In Management Secrets of the New England Patriots, it was revealed that the Patriots like ExxP players because they're outgoing teammates who energize others, practice to get better, not just for next week's game, play unselfishly, and generally create a good clubhouse environment. I see a similar dynamic developing with the Washington Nationals.
While incoming pitcher Stephen Strasburg is an ISFP, the Nats clubhouse took a turn for the better with the arrival last year of ENTP Adam Dunn and ENFP Nyjer Morgan. This has been advanced further with rookie ESTP shortstop Ian Desmond and ENTP first round pick Drew Storen. This has been an important part of turning the team around, which features offensive stars like ISTP Ryan Zimmerman and ISFP Josh Willingham. Good character guys, but quiet players who keep to themselves.
Nyjer Morgan in particular energized the place when he arrived last year from Pittsburgh, and helped the team avoid a historically bad finish. This year, he initiated a "Silver Elvis" wig ritual, where the player of the game walks around the clubhouse, and conducts post-game interviews wearing a Silver Elvis Wig. In addition to his own made up stage name of Tony Plush, he creates names for teammates - calling OFer Justin Maxwell "Maxi Priest", 3B Ryan Zimmerman "Peter Franchise, and pitcher Stephen Strasburg "Jesus", because every time he pitches, people say "Jeeesus".
Patriots owner Robert Kraft once said "Great Players Go to Pro Bowls, Great Teams win Super Bowls", referring to the possibly Red Auerbach-inspired team strategy his team used during its championship run in the 2000s. This stands in stark contrast to the Washington Redskins, who have spent the Snyder years signing big name free agents and struggling to break .500 each season. With big mouth Bryce Harper their likely draft pick, hopefully the Nats will continue to stress the team concept of the Pats, and not the me-first attitude expressed a few miles away by their local football team.
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