Jim Riggleman was wrong. So were the Washington Nationals.
What a dumb way to derail the first momentum this franchise has managed since 2005, the year it arrived in the District. Any thoughts of a wild-card run — the Nats have won 11 of 12 to go above .500 this late in a season for the first time in six years — may vanish quicker than a campaign promise.
Riggleman quit as the Nats’ manager Thursday when general manager Mike Rizzo wouldn’t discuss a contract extension. Riggleman sensed the Nats weren’t going to keep him for 2012, so he bolted.
There’s a word for that: quitter. And it’s a nasty word in sports. Even if he were feeling disrespected, even if were unhappy with his boss, Riggleman should have honored his contract and looked for a new job afterward.
Riggleman owed his players his best effort. He owed the fans every effort to make the Nats a winner now that they’re finally on the verge of success. The fans have given the team way too much love the last three disastrous years. Now that supporters are finally repaid with a winner, the manager leaves in a petty dispute.
This poor move may keep Riggleman from getting another job. Let’s be honest — he was a fair manager. He knew how to work the lineup and got as much out of the team as expected, but he certainly was no miracle worker. Frankly, no one will miss Riggleman locally. A 662-824 overall record with four teams won’t entice troubled franchises to view him as a savior.
Riggleman isn’t solely at fault, though. General manager Mike Rizzo should have handled his manager better. Every good boss knows how to turn unhappy workers into productive ones. The business world often emulates sports in creating teamwork in the office.
At best this move looks cheap and at worst incompetent. One more black eye for Washington baseball, which has looked like a raccoon since 2007.
Riggleman was always thought to be a placeholder during his two-year stint. When Stephen Strasburg returns, Bryce Harper arrives and several young players mature, Riggleman was expected to be pushed aside for a marquee manager.
That’s obviously where the Nats are headed. That’s why they weren’t eager to talk with Riggleman because any conversation would confirm the manager’s suspicions and likely cause his resignation. Riggleman simply did so without the sit-down meeting.
Rizzo should have figured out a way to retain Riggleman for the rest of the season. Keeping an emerging team in the postseason chase — even if no one truly expects them to make the playoffs this season — is important. There’s nothing wrong with finishing 84-78 and providing fans some relief after 298 losses over the three previous seasons.
If the Nats crash, Rizzo should be held accountable, too. This franchise still isn’t set to become a winner. There will be new faces before it reaches the playoffs — on and off the field.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
