Riggleman quits as Nationals manager

[SPARK]

On the eve of a weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned Thursday over a contract dispute.

The Nationals moved above .500 (38-37) after beating Seattle 1-0 on Thursday, but general manager Mike Rizzo said Riggleman was unhappy because the team had shown no inclination to pick up an option year on his contract.

Riggleman wanted a conversation about his contract status, but Rizzo said this was not the time.

"I just feel it's like saying, 'You're not the guy," Riggleman told reporters after the game. "I just wanted the option picked up, but I wanted a conversation when we got to Chicago. Mike said, 'We're not going to do that.'


"I'll never do a one-year deal again. I thought after 10 years, I felt I had the right to a longer leash. I love it here, and I'll miss it."

The team will name an interim manager Friday before the Nationals face the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

"We were very taken aback by it and very surprised by it," Rizzo said of Riggleman's ultimatum that he wouldn't board the bus to Chicago if his contract wasn't extended.

Riggleman, who had a 374-419 record managing the Chicago Cubs from 1995-99, was in his third season in Washington.

The Nationals have won 11 of 12 and are above .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2005.

"We should be celebrating going to Chicago," Rizzo said. "I'm disappointed that this is a distraction, that this is not thinking of the team first, that it is thinking of personal goals, thinking of personal things firsts. That's probably what disappoints me the most."

Riggleman is the second manager to resign this week. Florida Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez quit Sunday.


Riggleman resigns as Nationals manager - chicagotribune.com

[tw burke]

how do you resign a job when your making $500,000--1 mil a year ????

[TheHippieRipper]

Add this next to Giving Jayson Werth WAY too much money on the list of dumbass things Ted Lerner has done as his time as Nationals owner

Riggleman is a good manager. Marlins should look into him and get rid of McKeon. Immediately.