Nats reflect on Sean Doolittle's impact after retirement

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

As Sean Doolittle reflected on his 11-year Major League career Friday evening at Nationals Park, pitchers Kyle Finnegan, Josiah Gray, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Rainey, Thaddeus Ward and Trevor Williams were among those at his retirement press conference.

There are only a few of Doolittle’s teammates from the 2019 World Series squad still on the Nats' Major League roster (including Patrick Corbin, who was preparing for that night’s start), but Doolittle got to know current players last season, in Spring Training and during his rehab process.

In speaking to members of the Nationals about what Doolittle meant to them, it was clear the impact he made on his teammates outweighed the number of games they played together.

Manager Dave Martinez: “We can go on and on about Sean. … Forget about the fierce competitor he was and the closer that he was and what he meant to the city and baseball, I’ll remember Sean Doolittle as a friend. We had a lot of conversations -- some good, some bad -- but the conversations were always true to heart with him. I love him. He’s been a blessing to have, to coach.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do in his next venture; I could see him being a mayor or something like that [laughs]. But I asked him already if he’d ever want to be in baseball, I’d love to have him around. … Overall, he did some amazing things, and he leaves this game as a champion. I’m proud of him.”

2019 World Series teammate LHP Patrick Corbin: “He [had] obviously a huge role on the 2019 season. … He’s definitely a guy that will always be remembered here in Washington. Hopefully, we see him around and I hope he enjoys being at home with his family and whatever he decides to do, which I’m sure he’ll do a lot of help for a lot of people.”

Catcher Keibert Ruiz: “He’s a great person. He gave me confidence when I came here first, and he treated me well. I’m sad he retired from baseball. … I caught him this year in Spring Training, he was doing great. I wish the best for him and his family and thank him for everything he did in baseball.”

RHP Kyle Finnegan: “I probably learned the most in my career from watching him -- the way he would prepare for a game and the way he’d work and his mentality on the mound. If I had to say a teammate that had the biggest impact on me, it would be Sean Doolittle. Great guy, great teammate. You can’t say enough good things about him; you could go on forever. …

“[The biggest thing I learned from him was] his preparation. His routine that he had before the game was really good, getting himself prepared -- especially later in his career when health becomes a super important factor. His mentality about attacking hitters, he was going to throw the ball as hard as he could every time and try to beat you with his best stuff. I think that’s something we all can learn from.”

RHP Jordan Weems: “Having that veteran experience and guy in the clubhouse was everything. It showed you how to go about your business, how to show up to the yard every single day and be professional. Whether it was a good or bad outing, he was always the same person every single day. I think that speaks volumes when you’re in a clubhouse. That’s the hardest part of this game, the ups and downs, and I think he displayed that the best.”

RHP Thaddeus Ward: “Being able to interact with him during the day [while rehabbing at the Nationals' training complex in Florida], really what stood out to me was watching him work and how he worked. He worked his butt off every single day, and you could tell he was trying really, really hard to get back and be the pitcher that he is. Obviously, that leaves a lasting impact, especially with a lot of the younger guys running around the complex every day, seeing a veteran walking around and he’s putting in work. That definitely left a lasting impact on me, and that’s something that I hope I’m still doing when I’m that long in my career.”