Mike Rizzo Reflects on His Tenure and Future Ambitions After Nationals Departure
Following his recent departure as the general manager of the Washington Nationals, Mike Rizzo publicly shared his thoughts on nearly two decades of leadership and the current state of the franchise. In a candid interview, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to shape the team’s destiny and offered an optimistic outlook on the Nationals’ prospects for returning to playoff contention.
Gratitude for a Pioneering Era
During his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan’s Sports Junkies, Rizzo emphasized the significance of his tenure, stating, “I am proud of the standards we established here.” He recalled inheriting a franchise that was struggling with mismanagement and chaos, describing it as a “circus act” when he took over. Over 17 years, he built the team in his own image, with the support of the Lerner family, who entrusted him with the keys to the organization. His overarching goal was always to attain excellence and build a legacy of success.
Achievements and Challenges
Under Rizzo’s leadership, the Nationals secured four division titles and made five postseason appearances, including their historic first World Series victory in 2019. However, the subsequent six seasons have been marked by losing records, reflecting the ongoing rebuild process. Rizzo admitted he was “a little surprised” by the timing of his dismissal, which occurred just a week before the MLB draft, but he was not “shocked” by it. He remains confident that the team is “very close to winning again and maintaining sustained success.”
Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success
Despite the extended timeline of the rebuild, Rizzo believes the groundwork is solid. “The core of this team is robust,” he explained. “The next person stepping into this role will find a roster that’s well-stocked with talented players. The focus now is on adding high-caliber talent to deepen the lineup and roster, enabling the team to endure the grueling 162-game schedule over 185 days.”
Relationship with Ownership and Future Outlook
Since his appointment as GM in 2009, Rizzo maintained regular communication with the Nationals’ ownership, often meeting weekly. When informed of his firing, he expressed his continued belief in the team’s potential to clinch another championship. “I still see the talent here,” he said, choosing not to reveal his preferred pick in the recent MLB draft. “We have promising young players, but we need to match the depth and strength of the top contenders in the National League.”
Addressing Limitations and Moving Forward
When questioned about restrictions imposed by ownership’s cautious budget in recent years, Rizzo refrained from assigning blame. “The key to being an effective general manager is making the most of the resources available,” he remarked. “Whether in baseball or life, you do your best with what you have. Ultimately, ownership decided we could do more, and that’s why they opted for a change.”
Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations
Since parting ways with the Nationals, Rizzo, now 64, has taken advantage of the summer break to spend quality time with his young son, enjoying activities like swimming and reading stories. Despite this downtime, he indicated he is not ready to retire from the sport entirely. “I’d love to lead another organization and aim for another championship,” he shared. “Finding the right ownership group and organizational mindset would make that possible. I don’t take for granted that job offers will come, but my experience, personality, and track record are well known. If I align with the right team, I’d be honored to continue my journey as a general manager.”