June 20, 2013

Jim Williams: Nationals are more than Strasburg

BY: JIM WILLIAMS SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 | 8:00 PM
Leave a comment

Jim Duquette understands the backlash the Washington Nationals faced for shutting down Stephen Strasburg, but the former general manager of the Mets supports the decision. He discussed the Nats' chances to win the World Series without its ace.

Can the Nationals win a World Series without Strasburg?

Duquette »

"Yes, I have the Nats and the Giants in the National League Championship series. Winning a World Series comes down to quality starting pitching, which both teams have, and depth. The Nationals have proven many times this season that they can win without a star player. They started the season without Drew Storen and Michael Morse and won. They lost Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth for extended periods of time and just kept winning. Manager Davey Johnson has to be a prime candidate for National League Manager of the Year because of his fine work, and executive of the year should go to Mike Rizzo for the way he built this team. It is time people realize the Nationals are a great team even without Stephen Strasburg."

Are the Nationals going in the right direction as an organization?

Duquette » "We are watching the start of a winning franchise. They have a solid team that is young, great management and dedicated ownership that is not afraid to spend money. Washington has established themselves as a legitimate World Series contender for years to come."

- Jim Williams

Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!, on washingtonexaminer.com.

View article comments Leave a comment
Author:

Jim Williams

Sports Columnist
The Washington Examiner

More from washingtonexaminer.com

From the Weekly Standard

  • June 17, 1953

    Today, speaking at the Brandenburg Gate, President Obama paid appropriate tribute to the brave East Germans who rebelled 60 years ago against Communist dictatorship:

    Read More...
  • Problems of the Second Generation

    The Boston Marathon bombings highlighted, once again, the challenges of assimilating Muslim youth. And while the onus of accountability ought not rest exclusively on Muslim Americans, it...

    Read More...
  • Release Osama Bin Laden’s Files on Taliban

    The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it was moving forward with its attempt to negotiate with the Taliban, which has opened a long-awaited political office in Doha, Qatar. The...

    Read More...