Mr. & Mrs. Robinson

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As critical as I have been of the game decisions by Manager Frank Robinson, today was a sad day for Our Washington Nationals. Frank was dismissed, officially, by Team President, Stan Kasten and Vice-President, General Manager, Jim Bowden. No word given on whether Frank will even be involved with the team, in a meaningful way, in the near future.

Everyone had seen this coming for some time, yet on this day, I feel very sad for the man that, truly is, THE FACE OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS.



Involved in Major League Baseball since 1956, Robinson was first a young star player, with the Cincinnati Reds, where he won the Rookie of the Year award in 1956, then the MVP of the National League in 1961. Unceremoniously traded to the Baltimore Orioles after the 1965 season, he led Baltimore to 2 World Series Championships, becoming the first player in baseball history to win the MVP award in both leagues--1966 and becoming, in that year, one of only 14 players to ever achieve THE TRIPLE CROWN--leading his league in Batting Average, Home Runs and Runs Batted In.
As his playing career wound down, he, eventually, played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels, and, finished his playing career as the very first, African-American Manager of the Cleveland Indians. A very proud man, Frank would manage 16 years with 4 different franchises. Not only the Indians, but the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and finally, the Montreal Expos--transferring with the team to the Nation's Capital, Washington DC in 2005, when the Nationals were born.

Except for his expected trade from Baltimore to Los Angeles after the 1971 season, Robinson has never been given his just due for the professional and classy efforts he has brought to the ballpark, each and everyday. Even the Orioles, the team he is most associated with, and led to its GREATEST GLORY, shoved this man out the door, sadly, from his front office position, by the, universally, hated Peter Angelos in 1998.

Eventually, Frank would land in the Commissioner's Office of Major League Baseball, in charge of discipline when players, managers and coaches were involved with on and off field altercations. That's where he was in 2002, when Bud Selig and the MLB Owners took over the operations of the moribund and dying, Montreal Expos. Thought to only be a caretaker Manager while baseball shutdown the franchise after that season, Frank would continue in Montreal for 3 more years, as Selig, under heavy pressure and many lawsuits, was unable to contract Montreal and the Minnesota Twins. Robinson relishing the job, enjoying the opportunity, to once again, be actively involved in the game he loves. With no money and limited resources, Frank able to keep the Expos in Wild Card Contention in 2002 and 2003, THE DARLINGS OF BASEBALL at the time. Still, no one in Canada seemed to really care about the Expos.

Finally, after so much upheaval, the Expos moved to Washington in 2005, and still under MLB control, Frank remained as manager. The Nationals soaring to first place, unexpectedly, going 50-31 through the All Star break that first season. Playoff hopes rose to unrealistic proportions by their new found fan base in DC, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. The Nats tanking badly in the second half, finishing at an even 81-81, injuries and limited quality players finally extinguishing the flame on a FANTASY SEASON!!

Again, after performing an admirable job, Robinson was left on the ropes, all winter long, while baseball dickered and delayed the sale of the Washington Nationals. Frank, eventually being told, yeah, you can come back for 2006, but only under our terms. The Terms of Jim Bowden. Frank reluctantly agreed. Then, Jimbo left Robinson out to dry. MLB wouldn't allow the team to sign any decent free agents. Baseball wanting to make as much money as possible on the Nats. Bowden would give up all the pitching depth, in an effort to build his own fantasy team. And, more importantly, Jimbo taking away the one player, Frank LOVED THE MOST--and the fans too--JAMEY CARROLL.

The 2006 began, and was over by the end of April. Injuries killing what pitching depth was left, the team getting off to an 8-17 start by the end of that first month, and never recovering. When the MLB finally transferred the team to THE LERNER GROUP in July, Jim Bowden, all of a sudden, changed mantra, talking about building with youth, as per Stan Kasten, not his fantasy players. Once again, Frank was the perceived fall guy, for not being able to win with what he was given. It was unfair, and a blatant blow by Jimbo to move blame away from himself.

Frank left on the ropes, again unceremoniously, until being told, two days ago, of managements decision to move in another direction. And, today, The Nationals making it official in a 4:15PM press conference. A press conference that was more like a funeral.

A funeral that our Nationals played in tonight as if they were the mourned. No life, in a 13-0 shellacing at RFK Stadium in Washington. For many in attendance, it was their chance to show appreciation for what Frank has really meant to the infant years of THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS. You can criticize his managing, as I have done on countless occasions, but you can't take away his devotion and well meaning. Frank LOVED THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS. They were his baby, and he truly wanted to see them make it to the PROMISED LAND.

When tonight's game got out of hand early, the only proper thing to do was for the fans attending to honor Frank, in whatever way they could. Throughout the night, there were various "We Love Frank!!" Cheers, "FRANK, FRANK, FRANK".
In the bottom of the 8th, I walked down to talk to my good friend, Hugh, also known as "CHICKEN MAN", constantly waving his beheaded rubber chicken during Nats rallies. Hugh had come with two terrific banners. "DC LOVES FRANK!" and "FEARLESS LEADER".

As Hugh and I chatted about Frank, I noticed that Frank's wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Nichelle, were sitting just to my right, in the front row, behind the 3rd base dugout. As anyone that might have read my earlier blogs would know, I had met them on more than one occasion. Barbara and Nichelle, huge fans of Section 320. Frank knowing all about us. I reached out, chatting to them. They were pleased to see me. I told Mrs. Robinson what a class act her husband really is and how so many will miss him. But, more importantly, I wish someone, anyone, would allow the man to move on with his dignity. No team in baseball he had ever been involved with, had done so.

Barbara responding, "We'll be alright, back in Los Angeles." But, her eyes glossy, NIchelle on the verge of tears. I felt so bad, and I apologized for making the night that much harder. Mrs. R saying: "No, that's really fine, we know how much, not only you, but so many others love him. That's good enough for us." But you could tell, it wasn't.

Hugh and I started to chant: "WE LOVE FRANK" over and over, standing and waving Chicken Man's well made sign. The Lower Bowl of RFK began to follow, eventually, most of the stadium. Frank turning to us, pointing. Thanking us, waving to the crowd, tears in his eyes. As the game continued, no one paid attention to it. Hugh and I then displaying his "FEARLESS LEADER" sign--as the crowd continued to yell "FRANK, FRANK, FRANK". Number 20 again, turning to us, patting his heart, pointing to both of us, truly thankful for the thought, all through watery eyes. MRS. R, crying her eyes out in her seat, consoled by her daughter. It was a poignant moment. The crowd continuing to roar for THE FACE OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS.


As the game thankfully ended, Frank would step out of the dugout, onto the field, wave, smiling, grateful for his unexpected moment of gratitude. He would thank everyone, waving around the stadium from the top of the dugout, then bowed his head, sadly stepping down into the home team dugout, something he will do, only one more time in team history, tomorrow.

Mrs R and NIchelle thanked Hugh and I for everything we had started. Asking us whether we would be there for the finale. "We wouldn't miss it, for the world!!" including a Redskins' game. The Robinson's then escorted out by security. With that, Hugh and I hugged, and I thanked him for letting me be apart of this impromptu celebration of a great man--Frank Robinson.

A Wonderful Morning--Last Night

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The rain just kept on coming, starting at 5:30PM as I walked to the Capitol Hill Metro Station, heading to RFK Stadium, to meet up with the African Queen. And, the rain didn't stop until 10:45PM, well past the scheduled start time of 7:05 for last night's Washington Nationals/Philadelphia Phillies baseball game at RFK Stadium. Many ticket holders didn't show up in the first place, and as the torrential rains continued, more and more went home, unwilling to wait it out.

Those that did, were treated to one of the most unique ballpark experiences in the history of Major League Baseball. MLB ordered the game to be played, fearing a potential backlog of makeup games this coming Monday, October 2, and moving back, the start of Baseball's postseason.

The sight of a cleanup crew, first sitting, in line, straight up from bottom to top of the upper deck, in Section 552, seat 1 of every row, then standing up, as one, with their trash bags, walking their entire row, ringing the Entire UPPER DECK, picking up trash, before the game even began, PRICELESS!!

When this game finally began at 11:30PM there was less than 200 fans in the stands, mostly ALL PHILLIE FANS, everyone sitting in the lower bowl of the stadium, most in the first five rows surrounding the field, between the dugouts. Section 320 complete with 7 regulars: The African Queen, MSZimmy, JohnnieDamon, MickNats, NatsDelNegro, SayHeyKlib and myself. Joined in Section 315 by Iris and Biff and finally Colleen and Jeff with "Curly W", their rally monkey from Section 217. The NATIONALS TRUE FANS, sticking it out, through thick and thin, each and every night, as usual. If the Washington Nationals ever inducted FANS into a TEAM HALL OF FAME, all of us better be the FIRST INDUCTEES. We earned it tonight--for YEARS TO COME!!

Phillies fans were their usual crude selfs, making a ton of noise, starting at the BottomsUP brewery behind Section 317 before the game and continuing throughout the late night. These fans would BOO the NATPACK, Jeer-My Best Friend, Screech. Flat out, give it to the Nationals relievers walking slowing to their right field bullpen before the start of the game.

Tonight, also featured a tremendous Presidents Race, with Thomas Jefferson making a fabulous face first dive on the warning track, dazed, helped up, finally finishing the race, dead last, even behind the lovable loser, Teddy Roosevelt. Then, as the "RUSHMORES" slowly walked up the aisle behind the Phillies's first base dugout, were WILDY GIVEN CRAP by the classless Phillie Faithful.

All resulting in the MOST SURREAL NIGHT/MORNING I have ever experienced at a baseball game. NatsDelNegro turning to me in the top of the 9th saying, "I just can't believe it, when I look out at that Washington Nationals Clock in rightfield, and it says its 2AM!! Its just mindnumbing!"

THE FEELING, EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS AFFAIR, NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN, BY ANYONE LASTING IT OUT!!

For its EVER CONTINUING SUPPORT, in good and bad times, Section 320 was honored by the Washington Nationals throughout the game tonight, each and every sitting member receiving gifts and prizes from the NATPACK for devotion to OUR WASHINGTON NATIONALS.

Sohna kicked it off by participating in the SouthwestFlyaway--unfortunately, her love, Alfonso Soriano, sat this one out. MickNats would win the $50 Red,Hot&Blue Gift certificate for answering the DC IQ question correctly. I would win the $50 gift certificate to Modells for answering all 4 questions correctly in the "AROUND THE HORN" Triva. All seven of us would receive 2 tickets each to the October 14, Washington Capitals/Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Game at Verizon Center and T-Shirts during the 5th Inning T-Shirt Launch. And, we all were, surprisingly, the ESPN ZONE LUCKY ROW!! Colleen would receive an autograph Ryan Church Baseball for Ryan's second inning blast into the Upper Mezzanine, just below Section 462.

But, the finest reward of the night came during the 7th inning stretch, when the NATPACK offered MsZimmy and Myself the opportunity to stand on the NATS 3rd Base Dugout with them to sing "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME". After singing the song and tossing T-Shirts, only to NATS FANS, I turned around, walked over to Alfonso Soriano, leaning against the top railing, stuck out my right hand, palm down, yelling "ALFONSO!!" Soriano immediately responding, slapping my hand with "SORIANO!!!" Mike O'Connor and Austin Kearns chuckling. Me then saying,pointing: "YOU THE MAN!!" Alfonso points right at me in appreciation, then looks at O'Connor and Kearns, smiling mightily, saying "thats one those guys up there chanting each and every game!!" MsZimmy looking at me like, "WOW!!--THAT"S COOL!!" And, you know what, IT WAS!!!

None of us could ever thank THE NATPACK, enough, for their generosity tonight. We LOVED THE ATTENTION!!

And, as usual, Section 320 gave it their all this morning. All seven of us combining to OUT CHEER the throng of Phillie Fans ringing the field. 7 loudmouths, with empty beer bottles clanking against the concrete and chairs (BUDWEISER BOTTLES, by far, the best noise makers, we know from experience). NATSDELNEGRO providing his usual rythem and percussion. No doubt, we were at the top of our game for this one. Singing LOUDLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to RYAN ZIMMERMAN, so loud that THE WASHINGTON POST even mentioned it in their game recap today, online. The CHEERING NEVER ENDING!! The few remaining Ushers stopping by, telling us, how much they were enjoying our effort. SayHeyKlib, completely out of voice box by the end of the game.

SCREECH appeared right at the start of the game, to a CHORUS of "WE LOVE SCREECH, WE LOVE SCREECH". Screech, lovingly, taking in all the adulation, hugging his BEST FRIEND, blowing kisses to the AFRICAN QUEEN, and hanging out, until, bravely moving into the Phillies Fan Section to put up with their crap!! Screech came out of it, with all feathers still attached, to a great relief of all of us.

And, yeah, they did play the game, and it was a tight, well played affair. Mike O'Connor getting the start for Washington, going 5 strong innings, giving up just three hits, 2 walks, and one unearned run, scored by the Phillies Abraham Nunez on a fielding error by Ryan Zimmerman. O'Connor followed by 4 Nationals Relievers, Billy Traber, Saul Rivera, Ryan Wagner and finally Jon Rauch, to close it out. Giving up just 2 hits, no walks to Philadelphia. Shutting down the mighty, Ryan Howard. Howard striking out twice in three offical at bats, no hits, drawing one walk.

Nook Logan would fly back to the centerfield wall in the second inning, on a drive by Pat Burrell, at the last possible moment, with the ball just over the fence, Nook would stretch his glove over the wall, retrieving a SURE HOME RUN!! It was a nice catch. But, the most exciting play of this game occured during the bottom of the 5th, when Church singles to lead it off. And, with one out, Henry Mateo would ground sharply up the middle, to the left of the second base bag, where shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, dropped the ball. Church and Mateo safe. Bernie Castro was next, and laced a liner to left, Pat Burrell charging in from left for Philadelphia. 3rd Base Coach, Tony Beasley, gave Church the go sign, and the race was on. Burrell heaved a terrific throw, Church sliding, feet first to the right of home, trying to avoid the tag of catcher, Chris Coste. It appeared that Church was safe, but home plate umpire, Paul Navert, called Ryan out. PHILLIE FANS ERUPTING!! as this out at the plate kept the game tied. Frank Robinson, quickly as the man can move, rushed out to argue the call. Navert telling Frank, Church had slid past the plate, not touching it.

But, The Nationals would put this game away for good in the 6th. Nook Logan singled to left, leading off. FLop, with Logan running, liner to left, Logan rounding second hard, easily advancing to 3rd. With the Z-Man at the plate, Lopez would steal his 43 base of the season. Z would hit a dribbler toward Ryan Howard at first. Howard hesitated for some reason, delaying the throw to first. Zimmerman, running hard all the way, just beat the toss to first. BASES LOADED, NO OUTS!! Jose Vidro stepped up, lacing a liner, unfortunately, right at Chase Utley at second.

At that point, Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel, came out to replace his starter, Jon Leiber, with lefthander Aaron Fultz to face lefthanded, and hot hitting, Brian Schneider. Down 1-2 in the count, SCHEIDERMAN would not fail, ropping a single down the right field line. Jeff Conine running to his left, quickly, to pickup the ball, but not soon enough, as Logan and FLop scored easily, making the score 3-1. Section 320 going NUTS!! Along with about 50 of our closest Nats FANS and FRIENDS!! PHILLIE FANS SITTING ON THEIR HANDS, SHUTTING UP!! Its was juicy!! Although Church nor George Lombard were able to get Zimmerman home, the Nats had a convincing lead tonight. And, when,THE WOOKIE, Big Jon Rauch, came on to face the heart of the Philadelphia lineup, Utley, Howard and Conine in the 9th, this win really was never in doubt. This game ending at 2:06AM!!

The GLORIOUS sight of those 150 or so Phillie Fans walking dejectingly up the aisle, exiting RFK, Nats Fans jiggling their key chains, telling them to head for their cars back to PHILLY, Section 320 waving and singing the "NaNaNa--GoodBye" Song,enjoyable to no end.

THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS WERE DESTINED TO WIN THIS MORNING!! A game that is memorable on so many levels. Even after getting home, I was too jacked to go to sleep right away. Finally falling asleep at 4AM, getting up at 8AM, at work at 10AM, writing this, lovingly recapping the memories of a TERRIFIC BALLPARK EXPERIENCE.

As I said to MickNats on the way home, this will be the first time I have ever attended a Early/Morning-Night DoubleHeader. Mets/Nats, less than 8 hours from now, all in the same day. I can't wait for this baseball day to continue!!

IT WAS A WONDERFUL MORNING--LAST NIGHT!!

Almost A Classic

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If Brian Schneider's sharply hit ground ball in the bottom of the 14th inning had been hit two feet either way of the Phillies, Chase Utley, last night's game may well have still been going on. And, if our Nationals had rallied for the 3rd time, late, to actually win this one, it would have been the Greatest game in the Young Team's History.

As it turned out, Schneider's one hopper went directly at the Phillies second baseman who quickly turned a 4-6-3 game ending double play, giving Philadelphia a hard fought 8-7 thrilling win at RFK Stadium, sending many Phillie fans, home delirious. Game Number 158 of the 2006 season will go down as the most frustratingly, memorable and exciting loss to date for Washington's Nationals.

The two teams combined to use 47 players, including 17 pitchers in this 4 hour 53 minute affair that ended two minutes before midnight. Each team having multiple chances to win and each team making crucial mistakes with the game on the line, to continue this enduring affair.

As the 14th inning began, there was less than 1,000 folks still in the stands from the original 21,809 that attended. Nearly 3/4th of those, Phillie Fans, making a tremendous amount of noise. Despite being outnumbered, Section 320 was still at FULL FORCE, all 12 regulars in their seats to the bitter end. The wives of Brian Schneider and Jon Rauch--the only other folks still in 320 . Both of them amazed at our diligence. Charles, the Usher Supervisor for our area, telling all of us, "you guys are true fans, you never give up!!" Half of us knowing we had 5AM walkup calls to go to work. It didn't matter, there was no way any of us would miss out on a potential "CLASSIC" ending. No Way. RallyTimeRichard having stated earlier that this game had all the makings of going down to the very last at bat.

I could go into my ever so detailed play by play of this game, but I might as well write a book. 40 pages on this one would be no problem.

Ryan Zimmerman continued his quest to lock up the National League Rookie of the Year Award, blasting a line shot, his 20th home run of the season off Phillie hot shot rookie, Cole Hamels, in the second. Zimmerman would reach base 5 times tonight, walk in the crucial game tying run in the bottom of the 9th to, eventually, send the game into extra innings. Z was hot on the field as well, making three nice running in, barehand pickup throws to first, retiring speedy runners. None as good as the very last out of the 14 inning, when the speedy Shane Victorino would drag bunt down the 3rd baseline, Z charging in and, with the ball bouncing down toward the ground, reached down, in one motion, using the balls gravity to his advantage, slinging a sidearm toss to Robert Fick at first to JUST GET Victorino. It was an OUTSTANDING PLAY!! Worthy of a Gold Glover.

At the same time, Alfonso Soriano would contine his terrible September, Going 0-6, never a factor at the plate, but in the 7th, showing nightmares of early April, butchered badly a line drive off the bat of Abraham Nunez, right at him, for a double and setting up Philadelphia's 2 go ahead runs. The Phillies taking the lead 5-4 after 7.

The Nationals had two fabulous chances to win the game, first in the bottom of the 9th. With Philadelphia Closer, Tom Gordon, on the mound, Schneider would sharply single to right leading off, Bernie Castro walked on a full count. Felipe Lopez would sacrifice them to 2nd and 3rd. Bringing Soriano to the plate. Amazingly, Phillie Manager, Charlie Manuel, decided not to pitch to Alfonso, despite his troubles, intentionally walking him, bringing the clutch Zimmerman to the plate. With one out, Z would walk on a full count to tie the score at 5. And, there was not a Nationals Fan at RFK that didn't think they were going to win it NOW!!

But, Robert Fick, late inning replacement for Jose Vidro at first base, was overmatched and popped to Jimmy Rollins at short. Frank Robinson then sent out Austin Kearns. His first appearance since his horrific accident with Nick Johnson. Everyone now anticipating the STORYBOOK ENDING. On the very first pitch, Gordon would pitch hard inside, all Austin needed to do was take the hit and the Nats win, instead, instinct prevailed, Kearns lunging out of the way. The groans in the crowd, noticible. Kearns would also work a full count, and on the 7th pitch of this at bat, pop softly to Chase Utley at second to kill the rally. 5-5 going to the 10th.

The Chief, Chad Cordero trotted out for the top of the 10th--and he was terrible. He just didn't have it from the start. Walking Chris Coste to lead of the inning. Michael Bourn would sacrifice him to second. Then, on the very first pitch to Nunez, Cordero laid it in right over the middle of the plate, Abraham slashing it to the wall in right centerfield. Ryan Church had trouble picking it up. Coste scored easily. 6-5 Phillies and the Philadelphia fans went NUTS!! After Randy St.Claire visited the mound, Chad was able to get the final two outs.

Geoff Geary was called on by Charlie Manuel to pitch for Philadelphia. It seems this guy always pitches against us. And, we always hit him. That stayed true last night, when Nook Logan (who has flat out proven he just can not hit from the left side of the plate) did the only thing he's capable of doing from the left side, drag bunt between Geary and Ryan Howard for an infield single. Ryan Church, continuing to struggle, bounced a high chopper right at Howard with Logan running. Church out, Nook to second. Schneiderman, really playing well, stroked a Geary fastball into right, Logan scoring easily, even though he held up, in case the ball was caught by Utley. Tying the score at 6 and shutting up the Phillie FANS!!

Still, there was still one out, Brian at first. Castro, showing no patience, swung at everything and struck out, swinging at a pitch above his head. FLop was next, and hit a 3 hopper right at Rollins, moving to his left,near the 2nd base bag, Rollins bobbled the ball, then tried to run to the bag to retire the slow moving Schneider, but realized he would be late, double pumped a throw to first, FLop being too fast, then, at the very last moment, after Utley thought Rollins would throw the ball to first, Rollins underhand tosssed to the unsuspecting Chase, the ball flying right past Utley for a error. Both Runners Safe. It was UNBELIEVABLE to see. The inning should have been over. But, with luck, now once again, on their side, the Nats could not win it again. Soriano, looking awful at the plate, struck out badly to send the game into the 11th.

