Mike Rizzo is The Happiest Man in Washington

Yesterday, the Washington Nationals officially named Mike Rizzo as their general manager.

Rizzo had been named the Nats interim general manager last March after the resignation of Jim Bowden.

Seventy-two hours before Rizzo's elevation, he signed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to a four-year, $15.1 million contract. Strasburg was the number one pick in the 2009 MLB Draft last June. The 21-year-old righthander pitched at San Diego State and was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Baseball team at the Beijing games. Strasburg, whose fastball has been clocked at over 100 MPH, is being hailed as the savior of the Nationals franchise. Needless to say, Rizzo is now the happiest man in Washington.

Put it this way. If Rizzo hadn't signed Strasburg I believe his title would have been former interim general manager.

BTW, the Nats are 17-17 since Jim Riggleman took over the managerial reins of the club on July 12th thus making Riggleman. They have 43 wins this season which means they have exactly one more win than the notorious 1962 New York Mets. If the Nats play .500 ball the rest of the way they will lose fewer than 100 games thus making Riggleman the second happiest man in Washington. In which case, I think Rizzo should keep Riggleman on as their skipper next season even if he does have an unhealthy obsession with the five man infield.