Nats Introduce Riggleman as Manager
Since I was credentialed for Nats News Network today, I'll simply post the link to my story about the press conference introducing Jim Riggleman as skipper of your Washington Nationals.
Let me know if you find anything in his quotes that inspires confidence that things might turn around this season.
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No, no it doesn't.
“This guy… this is not my kinda guy”.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're just letting the losing seep into your psyche.......Might I suggest some reading material?
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just think it was the wrong message
You had guys like Zim basically saying that Acta had lost the clubhouse because he was too lax…and didnt show enough passion… then they appoint a ‘softie’ as a Manager? Just seemed a strange message.
I dont know… I have no idea what kind of mental approach this team now needs to take.
I felt the Milledge mention (although not by name) by Zim was telling. Dukes probably fits in there too. Clearly the team was waiting for Acta to pull a few players into line…and it didnt happen.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Manny hired this guy, so of course he'd be the sit and stare type. I thought he might play the bad cop.
Funny, I’ve not seen Eckstein’s name written anywhere since May, except for the “integrity” yelling match. I suppose he was told to tone it down and “be like us” or you get St. Claired.
There was the anonymous player who also said, “There were situations where it was like, ‘Oh man, I hope Manny says something.’ And it never got said,” ………
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing...
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hehe.
It’s bleak reading during the All Star break…
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I first read of the firing........ yes, "bleak" is now the operative word.
The AS break is a dead hole in the Summer….
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. That was entirely entirely underwhelming. Somebody remind me, why did the Nats fire Manny again?
From the Examiner:
“Manny did all the right things,” said Riggleman, who joined the Nationals this year as bench coach, “so there’s not a lot of changes to make. We’ve got to get some results. We feel like if we continue with what Manny was trying to do on the field and his strategy, certainly sooner or later this talent that we have is going to surface and produce the results we want to produce. We’re not going to reinvent the game.”
Some of what he said may be new hire jitters, but this stance is wholly unacceptable. It makes me think that Kasten or Rizzo or whoever had given zero thought to long term plans, to who was going to replace Manny, and just picked whomever was easiest at the time.
This is far and away the most infuriating piece of news to come out of the Nationals organization all year.
by John Quinn on Jul 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know...isnt it odd?
Its like…Acta sucked…but here is more of the same?
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rizzo called Riggleman at midnight. They had fired Manny at 11PM, right? So, they're calling around in the middle of the night looking for a manager.
Yeah, Riggleman was easiest and they had to know he wouldn’t make any difference. They didn’t make this decision to go in any new direction. I mentioned this before; Riggleman was right there while this mess was going on. He’s the veteran manager. Maybe he made suggestions and Manny reacted like Lasto or maybe he just sat there like a stump, too.
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well. It certainly seems that we’re all on the same page here!
BRING BACK MANNY!
by John Quinn on Jul 15, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fire Riggleman!!!
No, don’t bring back Manny……
http://www.nbcwashington.com/sports/baseball/nationals/Milquetoast-Manny.html
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont get his argument
I think the player didnt police themselves (I think thats obvious). But its clear that a manager sets the tone for the clubhouse in terms of onfield performances. I think he did a poor job (in the end) of that… at the start he had enthusiasm and commitment. The example of benching players who didnt hustle was a good one. But it seemed he drifted away from that… and that’s why we are where we are.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But remember, players screwed up and they were gone. There was no communication.
Going back to Felipe Lopez last year, who complained he didn’t know what was going on. And I wonder if Dukes spoke up.
It’s quite schizophrenic.
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phil Wood defends Manny a bit...because a commenter called all the DC media Manny sympathizers
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 15, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am a proud Manny sympathizer, sorry. Nationals made a mistake here...despite what everyone's finally saying after the fact...
Good Morning, Mr. 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 Jul 15, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate that the Nats are so horrible, but swapping the Mannyger for the Riggler at this point is sort of silly. How do you choose the 2010 manager now. If the winning percentage goes from .295 to .395? If Rizzo gets the full time gig, will he go for 2007 manager of the year, Bob Melvin?
I hope people won’t transfer the dislike for the Manny firing to dislike for Riggleman. It’s done. I’m giving Riggles a shot. I may even go watch a game to see if there’s any electricity in the team.
I hear the Elton John stage sat in CF for four days and the grass got a little crispy. I hope it’s not an issue.
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 15, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Riggleman was great for that one season with the Cubs, but he really wasn't.
