When the Nationals take the field next season, they will have a new-hire manager for the first time since 2018. Here are eight things to know about 33-year-old Blake Butera, the eighth manager in Nationals team history (since 2005):
1) What a memorable day
On Thursday – the same day news broke of his hiring – Butera and his wife, Caroline Margolis, welcomed their first child, Blair Margaux Butera. The family resides in Raleigh, N.C.
2) Age nothing but a number
Born on Aug. 7, 1992, Butera is older than every player on the Nationals’ 40-man roster under contract next season except for Trevor Williams (April 25, 1992). Among all the players in Major League Baseball, only 217 appeared in a game this season at age 33 or older. Butera shares a birthday with Angels star Mike Trout, who was born the year prior.
3) Managerial potential spotted quickly
In 2018, the Rays hired a 25-year-old Butera as the youngest Minor League manager to lead the Class A Short-Season Hudson Valley Renegades. Butera can apply that experience to a Nationals team that had the second-youngest average age for hitters and the second-youngest average age for pitchers in baseball this past season.
"I've been fortunate enough to where there haven't been any weird encounters, but you can definitely see some of the newly drafted guys, when they find out I'm the manager, kind of a little taken off-guard," Butera said in ‘18. "They haven't said anything, but I can kind of get a sense of surprise just because of how young I look. But I was in their shoes just two years ago, so I understand completely what they're going through throughout the season."
4) Early leadership
Butera was named captain of the Boston College baseball team in 2015 as a senior. That year, he was selected to the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-New England Third-Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll. After four years at BC from 2012-15, Butera concluded his collegiate career ranked first in the school in walks and at-bats; second in games played and games started; and tied for sixth in hits. Butera was college teammates with Padres right-hander Michael King from 2014-15. He also played one year with 2017 Draft pick Donovan Casey.
5) International experience
Butera’s international coaching experience began in 2019 with the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League. The following year, he coached with Leones del Escogido in the Dominican League. Butera was named a bench coach for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic under manager Mike Piazza. That squad reached the quarterfinals of the global tournament.
6) Baseball runs in the family
Butera’s father, Barry, was selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round of the 1977 Draft out of Tulane University. He played three years in Boston’s organization as an outfielder predominantly, reaching Triple-A Pawtucket in 1980. Butera’s brother, also named Barry, was a 21st-round Draft pick of the Astros in 2009 out of Boston College. He spent two years in the organization and reached Double-A.
7) First look at Vladdy
In his final game played as a Minor Leaguer on Sept. 1, 2016, Butera faced a future star slugger. That day, Butera and the Princeton Rays lost to a Bluefield Blue Jays team that featured a 17-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in an Appalachian League matchup. Butera concluded his playing career by going 2-for-4 and driving in the Rays’ only runs of the game with a two-run double.
8) Teammates to division opponents
When the Nationals face the Phillies, Butera will be familiar with a top arm in their bullpen. Butera was teammates with left-hander José Alvarado in Rookie ball. In fact, Alvarado was the starting pitcher in Butera’s pro debut on June 24, 2015. Twins southpaw Génesis Cabrera also pitched that day.