September can be the cruelest month for veterans in a baseball clubhouse. Younger players move to the majors for the first time because of expanded rosters and get a chance to challenge for a job. Nationals manager Davey Johnson knows that better than anyone. One year he was an established second baseman for Earl Weaver’s legendary Baltimore Orioles teams. He helped Baltimore win a World Series title in 1970 with runner-up finishes in 1969 and 1971. But the Orioles had a hotshot prospect named Bobby Grich who made brief appearances in the majors in both 1970 and 1971, showing he was ready to become a starter. In 1972 that’s exactly what happened — at Johnson’s expense.
“I know. We had a guy behind me coming up in Bobby Grich. He hit [.383] in Triple-A, and we won a world championship,” Johnson said. “They told him to go back and work on his home runs. Next year he hit [32], and the next year I’m wearing an Atlanta uniform. It’s the business of it. They liked me in Baltimore. They still shipped me out. You have to make room for some young talent. See what they got.”
So he knows what veteran pitcher Livan Hernandez is going through. Instead of making his final four starts of the 2011 season, Hernandez will be replaced by younger pitchers such as Stephen Strasburg and Tom Milone. The unrestricted free agent may not be back next season at all — though he has told general manager Mike Rizzo he’s willing to be a long reliever if it means staying in Washington.
“That’s a decision that’s made down the road,” Johnson said. “I know Mike Rizzo really admires [Hernandez] and appreciates what he’s done here over the years. Unbelievable career. What we’re trying to do is build something. It’s the time of year where we’re going to look at some young arms. Some guys have earned the right to come up here and compete, show what they got. … It’s a very highly competitive business, and you want to answer some questions when you have the opportunity.”
– Brian McNally
