Girardi declines Nationals job
I'm bummed: I really thought Girardi was going to end up at the helm of the Nationals dugout in 2007. However, Washington Post Staff Writer Barry Svrluga is reporting that Girardi has declined the position.
The Cubbies snagged Piniella. That leaves us with Manny Acta, Terry Pendleton, Tony Pena, and [cough] Dusty Baker. Acta's the only one with any familiarity with the organization, having been a third base coach for the Expos. The managerial search has been secretive so there could be other candidates in the running that we simply aren't aware of. (But really, what gets past the baseball blogosphere?)
UPDATE: Terry Pendleton bows out
[…] I was disappointed that Joe Girardi pulled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position with the Nats. I felt that his young age and fresh but tough managerial style would be the perfect fit for Washington's young team. After Piniella went to the Cubs, I was not impressed to hear that the Nationals were planning to interview Dusty Baker. Both Tony Pena and Terry Pendleton pulled themselves out of the running, and a few other unfamiliar names were added to the list of candidates. The situation was looking grim, until Manny Acta emerged as a potential candidate. […]