There would be a single here, a walk there, but as the crowd dwindled down to "FAMILY AND FRIENDS SIZE" neither team could push across the winning run. Until the outragously thrilling 14th. Jason Bergmann on the mound starting his 4th consecutive inning. And he was losing steam noticibly. Frank Robinson deciding that it was Bergmann and no one else. Frank not wanting to use either Jon Rauch, Billy Traber or Brett Campbell.

Phillies Catcher, Chris Coste, continuing his fine game, doubled to the wall in center leading off the 14th. Bourn drag bunted down the 3rd base line, Z unable to come up with this one. Everyone safe. Nunez would high chop a bouncer to FLop, Lopez actually making a fine running in grab and throw to first to just retire Nunez. Philadelphia, still having hitters available on the bench, sent Jose Hernandez out to pinch hit for their pitcher, Clay Condrey. Hernandez would hit a 3 bouncer to FLop, which Lopez bobbled, Coste heading for home. Felipe would recover and throw a toss to Schneider that was the hardest ball I have ever seen Lopez throw. It was a rocket!! Just beating Coste to the plate, Schneider and Coste colliding at the plate, Home Plate Umpire, Rob Drake, taking his time making the call, until he was sure Brian held on the the ball. Which he did for out number 2. It looked like Bergmann might survive. But, Jimmy Rollins laced a liner down the right field line, in the corner, scoring Bourn and Hernandez and this one looked like it was over. 8-6 Phillies. The stadium was rocking, but for Philadelphia. Bergmann would get the final out of the inning on Zimmerman's terrific defensive play described earlier.

Going to the bottom of the 14, the Nationals had Fick, Bergmann and Logan due up. Not exactly the 3 you would want to see. Frank not having any bench players left, since Kearns batted in the 9th. Philadelphia brought on rookie Left Hander, Fabio Castro, to close it out. Castro obviously nervous. Fick drilled a single down the right field line. Frank would then send up Pitcher Beltran Perez for Bergmann. As I have mentioned in a earlier post, Beltran swings the bat harder than any pitcher I have ever seen. Down 0-1 in the count, Perez laced a drive to right, moving Fick to second, and sending the few hundred remaining NATS FANS IN A FRENZY!! It certaintly looked like the BASEBALL GODS were looking down favorably on our lovable Nats.

Since Nook Logan can not hit, he bunted, again, this time sacrificing the runners up to 2nd and 3rd. But, Fabio Castro would choke on the play, throwing it past Howard at first. Everyone safe. Bases loaded, no one out. THE GAME WAS NOW WINABLE!! Ryan Church now stepped to the plate, his opportunity to be the hero. First pitch ball from Castro, then, on the next pitch, he was fooled by an off speed pitch, but was able to loft it, just deep enough to center to score Fick. 8-7 Phillies. Perez and Logan remained on first and second.

Brian Schneider was next. And as the Section 320 chanted out the "Schneiderman" Song, to his wife's great delight, Brian would take ball one. Castro looking close to losing it. Fabio would then throw in a fastball, right over the inside corner of the plate, Schneider would RIP IT!! unfortunately, right at Utley for the game ending double play.

This game had it all. It was never dull, something always happening. To see a Washington Nationals team, well out of contention, fighting it out to the last man, in the final days of the season, was great to watch. Just the type of game you never forget. It would have been mindboggling if the Nats had pulled it out in that bottom of the 14th. If they did, I am sure I would not have slept at all last night.

Many thanks to all our good friends in Section 320, hanging out to the very end, supporting our Washington Nationals. The night was long, but TERRIFIC!!

Thrilling Ending, JUST THRILLING!!

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Chad Cordero was standing on the mound, snapping his glove shut after receiving the ball toss from Felipe Lopez. He was pissed. Two were out, The Chief just had Chase Utley down to his last strike with the Phillies Chris Coste on second base in the top of the ninth, leading by two. Cordero had served in a slider over the outside corner that Utley had slapped into left field, scoring Coste, bringing the Phillies back into the game, now 4-3 Nats. THE MOST DANGEROUS HITTER IN THE GAME WAS UP NEXT--RYAN HOWARD. The RFK Stadium Crowd was on its feet. Many Phillie Fans yelling "Lets Go PHILLIES!!" but being drowned out by the Nat Faithful.

The game winning run was now at the plate, and Frank Robinson was ever so slowly walking to the mound. With Pitching Coach Randy StClaire out with the flu, Frank was being part pitching coach tonight, but this upcoming conversation had nothing to do with pitching, it had to do with HEART. Frank showing his IN YOUR FACE demeanor, pointing decisively to Cordero on the mound, with the Nats entire infield standing by. Robinson making the point. YOU CAN DO THIS!! We will not pitch around Howard.

After Frank slowly walked back to the dugout, what was left of the 18,960 continued to stand and ROAR!! The anticipation great. I don't care who you were cheering for, if you love the game of baseball, this was a juicy moment.

The Chief rared back and hummed in a 91MPH high slider, Howard swinging viciously, fouling the ball back behind home plate. The Crowd as one saying "WOOOO!!" The Chief then looked in for the next sign from Brian Schneider, nodded his head, kicked and delivered, off speed pitch, fooling Howard ever so slightly, Ryan though, still drives the pitch up and out to left centerfield, looking at first like it might go, but Alfonso Soriano steps under it, grabbing the ball, Cordero, his twirling jump and hand pump to his heart, Schneider all smiles congratulating Chad, sending Nats Fans home happy with a very fine, exciting, 4-3 win. BANG!! ZOOM!! GO THE FIREWORKS!! CURLY W Number 70 in the books. A game that ended with a final matchup made in heaven. Save number 29 for THE CHIEF. All in a win the Nationals appeared to have no shot at earlier in the evening.


The African Queen and I were late arriving at RFK Stadium tonight, business called, and the game began as we were walking down the steps from the 300 Level Concourse to our seats. As luck would have it, we ran into SCREECH, right in front of Section 316, making his way toward Section 320, which we had yet to arrive at. Yelling out "SCREEECH!!" he turned immediately and was shocked to see me standing right behind him, pointing at his ficticuous watch telling me I am late, and where's THE QUEEN!! We High Five and I point out the Queen lost among the throng of other folks trying to get to their seats. SCREECH clears a path, gives Sohna a peck on the cheek, sticks out his furry elbow and escorts The African Queen to her rightful seat. It was great, because the aisle was so crowded with people, Screech was able to part the sea to make it all happen. Allowing us to see the remainder of the first inning, unobstructed. We couldn't thank Screech enough for the hospitality!! Sohna LOVED THE ESCORT!! Got a big kick out it.

Ås soon as we sat down, it was obvious that, Nationals Starter, Ramon Oritz may not be long for this game. After Jimmy Rollins led off the game for Philadelphia flying to the warning track in right, Shane Victorino drilled a single up the middle and Chase Utley would single to right, moving Victorino to second. Howard was up next, and with the Phillie Faithful chanting "MVP!, MVP!!" Ryan would drive the very first Ramon pitch to center, scoring Victorino easily, moving Utley to second. Former Oriole, Jeff Conine stepped up and laced a full count single to left, scoring Utley, moving Howard to second. Still one out and two runs in. Pat Burrell would also go deep into the count, but strike out swinging on a slider. Burrell must have felt like he was playing at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, as the moment he K's he was booed mightily by Phillies fans. The exact same response Sohna and I witnessed in August at a Nats road game against the Phillies. Mike Lieberthal would, thankfully, end the threat by flying out to Nook Logan. But, Ortiz would throw 29 pitches in the first inning alone. He did not look sharp.

Sharp though was the description of Ryan Zimmerman. Z-Man continues to tear it up as the season sets, and tonight he was on his game. Ryan got the nats right back into the game in the bottom of the first after Bernie Castro led off with a bunt single, barely beating the throw from Utley and Felipe Lopez would single to right, Castro scurrying to third. Soriano would swing at the very first pitch, poping the ball to center, but too shallow to score Bernie. Then Z stepped up, FLop stole second to put both runners in scoring position, and on a 1-1 count, grounded hard to deep short, to the left of Jimmy Rollins. Rollins only play was to toss to first to retire Zimmerman. 2-1 Phils. RBI number 105 for Number 11. Vidro would ground out to end the threat.

Ortiz would continue to be all over the plate, giving up 2 singles in the second to Rollins and Victorino. Utley would lace the second pitch of his at bat, deep down the right field line. A line drive that kept on hooking toward the foul pole,just above the fence. MickNats thought it hit the post. I thought it hit the post. Everyone in Section 320 thought it hit the foul pole, as from our sightline looking right down the rightfield line, we could see the ball carom off the yellow pole. First base umpire Rob Drake defiantly called the ball FOUL--to a great relief for all Nationals Fans. Replays showed the ball hitting the post clearly. But, I will take it. Luck would prevail tonight for Washington. Utley would then pop out with Ramon truly escaping--unharmed. Again in the 3rd, Howard would strike out to led off, but Conine and Burrell would single with one out on grounders in the hole that Lopez just flat out gave up on. Felipe is a very disturbing infielder. Again, though, Ramon somehow got out of it, striking out Lieberthal, Abraham Nunez flying to Nook Logan in centerfield.

Zimmerman would strike again, with the decisive blow of the game in the bottom of the 3rd, when Castro would draw a full count walk from Phildelphia Starter Brett Myers. FLop sacrificing him to second. Soriano would draw a full count walk. Z then HAMMERS a drive, a liner right past Pat Burrell in left, Castro and Soriano score, and just like that, Washington had the lead, 3-2. You just had to shake your head that the Nationals were in the lead. Zimmeran continues to hit in the clutch. 107 RBI now for 2006, 65% of them with runners in scoring position. If this man is not ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!! It a FARCE!!

Ortiz, feeling pumped now with lead, actually settled down to retire the Phils in order in the 4th, but got in trouble, once again, in the 5th when Utley and Howard both single to start the inning. Section 320 noticed that Phillies Fan were actually cheering their players that got on base. In Philadelphia, all their fans do is sit on the hands and boo every single moment. SenatorNat yelling out to them: "So, You need to go on the road to learn how to cheer!!" The African Queen noting that, maybe, these Phillies fans, no longer live in the Philadelphia area, and by living in the DC have learned how to make the proper noise. We all were laughing about it. But, Conine would line out to Z at 3rd, Burrell would strike out (and booed mightily again by Phillie Fans-I guess old habits are hard to break) and Liberthal flied out to right to end the threat.

When Ramon Ortiz finished off the Phillies in order in the 6th, he would leave the game giving up 10 hits, none for extra bases, amazingly just 2 runs and as MICKNATS said: "Can you believe Ortiz leaves with a quality start?!!" No, but he did--incredibly so. Ortiz would actually get the win tonight, his 11th to go with 15 losses.

Billy Traber trotted to the mound in the 7th and got into trouble right away--Hitting Shane Victorino on a pitch in the dirt. Utley would foul pop to Vidro near the Phillies Dugout, and Ryan Howard was next. Again, the entire crowd anticipating something monsterous. Traber, working deliberately, worked a full count, on the pitch, Victorino took off, Howard swinging mightily on an off-speed pitch, and missing. Howard slamming his bat down in disgust--Schneider would heave a throw to second, right on the money, only to see FLop completely miss the ball, and Schneider charged with an error for some reason. This error was all FLop. I really believe that Lopez is afraid of contact with other players on close plays, and it affects his game tremendously. The has occured too many times. Then, Frank Robinson stepped out of the dugout to replace Traber with Saul Rivera. Rivera getting Conine to ground out to Lopez to end the inning. The Nationals trot off the field to a nice standing ovation.

The Wookie, Jon Rauch, was on the mound for Washington to start the 8th. With one out, Randall Simon (yes, the same Randall Simon that with the Pirates, used his bat to knock down the girl running in the Sausage Races in Milwaukee a few years back-an incident causing so much commotion), singles to left. Simon then replaced by pinch runner, Michael Bourn. Rauch would strike out pinch hitter, David Dellucci, on 4 pitches. Then, with pinch hitter Chris Coste at the plate, Bourn would take off for second. Schneider heaved a throw right on the bag, Castro catching, but Bourn's head first dive just beating the throw, but Bourn kept on sliding right over and past the bag, Bernie holding the ball and glove right on the back of Bourn's legs. Second base umpire Paul Navert calling Bourn OUT on the overslide. It was a key moment of the game. Phillie fans disgusted. Nice effort by Castro to stay with the play. Felipe Lopez would have given up on the throw.

Tonight's luck would continue for the Nationals in the bottom of the 8th. With Geoff Geary on the mound, Lopez and Soriano would both strike out. With 2 outs, Zimmmeran would lace a solid single to left for his 3rd hit of the night. George Lombard, pinch hitting for Rauch would draw a full count walk, getting the home crowd stirring again. Brian Schneider was up next, working the count, and with the count full, pops a blooper down the left field line. Phillies 3rd Baseman Jose Hernandez and Shortstop Jimmy Rollins converged on the ball, it looked playable, but fearing a collision, Rollins dropped the ball while jumping over Hernandez, keeping Brian alive. The luck continued, as on the very next pitch, Schneider would weakly ground the ball to Utley at second. Utley charged in, with plenty of time to get the slow moving Schneider. As Utley reached down to barehand the ball, the ball scooted to his right, under his hand and rolling to the back of the infield. Zimmerman scores the 4th run of the night. 4-2 Nats. The Washington Crowd laughing in delight. Phillies Fans standing in TOTAL DISGUST, shaking their heads, seeing their playoff hopes slowly fading away. Nook Logan will finally kill the rally with a terrible 3 pitch strikeout at bat. Logan can not hit from the leftside, no doubt.

Chris Coste would lead off the 9th with a double to the wall off Cordero to set up the dramatic finale. With the Phillies still in the playoff hunt, this game had a great atmosphere, despite the meager turnout. The Nationals won a game they had no right to win--which made it all the more enjoyable.

Also, MickNats and I both purchased this terrific Commemorative Plaque honoring Alfonso Soriano's 40/40 Date of September 16. Limited to just 40 total production run, with Alfonso taking number 1 and 40--The Plaque included a Mounted Picture of Soriano holding the 40th steal base, and a Special Ticket with date and event and a Silver engraved Marker on the bottom. It was really nice, I think the team store sold out of them last night. The African Queen thrilled to get this special item of her Main MAN!!

Perez, Schneider, Z and Managerial Decisions

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The New York Mets put out nearly their Best Lineup tonight for the series finale against our Washington Nationals. Only Carlos Delgado not in the starting lineup. That lineup wasn't enough at Flushing Meadows as the Nats pulled out a nice 7-3 victory, winning 3 of 4--two in a row since losing Nick Johnson for the season this past saturday.

Nats youngster, Beltran Perez, got his second start. Perez didn't have his best stuff tonight, but showing saavy of a veteran, hung in for 6 plus innings, giving up just 2 runs on 4 hits and 6 walks. Despite giving up a Home Run launched by Shawn Green in the second, Beltran continues to show promise, getting his second win. Sometimes, rookie pitchers can get lucky in their first starts, no one has seen them, but after the scouts have seen you pitch, those pitchers need to adjust and start working the plate with their best stuff. Perez mixed up his pitches well tonight, despite being all over the plate at times. I see a confident young man growing up on the mound. Success brings confidence and Beltran's trusting his stuff. Its a very good sign.

Brian Schneider continued to ressurrect his 2006 season, collecting 4 hits in 5 at bats, raising his average to .254, .025 higher in the past month. Ryan Zimmerman continues to make his late season push to win the National League Rookie of the Year award, stroking a key bases loaded one out double. With Bernie Castro, Felipe Lopez and Alfonso Soriano, the 3 fastest runners on the team taking off, there was NO PLAY AT THE PLATE. Speed scoring easily, putting the Nats up 3-1.

But, you have to wonder seriously about the Nationals Base Running. All year long, base running has been atrocious at times. Tonight, it appeared that terrible baserunning was going to cost Washington early. Just who exactly is making these decisions? Frank Robinson, 3rd Base Coach Tony Beasley, or is it player error??

In the second inning, Jose Vidro leads off with a double to center off Tommy Glavine. Schneider followed with a grounder to right, Vidro unable to score, moving to 3rd base. Nook Logan then slaps a grounder to Jose Reyes at short, with the infield playing in to cut off the run at the plate. For whatever reason, Vidro takes off for home. Reyes easily tosses to LoDuca who tags out Jose in a mini rundown. THERE IS NO REASON FOR VIDRO TO RUN!! None. There are no outs. Schneider has moved to second on the force out at home. With Ryan Church up with 2 strikes, you just knew that Glavine would throw a slop pitch. Sure enough, here it came, Church swinging at the pitch in the dirt, but inexplicably, Brian takes off for 3rd, attempting to steal, with a lefthanded hitter at the plate. Even Logan behind Schnieder stays put. LoDuca easily throws out Schneider, David Wright making the tag. WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS!! With 2 runners on, no outs, the Nats run into 2 unnecessary outs!! Church and Schneider combining on a Strike'm Out, Throw'm Out Double Play to kill the inning.

Then in the 3rd, Beltran Perez, who swings the bat as hard as anyone I have ever seen, slaps a slow grounder in the hole at short. David Wright makes a routine twirling stop and throw, but Perez, running hard all the way, beats the throw for his first Major League Hit. Bernie Castro followed with a hard slap up the middle, sure to get through, only Glavine deflects the ball, right to Reyes at short, who tosses to Jose Valentin at second to retire Beltran. Castro too fast to throw out at first. After Castro steals his 7th base, moving to second, FLop would walk, followed by Alfonso walking to load the bases. Still one out.

Zimmerman continued to be clutch, slapping an outside Glavine pitch deep into right center, the speed of Bernie, FLop and Soriano trotting around the bases easily. Z stops at second with his 46th double of the season, now at 104 RBI. 3-1 Nats. But, bad baserunning continued immediately. Jose Vidro would walk. First and Second and the hot hitting Schneider up. On a 1-2 count, Ryan amazingly takes off for 3rd base. Again with a Left Handed Hitter at the plate. LoDuca, easily throws out Zimmerman. You could tell from the MASN broadcast that FRANK ROBINSON had NOT called that one. Z just staring at Tony Beasley, dumbfounded, before trotting on to the dugout. Brian Schneider striking out to end the rally. Only 3 runs on the board, and the Nats possibly running out of 3 additional runs. Very BAD BASEBALL!! With 155 games already played in this season, you would think that Washington could learn how to run the bases properly.


Later, in the 6th, the Nationals would luck out on their baserunning, when Vidro once again leads off with a double down the left field line, Schneider lofts a looping single to right that Vidro does not run on, stopping again at third. 1st and 3rd--no outs. On a full count to Nook Logan, Schneider takes off for second, Logan DOES NOT SWING AT A BALL RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE PLATE!! LoDuca, snaps the ball to second, but it short hops Jose Valentin covering, bouncing into centerfield. Vidro trotting home for the Nats 3rd run. I can understand running in this situation, but what in the world is Logan thinking, not swinging, even to protect Schneider. Bad decison by Nook. Church would lace a grounder to first and Beltran Perez strikes out to kill, yet another larger scoring rally.

The 8th would be the deciding inning tonight, despite another strange decision by Washington. Facing Mets Reliever, Pedro Feliciano, Jose Vidro would stroke and beat out, of all things, an infield roller to 3rd. Melvin Dorta sent in to pinch run for Jose. Schneider then laced his 4th hit of the night, grounding sharply to right, Dorta moving to 3rd. 1st and 3rd, no outs. Nook Logan, hung in, down 0-2 in the count, to strike back with a hard enough grounder up the middle to score Dorta, moving Schneider to second. 5-2 Nationals. Time to GO FOR THE KILL!!

Ryan Church at the plate. Fastball hitting power hitter, against Fastball throwing lefthander. What do our Nats do?? With a 2-2 count on Church, they SACRIFICE BUNT!! Church laying down a bunt toward the third baseline. I couldn't believe it!! You have a chance to put the game away, are you are giving up an out, to play small ball. Makes NO SENSE TO ME!!


Robert Fick, pinch hitting for Billy Traber, would walk, loading the bases. Feliciano then replaced by the equally hard throwing Guillermo Mota. With the infield pulled in, Castro would slap a fastball into the hole in right, scoring Schneider and Logan, making the score 7-2. Yes, the Nats where able to score, but more due to poor pitching, walks and a little luck, not due to sharp managing. FLop would pop to left to take away the momentum. Soriano would strikeout to kill the rally on a pitch so far in the dirt, he needed a Golf Driver to reach it.

Ryan Wagner would struggle in the bottom of the 8th. Wright getting a infield single on a soft roller into the hole, in right, that Castro showed tremendous range to reach, yet could not make the throw in time to retire the hustling David. Cliff Floyd followed with a drive to left center, but Soriano hustled all the way, keeping Wright from scoring. 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. Shawn Green grounded to Castro at second, scoring Wright to close out tonight's scoring 7-3 as Wagner was able to get out of the jam without further damage.

The Chief, Chad Cordero, trotted on to retire the Mets in order for CURLY W number 69. If you told me in Mid-August that our Nats would possibly reach 70 wins, I would have laughed at you. But, you have to give Washington Credit, despite adversity, they continue to plug away and not give up. We are learning what some young players can, and can not do. Winning 3 of 4 from a Good Mets Team, resting some of their best players--is still not bad.

Although, I have to wonder about the base running and managerial situational decisions. Those decisions just make NO SENSE sometimes. NONE. I would love to sit down with Frank or Tony Beasley to ask them about tonight's manuvers. ANY TAKERS??

Guts & Guile For Nick

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Today, Our Washington Nationals could have mailed it in, losing handily to the New York Mets, one day after a horrific injury to mainstay first baseman, Nick Johnson. And, no one would have said anything bad otherwise. Instead, the Nats gutted it out, with heavy hearts and pulled out a nice 5-1 Victory at Shea Stadium.


In honor of their fallen friend, the entire team wore knee high navy blue socks. Nick's Uniform, Number 24, hanging in the dugout. Even Pitching Great, Roger Clemens, starting tonight in Houston against the Cardinals, wore his navy blue socks at the knees, in honor of his former New York Yankees Teammate. It was a nice gesture by Roger. Clemens, to me, the finest pitcher of my generation--undeniably. Meanwhile, Washington Right Fielder, Austin Kearns, colliding with Johnson in the incident, given the day off to heal, mentally.

