Phillies: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo Calls Joe Girardi “Embarrassing for Baseball”

If you thought Tuesday night’s drama between the Nationals and Phillies was over just because they played nine innings, you thought wrong.

For one thing, they face each other at 1:05 PM Eastern on Wednesday. Awkward.

But to make matters worse – or better, if you love drama – Nationals GM Mike Rizzo did his weekly spot on DC’s 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning, and did not mince words.

When asked if he thought Joe Girardi was “playing games” by asking for more inspections of starter Max Scherzer, Rizzo laughed and said, “Of course he was. What are we, ****ing idiots?”

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo had some choice words for Joe Girardi

Rizzo didn’t stop there:

"“It’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing for Girardi. It’s embarrassing for the Phillies. It’s embarrassing for baseball.”"

Rizzo’s gold mine of comments on the situation also included support for Scherzer, who is their veteran ace, but also one of the most well-respected players in the game:

"“You think you’re going to intimidate Max Scherzer… it’s just not gonna happen. You’re just gonna piss him off and make him concentrate that much harder.”"

But like most spectators last night, Rizzo also called into question Girardi’s motives for wanting the umpires to re-inspect Scherzer for substances:

"“This is about breaking Max’s rhythm and frustrating him, and that type of thing, and it didn’t work.”"

As the Junkies – known by their nicknames, EB, Bish, Cakes, and JP – speculated as to whether or not Girardi was trying to ‘flummox’ Scherzer or if he was genuinely asking for an inspection in the spirit of “gamesmanship,” Rizzo delivered his strongest condemnation of all:

"“He’s a con artist… he’s been doing that for years.”"

Rizzo went on to say that he’s known Girardi going back to the Phillies manager’s high school days, and even has love for him, but that knowing him so well means he knows his playbook and how he operates:

"“I know him well. But I know him well. I know him.”"

Amidst talk about how the substance inspections will proceed going forward, Rizzo delivered one last low-key jab at Girardi:

"“We’re just looking forward to playing today and winning another game… We’re not gonna worry about the minutiae.”"

With the Braves, Nationals, and Phillies all tied at four games out of first, Rizzo clearly has bigger fish to fry. Besides, Girardi already cooked himself last night.