Braves may lose scouting director to Nationals

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark might leave the organization for a higher-ranking job with the Washington Nationals.

Clark interviewed Monday in Washington for a position as assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, with sweeping responsibilities that would include overseeing player development and scouting, including international scouting.

"I'm going through a very tough time," Clark, 51, said before sitting down with his family Monday night to discuss the decision. "It's very difficult to let go of 20 years, but they're putting together a pretty good package up there. It's very exciting."

A scouting director for the past 11 years, Clark was first hired as an area scout in 1989 by legendary Braves official Paul Snyder. Clark also served as a scouting supervisor before moving into his current role, where he's been in charge of June drafts for a decade.

"In 20 years here, I remember the days of Brad Clontz, Greg McMichael, Hiawatha [Terrell] Wade, Kevin Millwood … up to the kids now and all the guys between," said Clark.

Nationals president Stan Kasten was president of the Braves for much of Clark's two decades with the club and the Nationals tried to hire away Clark in 2006.

"I don't know if you can teach old dogs new tricks," Clark said, referring to the responsibilities of the Nationals post he's considering, "but with the ownership group they have, the plan they have -- I have a feeling that place might be special up there."