And thus far, he hasn’t changed my mind.
There’s no way the OF will not be an issue after that concert. You don’t put that kind of tonnage on a field without compacting the ground.
Did you see photos of the setup at Dave’s place? Those steel cable and chains hanging over the stage is what I do (but the rigger in the harness is just showing off. I climb down).
http://natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/07/inaugural-concert-at-nats-park.html
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno. I think Riggles wont get the job next year but they felt they couldnt continue under the same practices. Its not a long term decision but one that is looking to get them thru the end of the year without being the historically worst team ever.
I hope the Riggler is better -but im not optimsitic.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bu..bu.. but....won't the intangibles they all hoped for appear now?
I am so sick of hearing RizKastRiggle-speak……..
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wading through all the BS is what's become of sports.
Just turned into a pumpkin. Must go to bed.
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh for the days when I'd get the morning paper and check the boxscores and hope for a paragraph about the game
I didn’t know or care who these people were or what they did.
And the new rising stars were on the bench, waiting for chances to get in the game, not in AA, because some useless sack with an untradable contract or some cheap loser was clogging the roster.
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 16, 2009 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He called himself a softy, but he didn’t want to show up Manny. Obviously, nobody can succeed with this collection of players, but I gotta give the guy a chance. I don’t have the energy to look up his teams to see what kind of talent he had in the past.
GO NATS
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if they play like a different team against the Cubs, ill call shens. That will show if Acta lost the players… those first few series… because its the same guys playing.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 16, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But will it be Riggs influence, or because some guys were dogging it?
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 16, 2009 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I reck they were dogging it
Might not be intentionally but certainly not playing with heart.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 16, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd pay a lot of money if he dressed like that in the dugout...
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 Jul 15, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
forgive me for being negative, but...
it’s what i do.
1) Riggleman was named bench coach last off-season for the sole purpose of replacing Acta should they decide that the need arise because Riggleman is a “good soldier”.
2) There was never a thought to finding someone else Sunday night because of No. 1.
3) Riggleman was underwhelming today because, athough he’s a “good soldier” and a “veteran baseball man”, he’s also a “player’s manager” who will be no more of a disciplinarian than Acta was.
4) If Riggleman is the manager on opening day 2010, I will eat Ed’s very old and nasty Senators’ style W wool cap.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 15, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Senators hat is new...the old Curly-W...It can clear rooms...
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 Jul 15, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that what i meant :-)
Roscoe, i have no idea who the next guy will be. but if Rizzo isthe GM (not willing to concede even that yet), then Melvin and Kirk Gibson both have to be at the top of the list.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 15, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Riggleman is manager in 2010, I'm forgiving Loria and jumping to the Miami Marlins.....
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you would be well within your right, and i would not begrudge you one bit
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 15, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They are getting a new park...
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 Jul 15, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
About 10 years too late....
Dunn's bat, Nyjer Morgan's speed, skills, Dukes' arm, bat, that's an OF...(sorry, Hammer!) - EC
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 15, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno Dave
I find it hard to believe that a team names a bench coach with a view to sacking someone. Thats a pretty strange, negative and dare I say, warped view for a management to take.
Im sure they wanted someone in that role with experience – but I would have felt most management would look at the year and hope they would have got through this season with Acta at the helm and plodding along mid-table. Its a major league club – Im sure they wont have trouble finding canidates for job that pays $600k (even in baseball circles). They could have hired any one of the minor league coaches who would have taken the job in a heart beat.
They are holding over the decision till the summer as I suspect they want Valantine or – it appears to be Kasten’s MO of taking long times to make management decisions.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, grow up, Mezza. Don't you know how the game is played?
Looking forward to getting to know our new manager in 2009, Pat Corrales. ;)
"It's not a secret, you don't need to be an expert on math to know that walks plus errors equals runs...." --Mannyger Acta
by Doghouse on Jul 16, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry, i have a tendency to trend toward the cynical
i know that former managers occupy many of the bench coach positions, and that this was not a unique situation. but i really do believe that Riggleman was a parachute for the season. never was there any talk give to extending Acta’s contract. if it’s tough to motivate as an interim manager, it’s gotta be just as tough as a lame duck. Acta was just the last fall guy.
as for Bobby V, he’s leaving Japan because he won’t take a cut from his $4 million contract. think the Lerners are busting out that kinda cash for a coach?
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 16, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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