SNYDER: Nats clear winners in changing of guard

Whether Johnson comes back next year for a full season is irrelevant, too. Of course we hope and pray that he returns and puts his stamp on the club from spring training forward. The job is his if he wants it — rightly so — even though the Nats have to comply with baseball’s worthwhile hiring guidelines and interview other candidates.

But if Johnson concludes that he’s really not up to managing again, the Nats will have a number of fine alternatives.

The 2012-13 teams figure to contend with Strasburg, Harper, Morse, Espinosa, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmermann, Ryan Zimmerman and a bunch of other young talents, which would give Washington one of baseball’s most attractive job openings. And it’s reassuring to know that Johnson would have a hand in selecting his successor … if it comes to that.

We shouldn’t have to worry, though. Donning the uniform seems to have re-energized Johnson, who forever has a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers like me, who grew up favoring the team in Queens more than the team in the Bronx.

It’s going to take way more than a three-game losing streak to change our feelings on Davey Johnson.

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