Jim Riggleman leaves Washington Nationals

Even after the Nats go over .500, Riggleman leaves due to a contract dispute with management.

So Werth, you leave a contender with a steady presence at skipper, for a team with potential, but a long way to go and now doesn't have a skipper. How do you like your money now?

11 months ago anuj 9 comments 0 recs |

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Somehow, all I can say is, What the hell happened here?
Seems similar to what one of Riggleman’s predecessors in Seattle did – Mike Hargrove resigned in 2007 with the team on a 7-game winning streak and staying close in second place behind the Angels, which is where they ended three months later.

by phillyinportland on Jun 23, 2011 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t get this. Where is the dispute? The Nats are much improved this year. Pay the man!

by PhilsForever on Jun 23, 2011 8:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Isn’t this what we said about the Marlins before they fell into the wormhole of last place?

Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose

by TheOrangeCone on Jun 23, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are we still bashing Werth?

by FanSince1993 on Jun 23, 2011 8:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Because he rejected us and hurt our little, sore hearts! :( :( :(

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Jun 24, 2011 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Bizarre, to be sure. Ship seems to be righting itself and he bounces? Was he shocked the Nationals were being cautious with his tenure, given the excruciatingly painful seasons he “guided” them through? Riggleman, buddy, things were picking up. Your managing of the young talent seemed to be paying off. Finish the season strong, then blast through the next season to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. You’ll get paid. Just don’t expect Charlie Manuel’s contract because your team made it above .500, that’s not quite how this works.

Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose

by TheOrangeCone on Jun 23, 2011 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

Gotta think this isn’t going to make him look too attractive to the next team with a vacancy.

by taco pal on Jun 24, 2011 2:47 AM EDT reply actions

I listened to him on Baseball Tonight after the Phillies game ended and it was the most boring, stupid interview I’ve ever heard. (Okay, I exaggerate.) He didn’t say one intelligent thing about why he felt he had to resign now. No fire, no indignity, nothing to indicate he was someone worth caring about. I hope this topic is over with tomorrow.
And yes, it does seem like he timed this so he can go out with the team “over .500” even if it is only one game over. Why would he think the owners would want to negotiate an extension when the manager has the team at its strongest point of his tenure today?

by phillyinportland on Jun 24, 2011 4:00 AM EDT reply actions

Stark in a chat today implied that the writing was on the wall. If the winning streak HADN"T happened, Riggelman was going to be fired, and he wanted some job stability. He was under the impression that he was just a placeholder and when the nats were ready to be ‘serious’ contenders (come on, no one believes that’s every going to actually happen right) he’d be replaced by a ‘better’ manager (because as we all know, managers can add 10-20 more wins a season when they’re good right?).

The Nats were never going to pick up his option but he pressed them because of the win streak (500 OH MY GOD WE’RE 500) and they said no so he stuck to his guns and quit, cause he didn’t wanna be a lame duck.

At least that’s what stark implied

by SportingFanaticism on Jun 24, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions