Nats320
Alfonso Soriano connected for his 45th home run of the 2006 season late night in Denver, during the Nats latest loss, 9-5 to the Rockies. That home run, Soriano lofting/lining an off speed pitch over the outside corner of the the plate that he was fooled on, by Joss Fogg over the left field wall--set the Nationals/Expos Franchise Record for Home Run in a Single Season.
Last night's whack leaves Alfonso just 3 homers shy on the WASHINGTON Major League Teams All Time Single Season Record-48, set by my ALL TIME FAVORITE PLAYER--The Washington Senators Frank Howard. I was a huge Frank Howard fan, growing up in Alexandria, Virginia in the 1960's. Was in Hondo's Fan Club and could not wait for the one game at DC & then RFK Stadium for the opportunity, as Club Members, to go down onto the field, parade around the warning track and met BIG FRANK!! Didn't matter that the Senators were not too good. I was too young to really know better.
But winning and losing means alot to me now in my late 40's. I enjoy watching Soriano play each and every game at RFK Stadium. And, I truly feel THE NATIONALS need to resign number 12 to give us fans something hopeful to look forward to over the next 2 seasons. Alfonso is our most exciting player. He can be irritating at the same time, swinging at EVERYTHING during at bats. And playing a disinterested, sometimes lazy outfield.
But, he is a GAME CHANGER, whether with his bat, stealing bases--and has shown, at times, he has the talent to be a decent outfielder, if he wants to be.
I believe he wants to be that good outfielder. He's too proud of a person.
He close to becoming the only 50 Homer, 40 Steals, 20 Assists player in the history of the game. You can't deny his talents. He is a stellar athlete.
Every top money team in the Majors is going to be looking to give Soriano HUGE Dollars to take those talents to their teams. The Nationals need him more. We as fans NEED HIM MORE!! The 2 draft picks that Washington would receive, if Soriano leaves via free agency, will not show up in a Nats uniform for 2 to 3 more years. During that time, Soriano will still be in his early 30's. Still a valuable player in his prime.
Yeah--Alfonso Soriano has won the lottery!! He is going to cash in sometime before Christmas. Big TIME!! If the Lerner Group and Stan Kasten mean serious business, they will make our Xmas 2006 a MERRY one by resigning Soriano.
Of course, it will make Alfronso's Number 1 Fan, The African Queen, extremely happy, and my home life happy as well.
PS--FLop made error number 27 last night on a terrible throw to first base. Leads the league in errors. CASE CLOSED!!
2 comments:
I thought for a moment that I was reading something that I wrote!
Hondo was my favorite player when I was a kid too; I grew up near 7-corners during Hondo's heyday. I liked him because he was a slugger, sure, but I loved him because he was such a nice and gentle guy.
Hondo made me the person I am today. Sound weird? Not really. I was 13 when the Senators had that magical 86-76, Ted Williams led 1969 season. All of my friends became "creatures of the night" that summer, going out and causing havoc in my area of Fairfax County. Many got in trouble, some got into drugs and all got deep into the alcohol scene. And I mean to tell you, they peer-pressured me to deathto join them. When they came to my door and asked me to go with them, I told them no, I was listening to the Senators game. They all thought that to be a "reasonable" reason not to go break car windows. I'd see them the next day, they'd tell me what they broke and I'd give them a play-by-play of the game. Who knows who I'd be today had I ran with those guys that summer.
I only met Hondo once. After a loss to the Brewers in 1970, I waited by the clubhouse door, hoping to get an autograph. I waited and waited and never saw anyone I thought to be a player. As I turned to walk away, I heard cheering, and I turned back to go face-to-waist with Frank Howard. I looked up and all I could say was, "GOD!" Kenny McMullen walked by and said, "That isn't God, kid, that's Frank Howard, and let me tell ya, he's having a better year that God is!" (Remember, this is '69 -- Vietnam -- race riots -- Ressurection City et al)
Thanks for the post -- it brought back many fond memories.
FLop's defense stinks, but that was a play that NJ should've scooped.
I've been shocked with how bad defensively Nick has been this year. His hands are made of stone.
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