Leatherpants resigns (Official Statements by Bowden & Kasten)

[redsfandan]

Bowden Statement
Jim Bowden's statement, released this morning by the Nats:

I am today resigning my position as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals. It is an emotional decision that saddens me, but one that I feel is in the best interests of two of the things I love most - baseball and the Washington Nationals.

My resignation is based upon my realization that my ability to properly represent the Washington Nationals has been compromised because of false allegations contained in the press. I am disappointed by the media reports regarding investigations into any of my professional activities. There have been no charges made, and there has been no indication that parties have found any wrongdoing on my part.

At the same time, while I have done nothing wrong, I place a greater value on the love, respect, and best interests of my family, friends, the game of baseball -- that I've served lovingly and faithfully for close to 25 years -- and, the reputation and future of the Washington Nationals, which I'm proud to have been a part of since its inception in 2004.

I believe I have had one of the great challenges afforded to any general manager in baseball. I was hired in November 2004 to make day-to-day baseball decisions on an interim basis with no ownership group, no permanent place to play and no legitimate minor league system. There was little to no budget for a major league roster. But, with the help of some very special assistants, we persevered. Today, we have some of the best owners in the game. We have one of the finest new ballparks, with a beautiful view of the Nation's Capitol. And, we are headed in the right direction with the nucleus of a young, competitive and interesting major league baseball team that is capable of turning into a contender in a short period of time.

I'm proud to have had the opportunity to be part of such a special organization with so many tremendous people who will always be my friends, and am also proud of my contributions to Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals and the game.

I wish nothing but success to the Lerner Family, Stan Kasten and the Washington Nationals organization, and to the very special players and front office personnel with whom I've built strong and meaningful relationships. I also want to thank all of the players, managers, coaches, front office staff and ownership for treating my family members like their own.

In closing, let me state this is a bittersweet moment for me. While I will always have the experiences and fond memories of my relationships with the Nationals, Stan Kasten and the Lerner family, who have always been gracious and fair in their dealings with me, I will also carry with me the cold hard realization that my life has been turned upside down by a news media that prints entire stories attributed solely to anonymous sources who refuse to be identified and who are free to allege anything they choose for any purpose without fear of retribution. One can only understand the impact of false allegations, insinuations and innuendos by the press if they themselves been the subject of those false allegations. However, I also want to thank the many media members, who have dealt with me with fairness and professionalism, and they far outweigh the others.

Like anyone else, I have made mistakes in all areas of my personal and professional life, but I leave here with the true belief that I have done nothing intentionally to harm the Washington Nationals or Major League Baseball. The team, the fans and media can now turn all of their attention from the distractions off-the-field to where it belongs, on the baseball field for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season.

Kasten Statement(owner)
Stan Kasten's statement, released this morning by the Nationals:

We greatly respect and admire the decision made today by Jim Bowden. He showed characteristic poise and maturity, and demonstrated his selfless love for the game and the Washington Nationals.

We all believe it is imperative that we honor the integrity of the game and that fans be able to concentrate their attention and affections on the game and players on the field. Jim has maintained his innocence, but recognized that he had become a distraction, and with great grace determined to do what was best for the team and his players.

As the only general manager in the history of the Washington Nationals, his influence and direct imprint on the franchise is immeasurable. He was hired by Major League Baseball to manage a nearly unmanageable situation, without the benefit of local ownership. But, he knew he would be serving a fan base long hungry for the return of big league baseball to the Nation's Capital. He accepted the challenge and fulfilled it with enthusiasm, intelligence, and gritty determination.

Jim's efforts to develop a competitive club on the field, while dedicating himself to building a minor league system second to none, will serve the Washington Nationals for years to come.

The Washington Nationals ownership group, management, players, and fans, owe a great deal to Jim Bowden. He laid the groundwork for a team that we know will be a perennial contender in the National League East and throughout the league. We wish him all the best.

[reds1869]

My resignation is based upon my realization that my ability to properly represent the Washington Nationals has been compromised because of false allegations contained in the press. I am disappointed by the media reports regarding investigations into any of my professional activities. There have been no charges made, and there has been no indication that parties have found any wrongdoing on my part.

Yep, because the FBI always investigates people when there are no indications of wrongdoing. He may be innocent, but the whole "no charges have been filed" thing gets really old. Charges are usually not filed in federal court until there is a fairly good chance the prosecution will win their case.

[redsfan1966]

what a creep....turns out Marty B. was right about this guy....I never really could like this guy with his swarmy smile and "used car salesman" persona...

[Revering4Blue]

IMHO,The Nats need to step up to the plate and hire Kim Ng.

It is past time.

[WildcatFan]

He'll never work in baseball again. And what a classy move on the way out, getting a shot in on Manny Ramirez, who's got to be looking around going, 'what the hell, man?'

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[George Foster]

How do you skim money from signing bonuses? These bonuses are reported to MLB and the press. The only senerio I can think of is he has a "deal" with the kids he is signing to give them let's say 1.2 million signing bonus and then the kid writes him a check for 200K. Does this sound right?

Can anyone else think of another senerio? How did he think this was not going to be found out?

[Road Pop]

Originally Posted by WildcatFan

He'll never work in baseball again. And what a classy move on the way out, getting a shot in on Manny Ramirez, who's got to be looking around going, 'what the hell, man?'

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Wow, that is lame.

"I have become a distraction. Unless you are Manny Ramirez, there is no place for distraction in baseball. I want to be able to turn the page and I want this franchise to be able to have everybody, from the media to the fans, focus on what the game is about. It's about players. It's about what happens on the field."

[Newman4]

What amazes me is that Jimbo has been employed for 25 years in baseball.

[goreds2]

I bet Tony Perez is having a chuckle over this. (Fired by Bowden after just a few games in 1993)

[Eric_the_Red]

This is bad news for all of the "five tool" outfield prospects out there.

[mlh1981]

It will take years to undo the damage that he has done to the Washington Nats.

[goreds2]

I am sure it is in the game thread. I recorded the Reds game today on XM and upon listening, Marty said he he will always remember this date for as long as he lives.

[Jack Burton]

Ol' Jimbo ran out of snake oil.

[goreds2]

Marty B was on XM 175 radio today talking about ole Jim.

[ChatterRed]

Originally Posted by Road Pop

Wow, that is lame.

"I have become a distraction. Unless you are Manny Ramirez, there is no place for distraction in baseball. I want to be able to turn the page and I want this franchise to be able to have everybody, from the media to the fans, focus on what the game is about. It's about players. It's about what happens on the field."

Well, actually.......it might be the only truthful statement he has ever made.