After starting the season 26-61, the Nationals went 33-42 under Riggleman. That performance was apparently good enough to earn the gig for the 2010 baseball season.

For the second straight season, the Nationals finished with the worst record in baseball. The team didn’t have many bright spots anywhere on their roster.

Riggleman has to find a way to breathe life into a franchise that has a loser’s mentality. Going into every season, Washington has the mindset that they aren’t going to have a chance at the postseason. We’ll see if Riggleman can refocus his bunch for 2010.

As it stands, the biggest name in the franchise has never played a game for the Nationals. Stephen Strasburg, the first overall pick of the 2009 baseball draft, is a pitching prospect with a huge amount of potential. If he can jump to the big league level in 2010, that may give Washington a fighting chance — to both win games and keep the fans excited.

Jim Riggleman - Washington Nationals (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Currently, Washington has a 26-61 record — which is good enough for the worst record in all of baseball. After finishing with the worst record last year, Riggleman will have his work cut out for him in regards to changing the atmosphere in the Nationals clubhouse.

Washington’s main problem is their pitching. They’ve given up 489 runs so far this season. Only the Cleveland Indians have given up more runs. The Nationals have actually put 381 runs on the board, which is in the middle of the pack.

Mike Rizzo, who is currently the Nationals general manager, thinks the change to Riggleman could help the ballclub put more wins on the board.

Said Rizzo: “We feel with a different voice and possibly a different feel in the clubhouse that we can have a more successful second half of the season.”

Manny Acta Fired (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve