Franchise Notes
ESPN.com's Peter Gammons wrote the Nationals' decision to give Mike Rizzo the full-time GM role is "right and just." While the other two finalists for the position -- Red Sox Assistant GM Jed Hoyer and D'Backs VP/Player Personnel Jerry Dipoto -- "would be terrific" GMs, it is Rizzo who has "begun the overhaul of the team's culture." Rizzo earlier this week "had a great deal to do" with reaching a contract with P Stephen Strasburg. But Gammons noted Rizzo still has a "long way to go to build the organization" (ESPN.com, 8/20). Rizzo said, "We’re here to build championship-quality ballclubs. We realize where we’re at with the building of the ballclub. We’ve got some holes to fill, but we do have a good core of good young players” ("Washington Post Live," CSN Mid-Atlantic, 8/20).
LOOKING AT THE ANSWER: MLB Commissioner Bud Selig Thursday said that the Blue Jays are "in good hands under interim CEO Paul Beeston and would like to see him take over the role on a long-term basis." Selig: "I have a lot of faith in Paul Beeston, he was very successful there the first time around, he'll be successful again, I wish he'd stay there a long time, that's how much faith I have in him. Having said all that, I think they're doing things the right way. ... It may take some time, but do I believe they're on the right track? You bet I do." Beeston said the team's search for a front-office boss is "moving along very well." He added that he "might consider staying on in an advisory role, but that [the team] 'needs a person in charge first'" (CP, 8/20).
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Wizards To Host Basketball Clinics During
10-Day Trip To China |
BACK WHERE WE BELONG: In DC, Michael Lee noted the Wizards reportedly are "about to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Bullets' groundbreaking journey to China by making a return to the country in early September." Details for the 10-day trip are still being finalized, but it will include current and former Wizards players, as well as team execs. The Wizards will host a "series of basketball clinics and engage in other philanthropic activities" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/20).
BOLT OF ENERGY: The Lightning on August 29 will host their free Fan Fest from 3:00-8:00pm ET at St. Pete Times Forum. In addition, the club will host a season-ticket holder party starting at 1:30pm (Lightning).
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