The decision has thankfully been reached.
Jim Bowden resigned this morning as the General Manager of the Washington Nationals. I am not a huge fan of his comments about the media in the process, but he ultimately did what he needed to do.
Listen, as I have mentioned before, I thought that Bowden needed to go given everything that has swirled around him for the last year or so. But as mentioned then, my opinion was honestly irrelevant. The issue was that the paralysis of the week plus waiting was not healthy for the Nationals organization.
The next step is to see who takes over the operation of the Nationals moving forward.
Will it be Mike Rizzo? Will it be Tony LaCava? Or someone else?
This is a good day for Nationals fans because we can finally turn the page and focus on what is happening on the field.
#1 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - March 1st, 2009 at 10:46
Because, according to the Times, Stan will talk about “next steps” later this week I’m thinking there will be some interviews.
#2 by Mark - March 1st, 2009 at 10:51
Indeed, this is a GREAT day for fans. I was willing to give Jimbo the benefit of the doubt, albeit last July, but, really, enough is enough. I feel better about the short term AND the long term. I am a Rizzo fan and hope he lands at least am interim GM title to show off what he can do. To start things off. Dig the new site!!
#3 by estuartj - March 1st, 2009 at 11:05
At least it’s done, probably should have happened Oct. 2nd, but we’ll see how well his off-season moves work out for us in ‘09. If the Nats are competitive this year I wouldn’t be surprised to see another team in re-building mode pick him up. His energy and creativity are integral to making a loser into something better, but not this club needs someone less manic to take a longer term view of player development now that (hopefully) we have a competitive product on the field and a minor league system starting to bear some fruit.
#4 by Chris - March 1st, 2009 at 11:07
I imagine Bob Boone’s putting all the soy sauce packets in his otherwise empty desk into his pockets today, just in case.
#5 by Sue Dinem - March 1st, 2009 at 12:10
Taking shots at “the press” is an easy shot to take, since most folks can’t (or won’t) discern the difference between blogging and reporting. Most Journalists learned a long time ago to stop being offended by that ignorance. (Well, except maybe Buzzy Bissinger ;-)
Bowden takes that shot for the same reason why you look back at the sidewalk after you’ve tripped. Plus, he knows he’ll have the sympathy of those who are convinced “the media” is biased against [fill in the blank]. And it will be forgotten by tomorrow afternoon.
As for his successor, I suspect Rizzo will get the interim tag and the Nats will publicly state that they’ll be making no immediate decisions.
#6 by R-Zim#11 - March 2nd, 2009 at 07:51
Bowden has done some good for the organization, however, the Nationals cannot continue to do legitimate business under Bowden.
Whether it’s true or not, the allegations are enough. An FBI investigation is enough. The White Sox cut ties people who have been involved with this scandal.
I am looking forward to the new GM — if not Rizzo, then LaCava
#7 by Yuda - March 2nd, 2009 at 18:34
Oh, you mean “time to turn the page” is not a reference to changing hosting? ;)
#8 by Beisbol - March 4th, 2009 at 07:22
I think LaCava would be a GM!
#9 by Beisbol - March 4th, 2009 at 07:22
LaCava would be a GOOD GM! oops!