Blake Butera Returns to Tampa

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On June 18th, Blake Butera, the 33-year-old manager for the Nationals, is heading back to Tampa this weekend for the first time as a major, league skipper. He spent 11 years with the Rays organization, so he knows a lot of folks there.
It's definitely going to be a strange feeling for him, returning to a place that was home for so long, but he's ready to get down to business. Butera was hired by the Nationals back in October, and has really turned things around for them. The team is currently 39 wins and 36 losses, hitting a record three games above 500 for the first time since 2019
He's brought some of the strategies he picked up in Tampa, like using an opener to start games. He's not the only one with a Rays connection on his staff. His bench coach, Michael Johns, also came from Tampa, where he was the first space coach and handled outfield and base running duties. It seems Butera trusts the people he worked with and learned from. Before taking the Nationals job, Butera was the Rays Senior Director of Player Development. He also had stints as an assistant field coordinator and managed in the minors, even winning manager of the year twice. He was the youngest manager in minor league baseball, and now he's the youngest in the majors since 1972
Even though he has a lot of history and good relationships in Tampa, Butera's focus is clear, win games. He's thankful for his time with the Rays, but when that first pitch is thrown, it's all about the Nationals playing their best and coming away with victories. Stay locked in with Washington Nationals News Today. AI powered updates.