Nationals tap Davey Johnson as manager

CHICAGO, June 26 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals Sunday named 68-year-old Davey Johnson as the team's manager for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Johnson, who has been working in the Nationals' front office since 2009, replaces Jim Riggleman, who abruptly resigned Thursday after voicing unhappiness that the team wouldn't pick up his contract option for next season.

Bench coach John McLaren was named interim manager and was ejected from his first game Friday in Chicago, where the Nationals were playing the White Sox.

Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo said Johnson would put on a major league uniform for the first time since 2000 when he last managed the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Johnson was to make his debut Monday against the Los Angeles Angels.

"We could have absolutely no better choice to lead the Nationals at this time than Davey Johnson," Rizzo said. "He knows the game, he knows our players, he knows our fans, he knows the Washington, D.C. area, and he knows exactly what we need to be doing to build the Nationals into a contender."

Johnson managed the 1986 New York Mets to a World Series title.