Davey Johnson to take charge as Washington Nationals’ manager – MLB News
Washington Nationals have finally confirmed Davey Johnson as their new team manager only three days after Jim Riggleman surprised the entire staff and the fans alike with his unanticipated resignation from the team.
The arrival of Davey is being highlighted as important replacement given the former manager’s stature and his ability to keep the team combination despite all the ups and downs in the last few years.
"Davey's a perfect fit for this job at this particular time," GM Mike Rizzo said. "He's a guy with a track record that's beyond reproach. He knows the system, he knows the staff, he knows the major-league club and he's a terrific baseball guy and a proved
winning manager."
The interleague series that the Washington Nationals shall kick off from Monday will be the first official task that Davey will be discharging amid meticulous hopes that he would succeed in helping the team float.
The 68-year-old Davey who had earlier led the New York Mets to the glorious title of 1986 World Series combines grit and experience considering the fact that he has to his credit management of the four big teams.
Johnson has signed a three year contract with the Nationals as Riggleman resigned.
“He’s a great baseball man with a great track record. I’m not too familiar with him as a manager, but I just know he’s a great baseball guy,” Storen said. “I’m excited to see what he can do with us.”
John McLaren was excited owing to the fact that he led the team as an interim manager to a series win against the Chicago Cubs in the absence of the former manager.
Once he appeared on the field during the Washington Nationals versus Chicago Cubs game, there was a widespread applause for what he did in this short stint.
“It’s an extremely positive reaction. They all know Davey, he’s been in spring training, in uniform,” Rizzo said. “They’ve interacted with him, they know his resume and just talking to him, the respect that he has in that room.”
The Nationals which have won 13 of the last 15 games they have played were left open-mouthed when Riggleman resigned without a prior warning. It was reported that he was not particularly happy for having been declined to have a conversation with Rizzo.
The last two weeks have remained eventful owing to the fact that Riggleman was the second National League East Manager to resign after Florida Marlins skipper Edwin Rodriguez called it a day last Sunday.
It will be interesting to see what Johnson will be able to do with the Nationals this late in the season. Only time will tell if he can take them towards a winning direction.
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