Washington Nationals Relieve Manny Acta of Duties

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Nationals today relieved Manny Acta of his duties and named Jim Riggleman interim field manager. Nationals President Stan Kasten and Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the joint announcement.

Riggleman assumes the helm of the Nationals, his fourth big league managing job. He has compiled a 552-652 record while managing San Diego (1992-94), Chicago-NL (1995-99) and Seattle (2008). He posted a pair of winning records in five seasons with the Cubs, including a 90-73(.552) record and a NL Wild Card in 1998.

Riggleman will draw off 29 professional seasons of experience as a manager or coach, 17 of which came at the big league level. Riggleman has served stewardships under Tony LaRussa, Jerry Manuel and Jim Tracy, among others.

A third baseman by trade, Riggleman played eight professional seasons after being drafted by the Dodgers in the 1974 First-Year Player Draft out of Frostburg State (MD) University. Riggleman grew up in nearby Rockville, MD and is a graduate of Richard Montgomery (MD) High School.

Acta's tenure in Washington ends at the mid-point of his third season. He compiled a 158-252 record in those two-plus seasons with the Nationals, who enter the All-Star break in fifth place in the National League East at 26-61.

Acta was appointed as the second manager of the Washington Nationals on November 14, 2006. He earned his 100th career managerial victory with a 7-6 win on June 13, 2008 at Seattle.