Frank Robinson threw out an unusual lineup to go against the Mets, a New York lineup that was missing David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Paul LoDuca. The Mets having clinched the Division Title and Best Record in the league, resting their players heading to the playoffs. The Nats starting nine included, Bernie Castro, Brandon Harper, Robert Fick (replacing Johnson), Ryan Church and George Lombard, filling in for Kearns.

Tony Armas got the start today for Washington, and was fairly effective for his second consecutive start. Eventually winning his first game since August 18--that last thrilliing win the The African Queen and I witnessed in Philadelphia in the Citizens Bank Park Suite. Armas raising his 2006 record to 9-12 after today's victory.

As per each and every Nats game, Washington had Mets Starter, Steve Trachsel on the brink of a blowout early. Each time allowing Trachsel to get out of it, barely touched. It all starting in the very first inning, when Bernie Castro would lead the game off with a full count walk. Threatening to steal, Trachsel could not find the plate with Felipe Lopez up. FLop eventually drilling a grounder to right, moving Castro to 3rd easily. 1st and 3rd, no outs. Alfonso Soriano, batting 3rd, in an effort to reach 100 RBI for the season, following and, on the very first pitch--no surprise, lofted a deep enough fly to right, scoring Castro easily, giving the Nats a early 1-0 lead. RBI number 95 for Alfonso. With Ryan Zimmerman now at the plate, FLop was yancy, and on a 1-1 count, took off for second. The Mets were expecting it, catcher Kelly Stinnett calling a pitchout, Lopez out by a mile. Not even close. Of course, Z would follow by drilling a double down the left field line. Flop would have most likely scored. Z now on second with 2 outs. Fick, looking to make up for the loss of Nick Johnson, stepped up, and, unfortunately, flied to right, ending the inning. 1-0 Washington.

Armas would give up a leadoff single to the very dangerous speedster, Jose Reyes. Reyes slapping a single to left. But, Tony would bear down and retire Endy Chavez, Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado to end the inning.

The Nats would frustrate everyone and me, especially, again in the second, when Ryan Church would drag bunt the very first pitch from Trachsel down the third base line for a single. Chris Woodward, today's Mets 3rd baseman made a nice running one handed grab and throw, for whatever reason, Carlos Delgado fielded the ball off the bag. Replays showed that if Carlos stretches, Church may well have been out. Lombard followed, and nicely slapped an outside pitch into left, moving Church to second. Brandon Harper worked a full count walk. Still no outs, but Tony Armas, Jr at the plate. Let Armas Bunt, Squeeze, anything but swing away. Tony swings away on the very first pitch, grounding to Reyes at Short, on to Jose Valentin at second, on to first for a double play. Church scored on the play, but Armas had KILLED THE RALLY! When Castro bounced on back to Trachsel, this potential blowout rally was over. 2-0 Nats in the second. It really is amazing how the Nats can rarely produce the BIG INNING with 2 men on and no outs.


Through 4 innings, Armas would allow only two more hit, a single by Trachsel, and a shot into the left centerfield gap by Cliff Floyd that Alfonso Soriano hustling all the way, corralled on one hop, Floyd trying to stretch it into a double, Soriano heaving the ball sidearm right on the bag at second, nailing Cliff easily for Alfonso's 22 assist of the season. Number 12 continues to improve his outfield game.

Washington would threaten once again in the 4th, Leadoff single by Fick, followed by a Church single to center. No outs, but, once again, The Nats would fail to rally, Lomabard striking out badly on 3 pitches--Harper grounding into an inning ending 5-4-3 Around The Horn double play. I just sat in my chair in the family room shaking my head. The African Queen saying "Don't want to hear it!"


Armas would allow New York right back into the game in the 5th, throwing a change up right over the middle of the plate to Valentin, leading off the inning. Valentin launching it over the right field fence, and just like that, despite dominating the game to this point, the score was only 2-1 Nationals. Armas then retiring the last 3 hitters in the Mets lineup to keep the lead after 5 complete.


But our Nats showed their Guile in the sixth, when Soriano rapped a double to left, leading off. Z following with his 45th double of the season, a ground ball down the left field line. Soriano scoring easily. 3-1 Nats. You could see the happiness in the Washington Dugout. A sense of relief that they were playing competitively, despite the sorrowful feelings. Frank giving Soriano a MEANINGFUL HANDSHAKE returning to the dugout after scoring.


Trachsel would be replaced by Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano shutting down the Nats the rest of the inning. And, with Armas making it through 6 complete, up by 2, Frank Robinson, rightly, decided to take Tony out of the game and hand the game over to the bullpen. The 7th inning was the deciding frame of this game. Darren Oliver now on the mound for New York. Brandon Harper would lace a liner just out of reach to the left of the fast moving Endy Chavez in center. Harper stopping at second with a leadoff double. Frank would then send the light hitting Henry Mateo to the plate to pinch hit for Armas, Jr. Mateo working a full count on Feliciano before drilling a shot down the right field line that First Base Umpire, Tim McClelland originally called foul, but then changed his mind instantly, waving fair, the ball bouncing into the stands for a Ground Rule Double, scoring Harper. Mets Manager, Willie Randolph, slightly complained, but the ruling stood. 4-1 Nats. Bernie Castro would bunt Mateo to third with one out. FLop would follow, and send a grounder up the middle, scoring Mateo and closing out today's scoring, 5-1.


Jon Rauch would attempt, once again, to make it interesting in the 8th, walking the leadoff and 3rd batter of the inning. With one out, Chavez would line a shot, that looked to be OVER rightfielder Lombard's head, only to see George not give up on the ball--snaring the ball over his shoulder, running with his back to the ball, at the very last moment. Out Number two saved the inning, not only for Rauch, but Washington. Ironically, the slower moving Austin Kearns, not playing right field today, may well not have made that play. Rauch retiring Shawn Green when Ryan Church made a beautiful sliding shoestring catch to end the threat. Charlie Slowes on WTWP, sighing some serious relief. ME, watching on MASN, letting out a HUGE--"WOW!! We Can Never Make it Easy!!"

Saul Rivera would close it out for Washington in the bottom of the 9th. The Nats congratulatory hand slaps on the infield were very jubulent. Knowing they had fought off all their bad and down feelings, to defeat the Division Champions. No doubt, New York played a lesser lineup, but the Nationals fought hard today, attempting to win for Nick Johnson. I am sure many more players visited Nick Johnson in his New York Hospital Room tonight. Frank Robinson standing proud, slapping and shaking hands with each and every player as the Nats walked off the field, led, as always, by Soriano.

On a very good note, it was reported, both on MASN and Radio by Charlie Slowes, that Nick Johnson's operation went extremely well. Nats Trainer, Tim Abraham, reporting that Nick's Femur bone in his right thigh was a CLEAN BREAK, instead of a fracture. The Doctors in surgery were able to fit the broken bones back together, perfectly, inserting a titanium rod in the bone for stability, along with 3 screws, 2 around the break, another at the hip. Surprisingly, Abraham says that Nick Johnson will begin walking rehabilitation, as soon as tomorrow. No caste was needed. The Nationals reported up to 6 months for recovery, in full. That would make Nick available to train in Spring Training. I would not be as optimistic, feeling he should properly give the healing process up the 8 months. As I have said before, we are not going to win anything soon, lets get Johnson right, don't rush it. The Nationals can fill in until he's 100% ready. In the meantime, this temorarily solves the Vidro, Lopez, Cristian Guzman glut in the middle of the infield. Jose can now move to first base, develop some better skills, and, quite frankly, become a better all around player, more desired by other teams. Time to look at Nick's injury in a positive way.

It would be fabulous if the Nats could win this series tomorrow night. If so, they would come home at 69-87 in the standings. With then six games to play, the Phillies and Mets on the schedule to complete the season, if would be conceivable they could go 4-2, and avoid the 90 loss season. I know that's not much to be proud of, but considering all we as fans and The Nationals have been through this year, I would call that---ending the season on a high note.

Nick Johnson

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It just killed me to see Nick Johnson lying there, wreathing in pain, Austin Kearns, stunned, devastated--crying; The two had just collided, violently, both chasing a pop up in a game long since decided, but being the professionals they are, never giving up. Big Nick Johnson, receiving the brunt of the physical damage, a potential career threatening Broken Right Femur (Thigh Bone). Kearns maybe, receiving something far worse, psychological distress-- potential Mental Breakdown from being involved in such a ghastly accident.

The Washington Nationals may well have lost much of their near future today.

Unless The African Queen was to unexpectedly pass, I doubt I would feel much worse. Being the Rabid Fan I am, I was still watching today's final 12-6 blowout by the New York Mets over our Nats, always looking for something positive even in losing. When David Wright blooped that Jason Bergmann pitch over Nick's head in the bottom of the 8th, you just knew that Johnson would never give up on it. Kearns also hustling all the way. Johnson tried to make one of his off balance awkward slides to catch the ball, while Austin tried to make a sliding catch--the two slamming hard into each other, Kearns left knee crushing into Nick's upper right thigh, just above the knee. You could tell right away that Johnson was horribly hurt. Jose Vidro, trailing the play, IMMEDIATELY started signaling for medical help, obviously HEARING the sound of broken bone. Johnson turning over on his stomach, throwing his glove, then his cap, screaming in agony--his right leg, totally immobile immediately--Kearns knocked backward, facedown, seemingly knocked out for the count.

Play thankfully stopped and Shea Stadium was SILENT. Medical help ran onto the field, Frank Robinson moving faster than I had ever seen him move over the past two seasons. Mets Manager, Willie Randolph, the class act that he has always been, rushing out to help. Medical staff giving Johnson a towel to stuff into his mouth, trying to help Nick fight off the agonizing pain. Kearns would slowly get up, while sitting on his knees, staring at Nick in disbelief, the TEARS JUST STARTED FLOWING!!
Alfonso Soriano, standing with Ryan Zimmerman, holding his mouth in horror over what he was seeing. Brian Schneider, running as fast as he could to help out his best friend, Nick Johnson. And me, agonizing to no end, watching on TV. The African Queen, working on something in the Kitchen, not fully aware of what had just occurred, not understanding why I am asking her to please be quiet for a few seconds. THIS IS IMPORTANT!! Sohna realizing something very bad had just happened.

When the Medical Staff brought out the stretcher and then splinted Nick's right leg, you knew this was the end for Nick Johnson for 2006 and possibly 2007. Austin Kearns was now on his feet, Totally in Shock. Kearns standing all alone mumbling to himself, tears flowing. Nook Logan would finally come over to console him. It didn't help. As Johnson rolled over and was put on the stretcher and lifted onto the mobile cart, Frank Robinson turned away, dropping his head--me knowing that he just heard Nick Johnson scream in pain. I had seen it before, know the reaction of losing a close friend to a painful broken bone injury. Willie Randolph, standing 5 feet away, letting the medical folks do their job, but wanting to show his support. Nick and Willie having been with the Yankees for a few seasons together in the early 2000's

To New York Fans GREAT CREDIT, As Johnson was driven off the field, the Shea Stadium Crowd stood for a rousing Standing Ovation. Willie Randolph leading the clapping, the cart driving down the right field foul line and over to the centerfield exit for the awaiting ambulance. It was heartwrenching to see TV pictures showing Nick CRYING UNCONTROLLABLY on that cart. I just lost it--seeing such a proud competitive man lose out on a freakish injury. Austin Kearns was still standing in right field, shaking his head, still crying. There was no way Austin could continue in this game. Frank doing the right thing and sending in George Lombard to replace Austin. Austin with tears streaming down his eyes while jogging to the Nats 3rd base dugout, plopping himself down on the bench, holding his now drooping head. Teammates trying to console him, to no avail.

Later, MickNats would call me, hearing that Nick Johnson was injured, wanting to know what happened. I could barely recite the story, the incident bothering me to no end.

Today, our Washington Nationals lost their most important element, HEART. Nick Johnson, in many ways is the Heart and Soul of this team. Today, that heart was lost in devastating fashion. Nick Johnson will be lost and MISSED for some time. A Broken Femur can take 1 year to fully recover. Austin Kearns, finally coming around after being homesick from being traded from Cincinnati, will have a major mental scar. A scar that will be very hard to overcome, until, and if, Nick Johnson fully recovers.

Personally, I have not been able to concentrate of anything the rest of the day. Tonight, Mr and Mrs MickNats, The African Queen and I went to RFK Stadium to watch our very first DC United Soccer Match. I just couldn't concentrate. And, running into so many Ushers and Ticket Takers I see at Washington Nationals games, just made me think more about Nick and Austin. In fact, 3 separate ushers, knowing I was probably up on the incident, wanted me to give them play by play of the collision.

Despite our terrible 2006 season, the Nationals were starting to show some promise for 2007. That promise has now been delayed. September 23, 2006 is a terrible day for the Washington Nationals Franchise and their FANS.

Good Luck, Best Wishes for a speedy recovery for NICK JOHNSON. I will miss you until the day you, once again, don a Nats Uniform in a regular season game. Austin Kearns, it was not your fault, its very devastating to be involved in such an incident. Don't let it kill you, and your career. No One is going to blame you--especially not me. I understand, I;ve been through this before.

Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and OUR WASHINGTON NATIONALS--need our support now more than ever.

Diamond Club

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Over the past two homestands, The African Queen and I were given the nice opportunity of attending the Diamond Club Buffet before 2 Nats Home Games at RFK Stadium--courtesy of The Washington Nationals. The offer was a thanks for our willingness to run THE PRESIDENTS RACE--in costume.

We didn't really know what to expect, as we knew very few Diamond Club Box Season Ticket Holders. But, if the Nats are charging $110 per ticket to sit in that section right behind home plate, the buffet had to be decent. Sohna and I were pleasently surprised.

The Diamond Club is located on the 300 level behind the Right Field Wall. If you are sitting in the seating bowl at RFK during a Nats game, you can see the Diamond Club--there is an opening above the Budweiser Sign and the DC United Banners, below the Toyota/Scion Sign. This opening runs the entire length of right field all the way to dead centerfield. That is the Diamond Club.

Upon entering, you are met at the gate by Security, that checks your tickets, or in our case--sends us over to a Greeter who has our names on the Guest List. Once they confirm you are the proper guest, each Diamond Club attendee receives a Color Band allowing you entrance and free reign of the digs.




The Area is really not that big, but what is very nice are the Bar Stool Seats that run the length of the outfield wall overlooking the field. From this perched position, with a table top also running the wall, you can eat, drink, chat while all the time watching BATTING PRACTICE or The Nats Pitcher warming up in the Bullpen. The view is FABULOUS. There are TV Monitors all around, the PA System in piped in. So, you really don't miss anything pregame. And, since the Diamond Club is open through the end of the 3rd inning, you can hang out there, still watch the game while enjoying your meal. We found all of this a very nice relaxing change of pace. Additionally, there are lower rounded dining tables with 4 seats and Higher Bar Stool Style Tables, also with 4 seats.

There are 6 Food Stations Set up around the Diamond Club. 2 softdrink and water stands, plus 2 fully stacked bars. A Dessert Table with Coffee. Everything is included, except for the Cash Alcohol Bars. There's even a table STUFFED with Shell Peanuts, Pretzels and Popcorn that you can fill up into provided bags and take them to your seat in the Stadium.



Each game we attended, there were 3 Hot Entree choices that apparently change each and every game. Fish (Ahi Tuna or Alaskan Halibut) BBQ Chicken, Veal, Beef Wellington, Baked Ham, Roast Beef, Prime Rib Cuts, all were provided in the times we visited. Acommpaying side dishes:baked potato, wild rice, steamed vegetables among others. At each game, Diamond Club Diners can always eat Hot Dogs and Sausages with ALL THE FIXINGS possible. And, there is a Salad Bar set up at each game.

We found everyone involved working in the Diamond Club to be exceptionally nice. In fact, many just going out of their way to take away your used plates and utencils. Must be the fact that the great majority of the Diamond Club Members are the TOP PAYING CUSTOMERS!



Last Tuesday night when the Nats played the Braves, we were joined by good friends, Iris and Biff. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, giving everyone a place to chat without getting in anyones way standing in the aisles and seats of RFK. Opening at the exact same time as the RFK Stadium Ticket Entrance Gates, we found the entire experience fun. Wouldn't really be interested in doing it for every single game, but 2-3 times a month during the Season would be nice, especially on the weekend games, as we know we have more time then to enjoy it fully. All in All a nice experience. We couldn't thank The Nationals enough for the opportunities.

100th RBI for Z--Good Tight Win

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Ryan Zimmerman became the 49th player in the History of Major League Baseball to knock in 100 Runs in his Rookie Season tonight in an excellent 3-2 win over the Division Champion New York Mets in Flushing Meadows, New York. The Nats bullpen continued to show improvement--throwing 2 2/3rds scoreless innings. And, Alfonso Soriano (still swinging at EVERY SINGLE PITCH) added to his terrific season by knocking his 40th double. The only player in MLB History with 40 Homers, 40 Stolen Bases and now 40 Doubles, along with those 21 outfield assists.

Playing a solid New York Lineup, Washington tonight showed, that if the Nats can get good starting pitching, they can be competitive. Pedro Astacio was hanging tough tonight, going 6.2 innings, giving up alot of hits (9) and 2 walks, but was able to get the key outs when it counted the most.

Alfonso would be the game changer early, putting the Nats in the lead when, with one out, El Duque, Orlando Hernandez (Livan's half brother and former Expo- released by Montreal for no reason) would plunk Soriano (his former Yankees teammate) with a curve ball that didn't break, Alfonso laughing all the way to first base. FLop, Felipe Lopez, was next, and Soriano took off for second. Mets Catcher (and preseason National), Mike Defilice threw the ball into center, Alfonso trotting easily to third. Flop would follow with a solid single to right on a full count, scoring Alfonso and giving Lopez his career high 50th RBI. FLop then stole his 40th base of the season. Not sure if many teams have had two 40 steal players on the same team. 1-0 Nats.

With one still out, Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate, and with all the solid RBI hits Z has had this year, Ryan would be fooled on a 1-1 off speed pitch from El Duque and hit a seeing eye, opposite field, grounder into the hole between 1st and 2nd scoring FLop, giving the Nats a 2-0 lead and, more importantly, Z's (MSZIMMY's Main Man--AND YES I WAS DOING THE "COME ON ZIMMY!!" cheer in that fabulous voice for her's) 100th Run Batted In for 2006. Zimmerman has knocked in 76 of those 100 runs with runners in scoring position. THAT's CLUTCH HITTING, the best figure in the National League. The African Queen and I found it very appropriate to see the 100th RBI a mistake hit. Frank Robinson pocketing that run scoring ball in his Jacket on the bench--smiling like only a grandfather could.

Pedro Astacio would continue to knock down Mets batters through 4 innings. And, in the 5th, Alfonso Soriano would lead off with a poke down the left field line, jogging cleanly into second for his record setting 40th double of the season. Although Soriano would move to 3rd on a Lopez grounder to second, The Nats, once again, could not put the game away as both Z and Nick Johnson would go down on strikes---some wicked off speed pitches from El Duque.

The Mets finally got into the game in the bottom half when Chris Woodward would double to the wall in left, Astacio then walking the weak hitting catcher, DeFelice. After El Duque advanced the runners up one base on a sacrifice, another former National, Endy Chavez (traded to Philadelphia last season for Marlon Byrd) continued to resurrect his career with a clean single to right, scoring Woodward, moving DiFelice to 3rd. Chavez's 40th RBI in a limited role, going along with his .317 batting average. Tom Pacoriek, on the MASN Broadcast, noted that Chavez has choked up on the bat about 7 inches, giving Endy more bat speed, helping him utilize all fields with his speed. I guess that's something Washington Coaches could never figure out. Or, just another example of how we always put players in the doghouse (Ryan Church a prime example) and never see them develop.

Fortunately, the Nationals would strike back right away, when on a 2-0 count, Austin Kearns would get a fastball right over the middle on the plate from Hernandez, Austin depositing it into the left field seats for a 3-1 Nats lead. Austin has been knocking in runs lately. His 24th Homer of the season now giving him 85 RBI's. Its safe to assume that if Austin was not so home sick and downright mediocre the first few weeks after the BIG TRADE with Cincinnati, he may well have knocked in 100 runs in 2006. Kearns walks alot for a free swinger, needs to keep his right shoulder in more (as I have yelled at him on countless occaisions), but we are starting to see the talent that he possesses. Good outfielder, strong arm, decent RBI bat--capable of .275, 25 HR's and 100 RBI. On a contending team, you can win with a player like Austin Kearns.

Astacio would continue to be effective, reaching the 7th, ahead 2-1. With one out and on Pedro's 104th pitch of the game, pinch hitter Ricky Ledee, would SLAM a No Doubter Home Run into the Upper Tier of the Shea Stadium Cheap Seats in Right field. The ball glancing off the side of the facade, and going out of the ballpark. 3-2 Nats. Then, Astacio losing his composure, giving up a drag bunt single to Chavez on his very next pitch.

Frank Robinson, seeing more than enough on Pedro's 105th pitch of the game, and me SCREAMING FOR FRANK TO TAKE HIM OUT, Number 20 walked to the mound, signaling for Saul Rivera. As has been the case for the Nats relivers in their baptism under fire, the more these young hands have entered into action, the better these arms have developed. Rivera, Wagner, Schroeder, Bowie, Rauch and The Chief, now combining to give Washington HOPE in the final, nail biting, innings of close games.

Rivera trotted on to K Jose Valentin, then intentionally walk the dangerous Carlos Degado to bring up the equally dangerous, David Wright. It was an odd move, that I was seriously debating, in the comfort of my living room. Wright could put this game away for good. Delagdo and Wright can both slam the ball out of the park and hit for average. Saul would bear down and get Wright to ground hard to Z at 3rd. Zimmeman tossing to Jose Vidro at second to retire the side, to great relief for me.

The 8th would be a typical FRUSTRATING NATS INNING. With one out, Austin Kearns would walk against Mets Reliever, Guillermo Mota. Vidro would follow and hammer an outside high pitch to deep left centerfield. Even the swift moving Chavez couldn't reach hit. Kearns would have scored easily, but Shea Stadium Ground Rules came into effect, when Vidro's smack bounced over the outfield wall, hitting an advertisement sign, bouncing back onto the field. Chavez raising his hands for the play stoppage. Kearns had to return to first. Still one out--and as I said to Sohna, we are now in trouble.

