Washington Nationals Manager Happy With His Retirement
By Marshall Smith
Frank Robinson was not upset at all when he received the news that he was going to be separated from the Nationals manager seat.
After a 51-year career and possibly with a culmination in the Hall of Famer�s, Robinson was told during the week that he will not return to the team for the next season, but the news were not official until Saturday, just before the game against the Mets.
"It's been a good ride for me. It's been 51 years. And the old saying is, 'When you take a manager's job, stay around long enough -- you are going to be fired.' It's been a great run for me, and I mean that sincerely, I have no bitter feelings or anything like that about the situation." Mr. Robinson said.
It is a usual thing in baseball to announce his departure to a manager a day or two after the end of the season, but Robinson asked for an earlier announcement in case he got fired, so he have a chance to say goodbye.
Stan Kasten, the president of the Washington Nationals referred to the situation:"It's, I hope, a reflection of our great depth of personal feeling we have for Frank and the respect we have for Frank," he said.
In 16 seasons as manager for four different teams, Mr. Robinson
never achieved the success he obtained as a power-hitting outfielder who ranks sixth in major league history with 586 home runs.
He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1956, the NL MVP in 1961 and the AL MVP in 1966, when he won the Triple Crown, he also was the first black manager in MBL history when acting as a player-manager for the Cleveland Indians in 1975.
On April 20, Robinson became the 53rd manager with 1,000 victories. But his overall record is 1,065-1,086 with no postseason appearances.
"I feel a little bit sad by it, because I feel he's a solid baseball man and he should be in the game, you feel bad for the fact that he's going to have to regroup and look for another job. Hopefully he'll land on his feet. I've got a lot of respect for the man. He's a tremendous baseball man and he's helped me a lot." Mets manager Willie Randolph said.
On Saturday, Robinson gathered with players and couching staff to inform the news. General manager Jim Bowden said that the search for the new manager would begin on Monday, October the 2nd.
About the author:Marshall Smith is an informative writer and specialist in the football betting industry who currently comments on the latest events on all major sports for http://www.instantactionsports.com/
Posts
