Washington Nationals: Meet the 2018 coaches
By Ron Juckett
BOB HENLEY – THIRD BASE
Show of hands, how many of you thought any member of Matt Williams staff would still be on the team in 2018?
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As with Cher, cockroaches and Twinkies, Bob Henley is the ultimate survivor and remains at third base as the lone hold over of the coaching staff.
The youngest member of the staff at 44, Henley is a franchise lifer. Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1993, he had a cup of coffee with the big club in 1998. In 2003, he worked his way through the minor-league managing/coaching circuit before getting his big break as a member of Williams staff in the 2014 season.
Wearing his traditional layers of sunscreen, Henley has patrolled third ever since. As you know, he is aggressive in sending runners home but cut down on obvious mistakes last year.
Henley is the only coach who has worked with the Nats before. His experience becomes invaluable as the rest of the staff adapts and learns on the fly.
As a former catcher, perhaps he can help settle Pedro Severino or Raudy Read adjust to a full major league season if the Nats fail to sign or trade for Matt Wieters backup.
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Hard to believe Henley is the dean of Nats coaches.