The Dave Martinez era begins Friday for the Washington Nationals.
Although the opening of Grapefruit League action means nothing more than a respite from winter doldrums, what starts as a simple game against the Houston Astros builds to the biggest year in franchise history.
Amongst the chatter on Bryce Harper’s future, Daniel Murphy’s knee, the hopes for October and the unwritten stories to come sits Martinez. He is the stabilizing force tying the Washington package together.
As a team builder, he implemented a “Circle of Trust” where teammates literally sit in a circle in the sun and chat.