Nationals' Manager Search: Cal Ripken In D.C. Unlikely Acc To WaPost Report

According to "a person close to the situation" cited in a report this afternoon on the Washington Nationals' search for a new manager by Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore, "Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken becoming an actual candidate for the job appears to be unrealistic," at this point.

The WaPost writer reported last week that former Cincinnati Reds' skipper Dusty Baker's interest in the job opening on Washington's bench wasn't reciprocated and now he's reporting that in spite of Ripken's rumored interest in getting back into the game, his doing so as the Nats' sixth skipper since 2005 appears unlikely at this point with the Nationals' decision possibly coming as soon as "this time next week."

In an interview with Baltimore Sun writer Eduardo A. Encina this weekend, Ripken, who retired in 2001 and stepped away from the game, reiterated that he remains interested in any opportunities, though he said he still hadn't been asked to interview for the Nationals' job opening which was created by 70-year-old manager Davey Johnson's decision to retire following a disappointing 86-76 campaign in the nation's capital:

"'I could be open to consider other things,' Ripken said. 'But do I know what they are? No. And I don’t control those opportunities necessarily. The funny part about it is, once the media gets a hold of something, it almost appears as if you’re soliciting a job. And it’s actually the opposite.'"

As the Washington Post's Mr. Kilgore wrote today, "The Nationals’ two leading candidates still appear to be [Randy] Knorr and [Matt] Williams," both of whom have reportedly already interviewed for the Nats' gig.

Mr. Kilgore's colleague at the Washington Post, Thomas Boswell warned in a chat with readers today that no one should underestimate Knorr, but, "...as long as Matt Williams is available, I'd make him the favorite in the clubhouse." Rizzo, Mr. Boswell writes, "likes [Williams] -- as a person and potential manager -- a lot."

Is Matt Williams Emerging As Leading Candidate?

Photo © Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

As NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman noted in an article this afternoon, the situation in LA is also worth paying attention to as the Nats' search continues. The Nationals have expressed interest in Don Mattingly before, and the manager who led the Dodgers to the NLCS told reporters today that though his option for 2014 vested, he doesn't want to manage on a one-year deal again next season.

More from Federal Baseball:

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• Can The Nationals Rely On Ross Detwiler As Part Of The 2014 Rotation?
• Nationals' Manager Search: Is Matt Williams Emerging As Leading Candidate?