Sure enough, Brian Schneider, ahead in the count, 2-1, would swing at an off speed pitch off the plate, grounding to Valentin at second, playing in. If Kearns goes on contact, he most likely scores. Austin makes no attempt. Now, with 2 outs, Nook Logan, batting from his very weak lefthanded bat, tries to drag bunt down the first base line, only he hard bunts the ball RIGHT DOWN THE LINE, Delgado only has to pick up the ball and tag Nook. Come ON NOOK!! USE YOUR BRAIN!!. Drag the ball between 1st and 2nd, that's your ONLY chance in that situation. You can use your speed, but you also have to USE YOUR BRAIN!!!

Mota's a fastball hitter, how much better would Ryan Church do in that situation. A good manager puts his players in a position to succeed. Frank does not. Church was the better choice for the moment. It will always bother me how Nationals Management continues to bury good players, publicly chastising them, then sending those players off, to a better career. Frustrating to watch. Vargas, Carroll, Rasner, now Chavez, it goes on and onl Ryan Church being next!

With the game still 3-2, Jon Rauch would come on to pitch a 1-2-3 8th, setting up The Chief for the 9th. Speed Demon, Jose Reyes, would pinch hit to lead off the bottom of the 9th. Showing no patience, down one run, Jose swings at the second pitch, popping to Logan in Center for out number one. Julio Franco, MY FAVORITE PLAYER TODAY AS HE IS THE ONLY PLAYER LEFT IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES THAT IS OLDER THAN ME!!! Franco 48, Screech'sBestFriend 47. You are not OVER THE HILL, until there is no one left older than you playing--or in this case--ME!! Franco brings a smile to my face every time I see him play.

Franco would smack a hot grounder right back to the mound, Cordero stuck up his glove, protecting his face, and the ball went right into his mitt. Chad recovering to easily throw out Julio. Chavez was next, 3 hits on the night for Endy. The Chief bore down, going 2-2 in the count, then Endy would slap the 5th pitch of this at bat, and final pitch of the game, to FLop at short, Lopez making a STRONG throw to first to end the game.

CURLY W number 67, Save Number 28 for Cordero. All on a night the Nationals were able to win with PITCHING. A solid Start from Pedro Astacio. Terrific bullpen by committee--Rivera handing to Rauch, handing to Cordero. 2006 is a lost season, winning wise, but as this season draws to a close, we may well be seeing the devlopment of the 2007 relief corps for Washington. The New Orleans Zephyrs call ups that were so terrible early on, have now become comfortable, relaxed, pitching their games, using their talents, not as nervous as previously. When we all look back at the second half of 2006, we may all remember the rebirth of relief pitching in Washington.

Just get us some STARTERS!! JIMBO!! PLEASE!!

I am most proud of Ryan Zimmerman, he came to Washington with HIGH, ABOVE THE CEILING, EXPECTATIONS. The Nats lowering those expectations as the 2006 season began. Yet, Z plays like a veteran, certaintly can improve his game in a few areas, but has been very solid. 21 years old, 100 RBI, most likely 20 Home Runs, hitting .285 and playing one of the best 3rd bases in the game today. Dan Uggla's had a terrific year in Florida, but he's 5 years older, and is nowhere near the defensive gem that Zimmerman is. I am not being bias when I say RYAN ZIMMERMAN IS THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!! NO DOUBT!!!

Beltran Perez

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On one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET EVENINGS of any Washington Nationals game played at RFK Stadium, Rookie Pitcher, Beltran Perez, making his very first Major League Start, shutdown the Atlanta Braves for 6 solid shutout innings, allowing just one hit, walking no one, striking out three Atlanta batters. The Lanky Perez was on the top of his game. And, since jumping up from AA Harrisburg when called up in September by the Nats, had a HUGE advantage tonight against a good Braves hitting team that had never seen him pitch.

Throwing fastballs in the low 90's, changeup in the mid-80's, slider near 90MPH, Beltran had Atlanta hitters totally off balance. Perez threw just 70 pitches, 40 for strikes, only Chipper Jones solving his magic tonight, singling sharply to right field in the very first inning. No one else from Atlanta came close to a hit. Andruw Jones, flying out twice facing Beltran tonight.


Solid hitting from Washington tonight, helped to give Perez his very first Major League Win. Every starter in the field, except Felipe Lopez, got hits. 7 starters had RBI's tonight. Ryan Zimmerman, breaking out of a mini slump with 2 hits, one, a run scoring double for his 98th RBI. Birthday Boy, Nick Johnson ripped a line drive home run off Atlanta Starter, Chuck James in the second inning. Later, Johnson would single and walk, scoring three runs tonight. It was announced on the Stadium Scoreboard that Johnson was just the 2nd player for the Monteal/Washington Franchise in the past 18 seasons to HOMER ON HIS BIRTHDAY. Even Jose Vidro showed some power, blasting a James first pitch fastball deep to left field, the ball bouncing off the ChevyFirst.com sign above the Atlanta bullpen for a two run shot in the 5th.

After swinging at absolutely everything, and NatsDelNegro commmenting "I mean every single pitch" , and striking out 3 consecutive times, Alfonso Soriano began to right his slumping bat, with a solid first pitch double down the right field line in the 7th, scoring Brandon Harper and Nook Logan for the final 2 runs of the evening. Harper continued to show some decent talent, getting the catching start tonight. Knocking in one run on a sacrifice fly, and scoring that one run. Nook Logan also knock in a run, with a seeing eye single through the hole between first and second, also in the 7th.

This game was NEVER in doubt, the Nats well ahead throughout the night. A rare uneventful win for the Washington Nationals. Saul Rivera and Ryan Wagner each gave up one run apiece in the 7th and 8th, respectively. Jason Bergmann finished off the game in the 9th.

Curly W number 66 was all about Beltran Perez. Many considered Perez the best Minor League Pitcher for the Nationals this season. The 24 year old righthander finished 8-6 with an ERA of 3.11 in 31 games for Harrisburg. 16 of those appearances were starts. Beltran striking out 107 AA batters in 121 innings, and giving up just 40 walks--8 home runs. Since his promotion to the Major League Nationals, Perez had made 5 previous appearances, giving up just one run in 5.2 innings. With all the problems the Nats have had with their poor starting pitching, there was no reason not to give the young man his chance. Its just one start, but it was an impressive one. A good start that the Nationals need badly. I was sort of shocked to see Frank Robinson take him out of the game after 6 innings, he was completely in control. Andy, sitting in front of me, noted that Beltran had only thrown 70 pitches at that time. We were up 6-0. Why not let him hang in their for a few more hitters.

Our only conclusion, was that Frank wanted him to go out of the game untouched and confident. Too bad the crowd on 20,596 didn't get a opportunity to give Number 54 a standing ovation, when taken out, as Beltran was pinch hit for in the bottom of the sixth, never to reappear on the field tonight.

Section 320 had a couple of courtesy seats in Section 214, directly behind home plate, many regulars in our section trading off sitting in a new spot, just to try it out. MickNats reported, the very first time he started the HEH-HO Vidro chant, some guy right in front of him, complained that he could not have a conversation, please be quiet!! KentuckyRob noted that since those seats are in the bottom of the bowl, with so many people around you, it was virtually impossible to pick up any individual cheers, just constant noise. Although NatsDelNegro, sitting in Section 214 and me in Section 320 coordinated a PERFECT Alfonso!!SORIANO!! cheer in the 7th when Alfonso doubled home the final runs. We all agreed, its alot more fun right where we are--Section 320.

Sorry to keep this writing short tonight, I am once again off to Florida to cover the latest problems with Space Shuttle Atlantis returning home. Leaving in just a couple of hours. Unfortunately, I will probably not be able to blog, but will be able to watch tomorrow night Braves finale at RFK on my computer.

Andruw Makes It Official, Ward Adds The Frosting

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As Biff so eloquently stated after tonight's Nationals 6-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium: "This game should have remained a rain out!!" No better words spoken about this one. A fairly dreary game, rescheduled from a late April rainout. And, not many decided to show up, at that--25,211 announced. You had to laugh at that number, certaintly less than 8,000 DIEHARDS actually in the Stadium. Just about EVERYONE could be heard, around the park tonight.

Andruw Jones continued to POUND the Nationals. Every single time the Braves come to town, Jones seems to hit one out. I've always said, any Braves/Nats Game is not OFFICIAL until Andruw smacks one out. Jones making this one official in the 6th, Lofting a Tony Armas off speed pitch high and deep to left field. Alfonso Soriano watching it, landing in the Mezzanine, M-35, just below Section 436. A fan making a nice basket catch of the home run. That 2 run homer the decisive go ahead runs, making the score 3-1 Bravos at that time. Karen, NATS320 Season Ticket Holder, in the group from Andrews Air Force Base, that shares tickets, sitting right to my left, was on board, once again to she her beloved Braves. Cheering madly over Andruw's shot, but very disappointed that, her love, Chipper Jones, was sitting tonight.

Recently traded and top Pinch Hitter, Daryle Ward, came to the plate in the top of the 8th with 2 runners on against the struggling Brett Campbell. I called Section 468, rightfield upper deck, toward the line for a HOME RUN. Ward did his best, drilling an 0-2, That's RIGHT--Zero and Two Count Fastball over the right field wall, hitting the Washington Hall of Stars Sign, just below Section 465. I WAS CLOSE!!! That 3 run homer putting the game out of reach 6-1, Ward celebrating TRIUMPHANTLY with his Atlanta Teammates---moving down the receiving line, at the top of the Visitors Dugout, slapping high fives in Grand Fashion. I like Daryle Ward, he was a fine edition for our sorrowful team this year, just wish he didn't put the Homer in OUR FACE SO BADLY. Ward had received a nice ovation upon stepping to the plate, before that At-Bat. You could tell that many Nats fans did not take that Celebration Well--including me.

Really not much else happened. Tony Armas, Jr. pitched OK, making it to the 7th inning, going 6.2, giving up 3 runs, 3 walks and that Andruw Jones Home Run. The best Tony has pitched in some time. Unfortunately, it was on a night the Nationals could do nothing against Braves Starter, Kyle Davies, and 3 Atlanta Relievers. Washington only managing 7 hits, none for extra bases.
The Nats lineup looking a little like a Spring Training Game. Robert Fick catching, in place of the hot hitting Brian Schneider. Ryan Zimmerman getting a deserved break, after struggling over the past week. Replaced by Melvin Dorta. Dorta coming up once with the Base Loaded, failing and later with 2 runners on, killing another rally. Dorta, pretty much the Goat tonight, with a fine assist from FLop.

Felipe Lopez came up with the bases loaded in the 7th, 2 outs, with struggling Atlanta reliever, Oscar Villareal on the mound. Villarreall, having given up a drag bunt single to Nook Logan, got Dorta to force out Nook on a grounder, Dorta safe at first. Pinch Hitter Ryan Church infield single up the middle and Alfonso Soriano, patient at the plate for the first time in nearly 2 weeks, walked to load um up.

Flop, hitting from the leftside, swung at everything. Striking out badly to end the Nats LAST REAL THREAT!! Me yelling at FLop, as usual. Logan would have the defensive play of the game, diving to his left, in the 8th on a sinking liner hit by Willy Aybar. Nook sprawling out across the centerfield grass to make a fine catch. Earlier, in the 5th, Austin Kearns made a fine leaping snare of a Marcus Giles liner to right. Kearns falling to the ground, face first after the jumping catch. Just about the only excitement on the field tonight for the home crowd.

Most of the fun in this game, came off the field, as Screech, Once Again, as has become the common practice at ALL NATS HOME GAMES, begins the evening visiting Section 320 right as the first pitch commences. Alfonso Soriano's 2 daughters and son, sitting to our right, getting a BIG KICK out of SCREECH. Screech stopping to stand on the railing, pointing at them, to their great enjoyment.

SenatorNat was in the house tonight, visiting Section 320. SenatorNat's Synapses twirling his mind around, sending out one witicism after another. MickNats and I couldn't help ourselves, getting SenatorNat to rekindle his finest story---How Mr. Ed, the Horse from the famous TV show and Ava Gabor from the 60's TV Show, Green Acres, should have been paired together in their own PROGRAM. What this has to do with baseball, is absolutely NOTHING. But the way SenatorNats spills it out, in great description, is FUNNY TO NO END!! MickNats and I just can't get enough of it. Drop by Section 320 to hear the full story--just can't write about it, in full details.

As the already small crowd dwindled even more, especially after Ward's 3 run blast, there were a group of maybe college age or a few years older ladies, sitting to our left, across the tunnel next to Section 320. One blonde, in particular, was TRASHED!! So drunk, I am sure she will never remember this evening. This young lady, just kept on chanting, cheering, banging her seat, and yelling some of the most incoherent stuff you could ever hear at RFK. NO ONE, sitting more than 10 feet away from her, could understand ANYTHING she squeeled out. The African Queen shaking her head in disgust.

It got to a point where the left side end of the Nats Dugout had players peeking a look, interested in seeing who was making all this noise. Using a phrase, uttered by MICKNATS earlier this year at another drunken fan, I yelled out to the BLONDE, "Yeah, I REMEMBER MY FIRST BEER!!" The 2 CSC Security Guards, standing in the tunnel next to me laughed mightily. One coming up to me after to game to shake my hand over the comment. That girl did not shut up until the final out was recorded. I wonder whether she will have even a voice tomorrow.

There really wasn't much else to say about this one. Soriano continues to struggle at the plate. His last at-bat, full count walk, maybe helping to get his bat jump started again tomorrow. I am always surprised how, after a Nats player has a hot couple of games, but is not a regular, Franks sits that player down. Doing so again tonight, when Bernie Castro was benched, after, two of his finest games in the Majors. You got to wonder about that?? Any Comments Frank???

Hoping Game Two of this 3 game set, does NOT BECOME OFFICIAL--Jones doesn't hit one out. And, the next time Daryle Ward comes to the plate, I will not be so respectful for this former NAT!!

Speed Is The Name Of The Game

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Since the All-Star Break, the Washington Nationals have hit over .270 as a team, compared to .247 before the break. Our Nats can score runs, but poor pitching has buried the team in the standings. And, as the 2006 season nears its closure, Washington has added an entirely new dimension--SPEED to its arsenal. Speed on the basepath. Speed in the field.

During the 2005 Inaugural Season, The Washington Nationals where a base to base team. They had no speed. The Inuagural Nats stole just 45 bases, and got thrown out stealing--45 times. Jamey Carroll was their fastest runner and he only stole 3 bases in 7 attempts. Many times, the 2005 Nationals could not reach difficult hits into the gap, or grounders into the holes of the infield. 2006 is far different. With just 2 weeks remaining in the season, Washington has stolen 110 bases and been thrown out 57 times. Significantly better than last year. Alfonso Soriano was the catalyst for the speed change this year. But, when Felipe Lopez (who I still believe is a terrible fielder) joined the team in July after the big trade with Cincinnati, the Nats where able to put game changing speed at the top of their batting order. Later, Bernie Castro was called up from New Orleans, showing tremendous speed and range, in the field at second baase. Finally, Nook Logan was acquired from Detroit, to provide outfield agility. Logan has a terrific loping stride, moves effortlessly. Personally, I would love to see a footrace between Castro and Logan, it would be fantastic!! Soriano, Castro and Logan have far reaching range. Plays that Wilkerson, Vidro, Church and Preston Wilson, could not retrieve last season, are outs with these 3 in the game this year.

That new found tool, speed, directly led to today's 6-1 dismantling of the Milwaukee Brewers. A game that saw Brew Crew Starter, Doug Davis, pitch a perfect game into the 5th inning. A game that saw Bernie Castro score after beating out an infield single that travelled all of 50 feet, scoring from second on a blop that landed 5 feet from a fielder and, later on, score from first on, basically, a routine single to right. Nook Logan continuing that speed show with a 30 foot bunt--running safely to first. Finally, the bullpen was great, Nats reliever Chris Shroeder would strike out all six hitters he faced over 2 innings. Looking invincible, totally unhittable today. In fact, the Nats bullpen throwing 5 No Hit innings.

All this occured on the African Queen's Birthday. A Birthday Screech stopped by to celebrate with his new found GIRLFRIEND!! And, on the day the Washington Nationals celebrated Sohna's Favorite Player, Alfonso Soriano, reaching the elusive 40/40 Club.

This days' festivities started off when Owner Mark Lerner and Team President, Stan Kasten, presented Alfonso with a Commemorative Plaque near Home Plate for his historic achievement. The Video board in right field, playing a 3 minute Soriano Highlight reel. Soriano grinning with Frank Robinson, awaiting to jog onto the field to receive the award. THE RFK FAITHFUL cheering wildly, standing ovation for Number 12. Soriano, all smiles, appreciative of the honor. Soriano gave Stan Kasten a nice High Five while both walked back to the Nats third base dugout after the brief ceremony.


As the game began, Screech made his first of 2 appearances in Section 320, stopping in to hug, smooch and help sing "Happy Birthday" to the African Queen. Sohna unaware that Screech knew of her BIG DAY!! I think Screech would have taken her home today, if I allowed it. Screech then, quickly, getting "down in front".


Both starters today, pitched well. Davis throwing a perfect game through 4.1 innings. Mike O'Connor, barely reaching 83MPH on any pitch, yet somehow hanging in there. In the second inning, O'Connor would hit Prince Fielder with a pitch. Kevin Mench would follow with a single to center. Still no outs. David Bell would hit a routine ball to Ryan Zimmerman at third. Z, slumping of late, tried to turn a double play, and threw wildly to second, bringing Castro off the base. All runners safe. Bases Loaded, No outs. Zimmerman just doesn't look right these days. Maybe the long first season is beginning to wear him down.

Brewers Catcher, Damian Miller, would follow with a deep enough fly to Austin Kearns to sacrifice Fielder home. 1-0 Milwaukee. O'Connor would get out of the jam when Davis laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Bell to second, and Brady Clark flied to center to end the threat.

Then, nothing for the next 3 innings. Schroeder would come on to replace O'Connor in the top of the 5th, and strike out the side for the first time tonight. In the bottom half, Zimmerman would fly out to center for out number 1. The Sunday Crowd, really not into this one. Alot of kids for the Sunday, "Build A Bear Giveaway". I mention to RallyTimeRichard that, "You know, if Davis is pitching a perfect game after 8 complete, I am going to want to see that perfect game!!"


Well, my Perfect Game hope didn't last long, as Austin Kearns stepped to the plate, and on a 2-2 count, ended the PERFECT GAME, NO HITTER and SHUTOUT by blasting a line drive HOME RUN over the left field wall, near the foul pole. Tying the game at 1 and giving RFK a legitimate reason to rock. 1-1 after Davis recovers to retire Jose Vidro and Brandon Harper. Vidro, playing first base today, as Frank Robinson decided to rest the slumping Nick Johnson.

Schroeder would again strike out the side in the 6th and leave to a ROUSING standing ovation from the crowd on the 3rd base side. Schroeder tipping his cap as he dropped down into the dugout. Neither team could cobble together anything significant in the bottom of the sixth and top of the 7th. But, in the bottom half of the seventh inning, that new found speed worked to Washington's favor.


Bernie Castro, would slap a grounder to the right of Prince Fielder, the ball not even reaching the infield dirt. Fielder made an attempt on the ball, tossing it to Doug Davis covering. "Speedy Gonzalez" motoring all the way, JUST beat the foot touch of the bag by Davis. Castro safe on an infield single. Aaron, sitting to my left, said "Wow--Can that guy run!!" Me saying "You should have seen him last night on 2 triples, incredible speed!!"

Felipe Lopez would sacrifice him to second. I told Aaron, all we need now, is any type of blooper over a fielder and Castro scores easily. Sure enough, after Z goes down on strikes on a pitch he thought was ball four, Kearns would follow with a first pitch bloop JUST OVER Prince Fielder's head, the ball landing just a few feet from his feet. Castro, charging hard, had already just about reached home, by the time the ball landed on the turf. It was INCREDIBLE!! Section 320 in total amazement over this guy's running ability. Castro can flat out RUN!!! The Crowd going NUTS over this score. Nats take the lead 2-1 after 7.

Jon Rauch replaced Rivera to start the 8th. Rauch was shaky at first, walking Damian Miller leading off the inning. Brewers Manager, Ned Yost, would send Pinch Hitter, Geoff Jenkins, up to pinch hit for Doug Davis. Jenkins, he of 2 homers on Friday Night. At the same time, Yost would send in speedster, Tony Gwynn, Jr. to pinch run for Miller. Jenkins, looking to jack the ball out of the park, popped a ball toward the Nats 3rd base dugout. Brandon Harper, today's catcher, would chase it down, near the dugout railing. Take one step backwards and make a fine two hand grab to retire Jenkins for out number 1. Brady Clark was next. And, on the very first pitch from Rauch, Gwynn, Jr. took off--Rauch throws an off speed pitch over the outside corner of the plate. Harper looking to throw out Gwynn, Jr, reaches out to catch the pitch. Clark lunges and SWINGS at the pitch, just missing Harper's glove (hitting Harper's glove would have been catcher's interference--a rule book single wih all runners advancing one base). Clark lined the ball to short right field. Kearns, playing in, didn't seem to track the ball well, yet recovered to make the catch---Gwynn, Jr now near second base, reversing course, and hightailing it back to first. Taking his time, Austin short arms the ball, on the run to first to just retire Gwynn. Double Play to end the inning. As KentuckyRob noted--"Austin was playing in, almost still didn't get there, and then didn't seem ready to throw the ball to first--very strange" And, it was. But, it ended the Brewers opportunity to tie the score, setting up the fine bottom of the 8th for the Nationals. Speed, once again the major factor.


One time Brewers Closer, and All Star, Derrick Turnbow, was now on the mound for Milwaukee. Long, 1970's thick styled hairdoo, short from the set position delivery, this guy can hum the ball. Over the next 13 pitches thrown by Turnbow, NONE would rate less than 95MPH on the radar gun. One pitch fired in at 99MPH. For a guy with a short stride, the man can FIRE THE BALL!!! RallyTimeRichard, KentuckyRob, Aaron and I could not stop talking about it. Of course, we learned very quickly why he has such a high ERA--No control, and everything looks the same.

Harper was first up for Washington. Brandon looking lost against Turnbow, down 1-2 in the count. Derrick would fire in another heater, and Harper swung fooled, only the speed of the ball hitting bat helped Brandon, as the ball was lined into left for a leadoff single. We all laughed mightily in Section 320. Nook Logan was next and bunted just to the left of Turnbow. Logan, all speed, easily ran to the bag for an infield single. Harper moving to second. Nick Johnson, now in the game as a defensive substitute for Vidro, was up next and K's swinging hard at a 96MPH fastball from Turnbow. Nick just overmatched.
Soriano was next and, once again, THE PERFECT STORM was set. Freewheeling Fastball Pitcher against the BEST Fastball Hitter in the game. The Brewers realized this and Turnbow plunked Alfonso with the very first pitch-loading the bases with 1 out. KentuckyRob looking at me, saying "The Brewers recognized that PERFECT STORM and didn't want any part of it."

Bernie Castro was next, resulting in the Controversial Play Of The Game. Castro looked overmatched with Turnbow. Swinging madly at strike one. On the very next pitch, Bernie would slap a grounder to Bill Hall at shortstop. Hall, fearing that he could not turn a double play to second on to first, to end the inning, double clutched, and then fired home, in an attempt to beat the charging Harper. The ball sailed high, but new catcher, Mike Rivera, jumped high to catch the errant toss, and seemed to land right back down on the plate with his left foot, beating the sliding Harper. Home Plate Umpire, Doug Eddings called Brandon SAFE!!!! TV replays showed Rivera coming down on the plate for the out. Although a nice photo from Mrs. MICKNATS showed Rivera landed inches to the right of home plate. Safe was the correct call. Ned Yost came out to argue, but to no avail. 3-1 Nats.

Felipe Lopez would then face new Milwaukee pitcher, Dennis Sarfate, and hammer the second pitch of this at bat to right field, near the line, but not anywhere near past rightfielder Corey Hart. Nook Logan and Soriano score easily, but Castro, flat out tearing it up, would take a HUGE TURN around second base, footprints showing his oval near the rear part of the shortstops set position. As Castro neared 3rd base, Hart had the ball in his hands and was ready to fire it back into the infield. Nats 3rd base coach, Tony Beasley, put up the STOP SIGN. Last night, Beasley held back Castro on a sure INSIDE THE PARK HOMERUN. Bernie was having none of that today, running right through the stop sign, putting the hammer down--scoring easily from first on a liner to right!! It was a magnificent run. JUST MAGNIFICENT!!! Section 320 downright giddy over what we just witnessed. The RFK STADIUM Crowd of 26,128 roaring its approval.

Speed was, once again, the deciding factor. Speed--The Game Changer Today!! 6-1 Nats, and this game was OVER!!!

Ryan Wagner would retire the Brewers in order in the 9th. Curly W number 65 for Washington. Another Series Victory for the Nationals. And more importantly--after starting the season 1-9 at home, the Nationals have won 37 and lost only 25 since. The Nats have learned to play at RFK Stadium. Alfonso Soriano taught them that you can hit home runs there. And, the players have learned, hitting into the gap goes along way to scoring alot of runs in this cavernous stadium.

Alfonso Soriano continues to press, with his entire family in town for the momentous occasion. He needs to settle down a little. Sohna's main main is swinging at EVERYTHING!! Z looks tired. But, the relief pitching from Wagner, Rivera, Rauch, Cordero and now Schroeder has been impressive. And, that SPEED, that SPEED has changed the dynamic of the team. Our Washington Nationals can score runs without what Aaron describes so perfectly by "not doing anything substantial baseballwise!!"

Its totally true. If we only had some starting pitching, we might be decent. Maybe not championship caliber, but good. Its a start.

Historic Night, Great Win, Section 320 Rocking!!

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Baseball history was made tonight at RFK when our Washington Nationals pulled out an exciting 8-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. A night that saw Section 320 in PRIME FORM. Tonight, joined, in chorus, by Alfonso Soriano's Family and Friends, sitting directly to our right.


Alfonso Soriano is on the brink on having one of the finest years of any player in Major League Baseball. Already, Alfonso has slugged 45 Home Runs, Scored 111 Runs, Hit 38 Doubles and 350 total bases. Oh yeah, he's thrown out 21 baserunners from left field in 2006. A Career Year for Washington's FINEST Player.


Tonight, he wanted to reach an elusive milestone, 40 Home Runs and 40 Steals. Coming into tonight's game, Soriano was sitting on 39 steals, and pressing badly over the past few games, attempting to reach that mark. In 2002, with the New York Yankees, Soriano had stolen his 40th base with 5 games left to play, but had hit only 39 Home Runs. He admitted he was thinking about the 40/40 club then too much. It hurt him, as he swung at everything, trying to jack the ball out of the park, failing to hit his 40th Home Run that year for the Yankees. Alfonso always saying it was the biggest disappointment in his career.

As Alfonso stepped to the plate leading off the bottom of the first, Section 320, STRONG tonight with MickNats, African Queen, SayHeyKlib, NatsDelNegro, KentuckyRob, MsZimmi, Shawn and Myself in attendance, went into the Alfonso! SORIANO!! cheer--TO BE ACCOMPIANED BY ALFONSO'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WAVING 2 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FLAGS, sitting to our right in Section 320 and the left portion of Section 319. The combined troops Bellowing Out SO MUCH NOISE, everyone sitting on the 3rd base side of RFK turned to look. Felipe Lopez, in the On Deck circle, turning to peek while twirling his bat.

Soriano looking to get the record over with, came up swinging at everything against Brewers Starter, Dave Bush. Alfonso taking strike one, fouling off the second pitch, then on the third pitch of this at bat, rope an off speed pitch to left, a clean single. The 24, 252 erupting, now anticipating the record setting steal. It didn't take Alfonso long, as FLop would get ahead 2-0 in the count, on the very next pitch, Soriano took off for 2nd, the RFK CROWD rose to its feet in anticipation. Brewers catcher, Mike Rivera, couldn't come up with a throw, Soriano sliding, hands/head first into the bag, sitting up on his knees, knowing that HISTORY HAD JUST BEEN MADE--And a BROAD SMILE glistened across his face. RFK began to Rock. Section 320 going into the Alfonso!! SORIANO!! CHANT. Alfonso's Family going DOWNRIGHT NUTS!! Flags Waving, JUMPING UP AND DOWN!! Standing Ovation for Number 12.

Soriano would point to his teammates in the 3rd base dugout, thanking them for their support. He would then, stand up, pull up the bag and hold second base in TRIUMPH!! While holding the base in his right hand, he would slap his head, a personal thanks, to himself, for achieving this fine goal. A goal only reached by 3 other players. Finally he would hand over the base to the Nats Bat Boy for safe keeping, then took off his batting helmet, waving and acknowleging the RFK FAITHFUL. Soriano's uniform taken by the Baseball Hall Of Fame, immediately after the game. It was a very fine moment. I was glad it occured at Home in Washington, in front of the fans that have SUPPORTED SORIANO ALL SEASON LONG. We deserved the opportunity to see this moment. Thank you--Alfonso Soriano.


All this totally, for a time, superceded, all that was important to the actual playing of the game. The Brewers had jumped on Nats Starter Pedro Astacio, big time, in the top of the first when Tony Graffanino would receive a 1 out walk, and Prince Fielder followed with a MONSTER JACK!! into the 6th row of Section 467 in Right Field. Fielder hammered it. The ball flying majestically into the upper deck. You had to appreciate the POWER!! 2-0 Milwaukee right off the bat.


But Washington would strike back right away in the bottom, with Soriano now on second with the record setting steal, Lopez would reach on a infield single to 3rd. Ryan Zimmerman would ground into a force, putting Lopez out at second, Z beating the relay to first for the double play. Alfonso moving to 3rd. Z would steal second with Nick Johnson at the plate, Johnson grounding to second, scoring Soriano, moving Z to 3rd. Austin Kearns, swinging mightily, as always, hit a dribbler up the middle that Graffanino had no play on. Zimmerman scored. 2-2. Brian Schnieder, hot of late, followed and hammered a double to the wall in right, scoring Kearns, and just like that, Washington had fought back, to take the lead. 3-2. Bernie Castro would line a sharp liner to Bill Hall at short to end the rally. But that liner, was telling of what Castro would provide later in the game. Bernie the sparkplug that kept the Nats ahead throughout this exciting game.

Astacio would give up the lead right away in the top of the 3rd, as Corey Hart would single and David Bell would hammer a double to the left centerfield wall. Soriano double clutched on the throw to Lopez, the relay man. Lopez made a strong throw to the plate, just missing Hart. If Soriano just throws the ball right away, Corey may well have been out at the plate. FLop's throw was terrific.


But the Nationals would score right back, most believing this game would be one of those 15-13, last at bat is going to win games. Nook Logan would drag bunt, leading off the 3rd, no one covered first. Nook advancing to second on an Astacio sacrifice. Then, taking a page out of the Alfonso Soriano Game Changer Book, took off for 3rd, stealing. Rivera threw the ball into left field. What was really funny about it all, as MickNats and I laughed about it after the fact, was that Logan, confident in his speed, made no rush to get up after sliding into 3rd. Number 7 calmly stood up and loped home. Beating the good throw from Corey Hart in left. 4-3 Nats after 3.

Despite being shaky early, Astacio righted himself, getting the Brewers in order in the 4th. Then Brian Schneider lined a beautiful opposite field single to left, leading off the bottom of the 4th off Bush. Castro followed, and the fun began. On a 2-1 count, and Schneider running on the play, Bernie would slap a hard liner to right center, the ball getting past Tony Gwynn, Jr. Schneider at first stopped at second, then kept on running. Castro, once he gets started, can FLAT OUT FLY!! If there is someone that could churn up dust behind him, its Bernie Castro. "Speedy Gonzalez", as I call him, motored around first, then to second, Gwynn just picking up the ball. Everyone in the park, wanted to see an INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN. Third Base Coach, Tony Beasley held him at 3rd, to the great disappointment of just about EVERYONE AT RFK!! Beasley should have sent him, as after Astacio was hit by pitch, Soriano, Lopez and Z all created outs to kill the rally. 5-3 after 4 innings.

Astacio would get through the 5th, in order. Chris Spurling, now pitching for Milwaukee-retired the Nats in order. But, in the 6th, Pedro would get in trouble and not make it out of the inning. Graffanino would single to center leading off. Fielder up next. The Nats shading to right for the pull hitter. Prince would slap a hard grounder right at FLop stationed just left of the second base bag. Lopez dropped the grounder, recovered, stepped on 2nd to retire Graffanino, then hurried his throw bouncing it to Nick Johnson, attempting to scoop the ball at first. Johnson missing. Fielder safe. Felipe had time, he forced it a little.

When you make a mistake, it most always comes back to haunt you. And it happened in the 6th. Last night's Brewers Hero, Geoff Jenkins would single to right, moving Fielder to second. Astacio obviously in trouble, but Frank Robinson not making the pitching change. Ryan Wagner warming up. On the very next pitch, Corey Hart would loop a single to right, scoring Fielder. Making the score 5-4. And then, Frank Robinson comes to take Astacio out of the game. One hitter too late.

Wagner, facing David Bell, would take a liner right off his right foot, the ball bouncing to Zimmerman for a THANKFUL inning ending out. That ball would have gone right up the middle and tie the game. The Nats were FORTUNATE!!!

The 7th was excruciatingly painful for Washington Fans. Saul Rivera was on the mound, and didn't have it from the start. Going deep into the count on all hitters faced. Mike Rivera, leadoff walk for Milwaukee. Brady Clark sacrifice to second. Then with 2 outs, Saul Rivera hits Graffanino. Prince Fielder walks, loading the bases. Frank had finally seen enough, bringing on THE WOOKIE, Jon Rauch. Bases Loaded, game on the line--Rauch known for giving up HOME RUNS. Didn't look promising. Bill Hall at the plate, 31 homers this season. Hall got ahead 2-1 in the count, looking for something to smash. Hall would get that pitch and lace a grounder between 3rd and short. Zimmerman, dove, extending his glove hand, to snare the ball, got to his knees and threw to Castro at second, just in time, for the inning ending out. AN OUTSTANDING PLAY--saving Rauch and the Nationals. Ryan receiving a standing ovation coming off the field.

Then came the game changing moments, the bottom of the 7th determined the outcome of this affair. With hard throwing right hander, Jose Capellan on the mound for the Brew Crew. Capellan can reach the high 90's with his fastball. With one out, Zimmerman would line a looper to deep left, near the line. Corey Hart attempted a diving catch--missing, the ball rolling all the way to the wall. Zimmerman, seeing the play develop rounding first, went full steam ahead, storming around second, sliding headfirst into 3rd for his third triple of the season. Nick Johnson was intentionally walked. Austin Kearns followed and, once again, swung mightily at a Capellan pitch, only to loop a liner to left, beyond the reach of Hart. Zimmerman scored. Johnson to third, Kearns just beating a throw to second for a RBI double. 6-4 Nats. And the crowd was jumping. Brewers Manager Ned Yost would bring on left hander sidearm pitcher, Brian Shouse, to face Schneider. Schneiderman, swinging the bat well, would line a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Nick Johnson. 7-4 Nats. Then, Bernie Castro came to the plate. Again slaps a liner past Tony Gwynn, Jr. Kearns scoring easily from third, but the RACE WAS ON!! Everyone at RFK wanting AGAIN, the INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN!!! CASTRO KICKING UP DUST BEHIND HIM. Bernie running is a sight to behold. There really could not be many faster players in the game. Castro rounded second, heading for 3rd. Gwynn still not picking up the ball. As Castro reached third base, Gwynn had thrown the ball, but it was still in flight, to relay man, Graffanino. GO AHEAD AND SEND HIM BEASLEY!! But, no--Castro was stopped at 3rd, to the outright disgust of all NAT FANS AT RFK. WE REALLY WANTED TO SEE IT!! Castro's second triple of the game. Once again, Bernie stranded when Nook Logan would ground out to second to end the inning. 8-4 after 7 innings.

Rauch would get through the 8th unharmed. As the game headed to the 9th, everyone fully expected The Chief, Chad Cordero to enter the game. Frank chose, FRODO, Felix Rodriguez, and as MS Zimmi, Shawn and I discussed---that just means the Chief will come in later, for the save. As all of us know, NO LEAD IS SAFE for the Washington Nationals.
Sure enough, with one out, Tony Gwynn, Jr would single to right, and although would be forced out on a grounder to 3rd by Graffanino, Graffanino would advance to second on defensive indifference, (Section 320 calling for "WE WANT THE CHIEF" ) and score run number 5 for the Brewers on Fielder's sharp ground ball single to right, just to the left of Castro, playing in short right field.

Then Frank had seen enough, and Chad Cordero entered the game. On his very first pitch, Bill Hall would loop a single down the right field line, but Austin Kearns was on it quickly, preventing Prince from scoring. But the tying run was coming to the plate in GEOFF JENKINS. I was pretty nervous, as THE CHIEF, can be downright scary. Amazingly, Jenkins swung at the very first pitch, breaking his bat, and flys out to Kearns, ending this thriller. 8-5 Nats, Save number 27 for Cordero. BANG!! ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS!! Curly W number 64 for our Washington Nationals.

Alot happened tonight, even outside of the game. SCREECH was mighty shocked to see the first pitch of the game, and NO ONE, except for Ms Zimmi and Shawn sitting in Section 320. The African Queen and I were guests at the DIAMOND CLUB PREGAME BUFFETT, and were making our way to our seats as the game began. MickNats, and the Noise Boys were their customary fashionably late. Ms Zimmi telling me that Screech "CRIED"--rubbing his eyes upset over not seeing his Best Friend sitting in his customary seat. Later, in the top of the 7th, Screech made it back our way, as the ENTIRE SECTION yelled "SCREEEEEEEEEEECH!!" As Screech attempted to reach me at my seat he was inundated with about 20 kids trying to grab him for pictures. It got so bad, he had to call on one of the NatPack to help him out. Sorry Screech. But, he eventually made it to my seat, me explaining that really weren't late, Screech getting a kick out of the fact Sohna and I were hanging out in the Diamond Club!

Ms Zimmi, who sits behind Sohna in Row 5, seat 13, realized that, even when she is not in attendance, she is represented by either MickNats or Myself yelling out, to HER MAIN MAN--RYAN ZIMMERMAN-"COME ON ZIMMI!!" In her voice!! We kid because we love!!! Mick, The African Queen and I, just can't get enough of that yell.

Its safe to say, that by the end of the game, Section 320 had the ENTIRE 3rd base side crowd involved in the game. One of the Ushers, that sits directly behind the Nats 3rd base dugout, that loves the Soriano Cheer, told Sohna after the game, that EVERYONE down low was involved in the Alfonso Cheer!!!

Tonight was a terrific, fun night at the old ball park. Soriano made the highlight reels by making history. Maybe he will get hot and slam 50 homers by the end of the season. The Nats won a fun ballgame. And, as always, win or lose--Section 320 was THE PLACE TO BE TONIGHT, JUST LIKE IN MOST EVERY NATIONALS GAME AT RFK STADIUM!!!

At Least It Was Interesting At The End

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Our Washington Nationals played the Milwaukee Brewers for 2 hours and 46 minutes tonight at RFK Stadium, opening up the penultimate home stand of the season. And, it was forgettable, except for the final 10 minutes.



Only 21,168 showed up for this one, played in off and on rain. Both teams sleepwalking through the affair. The intrigue of former National, Tomo Ohka, getting the start for the Brewers, was taken away in the top of the third inning when Ohka pulled up lame attempting to beat out an infield hit. Believe it or not, that was the downfall for Washington tonight. As rookie Carlos Villanueva came on for Milwaukee pitching 6 shutout innings, before faltering in the bottom of the ninth--setting up a dramatic ending.


Ramon Ortiz, once again, did not have it tonight. Giving up the long ball twice to Brewers Slugger, Geoff Jenkins---to this point, have a very bad season. Prince Fielder had doubled leading off the top of the second on a deep fly to right center, that Ryan Church, playing right field tonight, just flat out missed on the warning track. Church seemed to fear hitting the wall. It was the harbinger of things to come as Church had a very poor game. Jenkins would follow with a lofting fly ball, to nearly the exact same spot, Church trying to jump up on the fence to catch it, the ball just sneaking over the wall for a 2 run homer. Making the score 2-1 Brewers after the Nats had scored 1 run in the bottom of the 1st on a Alfonso Soriano walk, move to second on a bad pickoff throw, Flop single and Ryan Zimmerman Double Play grounder scoring Alfonso.



Ortiz would continue to get hammered. At one point the Pitch Tally down the right field line noted that Ramon had thrown 49 pitches, 38 for strikes, but all those strikes were hits or foul balls. Ortiz not fooling anybody tonight. In the 5th, Jenkins would HAMMER a 2-2 fastball to left centerfield, the ball carrying well, just clearing the wall, slamming against the green background for his second home run tonight. 3-1 Brew Crew. As Ramon tends to do, after giving up a homer, he allows more baserunners, this time Jeff Cirillo doubled down the left field line. Ortiz hit Milwaukee Catcher Mike Rivera right on his left elbow. He went down right away in pain. After about 5 minutes, Rivera jogged to first. Villanueva was next, everyone expecting a bunt, the infield moving in, Villanueva squared to bunt, Ortiz threw him a fastball, right over the plate, Carlos quickly drew the bat back and slapped the pitch past Ryan Zimmerman down the line for a run scoring single. Rivera to 3rd. Tony Gwynn would sacrifice fly home Rivera. It was 5-1 and this one looked over.

For the most part, it was. There was NO ACTION for the remainder of the game until the bottom of the ninth. At one point, MickNats and I got a bunch of folks to chant "WE WANT A HIT, WE WANT A HIT" over and over--then I followed it up with: "AND HOW ABOUT A STARTING PITCHER WHILE WERE AT IT!!' To some nice laughs from around Section 320.

Villanueva kept on mowing down the Nats giving up NO HITS and NO WALKS through 6 complete relief innings. Chris Shroeder, Chris Booker and Brett Campbell giving up NO HIT and NO WALKS in 4 complete innings of relief for Washington. This game had NOTHING GOING ON!! NOTHING!!

Then the bottom of the 9th--Felipe Lopez led off, in a pouring rainstorm, drilling a shot down the right field line. FLop running hard all the way, standing on third with a triple. The Nats first hit off Carlos Villanueva. Zimmerman followed, lacing a grounder into the hole at short, scoring FLop, making the score 5-2 Brewers. And, it was really raining now--Hard. What was left of the crowd was on its feet, making noise. Expecting that NATS RFK COMEBACK!

Brewers Manager, Ned Yost, slowly, and I mean slowly, walked to the mound, this after his catcher, Rivera wasted as much time a possible talking to Villanueva. Milwaukee trying to get the game called for rain, with the official game score reverting to the 8th inning. Home Plate Umpire, Jim Joyce, would have no part of that--Sternly jawing it out with Yost on the mound, to get his butt moving, and bring in a reliever. Yost called in Cordero, not THE CHIEF, but Francisco Cordero, the one time Texas Rangers closer, now with the Brewers.

The Patient One, Nick Johnson, stepped to the plate, and showed no patience. Swinging at Cordero's very first pitch, driving it to left center, but well short of the wall. Corey Hart catching it for out number 1. Jose Vidro would walk on a full count.

Ryan Church was next. Tying run at the plate. Home Run a distinct possibility. As much as I like Ryan, its obvious that he has problems with curve balls. Church was swinging at everything, fouling off 2 pitches, down in the count 1-2. Everybody knew what was coming next, a curve ball in the dirt. The same pitch that EVERY TEAM IN THE MAJORS gets him out on. And, sure enough Francisco threw Ryan an outside, in the dirt slop pitch--Church swinging at it, striking out badly for out number 2. I yell out "WHAT ARE YOU SWINGING AT??" MickNats "EVERY SINGLE TIME!!, THE SAME PITCH. HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE IT COMING!!" We were pissed. It is mind boggling that Ryan can not see it coming, each and every game.

