NATS CHANGE MANAGER

Why did the Nats not deal with Jim Riggleman?

This was a question arising from the revelations following the resignation of Riggleman. The answer may be found in the words of Lord Byron, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Here - at last - are the real facts of the matter.

The Lerner family has a "thing" about syllables that is founded upon the family's deep interest in numerology. The number "2" is profoundly important to them. There are two syllables in "Lerner." There are two syllables in "Rizzo." BUT, there are three syllables in "Riggleman." This created unbearable tension in the Lerner operation.

General Manager Rizzo was well aware of the Lerner's disapproval of the 3-syllabled Riggleman. To keep the faith with them, Rizzo kept Riggleman feeling like a "temp" who was barely needed.

Things got so bad around the Nats' executive office that the Lerners would spit each time the 3-syllabled Riggleman's name was uttered.

Fully understanding the untenable situation, Rizzo looked about for options. At his side most days was Davey Johnson, who possessed the proper number of syllables to be acceptable to the Lerner family. Since he was already - sort of - a member of the Nats family, his appointment would not rankle any of the team.

This was important because the Nats had won 11-of-12 games under Riggleman. A team always has to respect superstition among its players. If an outsider were brought in, then team players might worry that their "rythmn" had been affected. Since Davey Johnson was a well-known, seasoned manager, as well as a member of the Nats "team," Rizzo made the decision to replace the awkward, 3-syllabled Riggleman, believing that it was a safe one. The Lerner family would welcome Johnson. There would be peace, harmony and - most importantly - numerological correctness at Nats headquarters.

This is the real story - believe it or not!