Rizzo’s Ambition Becomes a Reality – The Post
Tough love drove Rizzo to GM post – The Wash. Times
The son of a scout, who labored as a scout after his father told him he had no future as a professional player, is now the Washington Nationals general manager. We heard this impressive story when Mike Rizzo became the interim GM in the spring. Since then, Rizzo got Stephen Strasburg signed, traded for Nyjer Morgan and got rid of some deadweight, reworked the bullpen (twice) plus fired Manny Acta and replaced him with Jim Riggleman. He may have botched some waiver wire issues though.

THOMAS BOSWELL – ‘Simple’ And Solid – The Post
Bos is in love! If the column isn’t enough, there is video too:

With the Gains, Three Losses – The Post
Nats’ play fails to match off-field gains – The Wash. Times
As good as a week as it has been for the Nationals off the field, on the field they have sputtered. They were swept by the Colorado Rockies, who have swept the season series. The offense only managed a single run and Garrett Mock, who started off strong, faltered in the fifth. Not helping matters was second base umpire Doug Eddings overturning a Hunter Wendelstadt called third strike that would have ended the 5th inning with the score tied. On the next pitch, Rockies Carlos González blooped a single to score two runs — all Colorado needed.

The Brewers come to town this evening, but before that there is something going on at 2 p.m. — the Stephen Strasburg introduction. Comcast SportsNet will have it live, as will MLB.tv.