New Nationals manager has team practicing walk-off celebrations

Spring training is a time to practice fundamentals, and at least according to the Washington Nationals, that includes walk-off celebrations.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez had his team working on their celebrations Saturday, with each position player getting a chance to take a celebratory trip around the bases.

Practice makes perfect. pic.twitter.com/TD1aI2oZQj

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 10, 2018

“We work really hard, but I also want them to have fun, and that’s a part of it,” Martinez said. “I tell them it’s gonna happen. One of you guys is going to hit a walkoff home run.”

Martinez couldn’t help but note that all his players went for the big fly instead of a simple walk-off single.

“The funny thing is I said hey, bottom of the ninth, you got a walk-off. Do what you do,” Martinez said. “They all ran around the bases, hit a home run. Me, I would have walked to first base, got a base hit, and game over.”

The Nationals have been very serious about choreographing their celebrations in the past. You might as well be ready to bring it when it happens.