Four NL East division titles in six years has equated to nothing much more for the Washington Nationals. All they’ve got to show for is four series defeats in the NLDS. The core has been roughly the same with guys like Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez being victims of all four defeats.
New manager Dave Martinez, who went to two World Series — winning one — while as a bench coach under Joe Maddon in Tampa and Chicago, understands he must bring an innovative approach to a clubhouse yearning to get over the proverbial hump.
Already, Martinez has introduced the Circle of Trust meetings where the players meet at the Curly W logo. In Wednesday’s meeting, Martinez and the Nationals’ coaching staff got innovative to say the least. On Hump Day, they embraced the proverbial hump by bringing out three live camels.
Welp, there are three real life camels here at Nats camp today. “My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas was playing and Bobby Henley keeps screaming “Hump Day!” pic.twitter.com/pOXVhovr8c
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) February 28, 2018
Third base coach Bob Henley rode out on the first after a prerecorded message aired with Henley stating he was late after making a wrong turn. First base coach Tim Bogar rode out on the second. The third was unmanned, as bullpen catcher Henry Blanco backed out at the last minute, according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post.
That’s one way to get the Nats over the hump pic.twitter.com/lOouvNhYCE
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) February 28, 2018
What’s a better way to embrace the hump, than to do so with camels on Hump Day?
Martinez explained his motives behind the comical but resonating move.
“My intentions were to bring the hump to us…I want them to embrace it, not fear it. And have fun with it” pic.twitter.com/ndwhQqGfJU
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) February 28, 2018
The Nationals’ ability to get over the hump and go deeper in the MLB postseason largely hinges on their psyche of the situation. Just a couple of weeks through Spring Training it already appears Martinez will pull out all the stops to gear the team over the hump mentally. And to have Henley, a guy that has been through it all with the club, lead the charge is very brilliant.
If the Nationals can get over the hump and move closer to a World Series title, this moment will certainly be referenced in some shape or form.
