The Washington Nationals freed Manny Acta from having to endure that team any longer.
Acta was fired Sunday night after the team reached the unofficial halfway mark of the season with a 26-61 record, on pace to clear the 100-loss mark for the second consecutive year. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo – himself an interim placeholder – confirmed Acta’s dismissal Monday morning in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
“I thank the Nationals for giving me this opportunity and I’m sorry that things didn’t work out as expected,” Acta told ESPNdeportes.com. “It’s normal for the manager to pay the price when the team is not doing well.”
The Nationals were expected to announce Acta’s replacement later Monday. Bench coach Jim Riggleman, who has managed the Padres, Cubs and Mariners, was considered the likely choice.
I like to think Manny Acta was a functional manager in a dysfunctional organization. I hope a better organization gives him another chance, because I’d love to see how he handles a team of good (or even decent) players.
I’ve been listening to the Big Talker all day and people can’t stop ranting about Acta.
http://player.play.it/player/aolPlayer.html?v=4.7.121&ur=1&us=1&id=397
Manny was a good guy, but they need somebody that is going to get these guys going and play hard. The front office needs to get some fresh arms and just let some of the younger guys get experience. This way, you can set up for contention next year.
Lousy players put together by management caused this. Final nail was yesterday relief pitcher Geppard balking a run home while issuing an intentional walk (has that ever happened before-occasional hits & J. Bench WS strikeout have come on intentional walk scenarios in the past). Getting 11 hits & no runs also ended it for Acta (a class act all the way).