New Nationals first-base coach Tony Tarasco played two seasons under Davey Johnson with the 1995-1996 Baltimore Orioles. Mandatory Credit: sportsmemorabilia.com

It has been reported that AAA Syracuse manager Tony Beasley was also considered for the job, however, Johnson said he wanted to hire the guy that best-filled the fortes that Porter brought to the table. Beasley, as said by Johnson, is, “more of a managerial candidate and not a baserunning/outfield guy.” Tarasco, on the other hand, played a significant role in transitioning players like Bryce Harper, Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore to the outfield from their respective infield positions (catcher, shortstop, first base).

Tarasco has been in the Nationals organization since 2006, when he became the hitting coach of the Vermont Lake Monster in the New York-Penn short season league. Tarasco has since worked his way up to the role of Minor League Coordinator, and will now be coaching first base in the bigs in 2013. He played eight seasons in the bigs, including one on the Expos and two under the Davey-Johnson managed Orioles. Tarasco is best-known for being the right fielder for the Orioles when Derek Jeter hit the infamous Jeffrey Maier home run in the 1996 ALCS.