Jim Riggleman To Be Named Washington Nationals' Manager?

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 7:34 PM EST Comment 35 comments

7:51 pm EST: (Updated: Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin seems to have made this as official as it gets before the Nationals themselves announce it, writing in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Riggleman named Nats' permanent manager", that:

"The Washington Nationals selected interim manager Jim Riggleman as their permanent manager on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the deliberations, ending a short but wide-ranging search."

I thought all along that a better candidate would be found once the season ended, but the Nationals have apparently decided that Mr. Riggleman is the right man...(whispers: 'At the right price...'), more news when it's available.")

7:14 pm EST: Jim Bowden Says It's Riggles...(cont.)...

Either Jim Bowden's become his own worst enemy or he's sure of his sources, because he just sent out a message on his TwitterFeed which reads as follows:

"JimBowdenIV: Jim Riggleman is Manager of Nats...has the job Full-Time...waiting for confirmation...but it is done"

The speculation everywhere today was that the search for a new DC skipper had come down to either Washington's incumbent Interim Manager, Jim Riggleman, who led the Nationals to a 33-42 record after taking over for Manny Acta in mid-July, or former Rangers', Mets' and Chiba Lotte Marines' manager Bobby Valentine, who was looking to return to the major leagues after a 5-year stint in the Japanese Pacific League.

This would be Riggleman's third full-time gig, following stints with the Padres ('92-94) and Cubs ('95-'99) in which he led the two teams to a combined 486-598 record...ESPN.com's Keith Law? What do you think of the idea of the Nationals choosing Riggleman over Valentine?**

"In what universe would Jim Riggleman be a better choice for Nats manager than Bobby Valentine?"

(ed. note - "OK, I didn't actually ask Mr. Law that, it was just a Twitter message he sent out this morning before the news of Riggleman's ascent was 'sort-of' announced". We're awaiting official word from the Nationals, which might not come until Friday...")

0 recs | Comment 35 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Was that clear enough? Not screaming Duuuukes or Guuuuuuz.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Alright, alright, no need to yell...I bet it came down to Riggleman knowing more aboot the organization just like in Cleveland...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The push for .500 starts...again...ahhh crap...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Serenity Now...

I mean, In Rizzo I Trust.

There is no emoticon to express what I’m feeling right now.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So have you turned on Riggleman? Or were you just anti-Manny?

Asking seriously…I thought you lined Riggles? Do you just not like him as the full-time? Expecting better? I thought for sure a better candidate would emerge….

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 8:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I loved Riggleman as I compared him to Manny. I am 100% certain that there is a better manager out there for this team.

It’s a pretty big strike one for Rizzo…unless…he was given a wimpy little amount of money to spend on a manager.

Also, I hope we get new base coaches. Pat Corrales can stay or go. Eckstein can stay. McCatty can stay or go.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna guess that Rizzo was NOT given the at least $4 million needed

to sign Bobby V. No surprise there.

I’ll be the first to say I’m glad Mr. Riggles will be the skipper next year.
(Ducking as rotten tomatoes and rotten fruit come flying!)

He earned it. He definitely got much better production out of the team.
Plus, I doubt they gave him a long term contract so…..when the team is really ready to contend, they’ll go get Bobby V, right?

See how it all works out?

F.O.D. & D. #1(Friend of Dukes and Desmond)

by MissB on Nov 11, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t want to be the negative Nelly, but I think Nyjer Morgan made a big difference with the energy of the team. When he went down, the team went to heck. Finished strong though.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont deny that its a bit of an uninspired move.

But Id like to also see what Riggles can do with a full season of players and a better bullpen/rotation. I dont think he is the guy to take us to the WS but I do think we’re probably back to challenging for 3rd in the division again.

I agree with MissB that he earned his shot. Morgan or not…I thought he got much more out of the team than Manny did (although I suspect we all could).

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 11, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you Mezza.

I agree that Nyjer really energized the team…especially since they were probably all in the doldrums with Manny…and tired of self-help books and the dewlap.

But I also think Mr. Riggles did better with the team, and they seem to respect him. However, I definitely agree that he should NEVER, EVER try a suicide squeeze with Wil Nieves at bat or on base. Ditto Bard.

F.O.D. & D. #1(Friend of Dukes and Desmond)

by MissB on Nov 11, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just writing up what Zimmerman said today on ESPN...he talks about Mr. Riggleman....

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank goodness for no World Baseball Classic. It took our new Dunn away from us.

Plus, the inevitable new coaches will be much better. I also expect some insane focus on freaking fielding. I’ll fly down there and hit fungos to all the players.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The lineup is pretty much set, I think....

Unless the RZO pulls off some trades to bring in the pitching and help the Nationals need…there’s someone for every position…

Bring in a backstop, and IF, two arms in the rotation and two in the pen and have at it….

