Rolling Meadows native Rizzo surprised by Riggleman’s departure

Two hours before the first pitch Friday night, Washington general manager Mike Rizzo emerged from the visitor’s dugout to do an interview with MLB Network.

But before the former Rolling Meadows resident reached his destination, Rizzo made a detour behind the batting cage to chat with White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

Judging by their gesticulations, they couldn’t have been discussing anything other than manager Jim Riggleman’s shocking resignation Thursday.

So much for Rizzo getting to enjoy his homecoming — complete with a family-and-friends gathering in a 400-level suite at U.S. Cellular Field — with a general manager’s normal stress level.

In case you missed it, Riggleman told Rizzo Thursday morning he didn’t feel right continuing if he couldn’t have his contract extended beyond this season.

When Rizzo maintained his yearlong stance that he’d wait to make such a decision, Riggleman opted out.

“It was a surprising, surprising situation,” Rizzo said. “It took us all by surprise. You just have to be open-minded and creative and have Plans A, B and C in place.

“Most importantly, you have to surround yourself with people you can trust and people that are in place for specifically these types of reasons.”

Rizzo named John McLaren, the Nationals’ bench coach, as the team’s interim manager. The Washington Post reported former Mets manager Davey Johnson soon could become the team’s manager for the rest of the year.

Ballplayers are trained to slough off the bizarre moments that occur over the course of a 162-game season.

But the timing of Riggleman’s decision — right after the franchise’s 11th win in 12 games to move over the .500 mark — caused even the Nationals to need some time to process the move.

“We’re probably one of the hottest teams in baseball,” Nationals utility man Jerry Hairston Jr said. “We’re coming off a walk-off win. It’s amazing. We’re all celebrating, having a good time. It was a great game from both sides.

“We come in (to the clubhouse) and, not one minute later, we have a meeting. And we’re like, what are we having a meeting about? And ‘Riz’ let us know what happened.”

White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn, who played for Riggleman last year, couldn’t comprehend the deal from afar.

“Maybe I’d understand if they’re not playing well or something like that, but it seemed like things were turning around a little bit for them,” Dunn said. “So for your so-called leader to kind of walk out on you, that’s pretty bad.”

Riggleman made multiple media appearances Friday, including at least two spots in Chicago, to explain his end of the deal.

It’s safe to say the Nationals aren’t overly concerned that they must go forward without him.

“Any time you lose someone, it’s tough,” said Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, whom Hairston identified as the team’s best leader. “But (the manager is) not out on the field playing. We’re the ones out on the field playing.”

Then Zimmerman smiled.

“It’s an interesting situation. It’s different. Not one that too many people have had to deal with.”

In Rizzo’s eyes, the Nationals had no choice.

“Well, Jim resigned, so that was an easy decision for me,” he said. “I accepted his resignation.”