Robinson to manage Nationals for one more season

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Frank Robinson was rehired as manager
of the Washington Nationals after the veteran signed a one-year
contract on Thursday.

Last season, the Nationals led the National League East as
late as July 20 and remained in the wild card chase until
mid-September, finishing fifth with a record of 81-81.

In four seasons with the Nationals (who were the Montreal
Expos until moving last season), Robinson has compiled a
314-334 record with one of the lowest payrolls in the major
leagues.

“After thinking about this thing on Wednesday night, I
said, ‘Why drag this thing out and hang people out (to dry)?”‘
the 70-year-old Robinson told MLB.com.

“I told (general manager) Jim Bowden that I would agree to
terms to manage this ballclub.”

The American League manager of the year in 1989, Robinson
became baseball’s first black manager on October 4, 1974 when
he took over in Cleveland.

Robinson’s 994 victories rank sixth among active managers,
behind only Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Dusty Baker and
Mike Hargrove.

“We are happy to have Frank back,” Bowden said.

“He kept the team competitive even though it had one of the
lowest payrolls in the NL East.”