Davey Johnson participated in a conference call with reporters after he was officially named the Washington Nationals' manager for 2012. During the call, Johnson was asked about his expectations, and he set the bar very high. Via Dave Nichols of District Sports Page.
"A pennant. Winning the pennant. Winning the division. Winning the National League," Johnson stated definitively. "I couldn't have said that last spring, I didn't think the talent was ready. But after being there and seeing the progress some young players have made, I think definitely we can contend. And I would be sorely disappointed if we didn't do just that."
It's not a completely ridiculous thought. The Nationals finished 2011 strong, and they have plenty of improving young talent. Stephen Strasburg will be healthy for most of the year, and the Nationals have lots of money to play with in what is expected to be an active free agent market. Good for Davey for setting the bar high.
For more on the announcement of Johnson as manager, visit this StoryStream. For more on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.