Nationals press release
The Washington Nationals today named Ed Durkin as National Crosschecker and Special Assistant to The Vice President. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden, Nationals Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo and Nationals Director of Scouting Dana Brown made the joint announcement.
Durkin joins the Nationals after spending the previous 11 seasons with the Diamondbacks. He was Arizona’s National Supervisor in 2007 after serving the Diamondbacks as Eastern Regional Supervisor the previous seven seasons. Durkin played a role in helping the Diamondbacks identify and sign Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, third baseman Chad Tracy and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, among others.
Durkin worked for Rizzo while he was the Diamondbacks Director of Scouting. Durkin follows Bill Singer and Kris Kline who departed Arizona for Washington.
More background on Durkin
Durkin has amassed over 20 years of scouting experience. He started as a part-time scout in 1986 with Milwaukee before serving as a full-time scout from 1988-92 and a National Crosschecker (Eastern) from 1993-96. He makes his home in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Scrub fan | 22-Oct-07 at 5:32 pm | Permalink
I use the nickname Scrub fan at times mainly to honor this blog and the good work you do telling us about our junior varsity. It is getting to the point, though, that I could also be talking about the scrub that grows in the desert around Phoenix.
I like this move because I trust Mike Rizzo. However, I also like that Rizzo is allowed to collect his old team because it suggests that Rizzo won’t just be here for a little while. I have wavered over time about what I think about Bowden, but i certainly get the sense that Rizzo is a keeper.
Mark | 22-Oct-07 at 7:13 pm | Permalink
Brian,
Is this the guy that been talked about for the last year; don’t remember if he was finishing out his contract or was in a situation with a non-compete clause. Thanks.
hartmanbirge | 22-Oct-07 at 11:06 pm | Permalink
There is no doubt about it - Rizzo has made no secret that he covets a GM position and were the right situation to be offered I think he’s gone and he’ll be taking all of his guys with him. We could go from chocked full of competent people to destitute in the swing of one phone call…. Glad to see that Pittsburg went in another direction - that was a risky situation for us.