Davey Martinez knew what kind of player the Washington Nationals were getting when he advocated for the club picking up Gerardo Parra in mid-2019, after the veteran outfielder was released by the San Francisco Giants.
“When we picked him up, I knew what kind of guy he was,” Martinez explained to reporters later that season, as the Nationals charged to the World Series. “I talked to [Bullpen Coach] Henry [Blanco]. Henry played with him. Henry was his teammate, Blanco, and I told him, I said, ‘Look, we’re going to get Parra. I know what kind of clubhouse guy he is.