Results tagged ‘ Randy Knorr ’
Rizzo must decide on manager
General manager Mike Rizzo is expected to name a new skipper for the rest of the season no later than Monday.
It’s only speculation, but one has to assume that third-base coach Bo Porter and bench coach John McLaren are candidates.
Porter interviewed for the job after the 2009 season, but Jim Riggleman ended up being named the permanent manager. Porter is considered one of the reasons Washington has improved its defense this season.
McLaren, who is currently the interim skipper, managed the Mariners in 2007 and ’08. The team was 66-88 under his leadership. As a member of the Nationals, McLaren would take over the managerial duties once Riggleman was ejected from a game.
The Nationals could also turn to Randy Knorr, who has moved up the ladder in the Nationals’ Minor League system. He managed Class A Potomac and guided them to the 2008 Carolina League Mills Cup.
Last year, Knorr guided Double-A Harrisburg to the Wild Card Western Division Championship. Knorr is currently managing Triple-A Syracuse.
Knorr, a Minor League manager dating back to 2005, also has the distinction of managing Ryan Zimmerman, Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg before they reached the big leagues.
Rizzo could turn to Bobby Valentine, who was a finalist before Riggleman was named permanent manager.
Valentine has .510 winning percentage (1,117-1,072) in 15 seasons while managing the Mets and Rangers. His best year was in 2000, when he guided the Mets to the World Series. Valentine also managed in Japan, guiding Chiba Lotte to the 2005 Japan Series title.
Knorr going to Double-A Harrisburg
After having conversations with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and interim manager Jim Riggleman, Randy Knorr has decided to become the manager of Double-A Harrisburg, replacing John Stearns.
Knorr spent last season as the team’s a bullpen coach, but Rizzo and Riggleman told him his future was as a manager.
Knorr said if he had to do it all over again he would have been more vocal when it came to the pitching staff and try his best to convince Josh Bard and Wil Nieves that catching was more important than hitting.
“I love managing. It’s a new job. I want to be on the bench,” Knorr said.
Knorr has a history of success in the Minor Leagues. In 2008, for example, he guided Class-A Potomac to a 79-61 record en route to the Carolina League Championship.
The Nationals have not announced who will replace Knorr as the bullpen coach.
In other news, Rick Schu will replace Ralph Dickenson as the Nationals’ hitting coordinator. Best known as an infielder with the Phillies, Schu was a hitting coach with the Diamondbacks for almost two seasons.
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