With Nationals, Black will have to learn to adjust to higher expectations

Back when Buddy Black, the Nationals' new manager, was a left-handed pitcher in the American League, he once stood below the Metrodome roof in Minnesota and counted the squares - and the holes in the squares - in the light-colored plastic roof.

"Sometimes, you just have to find things to do," Black says. "I've been coming here for years and wondered how many holes there were in the roof. So I counted them.''

Black has the quirkiness you'd expect in a left-handed pitcher. But, he's also got the toughness and managing experience that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he would look for the day he fired the inexperienced Matt Williams.

Never mind that Black had a losing record - 617-680 - on the West Coast while competing in the National League West. He managed 8 1/2 seasons with the Padres and survived instability with ownership changes, new general managers changing course and all the frustrations
that go with a small-market team trying to compete with the Giants, Dodgers and Diamondbacks.

It is to Black's credit that he survived constant changing of ownership, general managers and small-market budgets with the Padres. The organization was in constant change. Management didn't give Black a chance to win in a division that had the Dodgers and Giants.

The Padres fired Black early in 2015 after revamping the team with big-name players such as Matt Kemp and Justin Upton, but it wasn't his fault that the Padres had an outfield that was top-heavy on offense and weak on defense in a spacious Petco Park. It wasn't Black's fault that management gave him an all-defense infield with no pop. The Padres were 32-33 when they fired Black in early June. They were 12 games under the rest of the season.

And it's not Black's fault that A.J. Preller, the wheeling-and-dealing first-year general manager trying to make a splash, wanted to pick his own manager and therefore looked for reasons to fire Black and chart a new course.

Other teams - the Dodgers, Giants and Cleveland - have wanted to hire Black as their manager.

With Black, the Nationals get a manager that will be adjusting to big-time expectations, but with first-rate players to support him. His biggest strength is his communication and respect for people. He makes every one - even reporters - feel like a million dollars.

He pitched for the Kansas City Royals in 1985 World Series and he was the pitching coach for the Angels when they won the World Series in 2002.

He's known as a nice guy, but he'll also chew out a player when he thinks it is time. As a former pitcher, he knows how to handle experienced pitchers as well young kids. With the Padres, he managed one of the most effective bullpens in the National League. Players believe in his in-game strategy and the way he sells it. They like his flexibility.

The Nationals could have hired Dusty Baker, who has quiet demeanor and a proven record. Ron Gardenhire didn't make an impression, even though he managed small-budget teams to division titles in Minnesota. And Don Mattingly could have been an option, but he's going to
Miami.

Andy Green, an Arizona coach, will manage the Padres, although Rizzo wasn't interested in going with someone that needed to learn on the job. Hall of Famer Cal Ripken would have been an interesting choice to grab attention, but there was no fit, especially since we don't know if Ripken was a serious candidate or not.

Black and Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg have San Diego State connections, so that might figure into this decision to hire Black, assuming the Nats want to keep Strasburg long-term. Black will have plenty of challenges in keeping Ryan Zimmerman healthy and Jayson Werth productive, possibly in a role where, given his age, 37, he'll need more days off. With Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister not expected to be back, he'll have some
rotation rebuilding to do. He'll have to replace the leadership of shortstop Ian Desmond.

And the biggest challenge of all might be rebuilding a bullpen, depending on what happens with unhappy Drew Storen, who is requesting a trade, and closer Jonathan Papelbon, the $11 million guy who attempted to choke Bryce Harper in the dugout during the final days of the season.

But given all his experience in San Diego, Black will likely be the guy for the Nationals'
job.