WASHINGTON -- Frank Robinson will return for a fifth season as manager of the Washington Nationals.
Robinson, who turned 70 in August, was re-signed after two months of offseason limbo while the team's sale and stadium deals continued to be negotiated. With the team still unsold and spring training two months away, general manager Jim Bowden began talks last week to bring back Robinson for another season.
Robinson was hired by Major League Baseball to manage the Montreal Expos after the franchise was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002. Robinson initially expected to hold the job for one year while the team was eliminated, but instead the franchise was moved
to Washington at the end of last year.
Robinson is 314-334 with the Expos and Nationals, including 81-81
this year.
The Nationals also announced that bench coach Eddie Rodriguez and pitching coach Randy St. Claire will be retained for 2006.
Hitting coach Tom McCraw, first-base coach Don Buford, bullpen
coach Bob Natal and third-base coach Dave Huppert will not return.