Washington Nationals keep manager Jim Riggleman for at least one more season
The Washington Nationals announced that they will keep their manager, Jim Riggleman, for the 2011 season after a 69-93 season, and a last place finish in the National League East.
Riggleman signed a two-year deal with a third year club option last winter after he replaced Manny Acta in the middle of the 2009 season. At the time he was considered in interim manager, but that tag
was lifted at the end of the 2009 season.
"I'm glad he gets to be a part of it for [at least] one more year," said Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond. "It's good to know that next year he is going to be here. Coming into Spring Training next year,
hopefully he has little bit of security. It's going to be good."
The club could have bought out Riggleman for $100,000 this offseason, but opted to give him another year instead. No decision has been made on the third year club option yet, and Riggleman will spend the
2011 season without 2012 guaranteed.
Although the club only won 69 games last year, they won 10 more than in the 2009 season, which one of the reasons Washington’s general manager, Mike Rizzo, decided to keep the veteran manager despite a
102-135 record with the Nationals.
"He is a terrific baseball manager," Rizzo said. "He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the game starts, he is as good as anybody in the game. He has the respect in the clubhouse. He is
a diligent worker and he is a loyal employee."
Also returning will be Riggleman’s entire coaching staff, including batting coach Rick Eckstein, and pitching coach, Steve McCatty.
Washington is Riggleman’s fourth MLB team. He started his career with the San Diego Padres in 1992, and since then he’s managed the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners. His career record is 624-787 over
11 seasons.
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