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WaPost Report: Matt Williams Interviewed For Nationals' Managerial Job

Washington Post reporter Adam Kilgore wrote tonight that Matt Williams interviewed for the Washington Nationals' managerial opening. Williams, who has history with Nats' GM Mike Rizzo, has long been rumored to be a candidate to become the Nationals' sixth skipper.

By Patrick Reddington
USA TODAY Sports

Matt Williams has been mentioned often as someone who could be considered for the job opening on the bench in the nation's capital.

Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore wrote on Twitter tonight that the 47-year-old veteran of 17 major league seasons as a player who is currently employed as the Arizona Diamondbacks' third base coach has interviewed for the job with the Washington Nationals:

As reporters, including CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, have written recently in discussing Williams as a potential candidate to become the Nationals' sixth manager, he and current Nats' GM Mike Rizzo crossed paths when both were part of the D-Backs' organization.

"I've heard a lot of the Matt Williams stuff, because of Mike [Rizzo's] history with him and he's someone who has a lot of stature." - Buster Olney on Nats' search to Federal Baseball

Rizzo, Mr. Heyman wrote, "... has an extensive history with Williams, who from 1998-2003 played in Arizona, where Rizzo served as the scouting director in the early 2000s. But Williams' reputation as a serious team player is well-known in baseball circles."

Randy Knorr told the Washington Post's Mr. Kilgore recently that he would be interviewing for the job. Former Baltimore Orioles' infielder Cal Ripken is reportedly open to the idea if anyone asks. And at least one former Nationals' GM said his sources told him the Nationals were seriously considering asking:

Trent Jewett is likely to be considered. Dusty Baker let it be known that he has interest. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported on Twitter today that former major league catcher Brad Ausmus would get an interview soon.

More: Should We Take The Cal+Nats Talk Seriously? More Chatter On The Nats' Manager Search More Than One Hall Of Fame Infielder On Nats' Radar?

In an interview with reporters during the last week of the season, Rizzo told reporters, including NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman that picking a new manager would likely be the first order of business this winter so that Davey Johnson's successor could have a say in any personnel moves the Nats make. "I think that’s probably job No. 1," Rizzo said, "because a manager is going to have input on what we do with the roster construction and that type of thing."

Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo On The Nats' Manager Search

 Photo © Win McNamee/Getty Images

Though the Nationals' GM declined to offer any specifics in recent interviews, he did say on ESPN980 recently that the team was in the process of "whittling" down a long list of candidates to a shorter list of those they would begin to interview.

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