(AP Photo. Remember that time Manny Acta argued a call with umpires? That was awesome. It was August 12, 2008, against the Mets.)
"I thank the Nationals for giving me this opportunity and I'm sorry that things didn't work out as expected. It's normal for the manager to pay the price when the team is not doing well."
(Manny Acta, via ESPNDeportes dot com, 7/12/2009)
Nationals Fire Manny Acta
It's over. Manny Acta Era ends at 158-252.
It's just like our Anonymous, unnamed sources with no knowledge of the situation told us all along. They had to do something; but it's unlikely a new manager will change much of anything. Good luck, Jim Riggleman - you'll need it.
Now, we're just waiting for details on how the Nats botched the delivery of the news to Manny. Did they send via carrier pigeon? Text message? Smoke signals? Pizza delivery guy?
Best of luck to you in the future, Manny. Good thing the Wilpons have that job waiting for you in NY for next year! See you around the NL East...
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Kasten walked into the manager's office after the game and said "Oh, you're still here?"
Posted by: Harper Gordek | July 13, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Kasten suggested Manny talk to Jim Bowden about whether he would be managing after the all-star break.
Posted by: cam, NE | July 13, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Was hoping they sent a Pizza delivery guy with the pink slip or something; sorry to hear Stan delivered the news himself, in person!
Posted by: The Nationals Enquirer | July 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
"'Bizarre' is a good name for it. I never seen it before in my life. I've seen guys commit balks, but not while he is walking a guy intentionally." (Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 7/12/2009) I liked your post tile "Mannyball". New and inventive ways every night!! Is Riggleman a worthy carrier of the flame of Mannyball? Time will tell.
Posted by: DMan | July 13, 2009 at 03:14 PM
@DMan: Glad you liked the Mannyball title - we're kicking ourselves over here for coming up with it the night he got fired-- probably could've gotten some mileage out of that gag over here. Oh well.
Now, we have no idea what to expect about Riggleman as a manger. At this point, we're sort of hoping for signs of improvement over improvement. We don't want them to blow the #1 pick in the 2010 draft, afterall.
Embrace the bad, my friend. Embrace the bad...
Posted by: The Nationals Enquirer | July 13, 2009 at 08:23 PM