Down to our last out. 1st and 2nd. Tying run still at the plate. Brian Schneider fouls off 4 straight pitches, gets a full count. And walks to load the bases. THE CROWD ON ITS FEET, WANTING THE MIRACLE!! The African Queen saying, "Can you believe we actually might win this one??!!" I replied "It would be stealing a game--a great win"

Nook Logan was due up next. There was NO WAY the slap hitting Logan was going to bat. He's weak from the left side of the plate. Austin Kearns came on to pinch hit. Melvin Dorta on to pinch run for Schneider. Kearns would take ball one. Take ball 2--The RFK FAITHFUL ROARING NOW!!! Then foul off 5 consecutive pitches from Cordero. The rain began to subside. Brewers catcher, Rivera went to the mound, talked with Francisco. On the 7th pitch of this at bat and last pitch of the game, Cordero threw an off speed pitch low, just above the plate, Austin could not hold back his swing, striking out badly with a half swing--disappointing those still remaining on the soggy night. 5-2 the final.

Tonight's affair was forgettable, except for the bottom of the ninth. As I have said many times, you never leave any game until its over. You never know what you might see. Every team has ONE CHANCE, in every single game, no matter what the score, to get back into it. The Nats had a GREAT CHANCE--JUST DIDN'T EXECUTE in the clutch. Nick should have taken a pitch. Church had no game plan--Austin got fooled on a good slop pitch after hanging tough with 2 strikes. We lost. Nats have 2 more shots this weekend to win the series. Not much more to say about game number 147 of the 2006 season.

Why, and How, I Became a Nationals Season Ticket Holder in Section 320

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When it became official that the Montreal Expos were relocating to Washington, DC, there was only one thing on my mind. I was going to be a season ticket holder-no matter what--with GOOD SEATS.




The Washington Senators of my youth, left town after the 1971 season, moving to Arlington. Not just across the Potomac River to Arlington, Virginia, but Arlington, Texas, in the Metroplex, between Ft. Worth and Dallas. Less than 2 years later, in late 1973, I was thrilled to learn that, Joseph Danzansky, then Chairman and CEO of Giant Food, was buying the Infant San Diego Padres and moving them to Washington, to play in our Nation's Capital. The Padres coming into MLB in 1969 along with the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots and THE MONTREAL EXPOS. But, just as everything was about to be signed, sealed and delivered, McDonald's Owner, Ray Kroc, swooped in, purchasing the team, leaving the Padres in San Diego. There actually is a complete Jersey and Cap Prototype existing today for the 1974 Washington "Padres". It used to sit at Giants Landover Headquarters, until Danzansky's passing. The Baseball Hall of Fame has the uniform now.



Washington, DC never really got another whiff of Major League Baseball, not in my teen years, nor my early adult life. But, during my early 20's, I was fortunate enough to be playing baseball, professionally, in ironically, the Texas Rangers Minor League System. Playing 1st base, I was a decent player, not great, excellent fielding skills, could hit, with power, but a slow runner and mediocre arm strength. Nonetheless, I was able to advance to AA Ball, was known for focusing and delivering in the clutch, until a horrific accident left me with 2 broken collarbones, separated shoulder, and no further baseball career. The Rangers released me in 1982. I loved the game, but had no future in it, so I turned my eyes to television, where I still work today, in the most enjoyable and exciting travel job imaginable. I continued to follow the game closely. Seeing many players I played with, or against in the minors, have decent, sometimes terrific Major League Careers.

As the years passed, my age advancing well into my 40's, Washington had yet to re-establish itself as a Major League Town. Yeah, there was alot of speculation and rumor. Not many people in the DC area could believe that MLB passed over Washington for TAMPA--YES--TAMPA/St.PETE in the last round of expansion teams. The Devil Rays have been terrible, both on and off the field. Tampa Bay only really qualified for a Major League team because so many other teams, most notibly-- The San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox used Tampa/St.Pete for leverage to get new stadiums in their respective cities. The State of Florida sued on behalf of the Bay area--the awarding of a team, the compromise.


And, as most people are fully aware, The Baltimore Orioles, well before Peter Angelos owned the team, catered to and eventually drew fans, lots of fans, from the Greater Washington DC market. In the early 80's, the Orioles were no longer EVER called the Baltimore Orioles. They were THE ORIOLES. The team Never again has worn "BALTIMORE" across their road jerseys. The Orioles drew 3 million fans for the first time. Mostly thanks to baseball deprived fans in DC and Northern Virginia. Around the time the Orioles last won the World Series in 1983, Edward Bennett Williams, former Washington Redskins Owner, owned the team and many, fully expected the Orioles to move from Old Memorial Stadium to DC. The State of Maryland fought it hard, using Lottery Ticket Money to eventually build Camden Yards. No one. And I mean NO ONE, could possibly be angry about that stadium being built today. Camden Yards changed the way ballparks were built. Getting away from the MULTI-PURPOSE stadium, like RFK, and getting back to traditional, baseball only, grass field parks. Helping make baseball a family event once again.



Admittedly, I was a BIG Orioles Fan. Seeing Cal Ripken jump for joy after snaring that final out of the 1983 World Series against the Phillies was a BIG MOMENT of my sports fan life. Loved Eddie Murray, John Lowenstein, Jim Palmer, Mike Flanagan, Tippy Martinez, Rick Dempsey, Jim Dwyer ( to me, the best pinch hitter/super sub of my time), even Big Tim Stoddard. Earl Weaver waddling out of the dugout, turning his cap backwards, jawing away with the Umpire--PRICELESS. So many others. The Orioles were a Professional, Proud Organization. The Oriole Way was special. And, I loved every minute of it.

The African Queen will tell you, back in 1985, when she first met me, I watched EVERY SINGLE Orioles game. Followed them closely. Loved watching, then HTS (HOME TEAM SPORTS), Orioles broadcasts with Mel Proctor, John Lowenstein and Tom Davis. I was fortunate to work Oriole games for HTS for 2 seasons. Still think it was the best baseball broadcast of its day. Lowenstein was flat out, OUT OF CONTROL FUNNY!! The most enjoyable man I ever met in the game. But, only attended, in person, about 10 games per season in Baltimore after my HTS time ended.



How can anybody not Enjoy, remembering that night in September, 1995, when Cal broke the All Time Consecutive Game Record against the Angels at Camden Yard. Always Dramatic in the clutch, Cal would homer that night and then, make a MEMORABLE jog around the field, receiving adulation from, not only the home crowd, but the entire California Angels team. Hall Of Famer, and Angels Coach, Rod Carew--giving Cal a very warm Thankful Embrace. Rafael Palmeiro pushing Cal out of the dugout to start that memorable jog around Camden Yards. Cal Ripken saved baseball that night. A night never to be forgot. Then in 1997, The Orioles were DESTINY's TEAM, the best team in baseball, sure to win the World Series, only to see Armando Benitez blow up BIG TIME in the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians. I all still pissed at Benitez to this day.




Once Angelos took control, the chances for Baseball to relocate a team here were slim and none. As the Angelos Orioles put a stranglehold on baseball in Washington and killed his own teams fan base with poor decisions, I followed the Orioles less and less, hoping that one day, ONE DAY!! My HOMETOWN would receive its deserved Major League Team. Its well documented how, really by the GRACE of GODS, the stars all aligned to, finally, relocate the Expos to Washington as THE NATIONALS.


The African Queen and I were in Santa Barbara, California when the announcement, by MLB and the DC City Council took place in late September, 2004. Sohna couldn't understand my TOTAL JOY about the moment. I picked up the USA Today newspaper and right on the front page, was a shot of Mayor Tony Williams, wearing the Curly W red cap, along with Jack Evans, with the Banner Headline: BASEBALLS BACK IN DC!! Me, jumping up and down, uncontrollably, tears steaming out of my eyes. A life long ambition was coming to fruition.

Sohna vividly remembers me showing this newspaper headline to just about anyone that would listen to me. Even went swimming in this terrific outdoor pool, right on the water, in downtown Santa Barbara, showing everyone, folks I had NEVER MET BEFORE, the headline. I was JACKED!! At dinner that night, I told Sohna that I had vowed, since my earliest adult life, to be a SEASON TICKET Holder for any Washington, DC baseball team. She thought I was crazy. Sohna also didn't know that I had been on a season ticket holder list by Washington DC Baseball for some time.

The Washington Nationals Owners, MLB, decided to hold some sort of lottery, to decide who would get the best seats at RFK Stadium. Since I was already in the original pool of season ticket wannabees, I figured that I would get great box seats. Was I ever disappointed when I was given Section 202, row 12, near the foul pole down the right field line. The Politics of Washington had come into play, and I had been trounced. Was I ever unhappy. Sohna could not believe how it affected me, I talked and moaned about it each and everyday. For 2 straight weeks, in December 2004, I went to the trailer at RFK Stadium to bitch, whine and cajol anyone that would listen to me. The former head of tickets for The Nationals, David Cope, actually, finally told me that "I was a NOBODY" I could take what was offered or nothing at all!!. I was steaming now. There was no way I would lose out to some lobbyist that does not care one IOTA about baseball.

One Ticket Rep, told me off to the side, knowing that I am in the Media, to use whatever connections I had to pull strings, so I did-right away.. It was amazing how quickly things changed. Within 5 hours of being told "I WAS A NOBODY" I received a call at home, from my ticket rep. New Seats had surprisingly come available, in Section 320, Row 4, seats 14 & 15. I quickly looked at the RFK Seating Diagram. These seats looked promising. Knowing how hot and blistering the summer heat can be in DC, I asked whether these seats were under the overhang. They were!! Finally, I asked the ticket rep, whether, by just saying yes or no, whether there had been some pressure from up above to work this out for me. He responded: "Yes, I will do anything I can to help you!!" I laughed to no end and immediately sealed the deal for the new seat offerings in Section 320. The African Queen happy that my 2 week moaning and groaning over.




Little did I realize at the time, how fabulous these seats really were, directly behind the Nationals 3rd base dugout, sitting among the most rabid and sensational fans I could ever expect to share the night with. I was hooked from the start, and despite first sharing my seats with others, quickly started to attend every single game possible. It took about 6 weeks for Section 320 to finally take its shape, everyone getting to know one another. 12 season ticket holders in all, the Original Section 320's. The Seating Section I am proud to be a part of. A Section that makes every single home game fun, whether we are winning, or has been the case, this season, losing--losing badly. MickNats and I are the staples of Section 320. We both attend virtually every single game. Win or lose, bad play and all. We are THE DIEHARD FANS of the NATIONALS--although MickNats has me beat on the Nationals Jerseys and Tees--but just barely. If we are not there, others start to wonder. The world seems not right when He or I are not at RFK.



Sohna and I enjoy each and every game in attendance at RFK. We just can't watch a home game on TV. We love spending the night with our friends-- talking baseball, bitching at Frank, screaming AT and For SCREECH!!, chanting, cheering and getting everyone on the 3rd base side involved, vocally in the game.

ITS A GREAT JOY BEING A TRUE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AT RFK STADIUM IN SECTON 320!!

Livo At His Best

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Livan Hernandez pitched a terrific game tonight, unfortunately, he was wearing the uniform of the Nationals rival, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Livo going 8 strong innings, giving up just 6 hits, 2 to former batterymate Brian Schneider and no walks. I guess having Hernandez on your team, and not facing him at the plate, made it difficult for Washington batters to be ready for his assortment of off-speed and more off speed junk. One Livo pitch lofting in at 59MPH.



Far better than Nats Starter Tony Armas, Jr., who once again could not make it out of the 4th inning. Allowing 4 solo home runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. The most frustrating starting pitcher in the game. A waste of good talent. Armas has buried the Nationals in the second half of the season. The 4 home runs to Conor Jackson, Orlando Hudson, Stephen Drew and Chris Snyder put Washington in a hole, that on this night, a hole they were unable to climb out of, with Livan on his game.


Schneider had a very nice game at the plate, and if not for Carlos Quentin jumping and reaching over the fence on a drive to right in the 2nd inning, Brian would have homered to put the Nats out in front at that point. Quentin, a very promising young player, made a nice grab. But, you could tell the entire night was uncomfortable for both Livan and Brian. Friends and teammates for the past 4 seasons. They know each others game intimately. Schneider knows everything in Hernandez bag of goodies. And, it showed with Schneider's fine night at the plate. The only Nat to really get to Livo.


Alfonso Soriano continued to press for the 40th steal, to make him the 4th, 40 Home Run, 40 Steal Man. Alfonso, once again, killing a rally, this time in the first, after a leadoff single, followed by a Felipe Lopez single, Soriano ranged too far off the bag, Hudson took a whirling pickoff throw from Hernandez, Alfonso taking off for 3rd and was nailed on the toss to Chad Tracey. You could tell Frank Robinson was mighty upset in the Nats Dugout. Whether he talked to Alfonso after that one, I don't know. But, Soriano is pressing, big time, and he needs to calm down, or the final few weeks of this season are going to be a disaster for him.

Nook Logan again showed that he can make the fine running catch, but if a blooper happens and other teammates are converging on the ball, he doesn't take control. In the 5th, Jackson popped up to shallow center, Jose Vidro first calling for the ball, but Logan, it appeared called Jose off, then as Vidro veered off, Nook held up, the ball dropping in for a ridiculous single. After a one out walk, putting runners on 1st and second, Beltran Perez got lucky when Carlos Quentin hammered a line drive, right at Lopez, with the runners on the move, for a easy inning ending double play.



The Nats only other real chance came in the 8th, with Livan cruising along. With one out, Schneider would line a single to right, and Logan followed with a drag bunt, hard tapped, down the first base line. It wasn't a good bunt and Jackson was on it quickly, only Logan's speed got him around the tag for a safe call from 1st Base Umpire, Sam Holbrook. Robert Fick would then pinch hit for Ryan Wagner, and slam a 0-1 pitch to left center, the ball rolling all the way to the wall, Schneider and Logan scored easily, making the score 4-2. Maybe, just maybe, the Nats could come from behind again to be the Dbacks. But, it was not to be tonight.

Soriano was next--LOOKING FOR THE HOME RUN. Livan looked rattled, for the only time today. Alfonso worked a 2-2 count, Soriano expecting a fastball for some reason, Livo throwing a slop pitch at 61MPH. Soriano hitched his swing to hold up, then swung with all his might, launching the ball toward deep left field. I thought it might go, but Alfonso knew otherwise. The ball landing on the warning track, caught by Luis Gonzalez. It that ball is thrown a little bit harder by Hernandez, that ball goes out of the park. But this is where Livo is stellar, getting batters off kilter in the box. He can be a master at it. FLop was next and popped to center to finally kill the rally.

The Nats had one last shot when Ryan Zimmerman led off the 9th, singling to left off Arizona's Jose Valverde--a very hitable pitcher. But, Nick Johnson would JUST MISS on a drive to left center, hauled in by Chris Young. Austin Kearns and Vidro striking out badly to finish the game.

I would have liked the Nats to get the Season Series Sweep, but it didn't happen. Felt good for Livan, despite the loss. Ryan Wagner pitched another solid 2 innings of relief. To me, Nook Logan, is not the answer in center. He is mediocre. That's why he was given away by Detroit for peanuts. Soriano needs to haul himself in and be a little more patient. Of course, it will be nice to see him break the 40-40 barrier this weekend against the Brewers at RFK. Giving the home faithful something really good to cheer about.

Resilient

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They are RESILIENT these 2006 Washington Nationals. For stretches at a time, they look like the 1962 New York Mets (losers of 120 games) or the 2003 Detroit Tigers (losers of 119 games). And, for the past 7 games, the Nats have played from behind. Horrible starting pitching unable to make it through 6 innings, many times not even the 4th, putting the team in a deep hole, forcing the Nats to scratch and claw their way back into the contest. Yet, they do fight back, scoring runs, keeping it close. And, after last night's delightful 5-4 win in Phoenix, have won 3 of those 7 early deficit games. Now, one game away from a Season SWEEP against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That's a good sign, if we ever get decent pitching.



Jason Bergmann was Washington's defacto useless starter. Having nothing from the start. In bottom of the second, Conor Jackson would bloop a single to center, on a pitch he was fooled on, with one out, Carlos Quentin, behind in the count, 1-2, would get nailed on an inside pitch from Jason. It was the harbinger of things to come. Bergmann having no control tonight. Stephen Drew would follow and HAMMER a blast to DEEP CENTERFIELD---Well over the centerfield fence.


But here is where the gimmicky ballparks that are produced these days, hurt the game. The ball was a good 20 feet above the playing field as it cleared the wall, yet the DBacks have a YELLOW LINE that is painted across a railing, just in front of the grandstands. The ball went through a fans reaching, basket style, catching hands, and hit the yellow line. The ball was ruled IN PLAY--Drew stopping at 3rd with a triple. 2 runs scored. Arizona Manager Doug Melvin came out to argue the call for a Home Run for Drew. He must have realized, his own Ground Rules, had taken away a SURE 3 Run Home Run!! Drew flat out BLASTED that pitch. He should have been awarded a Home Run.



Stupidity on the part of Ownership Groups, to have the NEXT GREAT THING, when they build their new stadiums. The same can be said about Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Crawford Boxes down the left field line are slanted so far out, overlooking the field, a routine popup can result in a Homer. Remember last season, in his very first game as a National, the since long gone, Brandon Watson, blooped an outside pitch into the Crawford Boxes for a Home Run, and Nationals Management wrongly believed a GREAT PLAYER WAS BORN!! It was the field, not the player.

Hopefully, the Nationals new ballpark will not contain any of these gimmicks. They take away the value of a well stroked ball or a fine play by a fielder. These faux fixes, cheapen the game. This crap has got to stop. Can you imagine if some NFL team decided to put an Hill at the 15 yard line on one end of the field to be different, like the hill at Minute Maid Park. Do you think anyone would like THAT!! I doubt it!

Play would continue, after my long rant, not only here in the blog, but at home, during the game, in front of the TV talking to the African Queen (Of course the Queen commenting,"What are you bitching about, this rulings in your favor??!! "Well Yeah, but still...").

Arizona Starter Miguel Bastista would line a shot to Alfonso Soriano in left, to score Drew, anyway, on a sacrifice fly and it was 3-0 Dbacks after 2. The Nationals not doing much against Batista, hitless through 3 complete.

At this point, with the Nats down early once again, Charlie Slowes and Dave Jaegler got into the dreariness of Chase Field. And, picking up on exactly what NatsDelNegro reports from his personal appearance there 2 night ago--the place is a MORGUE!! Charlie commented on how fans never cheer, unless prompted by the scoreboard. They hate the SNAKE NOISE!! "Sounds more like a hissing radiator" according to Charlie. Slowes finally pointing out, you can make a stadium as posh and modern, with all the amenities available, but if your fans don't have PASSION--you could be playing anywhere, it doesn't matter. Charlie is absolutely correct. It there is one overwhelming great thing about games at RFK, our fans are INTO IT--from the get go--and even when the Nats are behind. We have great fans and I believe the team realizes this--and cherishes that fact.

Good call by NatsDelNegro--Charlie and Dave have your back.



Washington would finally get to Batista in the 4th, when Ryan Zimmerman would draw a 1 out walk, Nick Johnson followed, and on a 0-1 count, broke up the No Hitter and Shutout on one swing of the bat--lofting a deep fly down the right field line, Johnson listing his body, willing it to stay fair. It DID, Nick's 22 Homer of the season. Career High. Getting the Nats back into it 3-2.

But, Bergmann would attempt to give it all back in the bottom half. Leadoff double by Chad Tracey to Center, single to left, in front of Soriano, by Quentin, moving Tracey to 3rd. Frank Robinson had enough of Jason, having seen, night after night on this roadtrip, the Nationals give back runs they just scored, replacing him with Mike O'Connor, the gangly lefthander. O'Connor would get Drew to fly out to left, setting up one of the best defensive thinking plays of the year by a Washington National.

Batista at the plate, attempting to bunt. Miguel squares around and pops the ball up. Both runners have to hold, near the bag. Batista does not run to first. Brian Schneider, thinking all the way, lets the ball drop to the ground, picks it up, fires to Felipe Lopez at second who promptly turns it over to Johnson at first for a terrific rally killing double play!! Two nights in row Schneider has made fabulous plays behind the plate. This one crucial to the outcome of tonight's game.

O'Connor would give up a No Doubt home run to Orlando Hudson on a 3-1 count in the 5th, but as it turned out, this would be the last time Arizona would score tonight. O'Connor also helped out by a nice running to his right, diving catch by Nook Logan, in center, off a slicing drive by Luis Gonzalez. A series of bullpen appearances by 4 more pitchers slamming the door shut on the Dbacks.

It was the 6th inning where this game finally turned the Nats way. The Patient One, Nick Johnson, lead off walk, Austin Kearns seeing eye grounder to right. Johnson moving to 3rd. Jose Vidro grounds out to first, but Johnson able to score, Kearns moving to second. 4-3 Dbacks.

Schneider was next, not much in the clutch this year, and it looks like much of the same on this at bat, when Brian grounded the ball back to Batista, Miguel, thinking he could get Kearns sliding into 3rd, threw the ball past Chad Tracey, Kearns scoring the tying run. Sohna and I said it was like watching the Nats play the Rockies last weekend. Still one out.

Nook Logan, using speed, would slap an infield single to Hudson at second, moving Schneider to 3rd. Then, with Ryan Church at the plate, Nook would get himself picked off, to great consternation of Frank Robinson, Frank shown clearly on the MASN broadcast lecturing Logan on his return to the dugout. Church would Strikeout to end the rally. 4-4 after Chris Schroeder keeps Arizona off the board in the bottom of the 6th.

Jorge Julio came to the mound for the top of the 7th. Last seen at RFK giving up the game tying 2 run home run in Game 1 on September 2nd to Soriano--in a post I called THE PERFECT STORM!! As fait would have it, Julio faces Alfonso to lead off the inning. Alfonso walking on a full count. FLop followed with a clean single to right, Soriano stopping at second. Zimmerman next, but in the hole 0-2 on the count. Swinging at strike 3--Soriano (THINKING SOMETIMES ONLY ABOUT HIMSELF) takes off for 3rd. Z swings badly at a pitch in the dirt, protecting Alfonso, but Johnny Estrada nails Number 12 with a perfect throw to 3rd. HELLO!!! ANYBODY HOME!! Alfonso, sometimes you have to think about the team and the situation, instead of just getting that 40th steal. Its going to come. RELAX!! WouldYA!! Soriano killed the potential game winning rally, even though Johnson would walk, but Kearns grounded out to end the inning.

Felix Rodriguez retired the Diamondbacks in the 7th, and the crucial 8th inning began. This time with Arizona's Tony Pena on the mound. With one out, Schneider, key player tonight for all the strange reasons, would hit a ground ball to Orlando Hudson near the outfield grass. Hudson inexplicably threw the ball away, Brian moving to second on the error.

