Mike Rizzo (baseball)

This article is about the baseball executive. For the DJ, see Mike Rizzo.

Rizzo holding Ryan Zimmerman's Silver Slugger Award

Michael Anthony Rizzo (born December 14, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois) is the General Manager and Executive Vice President of baseball operations of the Washington Nationals. He was promoted to this position on October 19, 2010, after having served as Assistant General Manager, and then General Manager.

Rizzo attended Holy Cross High School in River Grove, Illinois and Saint Xavier University.

Rizzo was drafted by the California Angels in the 22nd round (553rd overall) in the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft. He played for the Salem Angels (Class A Short Season), Peoria Suns (Class A) and Redwood Pioneers (Class A Advanced) from 1982 to 1984.

After he retired from his playing career, Rizzo became a scout, working for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. Rizzo joined the Arizona Diamondbacks when the franchise was created in 1998, and served as the Director of Scouting for the Diamondbacks from 2000 to 2006.^[1]

Washington Nationals

Rizzo joined the Washington Nationals when he was appointed Assistant General Manager/Vice President of Baseball Operations by Jim Bowden on July 24, 2006.^[2] This move coincided with the franchise's ownership transfer from Major League Baseball (MLB) to a Washington, D.C.-based investment group headed by Ted Lerner.^[3]

Three days after Bowden's sudden resignation on March 1, 2009,^[4] Rizzo was promoted on an interim basis by team president Stan Kasten.^[5] He was named the full-time Senior Vice President/General Manager on August 20, 2009.^[6] On October 19, 2010 Rizzo got a five year extension and was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager.^[7]

Personal Life

Rizzo married Sheilah Marie Kenny, daughter of Dr. James Nicholas and Mrs. (Mary Angela) Kenny, Sr. of Peoria, IL on October 22, 1988 in Chicago, IL. They have three children - Michael Anthony, Jr. (b.1990), Mary Kathleen (dec.), and Jeremiah (dec.).

References

1. ^ http://nationalsreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/who-is-mike-rizzo/
2. ^ "Nationals name Mike Rizzo Assistant GM and Vice President of Baseball Operations," Washington Nationals press release, Monday, July 24, 2006.
3. ^ "Lerner Group finalizes purchase of Washington Nationals," Washington Nationals press release, Monday, July 24, 2006.
4. ^ "Statement from Jim Bowden," Washington Nationals press release, Sunday, March 1, 2009.
5. ^ "Rizzo Gets New Duties; Kasten: No Urgency for Search". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/03/rizzo_gets_new_duties_kasten_h.html. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
6. ^ "Washington Nationals promote Mike Rizzo to Senior Vice President & General Manager," Washington Nationals press release, Thursday, August 20, 2009.
7. ^ Zuckerman, Mark (October 19, 2010). "Nationals Ink Rizzo To 5-Year Extension". CSNwashington.com. http://www.csnwashington.com/10/19/10/Nationals-Ink-Rizzo-To-5-Year-Extension/landing_v3.html?blockID=334445&feedID=5685. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 

See also

• Career statistics and player information from The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Preceded by Jim Bowden

Washington Nationals General Manager 2009-present

Succeeded by Incumbent

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Name	Rizzo, Mike
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Date of birth	December 14, 1960
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