spraying everywhere, a sportswriter cornered Jayson Werth....the unofficial team 'leader', and asked him about Matt Williams role (he would later be named "Manager of the Year")
Jayson Werth gave a too long, pregnant pause....and practically insulted Williams' importance in the feat.
Then, a week later, after being knocked out by the San Francisco GIANTS, Werth would refuse to even be interviewed. He dressed and left without saying a word.