Nook Logan would follow, he had failed earlier in the game, striking out badly on 3 pitches with 2 runners on and was picked off during 6th. Logan had killed 2 rallies. He seemed determined this at bat, being more selective, not swinging at everything from the left side. It paid off, when he was able to ground a Pena pitch right up the middle, bouncing all the way, scoring the not too swift Schneider, and it was 5-4 Nats. Another comeback, by the team with terrible starting pitching. Charlie Slowes was losing oxygen on the radio broadcast. I could just see Dave Jaegler getting out the Breathing Tank for Charlie.

Frank chose Chris Booker to relieve in the 8th, stating later that Jon Rauch and Ryan Wagner, overworked, were not available. Booker immediately gave up a leadoff single to Johnny Estrada. Sohna said to me, "Its looks like DEJA VU--All Over Again!!"
Booker would get Jackson to fly out to Logan. Tracey to pop out to Kearns. But, Frank had seen enough, and called on THE CHIEF, Chad Cordero, in an attempt for a 4 out save.

Cordero, came on firing strikes, and K'd the mighty swinging Carlos Quentin to end the inning---To the great relief of me watching at home. The Chief, would continue to pound the strike zone in the bottom on the 9th, looking confident, not waiting to much between pitches. Got Drew on a foul tip strike three, Craig Counsell pop out to Z in foul territory, then Z would make the final out of the game, whirling on a ground ball by Eric Byrnes, tossing to Johnson at first to end the game. Cordero looked GREAT!! Exactly what you want to see from your closer. Cocky, Confident!! Something missing from Chad earlier in the year.

Save number 26 for Cordero. A win that was earned, in everyway. And, totally unexpected, after falling behind once again early. You could see expressions of happiness on all the Nationals as they congratulated each other on the field after the game. With a very poor season, about to end--Washington is still making an honest effort. The Nationals are making a move toward respectability. You have to appreciate it.

They are RESILIENT.

So I am back from the west...

And am one night past from attending my very first game at Chase ballpark in Phoenix...

The win was great, as most excellently (as usual) recapped by Screech's Best Friend, so I won't go into that part of the experience, but there were a few things I noticed that make me very very proud to be a fan of the Nats...

I went with former section 320-er and now current Phoenix resident Canadian Jim, along with his friend Kathy and her kids, so there was at least us to cheer on the Nats. More on that later...

The stadium's pretty cool, looks like a huge behemoth-type convention center on the outside, but inside the closed-roof air conditioned complex, it's pretty much as described in that reborn (Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and) Chevy commercial, selling sushi, goat-cheese pizza, barbecue, and a weird purple amalgam of the ("wait...what's a") rally monkey (I myself found a most wonderful 20-ounce Fat Tire Amber for $9.50, so I was set). The concourse is wide, clean, and open to the seating, so you can see the action from wherever you walk. They opened the roof pre-game, which was my first time witnessing one of those amazing engineering feats. There are tons of scoreboard bells and whistles, including (as Carpenter just pointed out in tonight's telecast) two out-of-town scoreboards in opposite corners only for that purpose. Nice. The upper deck is all one huge upper deck, and looks from below about as steep as the angled faces at the top of the Washington monument, to which Jim correctly pointed out "you'd need a ski-lift to get up there..." We noticed none of the yellow-shirt concession peoples up there, so we were very happy to be sitting in the visitor's equivalent to the 320 section in RFK...

The 9/11 remembrance proceedings were as one would expect, until the National Anthem was sung by a vocal trio named "Valor," which was pretty much a debacle all the way. I won't go too much into it, but imagine a combination of the Anthem sung in the style of "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel. I was cringing the whole time, and noticed a large assortment of "what the ****" looks on a lot of people around me. Surprisingly they got a good round of applause, but that might have been simply out of respect for the moment, or that they were done.

The game started with our ALFONSO-SORIANO cheer, and Jim noticed a few heads popping up from around the Nats dugout, while I noticed more "what the ****" looks from the crowd around us, much to my delight. Right afterwards someone yelled back "Nationals Suck!" to which I yelled "Well, Duh!" It was good fun.
Today before I left, the game was recast so I listened for our cheer, and sure enough, there it was! Which leads me to why I could hear it on TV in the first place...

D-Backs fans could double as gravestones. It was unbelievable. They'd cheer for the home runs of course, but other than that, it was pin-drop. You know when you're at Camden Yards or now at RFK, and you can hear the radio broadcast of the game in the concourse? Well, I could hear the D-backs broadcast in my seat. The only time the crowd made noise was when the scoreboard would request it. It was like Camden in that respect, with the people there for the food and fun, and oh by the way, there's a game being played...

So we're doing our cheers, and every time Alfonso failed to reach base, I had to give props to one woman behind me who would cackle like the Wicked Witch of the West (no kidding) it was really funny. I was really hoping that Soriano would jack one, as at one point, one D-Backs fan yelled out that he was overrated. It seriously took every single ounce of my father-tought diplomacy to remain seated and quiet. Anyway, as the innings passed on, and the beers were as well, we noticed a group of approx. 20 Nats fans to our lower left who started cheering "Let's go Nationals", so it turned into an "us vs. them" with the D-Backs fans. We won. Hands down. They'd pipe up any time we started cheering, but aside from that, nothing. Bupkiss. I was actually really embarrassed for the Diamondback players. Also, one of the methods Chase field employs to rally the fans is a sound they fill in (presumably) of a rattlesnake rattling, but it wound up sounding like a super-huge radiator blowing steam, which was really loud, and insanely annoying. Didn't help that I was sitting right under one of the speakers. I was one letter shy of going postal by the 8th. Lastly, we got to see the mascot, (I think) named Baxter, who looks like some sort of cat-raccoon-thing which took a slightly larger toke off of a hash pipe than expected. They must be somewhat embarrassed as well, because I only saw him in the stands from the bottom of the 7th. Now, I understand a snake might not be the best choice for a mascot, but jeez, this guy makes me actually proud to have bobble-bellied Screech as ours.

Overall, I gotta say it's wonderful being in a stadium filled with people who are there for the game, paying attention to every pitch, and reacting accordingly. I am very very proud to be a Nats fan!

Anyways, it was a good time overall seeing and cheering the win with an assorted 30 or so Nats fans, I got back just in time to catch the last innings of tonight's game, and Cardiac Cordero's now on the mound to (hopefully) close this sucker, so I'm gonna roll. Have a good one!

Cheers

Vidro Gets Even With Me/Section 320 In the House

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Jose Vidro must be reading my rant against him, as last night he came up clutch, BIG TIME, knocking in 4 runs, the last on a bases loaded 9th inning walk, off the Diamondbacks Luis Vizcaino giving the Nationals a 7-6 win and stopping a dreadful 4 game losing streak.

Claudio Vargas started tonight for Arizona, Vargas is the first of 3 EX-Nationals pitchers Washington will face over the next 4 games. Livan Hernandez gets the start against his former team on Wednesday and Tomo Ohka is the scheduled starter at RFK this friday night when the Milwaukee Brewers come to town. You can bet Ohka's in for a grudge match.


This game had all the makings of the terrible losses in Denver over the past weekend. The Nats had fought back, from way down to tie the score and then take the lead at 6 to 4--only to see their bullpen, once again, give it back. Jon Rauch issued a leadoff walk for the second consecutive inning, this time in the 8th and Damian Easley followed with a home run off the Groove Pitch Machine--Rauch's 13 home run given up this season in 82 total pitched innings. A terrible ratio.

Phoenix tonight also featured an appearance by SECTION 320, right behind the Nationals Dugout at Chase Field. NatsDelNegro in town to visit CanadaJim and Kathy. CanadaJim, an ORIGINAL 320, just moved to Scottsdale, Arizona due to a job promotion. On the Nats Radio Broadcast, on WTWP--you could CLEARLY HEAR the "Alfonso--SORIANO!!" cheer each time Alfonso stepped to the plate. Later, the African Queen and I heard the "HE-HO Vidro" Chant!! Sohna and I couldn't stop laughing over what Frank Robinson must be saying: "Not only do those guys never shut up, now they're on the road--out WEST!!" But, we know, first hand, the players and Frank, love all our chants. Very humorous to think about it though.

Game 144 of the season also featured Alfonso Soriano's 20th outfield assist on a play, Alfonso misplayed, and the 2nd base umpire incorrectly called. Chris Young had homered off Nats Starter Billy Traber leading off the bottom of the 3rd, making the score 3-0 Arizona, Orlando Hudson then blooped a single to left, Soriano charging in on the ball, missing it, the ball rolling behind him slightly to his left. Hudson did not stop running, Alfonso reached behind him and winged the ball sidearm to second, replays showed that Orlando's hand touched the bag before Vidro made the tag, but Umpire Angel Hernandez, in a giving mood--promptly called Hudson out. I'll take it!! Any luck the Nats can receive.

Sets up Number 12 for 50 Homers, 40 Steals, 20 Assists, 110 runs scored and 100 RBI for 2006. THAT's A GOOD SEASON!! In anybody's league.

Traber didn't have it, again, giving up 3 home runs, Connor Jackson and Chris Snyder in the 2nd and Young's in the 3rd. After Traber got into serious trouble in the 4th, 3 straight singles, scoring the Dbacks 4th run and still no outs. Frank stepped out of the dugout and called for Saul Rivera.

Rivera shut the door, getting Green to ground into a force out, Claudio Vargas sacrifice bunt, moving runners up to 2nd and 3rd and battling the dangerous Chris Young, before getting Young to fly to Nook Logan in center to retire the side. Rivera, at times, looks good on the mound. Tonight, he retired all 6 batters he faced over 2 innings. Ryan Wagner followed with a solid 6th inning, keeping the game close, for the crucial 7th inning comeback.

If there is one thing our Nats can do, its score runs. The pitching and fielding is whats killing them. But, tonight the Nationals did not commit an error. And, trailing 3-0 in the 4th, Austin Kearns blooped a single to center. Vidro following by ripping a 1-0 pitch down the right field line that landed right at the bottom of the right field fence, near the foul line. Rightfielder Eric Byrnes had trouble picking it up, and for some reason Kearns stopped at 3rd--What in the world was Tony Beasley--the Nats 3rd base coach thinking?--Austin then looked up, saw that the ball was still in rightfield, and jogged home for the Nats 1st run. Vidro at second with a double. With one out, Nook Logan grounding one just past Hudson, scoring Jose, 3-2 Arizona. DBacks getting one back on Traber giving up 3 consecutive singles before Rivera shut them down.

Ahead 4-2 in the 7th, Vargas would get into trouble for the final time when Bernie Castro pinch hit for Wagner, lining a single to center. Castro then stole second, with Alfonso at the plate, Soriano drawing a full count walk. Vargas replaced by Brandon Lyon, the same Lyon that walked in the winning run last week in the 11th at RFK.

In a move that I always disagree with, Frank would then get Felipe Lopez to give himself up to sacrifice the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Castro and Soriano are your fastest runners, there are no outs, the Nationals have problems scoring runs, with any outs, swing away and put the runners in motion. But, Frank doesn't listen to me.

Zimmerman followed with a full count walk off Lyon, loading the bases. Nick Johnson followed with a hard hit smash grounder up the middle, Castro and Soriano score easily and the game was tied 4-4. Kearns would walk, intentionally, after getting ahead 3-0 in the count. And, tonight's hero, and my whipping boy of late, Jose Vidro solidly grounds one up the middle scoring Z and the not so swift Nick Johnson. The Nats taking a 6-4 lead. I just know that NatsDelNegro was going NUTS at CHASE FIELD. GIVING THE HIGH FIVE TO EVERYBODY that would take it!! I'm sure it was well appreciated in the desert.

Arizona Manager, Doug Melvin would replace Lyon with LeftHander Doug Slaten to face Schneider. Brian killing the rally with an around the horn 5-4-3 double play. It was deflating, as, once again, Washington had a chance to put the game away, for good, but could not do so. Brian though would give back in the bottom of the 7th, when Rauch had runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs and Eric Byrnes at the plate, Byrnes would pop a low flying foul ball toward the first base dugout/stands. Schneider ran hard--all the way, basket catching the ball, with his glove hand, as he fell over the railing. It was a nice inning ending catch!!


Rauch then giving it all back in the 8th, setting up the 9th, when FLop singled to center leading off, Z infield single to short. Vizcaino would throw a wild pitch moving up the runners, and I fully expected the Dbacks to walk Nick Johnson to load the bases. But, with Austin Kearns tagging their relievers last week at RFK for 2 game winning hits, Slaten pitched to Nick, and struck him out on a foul tip.
Melvin then ordered Luis Vizcaino to intentionally walk Kearns to load the bases.

I would have pitched to Austin, instead of Vidro, Jose obviously hot tonight. Vidro would go 3-0 in the count, swing away, SURPRISINGLY, on the 4th pitch, but took ball 4--at the knees, to walk in Lopez with the eventually winning run. Schnieder would again kill the rally with a 1-2-3 rally killer double play. 7-6 Nats going to the 9th.

Chad Cordero, came on, and I would love to see him reach 30 saves this season. The Chief was on his game, getting Chris Young to ground out to FLop, Hudson on a called strike, and PUMPED UP, striking out Luis Gonzalez on 3 straight pitches. Chief jumping up and tapping his chest in excitement at the Victory. Save number 25 for Cordero.

It was a happy night for Section 320 in the Desert. 320's presence felt now at 10 Different Major League Parks during Nats Away Games. The win means that the Nationals will avoid losing 100 games this season. A moral victory, but they are unlikely to avoid the 90 loss season. Something got into Vidro--he's excited again about baseball, and delivered. Maybe deliver enough that he becomes tradable during the off season.

We just got swept by the Rockies in the Season Series. Maybe we can return the favor to the Diamondbacks over the next 2 games. Keep those fingers crossed??!!

What I Want To See Over The Next 3 Weeks

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Its time to salvage something from the poor 2006 Washington Nationals Season. There are a few good things to look forward to, and the opportunity for Washington to actually determine whether some young players, that seem to never get a proper chance, can actually have a future in DC.

Ryan Zimmerman is HANDS DOWN the best Rookie Player for this year. Others can say all they want about Josh Johnson and Dan Uggla in Florida (both have been solid), and Prince Fielder in Milwaukee (decent but not great)--Z has been fabulous!! Ryan, over the next few years, may well develop into the Finest 3rd Baseman in the game. Countless times, I have seen Z make one spectacular play after another. At the plate, he been very consistent. On course to hit approximately 20 homers, knock in over 100 runs and hit about .285. The pressure to succeed for this 21 year old was enormous. Ryan plays like a veteran. Still has some kinks in his game to work out, especially hard smashes hit Directly at him. Swings at too many outside waste pitches, but never has gone more than a few games in a row, hitless. Clutch many times when the Nats have been down to their last at bats. Game Winning or Tying hits against the Mets, Yankees, Marlins, to name a few. Cornerstone player. LOVE TO WATCH HIM PLAY!! The African Queen and I had the opporutnity to meet him, earlier in the season. Was humble and gracious to no end. HANDS DOWN--ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. Always worth seeing play at RFK Stadium--even when your team is destined for last place--again.

Can't say enough good things about him.

Alfonso Soriano--How can one player go from being the absolute most HATED player before ever stepping on the field for the Nationals--to BELOVED and CHERISHED 6 months later. Its been a stunning turnaround for this great athlete. You don't hear many folks, including me bitching about Brad Wilkerson being around anymore.

On course to go where no MLB player has gone before. 50 Homers, 40 Steals and 20 outfield assists. At RFK Stadium, you must watch him in every single at bat--because you never know what he will do. Capable of knocking out 3 homers in one game, and whiffing all 4 at bats the next time. Can change a game all alone, with a walk and his speed on the bases. Scintillating to watch. Scary outfielder though, that, to his credit, has improved tremendously as the season progressed. Can actually be agressive in chasing balls, if he's in the mood. Sometimes seems asleep at the wheel in left. Alfonso Soriano, along with Ryan Zimmerman have made 2006 special just for their play alone.

Alfonso has become the ring leader for all the noise that Section 320 makes. And, is by far, The African Queens favorite player. We strongly want Alfonso to return for 2007. We can win with number 12 Now and Later.

Nick Johnson has been healthy virtually all season long. Although his fielding has not been very good, has been torched for a career high in errors, Nick comes to play each and every day. Johnson can hit the ball out of the park, knock doubles all over the field. The most patient hitter in the game, with a tremendous on base percentage. Probably has more walks this season than most any 5 National players combined. Could drive in a few more runs, in the clutch. Love how the man has never learned how to slide into a base--can look downright atrocious at times, and very comical. Gives his best. By far, the most professional player on the Nats. A quality person, that teams build around. A winner. Enjoy watching him each and every game at RFK Stadium.

Chad Cordero--scary as can possibly be for a closer--and still be successful. After a magical 2005 season, struggled early, blowing 3 saves all in DRAMATIC MELTDOWN FASHION, giving up monster home runs. Major League Hitters had adjusted to him. Chief, took it all in stride, and adjusted his pitching to keep hitters off balance again. To excellent results, having only blown 1 save during the second half of 2006 and 24 of 28 overall. Always entertaining when coming to the mound, as you never know how difficult he's going to make it. Love his FLAT BRIMMED CAP--Style can be everything sometimes. Want to see him get his 30th save of 2006 by the last week of the season.

And, I want to see all the following players over the next couple weeks, so we call all decide whether they are worth keeping.

Jose Vidro needs to sit, so Bernie Castro can use his speed and agilty to make a Major League Club. We all know what Vidro CAN and CAN NOT do--its planly simple. Castro is 27 years old. If he can't show promise finally--its time to cut bait with him. And, Frank Robinson needs to quit listening to Vidro about wanting to play. There is no reason for Jose to be in the lineup over the next 19 games, just because he's a veteran and wants to play. No way.

The Nationals need a backup catcher for 2007, Brian Schneider will be back as the starter. Brandon Harper is 30--this is his FINAL chance. Let the man play, see if he's a late bloomer. But give Brandon the chance. Its only fair. If Harper doesn't cut it, then management knows they can shop for a quality backup during the off season.

Put Ryan Wagner into more pressure situations. He's got a wicked slider, when he's under control. Has impressed me over the past homestand. Wagner could actually be the steal of the REDS/NATS trade earlier this season. Could be a solid set up man for the Chief, and the standby closer when Cordero is not available.

And, Ryan Church--why does Jimbo, and now Frank Robinson, continue to mess with this guy's head. Supposedly given the defacto centerfield job when Alex Escobar went down for the millionth time in his career with a season ending injury, Bowden immediately took that job away by acquiring Nook Logan. Another 27 year old that never found his game in professional ball. But, Logan has speed, something that JIMBO is obsessed with!! Church has been solid since returning from exile in New Orleans, showing power, knocking in some key runs. May not have the speed to cover centerfield at RFK, but really is a solid player. If Ryan Church played for the Florida Marlins in 2006, they would have started him and left him alone, letting his talents decide whether Number 19 can play-not continually bash him like the Nationals do. Puzzling. Deserves an honest chance. Most likely will happen in another organization.

Finally--Frank Robinson--makes some of the most questionable managerial decisions of any manager I have ever watched. Some decisions downright awful--making you wonder whether Frank is watching the same game as you and me. Love how he can get into players faces, at times. But, do not like how he publicy trashes his players. Frank wants to come back for 3 more seasons as manager and has openly stated as such to just about everyone. Personally, I don't see Frank coming back, but he's been through alot for this lost franchise since MLB took over the franchise and handed the managerial reigns to him. Frank relocating to Washington with the team. If Jim Bowden and Stan Kasten are not going to rehire Frank, Number 20 deserves a SPECIAL DAY at RFK during the last weekend of the season--for all he did for this franchise over the past 5 years. It only fair. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A DISGRACE!!


The Nationals are are very poor team, terrible fielding, atrocious pitching, but Zimmerman, Soriano, Johnson and The Chief still make it enjoyable to attend the remaining Nats Games at RFK Stadium. Also, even in defeat, Section 320 is its usual rocking self. Making any game at the ballpark fun.

One last thing for the next few weeks--I need Screech to come wish THE AFRICAN QUEEN a Happy Birthday this Sunday, September 17th when the Nats play the Brewers at RFK. It would be alot to her--and me.

Alfonso Closing In On Cashing Out

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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!!

I Am Only Going To Concentrate on One Thing

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FLop is one of the worse fielders I have ever seen!! Felipe Lopez continues to amaze me with his atrocious glove work and ability to throw just about any ball away. The guy just can not concentrate.

In last nights' latest comedy of errors, when our Washington Nationals committed 6 errors, 3 in fall laughing out of your seat style in the 7th and a 4th in the 8th (Zimmerman's first 2 error game of his career)-losing another winable game to the Colorado Rockies 11-8--Really all you could do was laugh----



FLop continued to show his consistent problems. This time, unable to take a waist high throw from Jose Vidro in an attempt to turn an easy double play.



The Nationals are easily the worst fielding, up the middle team, in baseball. Washington can not cover ground with Lopez, Vidro and just about anyone in center.


If Cristian Guzman comes back next year, let lightning not strike me for saying this, Guz would be a BETTER and more SOLID choice for our starting shortstop. And, there could not be a harder Guz Hater than me in 2005!!

Hoping someone else would give us something good for both Vidro and FLop during the off season. As I have said before, didn't like Felipe before the trade, didn't like him on trade day--and still can't stand the guy. A waste of talent--with no head on his shoulders. Just an awful player. A player you can not win consistently with on your team as a starter.

Unless something drastic and unexpected happens, 2007 might have a 2006 feel to it. Some fine moments surrounded by alot of frustrating and irritating ones. Lets hope that moments like the past 2 nights become few and far between.

PS--Do you think Frank wanted to STRANGLE anybody last night??

JUST UGLY!! We can be really Terrible Sometimes!!

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Wow!! I didn't get the chance to see the game live, but I had the chance to replay the game on MLB.com on my computer and that 8th inning was MURDEROUS!!
Having fought back from a 5 to 2 deficit with some clutch hitting from pinch hitter Austin Kearns and then Brian Schneider to tie the game at 5, Washington totally feel apart by butchering 4 plays, all with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th inning.

I am sure Frank Robinson was at his fuming best!!

