Martinez grateful for family, Corbin at holidays

Nats manager reflects on past season, Christmas memories

December 15th, 2018
Paul Kim

LAS VEGAS -- Nats manager Dave Martinez has seen his roster receive a bit of an overhaul this offseason, with more moves almost certainly on the horizon. As he prepares to begin his second holiday season as a big league manager, Martinez can already thank general manager Mike Rizzo for an early Christmas gift -- free-agent left-hander .
In the past, Martinez has spent time giving out gifts at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and he made an effort to spend some time in D.C. this offseason.
Martinez took a few extra minutes to sit down with MLB.com at the Winter Meetings and share some of his holiday plans and memories.
MLB.com: What are your plans for the holidays?
Martinez: I think I'm going to go to Tennessee, then go hang with my kids a little bit [in Tampa]. See my granddaughters. I was just in Tampa and did my Christmas shopping just so I didn't have to mail anything.
MLB.com: What's Christmas like in the Martinez household?
Martinez: It's fun. Laid-back. Nice to be with loved ones. We relax ... we do eat a lot, though.

MLB.com: What are some memorable gifts you've ever given?
Martinez: It's tough because my son's birthday is on the 15th, so we bought him a car for his birthday, but it was also a Christmas gift. That was a big deal, it was his first car. We bought him a nice [Chevrolet] Avalanche. It was his 17th birthday; he'll be 30 this year.
MLB.com: Most memorable gift you've ever received?
Martinez: One thing that stands out right now is Pat Corbin. That's pretty good. [Laughs.] You know, last year was special for me just because it was my first Christmas as a manager, so for me that was a gift. I worked hard to get where I'm at, so it was nice.

MLB.com: What gift would you give to your coaching staff?
Martinez: Hmm, that's a tough one … my coaching staff likes backpacks. I don't know why, they're into backpacks. I actually might do that, maybe I'll send them all a nice backpack.
MLB.com: Backpacks? Any special brand?
Martinez: No, just a regular backpack. Last year we all got backpacks in Spring Training and they got all jacked up. Same color backpack, they were all happy.
MLB.com: Favorite part of the holiday season?
Martinez: Just getting to spend it with my family.