Nats interview DeMarlo Hale for managerial job

Another candidate for the Nationals' managerial job has emerged, as the team recently interviewed Blue Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale, a source familiar with the situation confirmed this afternoon. Hale joins Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams and Padres executive Brad Ausmus as external candidates to have interviewed for the Nationals' managerial opening. Nats bench coach Randy Knorr and third base coach Trent Jewett are the two clear candidates from within the organization. Hale is African-American, so by interviewing him, the Nationals have met the mandate set by the Major League Baseball league office stating that teams must interview at least one minority candidate for a managerial opening. The 52-year-old Hale is a well-respected coach, and has interviewed for multiple big league managerial jobs in the past, including the Blue Jays' job in the fall of 2010. Hale was a finalist for that job, which eventually went to John Farrell, now the manager of the Red Sox. He has previously spent time on the Orioles, Red Sox and Rangers coaching staffs. This last season was his first with Toronto. Hale was primarily an outfielder and corner infielder during his playing days. He was a 17th-round pick of the Red Sox in the 1983 draft and played five seasons of minor league ball. He coached nine seasons in the minors from 1993-2001, compiling a 615-633 record. His last 12 seasons have all been spent as a big league coach. The Washington Post was first to report Hale's interview.