Washington Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo Set for National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Induction

The 2019 World Series-winning GM Mike Rizzo is about to add another feather to his illustrious cap. The National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame is all set to induct the Washington Nationals general manager into its hallowed halls. Having made his name first as a scout for the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, Rizzo slowly rose to the top. The biggest assignment on his resume, though, is of course the Nationals.

The 62-year-old has been a part of the team since 2007 and has been the team skipper since 2009. Rizzo’s deep involvement can be understood by the fact that he is the president of baseball operations as well as the GM, with the team’s workings entrusted to his capable hands. Having been responsible for finding great talents at the college level, his scouting skills are second to none. Which, of course, justifies the huge honor Italia is bestowing on him.

Mike Rizzo is joining elite Italian company

When Mike Rizzo started playing baseball, he probably couldn’t have imagined how his career would turn out. Rizzo always had a love for baseball. His playing career, however, was quite brief. The baseball veteran played only two years in the minor leagues before getting released by the Los Angeles Angels. He wouldn’t have imagined in 1984 that he’d be a Hall of Famer but here we are. According to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post, Mike Rizzo will be inducted in December this year, in Chicago.

Even though Rizzo’s playing career was short-lived, his connection with baseball wasn’t. His gradual expertise in the off-field activities of the sport began as a scout for the Chicago White Sox, later moving on to the Boston Red Sox. Finally, the Diamondbacks made him their scouting director in 2000. During his tenure, the D-Backs won the 2001 World Series. The Snakes were a new team then, having been formed in 1998 – Rizzo was responsible for creating their farm system from scratch and de-throning the dynasty New York Yankees.

Under his directorship, Arizona had a massive home-grown talent pool with players like Max Scherzer and Brandon Webb. When he left the D-Backs, they had one of the best farm systems in the league. But the biggest story was yet to come.

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In 2007 he joined the Washington Nationals as an Assistant GM. By 2009 he was no longer the assistant and once again under him, the scouting improved. The Nats drafted now-Phillies star Bryce Harper in 2010, then signed Juan Soto in 2016. Such was his impact that from 2009 to 2012 the Nats consistently won 10 or more games more than the last season. A feat last achieved by the Red Sox a century ago.

Washington Nationals before and during his tenure

A simple history lesson explains Rizzo’s impact. The last time fans had seen the Washington Nationals in the playoffs was in 1981. The team was not even in Washington then, it was called the Montreal Expos. Since Rizzo was appointed the GM, they have made it to 5 playoff appearances. Peaking in 2019 when they won the first World Series in their team’s history, Rizzo shone.

The Nats fans love the GM for his big achievements, though some do question the recent downturn in their form. Nevertheless, Mike Rizzo is all set to become a Hall of Famer – how many more accolades will he collect?

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