All the rumors, information and stories pertaining to Davey Johnson being named manager of the Washington Nationals have accumulated into one final announcement early Sunday afternoon that confirmed what many have known not long after former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman resigned from the team on Thursday: Davey Johnson is the next manager of the Washington Nationals. Via Nationals Press Release:
The Washington Nationals today announced that Davey Johnson has been named to serve as field manager and will be in uniform Monday for the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Angels. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Johnson, a senior advisor to Rizzo since 2009, will direct the Nationals on the field for the remainder of the 2011 season. He also agreed to a three-year consulting contract that will have him remain with the Nationals after this season and allow him to participate in the hiring of his successor.
"We could have absolutely no better choice to lead the Nationals at this time than Davey Johnson," Rizzo said. "He knows the game, he knows our players, he knows our fans, he knows the Washington, DC area, and he knows exactly what we need to be doing to build the Nationals into a contender."
Current interim manager John McLaren announced that after Johnson was named manager he would resign from the Nationals coaching staff to work with the front office and become a scout for the organization.