Washington Nationals News: At 59, Dan Firova making coaching debut

Today’s District Daily features stories on new Washington Nationals bullpen coach Dan Firova and some interesting comments from former center fielder Denard Span.

Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes writes about new Nationals new bullpen coach, Dan Firova. As Janes writes in her article, Firova will be making his big league coaching debut this year at the age of 59.

In her article, Janes tells the story of Firova’s baseball career and his long road to coaching in the big leagues. the Nationals hired Firova this offseason after the team dismissed the entire coaching staff

Also in today’s Daily, the Post’s James Wagner discusses comments made by former Nationals center fielder Denard Span, who signed with the Giants after leaving via free agency this offseason.

Here’s some of what Span had to say about his time with the Nationals, via Wagner’s article:

"“I love Washington,” Span said. “I felt like that was the right place for me at the right time and where I was at in my career. I think that organization brought a side out of me that I needed, as far as playing loose and allowing me to be aggressive on the bases and on the field. I’m going to miss a lot of faces, a lot of guys over there. I already miss the fans and gonna miss the city. I enjoyed my time. A great three years. It was kinda bittersweet leaving there.”"

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to doD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

At 59, Dan Firova is making his big-league coaching debut

(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

VIERA, Fla. — Leaning against a brick wall in the dingy underbelly of Space Coast Stadium, Dan Firova teared up, remembering the phone call that brought him here, back to the big leagues after nearly three decades. Until Dusty Baker asked him to be his bullpen coach, Firova thought he might never get the chance.

As his lunch cooled on a paper plate a few feet away, Firova gushed gratitude that after hundreds of innings, thousands of pitches and decades of baseball, the game’s steady serendipity had brought him and Baker together, then brought him here. The fourth-winningest manager in Mexican League history is a first-time major league coach, finally, at 59. Read full article here.

Denard Span on his time with Nationals: ‘That was the right place for me at the right time’

(James Wagner, Washington Post)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Like the other former Nationals mainstays that are elsewhere now, Denard Span looks different in Giants black and orange. After spending three seasons in Washington, the center field has a new home in San Francisco along with a three-year, $31-million deal. Despite three surgeries in the span of 10 months, Span landed on his feet. The 32-year-old is slated to be the Giants leadoff hitter and starting center fielder.

“It was a lot better than I’d hoped,” Span said of landing with the Giants. “I couldn’t ask for more, for this team to take a chance on me and come to an organization such as this one with tradition and the fan base. It means a lot. This team doesn’t just bring in anybody to this culture and clubhouse. It made me feel good.” Read full article here.