The Associated Press

Phillies Fans Might Be Irked by What the Nationals Did

Surprised Gabe Kapler didn't think of this one first.

New Nationals manager Dave Martinez had every player on his team practice their walk-off trot to prepare for the inevitable game-winning hit this season.

"I tell them, just like everything else, we work really hard, I also want them to have fun," Martinez told the Associated Press.

This is the new normal in baseball. Martinez is a disciple of innovative Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who has always focused on fun in the clubhouse, both in Chicago and Tampa Bay.

Phillies fans will probably be irked by Martinez having his guys practice walk-offs. It's like telling the world that you're practicing your acceptance speech before actually winning the award.

But this is all in good fun. The days of things like this being a "disgrace to the game" are ending quickly. Players are letting their personalities show now more than ever before, and the list of managers embracing that is growing.

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