Blake Butera’s life has taken a remarkable turn as he embraces fatherhood alongside his new role as the youngest manager in Major League Baseball in over five decades. Shortly before the birth of his daughter, Blair Margaux Butera, the Washington Nationals announced Butera’s hiring, a moment that sparked nearly 600 text messages of congratulations flooding his phone.
The timing was serendipitous. Butera, who previously served as the senior director of player development for the Tampa Bay Rays, was in the final stages of preparing for a significant career move just as he awaited the arrival of his first child. Before considering the managerial role, he sought his wife Caroline Margolis’ counsel. Her enthusiastic support made it clear that they would navigate this exciting yet daunting chapter together.
“The baseball world is unpredictable,” Caroline noted, reflecting on the couple’s commitment to balancing family and career. Butera, recognizing his wife’s encouragement, felt compelled to pursue his long-held dream of managing in the major leagues.
The hiring process began with a conversation between the Nationals’ new general manager, Paul Toboni, and the Rays’ president of baseball operations, Erik Neander. Fully aware that Butera’s child was due any moment, Toboni assured him that family would take precedence. He offered to conduct the interview at their Raleigh home so Butera could be nearby during the pregnancy. This thoughtful consideration allowed Butera and Margolis to feel valued and prioritized.
As the storyline unfolded, the baby’s due date was October 26, and just a day later, the Nationals extended the job offer to Butera, initiating contract discussions. With both the World Series on television and labor looming, the couple watched the game at the hospital shortly before Blair’s arrival. On October 30, as Butera received the news of his hiring, the announcement broke just as Margolis was about to give birth.
In what can only be described as a surreal experience for the new father, the delivery room was alive with excitement, and at the moment of signing his contract, Butera felt a powerful sense of new beginnings—both as a father and a major league manager.
The Nationals held off on publicly introducing their new manager so that the family could adjust to their new life. When the announcement finally came, it was a family affair, complete with a custom jersey for baby Blair and care packages full of team gear waiting for them at home.
Butera expressed the importance of balancing family time with the demands of a baseball career, acknowledging the challenges posed by such a lifestyle. Margolis, embracing the unique circumstances of their life in baseball, conveyed her enthusiasm for the adventure ahead. “It’s cool for her to grow up in that environment,” she said of their daughter’s future experiences.
Together, the Butera family is poised to navigate the joys and challenges of life within the world of professional baseball, ready to create lasting memories as part of their shared journey.