turning point

This is no knock on Jim Riggleman’s managerial abilities, but the Washington Nationals may have become a real force to be reckoned with by hiring Davey Johnson as their new skipper. Be afraid, Braves fans. The Nationals (39-38) were already playing better before Riggleman’s befuddling resignation; Atlanta, second to Philadelphia in the National League East, can hear the Nats’ footsteps. And on Monday, Johnson takes charge. He’s a proven winner in the dugout. He led the Jackson Mets to their first Texas League championship in 1981, then took over the New York Mets in 1984 and turned them into a powerhouse, posting six straight winning seasons. They won the 1986 World Series, employing many players groomed in the Mets’ system by Johnson. He was dismissed early in 1990 but went on to manage three other clubs, posting winning records at each stop. His overall record is 1148-888 (.564 winning percentage). The Nationals have loaded up on young talent. They’re coming — maybe even this season. They’ve got 12 games left with the Braves, nine with the Phillies. Davey Johnson could have a huge impact in the NL East race.
P.S. Noticed that Willie Cabrera, usually an outfielder, played second base for the Mississippi Braves on Saturday night. That’s his old high school and junior college position, a spot where he might be a better fit. Cabrera doesn’t have the power to be a corner outfielder, but he can hit, as he’s shown during his three-plus seasons in Pearl. He’s hitting .275 for the M-Braves with one homer, 23 RBIs and 28 runs in 53 games in 2011.