Jim Riggleman's sudden resignation from his post as Nationals manager continues to elicit some interesting responses across the baseball landscape. Here's a couple items of note:
- Former Royals and Cardinals skipper Whitey Herzog, who was shocked by Riggleman's decision, shared some interesting opinions with Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Herzog points out that Riggleman carried himself well when he was fired by the Padres and Cubs — the difference now is that Riggleman feels Nationals president Stan Kasten tried to low ball him by paying him less than what most managers are paid.
- As for Riggleman's future, Herzog told Hummel: If there's a team looking for a manager, they would be crazy not to hire him.That sentiment seems to be the exception among industry insiders and pundits, but it's worth noting that Herzog gave Riggleman his first coaching job in the bigs, so it seems like there's a personal relationship there.
- Interim manager John McLaren, who yielded to new manager Davey Johnson after Sunday's game, will become a West Coast scout for the balance of 2011, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
- McLaren considered leaving the Nats when Riggleman resigned, according to Ladson, but he decided to stay at Riggleman's behest and after having productive talks with GM Mike Rizzo.
- McLaren admitted he was hurt that he was not allowed to finish out the season as Nats skipper but harbors no ill will after patching things up with the organization.