Setting the scene--Troy Tulowtzki had singled leading off the inning and stole second base with one out. Ryan Wagner would then intentionally walk Jeff Salazar to get to Rockies Pitcher Manny Corpas. Colorado would counter with VINNY CASTILLA to pinch hit. Vinny flying out to center for out number 2--THEN THE FLOODGATES OPENED!!



Jamey Carroll stepped to the plate, and once again, Carroll proved why he's such a valuable/versitile player--Frank Robinson clearly stating, after the game, that it was a mistake for the Nationals to get rid of Jamey (I am sure that set well with JIMBO). We have all known this for some time--Bowden will never fess up to his blunder in selling off Jamey.

On a full count, Carroll would top a ball right above Wagner's head, Ryan should have had it, but it rimmed off his glove, falling behind the mound, Tulowitzki was running all the way with 2 outs, Felipe Lopez came charging in, fielded the ball--then PANIC set in, seeing Tulowitki nearing home plate. FLop rushed the transfer of the ball from glove to hand and WHIFFED on the throw. 6-5 Rockies. On the very next pitch, Todd Helton would line a grounder down the right field line, Nick Johnson making a fine play on the ball--only that Ryan Wagner FORGOT TO RUN TO THE BAG!! Johnson picked up some speed trying to beat the diving Helton to the bag, Wagner running into Nick. It was an awful looking play. Helton safe, Salzar scores and its 7-5 Colorado. You just know Frank was ready to pound something!!

Garrett Atkins follows with a grounder into the shortstop hole, FLop really didn't have a play, Johnson coming off the bag to retrieve the attempt to throw out Atkins. He was safe, Carroll scores. 8-5 Rockies. Wagner still in the game. But, really hadn't pitched bad, just didn't execute his fielding--destroying this effort on the mound.

Good hitting Matt Holiday was up next and he hit a routine ground ball to Jose Vidro's left, Vidro dives for the ball--AND IT GOES UNDER HIS ARMPIT!! How is that possible!! Vidro had the same problems last home stand. The man with no range, kills us again. Helton Scores. 9-5.

Frank would then take Wagner out, and bring on Felix Rodriguez, last seen late spring before some odd injury kept him on the 60 Day DL until yesterday. Brad Hawpe would greet Felix by ripping a liner to right, Defensive Replacement, George Lombard reached up to snare ball, AND IT WENT RIGHT PAST HIS HEAD, Atkins scoring on the error, and Holliday, trying to score all the way from first was thrown out at home by Vidro on a relay to Schneider.

So--with 2 outs, and 4 brutal defensive gaffs, The Nats gave away a winnable game!! Frank must have had steam coming out of his ears after that inning.

Final score 10-5. Jamey Carroll goes 3 for 5, scores 2, knocks in 2 runs (but he's not a useful player according to Jimbo). Rockies once again take us to the cleaners taking away any momentum from the latest Nats win streak.



Nick Johnson did set a career high with his 20th Home Run of the season.


Ryan Church had a nice game with 2 hits, 1 RBI and a nice running catch, filling in for Austin Kearns, only able to pinch hit with an injured groin. (This is why Lombard was in the game during the 8th inning--and it was costly!!)

Wagner made 2 huge mental mistakes. FLop tends to freak out when there is pressure fielding a ball (remember last home stand when Jimmy Rollins was stealing second and FLop whiffed on Brandon Harper's perfect throw to second)--it really bothers me. Lombard will not play any significant role for the Nats, at least now they should know why George is a journeyman player. He's looked feable in his 3 at bats since his recall. Obviously has fielding issues. Jason Begmann was not too good as tonight's starter. Not sure if he will ever be any more than an emergency starter. He's decent at times, but never over more than a few innings at a time. Vidro's range is just KILLING ME!! These are all marks of a mediocre team.



Beltran Perez, once again had a good outing, striking out 2 and getting out of a small jam in the 6th, helping Washington get back into the game. Brett Campbell made his Major League Debut, going 1.1 scoreless innings. But, with both of these guys, MLB hitters haven't really seen them yet, and don't know what to expect. Lets wait to see how they do over a longer period of time. They are promising though.

I am glad I missed this one. As exciting as he has been at times, since joining the team last week, Nook Logan, to me, is not the answer in centerfield. He can fly, both in the field and on the bases, but that speed doesn't help on the bases if Nook has problem getting on base. Unless he can change his hitting style, he shouldn't be around next season. Of course, I could be wrong with Jimbo's penchant for "TOOLSY" outfielders.

Washington had played well over their last 10 games, hopefully making a pushed toward respectibility by the end of the fast approaching 2006 season. This one will give them NO RESPECT!!

Thank You Screech!!

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As most people now, I am down at the Kennedy Space Center covering the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was shocking to many regulars at RFK Stadium that I missed the last two games of the just completed thrilling home stand.

But, to keep our record in tact of attending EVERY SINGLE NATIONALS HOME GAME--(Section 320, Row 4, Seat 15 has never gone silent during a NATS Game), The African Queen made her way to RFK for Wednesday's 2-0 loss and yesterdays DOWN TO THE WIRE HEART THUMPING 7-6 WIN!!

And Screech, went out of his way to stop by a few times, during both games, in Section 320 to clown about me not being there, and making Sohna feel apart of all the action. She and I appreciated it tremendously. There were a few non regulars filling out the seats in Section 320 for those games, and they couldn't believe that the African Queen was actually having a conversation with Screech, since Screech is mute. She found all that very funny.



Thanks SCREECH, your BEST FRIEND appreciated YOUR efforts.

Now THAT WAS PRETTY EXCITING!!

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I had the opportunity to watch, on my computer, from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral today's thrilling Nats Win over the St. Louis Cardinals, while waiting, like everybody else here, to see if Space Shuttle Atlantis will EVER take off!!

Yeah, our pitching continues to be mediocre, the bullpen let the Cards get back in the game 3 times, The Chief, didn't have much, and grooved a game winning 2 run homer, that would have lost this game on most days, but as the Nationals have shown alot, lately, when they are down BIG, they can fight back--with a good hitting lineup!!

I would have loved to watch this one in person. The ups and downs, twists and turns were tremendous. Each team had 2 game changing rallies. Each team thought they had won the game, first the Nats entering the 9th, then the Cardinals at the start of the bottom of the 9th and finally the Nats winning in DRAMATIC fashion on a one out, 2 run, bases loaded single by JOSE VIDRO off Jason Isringhausen to win this THRILLER!!

While watching the game on MLB.com, I listened the Nats Radio broadcast instead of the MASN audio. Charlie Slowes was at his theatrical best. When Vidro lined that ball down the right field line, I was expecting Dave Jaegler to start up the oxygen tank for Charlie. The man can raise his voice to a new level, without taking a breath. I love listening to this guy when the game is on the line---Slowes is a total joy to hear call a baseball game. We are really blessed that he fell into the Nats broadcast booth, really by default.

Even the African Queen called me after the game to RAVE about it!! She couldn't stop talking about the win. And Screech came by TWICE to MOURN not seeing his BEST FRIEND in attendance.

Mike O'Connor actually pitched well, just off the disabled list, holding the Cardinals decent hitting lineup in check through most of five innings, giving up 3 hits and one run. Leaving with the lead, 1-0. But all that effort was wasted, when Frank turned to Chris Booker, making his second appearance for the Nats since being recalled from New Orleans. Booker just didn't have it. Giving up a leadoff single to Preston Wilson and walking Chris Duncan. Frank had seen enough at that point, and Chris Schroeder came on to retire the DANGEROUS Albert Pujols on a pop foul to Nick Johnson, and Juan Encarnacian to pop back to the mound. There could not have been anyone in RFK that didn't think Schroeder was going to get out of it. Only to see with a 1-2 count, Chris groove one to Scott Spiezio who banged it out to right for a 3 Run Homer. I figured, at that point, this one was over.

BUT NO!!

In the bottom of the 6th, Washington immediately fought back against the very good Chris Carpenter, with the patient one, Nick Johnson, drawing a lead off walk, Ryan Church blooping a shallow single to left, Johnson moving to 3rd, and today's hero, Jose Vidro slapping a single to left center, scoring Johnson. 3-2 Cards. Robert Fick would follow, and in typical Nats style, could not lay down a bunt, twice, so Fick swung away with 2 strikes, singles up the middle to load the bases. Still no outs. The crowd was alive, Melvin Dorta would pinch run for Fick, but Nook Logan, looking overmatched, went down swinging badly for out number 1.

Brian Schneider would then pinch hit for Scroeder and singled to center, tying the game at 3 as Church scored. Cards Manager Tony LaRussa would finally take out his starter, Chris Carpenter, for Tyler Johnson--Soriano greeting him with a 2 run single to center--and I could hear the RFK Stadium crowd roaring on the radio broadcast. I jumped out of my seat at the Press Center at Cape Canaveral--then realized where I was, and slowly sat down--clenching my fist--"YES!!" FLop and Johnson would strike out, sandwiched around a Zimmerman infield single that had loaded the bases, ending the rally, but Washington led 5-3 heading to the 7th.

Jon Rauch come on to pitch, AND ONCE AGAIN!!--tried to overpower everyone, get too comfortable--and give up another Home Run, this time to Yadier Molina to make it 5-4 Nats. Rauch has got to figure out this problem--it's getting ridiculous.

Then, Saul Rivera would pitch the 8th--and barely survived. After striking out Chris Duncan--Pujols singles, Encarnacian walked, Spiezio walked. Rivera also didn't have it. But, would be saved by the defensive play of the game, when Ronnie Belliard (A Manny Ramirez WANNBE--if there ever was one) would pop a texas leaguer to short left center, FLop when back on it looking over his shoulder, then dove in the opposite direction to snare the ball for out number 2. Lopez actually dropped the ball while getting up--and better baserunning by Pujols would have tied the game easily. As it turned out, Molina would fly out to Soriano to end the threat, and I started to breath again--in front of my computer.

Of course Cordero was coming in to close out the game, and as I have said on many occasions, the Chief needs as many runs as possible for a cushion. The man is downright scary on the mound. As he was scary again today.

Chad would get the no hit killer, from 2 days ago, Aaron Miles to line out to Soriano, but John Rodriguez would single to center. Former Nat, Preston Wilson, an all or nothing swinger--got it all, when on a 2-2 count, Cordero sent in an offspeed pitch right over the plate that Wilson HAMMERED into the Upper Deck in Left field. Preston slamming his bat down defiantly has he, first watched the balls flight, then slowly jogged around the bases. The Chief looking like he wanted to kill himself. 6-5 Cards.

Over the past week, you can't count out our Nats, and when Felipe Lopez walked to lead off the bottom of the 9th--I felt good, because I would much rather have FLop on the bases already, instead of being at the plate with the game on the line. Z flied to right, Lopez would steal second, then the inning was set, when Isringhausen hit Johnson on an offspeed pitch in the dirt. And when Church walked to load the bases, you could hear the anticipation of RFK Stadium crowd through my computer speaker.

But, Jose Vidro?? Not the guy I would hope to be at the plate in this situation. Has not been clutch this year. After taking ball one, Isringhausen tried to get one inside, but not inside enough and Vidro turned on it--drilling it down the right field line, scoring FLop and Johnson--GETTING ME TO ACTUALLY JUMP OUT OF MY SEAT and yell out--"YEAH!!" I didn't care at that point about everyone around me. Alot of folks knew I was watching the game--and came over to congratulate me on the victory.

Charlie Slowes was OUT OF CONTROL!! And I loved every moment of it. Every moment, except for not seeing it in person. It was a memorable game, from a memorable week of games at RFK on this completed homestand. Baseball is fun again watching our Nationals. Even down big in the standings, they are giving us something to cheer about as the season comes to its close.

Thank you--Washington Nationals.

Off Again For The Space Shuttle

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Hope to be back Thursday. Thanks all for reading my efforts.

OOOOH!!! SO CLOSE!!!

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Ramon Oritz wanted it!! The Washington Nationals Wanted IT!! The RFK STADIUM Crowd DEFINITELY WANTED IT!! Unfortunately, the St. Louis Cardinals defintely DID NOT WANT TO SEE IT!!

Ortiz had marched through 8 innings of NO HIT ball this Labor Day in our Nation's Capital. And, with help of a 2 run Home Run from Austin Kearns and a nice running catch from Kearns, it looked like everything was lined up to let Ramon pitch the first No Hitter in the Majors in over 2 seasons.

And the RFK FAITHFUL (31,092 of mostly Nat Fans) WERE ROCKING!! Ortiz would cruise through the first 6 innings of this game, allowing 3 walks, two in the second inning, but still get out of the jams, and when Kearns ran in to snare a liner by John Rodriguez in the top of the 7th--those in attendance had to figure the No Hitter was a distinct possibility.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Nationals would break up the scoreless tie when Nick Johnson would walk on four straight pitches from Jason Marquis leading off the inning. Kearns would step up next, hot of late in the clutch, and on the very first offering from Marquis--DRILLED a hanging off speed pitch DEEP to leftfield, the ball bouncing off the "Welcome Nationals Fans" Sign. A no doubter 2 run homer--and the crowd ROARED its approval.



Ortiz would retire the Cards in order in the 8th, and the anticipation was great. Ramon receiving a STANDING OVATION while walking off the field. The Cardinals would replace Marquis with Jorge Sosa and today's hero, Ramon Ortiz led off the bottom of the 8th. Ramon, first pitch fastball swinging, HAMMERED a LINE DRIVE DEEP TO LEFT FIELD, the ball just getting over the fence and bouncing off the wall of the St.Louis Bullpen. And RFK ERUPTED, like not heard since Zimmerman's DRAMATIC WALKOFF HOMERUN against the Yankees in June!! Ortiz rounding the bases, clutching his fist and slamming it down, repeatedly--Nats Fans not giving up on the cheering until Ramon stepped out of the dugout for a DESERVED curtain call. Which Ortiz obliged. 3-0 Nats

ZImmerman would then double to left, Sosa taken out for Randy Flores with Nick Johnson greeting him with a drive down the right field line, a double, scoring Z, closing out the Nats scoring 4-0 going to the 9th.



Ramon Ortiz would walk to the mound for the 9th to a Standing Ovation. Aaron Miles, the Cards leadoff hitter, would take strike one. On the second pitch of this at bat, Miles would slice a liner to center--ENDING THE NO HIT ATTEMPT--deflating the crowd to no end. Nontheless, Ramon received another Standing Ovation as he paused on the mound to take in the moment.



Chris Duncan was next for St. Louis and, first pitch swinging, laced a liner right to Johnson at first, who stepped on the bag for a double play. It made Miles single even more frustrating. Then, Albert Pujols, one of the games most feared hitters came to the plate, Ortiz got behind Albert 2-1 and on the 4th pitch of this at bat, Pujols HAMMERED/CLUBBED a drive into section 449 UPPER DECK, left centerfield. THIS SHOT GOT OUT FAST!!!!! Killing the shutout, Pujols stomping on homeplate and pointing to the sky as he scored.

Frank Robinson then came out of the dugout to replace Ramon with Chad Cordero. Ortiz getting a THUNDEROUS Applause as he exited, and waved his hat JUBILANTLY to the 3rd base side crowd. The Chief would close out the win with a strikeout of Scott Rolen. But you just had to wonder, if Ramon had only thrown a better pitch to Miles, leading off the 9th, he could have pitched a No Hitter.

As I mentioned to everyone in Section 320, we were going home DEFLATED, despite the win, as our expectations were SO HIGH going into the 9th. A chance to see History, but to no avail. If was though, a great day at RFK. THE CROWD WAS FANTASTIC!!! INTO IT ALL THE WAY!! I have heard alot of criticism from others about Washington Baseball Fans, but they can take a hike, we have terrific fans and its showed today!!! For a team buried deep outside the playoff hunt.



As Ramon Oritz was doing his postgame TV interviews, Nats GM, Jim Bowden, came out and doused WATER all over Ramon to cool him off. It was a nice moment, the remaining crowd along the 3rd baseline appreciated the site.

Wow--So CLOSE!! Yet SOOOOOO FAR!!

PS--I will be away the next few days, once again covering the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. So I will not be able to blog until Thursday. Thanks.

The Presidents Race

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A few weeks ago, I was approached by the NatPack Coordinator to see if I had any interest, along with some others in Section 320 of participating in The Presidents Race that takes place during the 4th inning of every single Nationals Home Game.

How could I possibly say NO!! The African Queen and I agreed right away. We added Cecilia, one of Sohna's best friends at RFK that sits to her right. We set the date for September 4--Labor Day against the St. Louis Cardinals.

According to the instructions, we all had to meet, in a designated spot, at the start of the second inning. Sohna, Cecilia and I were right on time. A 4th runner, a veteran of a few past races, was included in the mix.




We were met by Josh and taken down to the Dressing Area, in the bowels of RFK Stadium--given an overview of the Race, and what was to happen. Then we were all assigned our RACE HEADS. And these HEADS are HUGE!!




Sohna was chosen to be Teddy Roosevelt, the Ultimate Loser!! She and Josh tested Teddy's head on Sohna's shoulders. Sohna is not even 5 feet tall. She couldn't handle the weight, unfortunately, so we needed a substitute, QUICKLY, so Cecilia volunteered her husband-Mike. Josh switched out THE AFRICAN QUEEN for Mike and we were SET!! Sohna, to her credit, took it well.




Cecilia and Mike's kids, Jake and Zack, could not wait for their parents to run!!





The heads are GIGANTIC BACKPACKS that strap tight across your chest and are attached to a hoop that surrounds the pants. I was chosen to be Abe Lincoln. And, I quickly found out that Abe's BIG CHIN made it difficult to see. In fact, I could only see the ground in front of me. Cecilia was George Washington, her husband Mike, Teddy, the 4th guy--and eventual winner--Thomas Jefferson.




We got strapped in, but waited until the bottom of the 3rd inning to put on the Heads--IT WAS INCREDIBLY HOT!! inside those costumes. We all put on our heads and proceeded to the alley near the right field bullpen. At that point, we all tested running in the gear. Actually warming up. Abe was so lopsided and slopped that I had to use my hands to push his head up so I could see.




As the bottom of the 4th was about to begin, Tom--one of the NATPACK guys signaled all of us to GO!! Cecilia and I just started jogging, but the guy in the TJ outfit TOOK OFF!! He was 10 yards in front of me, before I even made it onto the warning track. I tried hard to catch up, but it was obvious, it was not to be TODAY!! I finished second, as Teddy, once again--was disqualified for cheating!!

We then proceeded up the aisle near the first base dugout, and I could not believe how many people wanted to HIGH FIVE ME!! Everyone shouting your name, it was quite nice. I must have slapped 50 hands before we got to the tunnel to exit the lower bowl. Kids especially wanting to touch you.

From there, we proceeded down the ramps, back to the dressing rooms, laughing all the way. It was a FABULOUS EXPERIENCE, we missed 4 innings of the game, but it was all worth it!! I could have used a shower right away, but I had to wait until we got home after the game. I must have sweated for 3 more innings, before I finally cooled off!!

We had missed so much of the game, I did not realize for 2 more innings, that Ramon Ortiz was pitching a NO HITTER!!. And then, I STARTED TO SWEAT SOME MORE!!

The 8th Inning Wonders!

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No Major League Baseball team had accomplished the feat in 88 years, Before the Curse of the Bambino ever existed, But, today, Our Washington Nationals rallied in the 8th inning, for their 4th straight victory, in a ROUSING 5-3 Win at RFK Stadium in Washington over the Arizona Diamondbacks. No one, NOT ONCE, since 1918, had won four consecutive games, coming from behind in the 8th or later innings. Baseball is a strange game. Just when you thought it was time to kick the dog (Our Nationals), Washington becomes a record setting team!!! This is why Baseball is SO SPECIAL!!



On a beautiful late summer day in our Nation's capital, before an enthusiastic gathering of 30, 771, the Nats let the Diamondbacks get comfortable, with Brandan Webb on the mound, throwing a terrific game. Fabulous slider and off speed pitches, set up by a wicked 95 mph fastball. Webb, a terrific talent, was on top of his game. Unfortunately, Arizona Manager, Doug Melvin, doesn't trust his bullpen. And today, his decision not to replace the tiring Webb was the decisive decision of the game--setting up Washington's SWEET VICTORY!!

The Nats would strike first, getting to Webb early, Alfonso Soriano leading off with a liner to left, then stealing his 36th base on the season. And, when Felipe Lopez grounded to short, Soriano trotted to 3rd, setting up the first score of the game. But, as always our Nats made it difficult. With one out, Ryan Zimmerman reached a 3-0 count on Webb, only to K BADLY on a full count. Nick Johnson would walk and up stepped Austin Kearns. Last night's second game Hero, Kearns would rope the second pitch of the at bat into right, scoring Alfonso easily--giving Washington the early lead. But, per their custom, were unable to capitalize when Jose Vidro tapped back to Webb to kill the rally. 1-0 Nats after one.

The game would settle down into a pitcher duel of sorts. Webb effectively retiring Nationals batters and Tony Armas, getting himself in trouble, never looking comfortable on the mound, but getting just enough defensive help to retire the side. In the Top of the 3rd, Armas would get STELLAR DEFENSIVE HELP, when the recently acquired, NOOK LOGAN, would make THE DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE YEAR, for the Washington Nationals.

Stephen Drew at the plate, swinging lefthanded, for the Diamondbacks, would HAMMER a LINE DRIVE to DEEP LEFT CENTER. No one, AND I MEAN NO ONE at RFK expected Logan to catch this ball, it had triple written all over it. Logan has TREMENDOUS SPEED, and he turned on the afterburners, running to his right with the ball quickly dropping toward the turf. Nook, at full speed, dove FLAT OUT PARALLEL to the ground and SNARED the ball, a split second before it hit the grass!! For good measure, Nook even sled for a few feet after making this SPECTACULAR CATCH!!

RFK STADIUM ROARED ITS APPROVAL!! NO ONE COULD BELIEVE IT!!! As Logan trotted off the field at the end of the inning, he not only received a HIGH FIVE from Second Base Umpire, Adam Dowdy, but Soriano, Kearns, Vidro and Armas--plus a HUGE STANDING OVATION from the 3rd base side stands.

I have been to nearly every single game at RFK since the Nats came to Washington. Only Atlanta's Jeff Francouer climb of the wall to rob Cristian Guzman of a Home Run in 2005 even comes close to this one. And, