Source: Black set to become Nats' new skipper

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals will name Bud Black their sixth full-time manager, replacing Matt Williams, according to a baseball source. The club has not yet confirmed the report.

The source said the Nationals could make the announcement official as early as Thursday, although such an announcement is usually held until after the World Series comes to an end. The Washington Post was the first to report the news.

After dismissing Williams on Oct. 5, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was looking for someone with managerial experience. Black managed the Padres for almost nine years and has a 649-713 record. His best year as skipper came in 2010, when he guided the Padres to a 90-72 record and won the NL Manager of the Year Award. He never guided San Diego to the playoffs.

Video: The MLB Tonight crew on Nationals hiring Bud Black

Black is one of three former pitchers -- Tommy Lasorda and Larry Dierker are the others -- to win Manager of the Year honors. Black is well known for his ability to handle a pitching staff, but he often did not have a solid offense to work with at the helm of San Diego. Black, who was the pitching coach for the Angels when they won the World Series in 2002, managed the Padres until he was dismissed on June 15.

Black played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues and is best known for his years with the Royals, where he helped them win their first World Series in 1985. He won 121 games with a 3.84 ERA in 15 years in the Major Leagues. Black also played for Dusty Baker, who was a finalist for the job.