John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Nationals have some good news to report as they prepare to open their home season Thursday.
Mike Rizzo, the team’s President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, has signed a two-year extension to continue in that role.
Rizzo is largely responsible for building a continuously-changing roster that has moved the Nationals from a basement-dweller to perennial division threat over the past several years. The Nats have won the National League East in four of the past six seasons.
“Mike’s commitment to our shared goal of bringing a World Championship to Washington, D.C. makes this an exciting day for our family and the Washington Nationals,” said Theodore N. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals in a press release. “Mike and his staff have built quite a team – one that brings excitement to our ballpark every night and gives our city something to be proud of.”
Rizzo, 57, was the first hire made by the Lerner family after it took over the team from Major League Baseball in 2006. His personnel moves have included the free agent signings of pitcher Max Scherzer and Daniel Murphy, and the development of a minor league system that has produced stars in Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg among many others.
We’ve agreed to a contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo. pic.twitter.com/mVruboZEiA
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 5, 2018
Copyright 2018 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
