Riggleman quits, feels Nats not committed

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jim Riggleman felt he deserved better. He had essentially become a permanent interim manager for the Washington Nationals, a franchise that has spent much of its time trying to become relevant. Once the club was ready to be a contender, he sensed he would be shunted aside for the next best thing to come along.

So he took a stand Thursday morning, telling the team it was time to act. He wanted his contract option picked up for next season, or he would quit.

A few hours later, he did just that, abruptly leaving one of the hottest teams in baseball in a move so unexpected that the front office wasn’t prepared to say would manage the next game in some 24 hours. The news turned the clubhouse mood from festive to stunned just minutes after the final out of a sweep of the Seattle Mariners, and players boarded the buses in the bowels of Nationals Park for a six-game road trip without the leader who had them playing so well.

Tags: sports, baseball, nationals, washington, riggleman