Riggleman to manage Nats next season

General manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com on Friday afternoon that Jim Riggleman will manage the Nationals in 2011.

Last offseason, Riggleman signed a two-year deal, but only 2010 is guaranteed. The team could have bought him out after this season.

Entering Friday’s action, Washington is 42-54, but are on pace to improve from last season, a season in which they went 59-103. It was Riggleman, who brought accountability back into the Nationals’ locker room for the first time since Frank Robinson managed the club from 2002 to 2006. 

“Yes, he will be back next season. He has done a terrific job,” Rizzo said. “We have a great relationship. He is a baseball rat. I can’t beat him to the ballpark. One of these days I’m going to beat him to the ballpark. He runs at 8:00 a.m. and he is at the ballpark by 11.

“He is a terrific baseball manager. He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the games starts, he is as good as anybody in the game. He has the respect in the clubhouse. He is a diligent worker and he is a loyal employee.” 

Said first baseman Adam Dunn, “I think Jim deserves it. I’m glad they made the announcement now instead of waiting until the end. He definitely deserves the opportunity to manage the club when its healthy.”

Riggleman, who was not available to for comment, replaced Manny Acta as manager of the Nationals after the All-Star Break last year. The club went 33-42 and finished the year on a seven-game winning streak.

This is Riggleman’s fourth managerial stint, after leading the Padres, Cubs and Mariners. His best season as a skipper was in 1998, when he guided the Cubs to the playoffs after they won a National League Wild Card tiebreaker over the Giants. The team lost to the Braves in the NL Division Series, 3-0.