Farewell & thank you for baseball & more
Hi NatsTown,
As most of you know by now, my time as Manager of the Nationals has come to an end.
For those who know me best, they know that I don't spend a lot of time dwelling or living in the past...but I wanted to write this blog to you, the fans, in recognition of the generous support you gave me and the team during my tenure with the Nationals.
As I stated from Day 1, I am (and always have been) grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Nationals, their fans, and the DC community. I accepted this position knowing that the road would be long, rough, and full of difficult challenges. But I always believed in both the Washington Nationals and the DC community, and I was energized every day to assume responsibility for the incredible task at hand. Remember, I come from a town in the Dominican Republic where the roads to success are ALWAYS long, rough, and full of challenges; so I was excited to help bring success to you all, as well as prepared for the tough journey.
And boy, what a tremendous journey it has been! There are countless incredible experiences that I am grateful to have encountered with you all.
On the baseball field, it has obviously been a tough go. In 2007, we opened some eyes and made some progress. Then 2008 was a tremendous challenge due to the injuries and lack of stability. And 2009, well, you know the story.
Off of the field, 2007 gave me a chance to meet so many of you for the first time, at the stadium or on the streets of DC while working in the community with the Dream Foundation and other non-profits interested in making a positive impact.
I also started the ImpACTA Kids Foundation, which targeted children in both the DC area and the Dominican Republic. Your contributions have led to thousands of kids having experiences that could potentially motivate them to overcome the same long, rough, obstacle-ridden road that I personally have had to overcome and that Nats are in the process of overcoming.
Your work with my Foundation has also helped two DC community high school students prepare for college by awarding them academic scholarships to the college of their choosing. There is no exchange for the value I've received in seeing the smiles on the faces of all of the boys and girls we've been able to help out. I've always said that one of my life-long goals is to leave a positive impact on the people I meet and work with; and I hope that I have been true to that.
You may be wondering what exactly I will do next. Well, my immediate priority is to spend time with my family. And, since I am no magician, I don't specifically know what the future holds for me. What I do know, however, is that Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote, "If you can't run, walk...if you can't walk, crawl...but by all means, keep moving."
What great words! So, true to his words, I know tomorrow will bring another day, and I assure you that, whether it is running, walking, or crawling, I will certainly keep moving forward.
Thanks everybody (fans, media, colleagues, Nats employees) for all that you brought to my life.
Until we have the opportunity to cross paths again...Take care NatsTown!
-MA
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Categories (click for archive)MASNblogs | Manny Acta |
Thank you for taking the time to write this very classy goodbye, Manny. Thanks, too, for all your work in the community. Will miss seeing you in the Nats dugout and will be rooting for you wherever your journey takes you. All the best to you and your family.
Manny, thanks for everything you did here in our community. We all know that you were handed a very difficult task here in DC and everyday you showed up with the same positive attitude. I admire that about you and I will take it with me for the rest of my life. You are a great example to Latinos out there who aspire to be something great. I wish you nothing but the best and I know you will land on your feet somewhere and be successful. You will always have a Manny Acta fan with me.
Que Dios bendiga a ti u tu familia. Siempre estare pendiente de ti y espero verte en el dugout bien pronto. Sigue pa'lante y ten fe en Dios. Todos los latinos aqui en DC estamos super orgullosos de ti y ya sabes que tienes siempre tendras el apoyo nuestro.
Cuidate mucho y buena suerte.
Manny you are a class act. Lord willing we'll heard great things in the future about Manny Acta. You're a great witness to those of us who want to run to many times before walking. Keep walking brother God's got a plan, eh, so we keep walking.
Manny, you are such a class act and I hope/pray nothing but the best for you. We have enjoyed your time here and will miss you greatly. Remember, when the Lord closes a door, He always opens a window. Best Wishes, Carolyn
Best of luck Manny. It's a shame things didn't work out.
GO NATS!!!
DJ
Manny,
I have visited NatsTown about a dozen times and watch some of most games on satellite. On one visit last year during an autograph session I told you that I had come from Louisiana to see the Nats. You used the term NatsNation. I envision that as becoming a reality someday. I am saddened to see you leave and feel that you deserve credit for the future success of the Nats.
I wish you all the best, Manny.
Manny -- Thank you for everything! While I no doubt believe you will be a very successful manager in the MLB soon, I also belive 100% that you will continue to be one of the nicest, caring person in this world.
I'm not sure if you'll receive these comments, but as of today we still haven't told Ella that you won't be at the dugout anymore. Not even sure when we'll be able to tell her. You're graciousness and hospitality towards her (and ourselves) will never be matched. My only reservation about your moving on is that I never got around to sending you the photo we have of you holding Ella from last year. Perhaps you will be coaching from the visitors' side in the not-too-distant future and we'll be able to meet again.
