Jim Riggleman resigns as Nationals manager

Like everyone else I am pretty surprised to hear that Jim Riggleman has resigned as manager of the Washington Nationals despite the team having a 38-37 record.

The Nationals are above .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2005. Riggleman will end up getting a bad rap here for quitting on the team but the Nationals are pretty stupid for not having picked up the option already. What is the point of having a lame duck manager? Its not like he was asking for a 3 year extension today. He's been talking to the team for an extension for a while. I was just listening to him on Mike Francesa's show and he said all he asked for was a conversation about an extension this weekend when they got to Chicago. He was told the team didn't want to have a conversation. Yes, Riggleman's overall record as a manager isn't very good but again I can't blame here. No coach or manager should go into a year as a lame duck.

Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post had the best statement I've read so far about the resignation.

In the spirit of Marlins bringing back Jack McKeon, Nats should bring back Frank Robinson -- NL east old-school!

Who do the Nationals get? Surely it is an appealing job for some big name candidates. Does Bobby Valentine make the jump from the booth?

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