Riggleman Resignation Leaves All of DC Stumped

Just as I was thinking about writing a post about the Nationals surprising hot streak, manager Jim Riggleman shocked everyone by stepping down just minutes after the team's 1-0 victory over Seattle. Seriously, every single blog or site I read, sports-related or otherwise, had the same reaction I did (which is generally, WTF?). The Nats are playing their best baseball since their first season in DC in 2005, making the timing of Riggleman's decision that much more stunning.

Riggleman cited his contract situation as the reason why:

Citing an unwillingness by general manager Mike Rizzo to discuss an extension of his contract, Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned as manager of the Washington Nationals after today's 1-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Riggleman, who had guided the Nationals to 11 wins in their past 12 games to improve to 38-37, informed Rizzo before the game he would resign unless the GM would agree to have a discussion about his long-term status. Rizzo declined, saying it "wasn't the right time" for that, so Riggleman managed the series finale against the Mariners knowing it would be his final game...

A Rockville native who grew up rooting for the Senators, Riggleman took over as interim manager in his hometown after predecessor Manny Acta was fired during the 2009 All-Star break. Ecstatic to hold what he described as his dream job, he was given the permanent managerial job after that season, though his contract never ensured long-term stability.

Riggleman was essentially given a one-year contract with two club options, the first of which was picked up after the 2010 season. His salary (believed to be $600,000) was among the lowest in the majors, and though the club still held another option for 2011, Riggleman had on more than one occasion sought an extension that would provide more stability.

"It's been brewing for a while," Riggleman said. "I do feel like I know what I'm doing, and it's at the point where I don't think I should continue on with such a short leash."

Riggleman said he inquired several times with Rizzo this season about having a discussion on his future. Each time, Rizzo said he didn't feel the time was appropriate for that discussion, including Thursday morning, when Riggleman essentially gave his GM an ultimatum.

On the surface, I can definitely see where Riggleman is coming from. I think he has a right to feel disrespected by only receiving one-year deals while also being among the lowest-paid major league managers. I can also understand him wanting to discuss where he stands with the team, even if those talks didn't amount to formal negotiations.

Ultimately, the problem I have with this is that he did it during such a successful run for the team. It certainly appears as though he was trying to use this winning spell to cash in and I can't really blame the Nats upper management for standing their ground. Riggleman is a competent, if mediocre, manager. Of course, the speculation will be that this could have a little something to do with that whole Jayson Werth blowup from earlier this season. Even if that had nothing to do with him stepping down today, it does suggest that the players probably won't miss him very much.

All Nats fans are hoping for at this point is not to lose any momentum over this. This current run has put us in a position far greater than I was expecting this year without Stephen Strasburg. Most likely, our record was going to return to normal sub-.500 levels whether Riggleman stepped down or not. I just wish that we didn't have yet another negative thing to focus on just as the Nats were unexpectedly giving us something good.