Sports

Davey: ‘Series or bust’ bill for Nationals

Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg

AMAZIN’ TOUCH: Davey Johnson, who managed the Mets to the 1986 title, now has his sights on delivering a ring to Washington in what he has said will be his final season on the bench for the Nationals, loaded with young talent such as ace righty Stephen Strasburg (inset). (
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VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals have Davey Johnson, the last Mets manager to win a World Series. They have two of the game’s brightest young stars in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. They have added Rafael Soriano, the closer who saved 42 games for the Yankees last season.

The Nationals even have the slogan “World Series or bust,” established by Johnson, in his final year as manager.

After so many years of nothing, the Nationals seemingly have it all.

Johnson loves a challenge, always calls it as he sees it and doesn’t care what others think of his honest appraisals.

“The greater the challenge, the more I like it because that is the spice of life,’’ Johnson told The Post yesterday on a chilly, wind-whipped day.

The 70-year-old manager was bouncing around like a little kid — and not just because he was trying to stay warm. He was explaining his philosophy of life. Listen carefully: This is how you bring out the best in people. Johnson has no regrets or doubts about his “World Series or bust’’ proclamation, made in December.

“We all want to be challenged,’’ Johnson said. “I’m a positive thinker, not a negative thinker, and if you don’t set goals, it’s very difficult to attain them. The one thing I never do, when I was a player or as a manager, I never fabricated anything. I can remember the truth. I never have a problem remembering what I said because I call it like I see it, and so be it.

“The word pressure is not in the equation because it is what it is, there’s no sense romancing it.’’

Johnson thinks his Nationals are a World Series team. He is quick to credit general manager Mike Rizzo for gathering players with great ability and the right makeup. Don’t short-sell makeup. That is why he believes his Nationals can “go deep into the playoffs and got a good chance to win the prize.’’

This is not bluster.

“I’m just being honest,’’ Johnson said. “Makeup is a direct function of performance. Their makeup will allow them to perform at a higher level. Nothing teaches experience like being in a pennant race and being in the postseason.’’

The Nationals learned a hard lesson in the deciding Game 5 of the NLDS last season against the Cardinals, surrendering four runs in the ninth to lose 9-7 after leading 6-0.

As for his final roundup, Johnson said, “What we all want is just an opportunity. I don’t care what age you are. You look at raw talent, and the most satisfying thing as a manager is seeing them live up to that talent.’’

Johnson then offered this wonderful comment about his team: “They’re susceptible to instruction, so you have to give them good instruction.

“I never worry about next year, I never worry about next week,’’ he added. “I function in the here and now. I don’t want anything distracting my thoughts. I have enough to maintain respectability and trust on a daily basis.”

More lies ahead for this baseball lifer.

“There are so many challenges, not just in the major leagues,’’ he said. “I have goals with the baseball program in my hometown. I have offspring I like to be around. I don’t have a big ego, so I don’t need to keep feeding it at this level. I’ve enjoyed the game at the college level, any level. Just before spring training, I got to see my 4-year-old grandson have his first tee-ball workout.

“When Jim Riggleman resigned, I had the luxury of knowing the talent, having been around, so I felt for them I was the perfect fit,’’ Johnson added.

“There is another level this team can reach. We made a quantum leap going from 80 wins to 98 wins, and that is a tribute to the organization. It was nothing I did. It was there. It was just me putting the pieces together and helping each one of those guys do the things they’re capable of doing.’’

World Series or bust.