Ripken expresses interest in Nationals managerial job
Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo recently went on record saying that the team will reportedly look at "a group of people with diverse backgrounds, diverse experiences, and diverse skill sets" when looking for a replacement for recently-fired skipper Matt Williams.
The name of one baseball great has already been thrust into that group—and he would take the opportunity to interview for the managerial job, if it arose.
Cal Ripken, Jr. went on "The Rich Eisen Show" and was asked towards the end of the segment if he had been approached by Washington about filling the role of Nats manager. He admitted that he has not heard from the Nationals, but if they dialed him up for an interview, he would answer take their call.
"Everyone wants a phone call like that," Ripken told Eisen. "I'd answer the phone, and I'd like to ask some questions myself."
This isn't the first time that the Iron Man has been mentioned in conjunction with Washington. In fact, a marriage between the two has been a newspaper headline for a couple years now. Of course, with Williams now out the door and the spot needing to be filled, the topic is trending more than ever.
One of the biggest arguments against Ripken becoming the Nationals' manager? His lack of experience in the area. But Ripken seems to believe that that doubt is fueled by the unknown.
"There’s a lot said about experience or lack of experience in managers coming through,” Ripken said in the interview with Eisen. “To me, it’s all about your philosophy, how you handle things, what you’re going to do. And then, it’s being able to apply it. I haven’t had a chance to apply that, so no one knows."
Whether or not Rizzo has plans to get the Orioles' great on the horn is another story. But Ripken has made it clear what he brings to the table should he get the opportunity to "try out" for the team.
"I’m in the business world now," Ripken told Eisen, "and all the time it seems like I’m asking for experts to come around and tell me what to do because I don’t have that background to fall back on. But in baseball, I have that background to fall back on and I would know how to deal with whatever situation's there because I’ve seen it.”
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