Peace and prosperity,
Ella, Cathy and e
As a fellow Dominican, you make us proud. Good luck to you.
THANK YOU MR ACTA
I'D JUST LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATED AND THAT I WILL TRY TO KEEP ADAM AND RYAN'S FEET TO THE FIRE. IT'S JUST BEYOND ME HOW TWO PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE GAME THE WAY THESE TWO LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH, WHY WOULDN'T THEY RELISH THESE MOMENTS THAT THEY HAVE AND JUST BUST THE HECK OUT OF THE BALL.
Anyway, I've enjoyed IT!!
CARL GRUMBINE
You shouldn't take the fall for this team. If the owners would spend some money, maybe you would have had some better personnel to work with, but since they didn't, you had to work with what you had been given. You did the best you could.
Best wishes.
Manny- good guys finish last and in your case about 9 games back of the next worse team! Like I said christmas in july.. Manny the only time you should be dressed like baseball manager is halloween, I heard geogetown has some crazy parties..see ya wouldn't wanna be ya! Go nationals!
Thank you Manny, for being a great example of kindness and dignity for all of us. I'll cherish my Manny Acta baseball, and the Manny bobblehead you signed for me just recently. But more importantly, I wish you all the best in whatever comes next for you.
Manny,
You are a class act, and you will be missed. Everything happens for a reason, and better things are ahead for you, I am sure of it. Best of luck...
Manny,
It is impossible to express how upset we are that you will no longer be in NatsTown. You are a kind and considerate person and a great asset to the baseball world. We will miss you and really hope our paths cross again. Best Wishes.
Manny,
I will miss you leading the Nats from the dugout.
We appreciate all you have done to build a solid foundation here in Washington. I especially enjoyed the terrific September in 2007 where we played spoiler to the other NL east teams. You are great example of class and character. Those are lessons I'm trying to show/teach my 9 year old grandson, both in sports and in life.
I will be watching for inevitable success whatever the future brings.
God bless you and your family.
Manny, I am very disappointed that you were let go. It seems to me that you are being used as a scapegoat for problems way beyond your control. Sure, it happens all the time. But that doesn't make it right.
Good luck to you and thank you not only for your leadership of the Nationals, but for your example for the whole community. You deserved better.
Manny, You are a class act and I wish you the best in the future. I hope you get another MLB managing job. The only complaint I had with you was I thought you were too easy on the players and umpires. I wish you had disciplined the players more and argued more with the umpires when they made a bad call.
We are certain that only good things are in store for you.
We are heartbroken that it didn't work out for you here.
Thank you, Manny!
Good luck Manny, we know you put forth your best effort in attempting to bring winning baseball to Washington. I hope you succeed in your next effort, whereever it may be (except when playing the Nats). Thanks J.T.
Good Luck! You are a winner anyways!
From an Oriole fan who is has been a fan of baseball since 1951-Thanks Manny for being a man of class and dignity.And a teacher and one respectful of our great game.I wish we had more with your attitude.Our great game needs people of your stature to bring back baseball.It has become almost a charade with the "look at me" and "i gotta make espn highlites" and arenaball,nba/nfl in your face trash characteristics.The game needs pitching,defense,hustling and teamwork to be great.
You've shown that team first attitude and I applaud you.Baseball will not let you be gone for long.Best of luck,Manny
A CLASS ACTa
Godspeed, Manny
Even as a die hard Phillies fan that loved seeing the Phillies beat up on the Nats, I was always a big fan of you Mr. Acta and it hurt to see you leave knowing that it wasn't your fault that there was no success. However, I'm sure you'll be able to find another job in the MLB. I wish you luck.
Thanks for your time here. I'll remember at the Winter Caravan stop in Woodbridge how you tried to help my son the proper stance when playing catcher. I'll remember how friendly you were that day and the Winter Caravan stop at White Flint Mall a couple of years ago.
Manny, I cannot even begin to express how hurt and disappointed I am by what the Nationals have done to you. My dream is that they will realize the error of their ways and hire you back; but if not, I hope you will (quickly) get a position with another team so you can continue doing what you love.
Thank you for all you have done for the Nationals, their fans, and the community. Thank you for the hug you gave me at the Big Train game in Bethesda (and by the way, I will keep on wearing my Acta jersey!) I am a diehard Nats fan and I will always root for them, but it just won’t be the same. All the best to you. Love, ActaManiac
good luck bro, you deserved better. next time, just fake a few tantrums to keep the idiots in the media off your back ...
and rest assured, there WILL be a next time. be patient.
Hey Manny,
As Bob Hope would say, Thanks for the memories! You were always nice to the fans whether it was at caravans, Natsfest or at Acta Bobblehead night at the Bethesda Big Train! You were always open and honest with everyone.
I have an Impacta Kids shirt and that bobblehead. I hope you're work for the kids of the DR goes on, even though you're not with the NATS anymore!
Take care and good luck.