Photo used under a Creative Commons license with MissChatter.

This morning, the Washington Nationals announced that they have exercised their option to bring Davey Johnson back as manager for the 2012 season.

Johnson took over the job for the second half of the 2011 season on June 27 after former manager Jim Riggleman abruptly quit. He went 40-43 after assuming the helm, but finished strongly, leading the team to wins in 15 of its last 20 games and to the brink of finishing at .500 for the first time since their first season in Washington in 2005.

“After a series of discussions, it became obvious that the Nationals would be best served if Davey Johnson would continue as manager,” said Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a statement. “Davey’s remarkable connection to the clubhouse and D.C. community during the season’s final three months was well received. His baseball acumen coupled with a proper off-season of planning, including a full regiment of Spring Training, should put our players in a position to succeed in 2012.”

Johnson has a career managerial record of 1188-931 with five teams.