Washington Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo confirmed today that Jim Riggleman will be back to manage the ball club next season. Riggleman was in his first year of a two-year contract, but the second year was not guaranteed. That is until now.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com was first on the scene to confirm the story.
"Yes, he will be back next season. He has done a terrific job," Rizzo said. "We have a great relationship. He is a baseball rat. I can't beat him to the ballpark. One of these days I'm going to beat him to the ballpark. He runs at 8:00 a.m. and he is at the ballpark by 11.
"He is a terrific baseball manager. He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the games 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."
The Nationals are 42-54 this season, and have shown significant progress since last year. The team hopes that Riggleman will be able to continue that progress in 2011.