I’ve got your back now, Riggles.

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 11, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll do what he said he would...

IF, Starter, Catcher… In RZO I trust.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 11, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or Livan should never bunt again

Im probably alone in saying that I dont mind some of the aggressive moves like the squeeze. I dont think we’ll see it as much next season because I felt he was doing those kind of moves to spark the offsense and try and get the team playing more energetic baseball. If it comes off he looks like a champ….otherwise its a chump. In any event he’ll get a show to stand on his own two feet this season and make something happen.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 11, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bizball Maury says MASN said Feb14 was never really up for the job.

Not surprised.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 8:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I have to say I'm happy with the selection.

I, too, expected somebody else, but when it became clear that the list wasn’t that long, I thought it would fall to Riggleman. I have yet to see Rizzo make a big mistake, so I trust that this was the right move.

by John Quinn on Nov 11, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Better Riggleman than Valentine

I find Valentine’s act very tiresome. If he was as good as HE thinks he is, then he’d be a great choice. Since he’s not, no thanks.

by d_c_guy on Nov 12, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dont hate him because he isn't the flashiest canidate.

With him we will do much better over-all than last year. He is respected by he team and knows the team really well. I predict .500 record.

Get Oher or Maybin please

by Horcasitas4 on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wish I were that optimistic...

… predicting a 74-88 tops next year.

by John Quinn on Nov 11, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be thrilled with anything over 70 wins.

That could change if Rizzo builds a decent pitching staff and solidifies the middle infield.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we were close to where we were in 2007 - a 73 win season

It’s a shame that we went backwards so much in two years… I think that we were starting to make some progress and all of a sudden we got smacked for last 2 seasons due to some terrible roster planning.

If I was being dispassionate about it – I would have said that 2008 was a bad year due some injuries and bad planning on backups. We lost some key guys. This last season we had a horrific bullpen and didnt make any adjustments in terms of a roation which was stocked with kids. The all prevailing factor has been the bad defense for a few seasons now. With Morgan and hopefully some decent IF up the middle…we might be in better shape.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 11, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like Livan is talking to the D-Backs. I really wonder who Rizzo will get. I’d like two veteran starters…obviously not the high priced guys, but people who can set a good example for the kids. I’d love to have a starter with more than 10 wins one year. That’s not much to ask.

I think the defense will be a lot better with Riggler running spring training. I really do.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea the starters are key

I think even one REALLY good starter might take the pressure off. Gives an opportunity for guys like Stammen and Martin to play if they are good enough without relying on them with nothing to back them up.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 11, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Watching the Nats on MLBN on my DVR.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 11, 2009 11:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just finished article and going to check that out...

In RZO I trust.

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 12, 2009 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

......great......

You know what?……..This will be the biggest news of the off-season…..

This was it….

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
"Freakish things are happening."

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 12, 2009 12:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gonna be a long winter if that's the case...please don't let that be the case...

Bobby? Bobby? Bobby? Why have you foresaken u…money? Oh…okay…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Nov 12, 2009 12:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with such a private “managerial search” is that we have no clue if they even interviewed anybody.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 12, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

La Russa??

MLB.com has learned from a baseball source that the Nationals talked to at least six other candidates, including Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, Bo Porter, Tim Foli, Bob Melvin, Dave Duncan and Bobby Valentine.

La Russa not good enough?

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Nov 12, 2009 4:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

I wonder if “talked to” and interviewed are the same thing in this case. That’s interesting aboot all those other people. I guess three managers of the year and the best pitching coach in baseball weren’t good enough. Riggleman RULEZ!!!

by RoscoeNats on Nov 12, 2009 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, there'll probably be a lot of talk to keep our hopes up.....

They’ll take a long look at all the FAs that were let go rather than offered arbitration……They’ll wait until right before pitchers and catcher report to see who’s left to sign cheap……like they did with Dunn.
Then, we’ll go with what we have for starters and sign some inventory. …….

[I’ve had three hours sleep and a couple of naps in the last 40 hours…. I think I’m just dreaming some bad dreams right now….I’ll wake up soon….]

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 12, 2009 12:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We will be visited by three ghosts...

The ghost of Nationals past, present and future.

All are about the same right now. No big woop.

RIZZO…only you can change the future.

by RoscoeNats on Nov 12, 2009 8:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN’s Keith Law: "In what universe would Jim Riggleman be a better choice for Nats manager than Bobby Valentine?"

“Nationals Remove Interim Tag”………see, here’s what happened….some dummy removed his tag, kinda like the one on your pillow which is against Federal Law……
The penalty for the violation is you gotta hire the guy……….

DO NOT PLAY WITH THE TAGS, PEOPLE!!!!

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 12, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs