Nats tab local native as manager for 2010
Jim Riggleman faced the same situation last fall. After a summer spent as interim manager of the Seattle Mariners, he desperately wanted that job full time. But he didn’t get the chance as a new front office went in another direction.
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One year later, Riggleman again spent six weeks waiting by his phone after the season ended. He piloted the Nationals — again on an interim basis — for two-and-a-half months. It was the only interview Riggleman would need. Thursday, he was introduced as the Nats’ newest manager.
“I really wanted to go back [to Seattle] because I felt we had left a lot undone,” Riggleman said. “There were some things I tried to instill there that I was not able to do. I wasn’t able to reach some players. And when that happens, you’re really anxious to go back and get it right, maybe take a different approach.”
It didn’t work out with the Mariners. But after leading the Nats to a 33-42 record during the second half — taking over when Manny Acta was fired at the All-Star break — Riggleman felt at peace. He believed he had done everything possible to right the ship in Washington. If it wasn’t good enough, he was ready to move on.
Fortunately, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo — with the blessing of ownership and team president Stan Kasten — named Riggleman the permanent manager. He is a hometown guy, a 57-year-old Rockville, Md. native who grew up rooting for the Washington Senators. His first task last summer? Hold players accountable for their mistakes after they crumbled to a 26-61 record under Acta.
“[Riggleman] stuck with the fundamentals of the game. We were struggling with defense and we worked on defense. The bullpen was kind of in shambles and he put everybody in roles,” said Nats pitcher John Lannan. “He specified who was going to do what and he put it up on the board. He was a fresh voice.”
Riggleman did so despite starting a rookie pitcher 45 times in his 75 games. The Nats started off with five losses in a row to begin his tenure. But they also posted winning streaks of eight games and seven games during the second half.
