The Nationals play their first home game under Davey Johnson on Friday, and his 0-3 record since taking the helm hasn't diminished our giddiness by one iota. Did you know his 1986 New York Mets had five losing streaks of three or more games en route to winning the World Series?
Jan Vesely's magic moment came when he kissed his girlfriend on ESPN and shook hands with NBA commissioner David Stern. Bobby Lucas' magic moment came when he attended a pre-game reception at Nationals Park and shook hands with team owner Mark Lerner.
Less than an hour before the Nationals took the field to play the White Sox Sunday afternoon, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed his team. Three days of craziness and uncertainty behind them, Rizzo spoke of the team's past and its future. Davey Johnson would be their new manager, he told them, and then he thanked interim manager John McLaren for all he'd done for the organization. Applause was audible from outside the closed clubhouse doors.
Less than an hour before the Washington Nationals took the field to play the White Sox on Sunday afternoon, general manager Mike Rizzo addressed his team.
Let's face it, Jim Riggleman and the Washington Nationals were using each other.
General manager Mike Rizzo had to move quickly. He needed a seasoned and successful manager to run the Washington Nationals, a promising team shocked by the abrupt resignation of Jim Riggleman.
Davey Johnson is poised to take over as manager of the Washington Nationals, replacing Jim Riggleman, who abruptly resigned Thursday.
After two-plus days of upheaval and uncertainty, the Washington Nationals and their managerial situation will finally stabilize Sunday. Davey Johnson will join the team in Chicago tomorrow, travel with them to Anaheim and is expected to make his Nationals' managerial debut Monday evening.
Washington Nationals interim manager John Mclaren, the short-term replacement for departed manager Jim Riggleman, will leave the on-field coaching staff following Sunday's game and be reassigned to a front office position, general manager Mike Rizzo said.
