The Choice is Mediocrity

Posted by Michael Kanick on Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:10 PM
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Now that Jim Riggleman has been announced as the non-interim manager of the Washington Nationals, it's clear that the choice is one of getting-along to go-along.

Stan KastenWe should be clear - this is not a strong move, no matter how the team decides to spin it.  Even though he inherited a team playing better than it was at the beginning of the season, Riggleman is being praised (?!?!) for running up a 33-42 record.  Granted, that's a better winning percentage than Manny Acta had, but then again, Acta had a larger sample size and didn't have much time with solid reliver Sean Burnett or Nyjer Morgan in Center - in fact, Acta had to start the season with Lastings Milledge in CF, which would hamper anyone's winning percentage.

I'm not saying Bobby Valentine, Don Mattingly, Bob Melvin, or Bo Porter (who? Bo Porter! who?) would have been any better - in fact, that's my basic point.  This is an organization that has, for now, chosen mediocrity - assuming that it'll have at least 2 more season of at or sub .500 baseball - so why ruin another Manny Acta potentially rising star with a bad team?

Jim RigglemanListen, I wish "Riggo II" all the best - at least he has a nickname built for DC.  But his record speaks for itself.  I hope he's a better teacher than manager, because the best job he could do now is teach a young team to play the right way, and set the Nats up for future success.

Because it isn't coming next season.

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Tags: Bobby Valentine, Lastings Milledge, Nyjer Morgan, Sean Burnett, Manny Acta, Mike Rizzo, Stan Kasten, GM, Manager Search, Jim Riggleman, Don Mattingly, Bob Melvin, Bo Porter



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Mike is a life-long baseball fan and a founding co-editor of NationalsPride.com.  After moving to DC after college he has carried on his passion for the sport by playing virtual GM in video games and losing in fantasy leagues all while combing the sports pages and blogs for minute, yet cool, obscure facts. Mike still maintains his "since the womb" Yankees allegiance, but follows and reports on his new "hometown" team with rabid interest. Mike can be found wandering either Capitol Hill or Silver Spring, mumbling about free agent pickups and the best starting rotation.


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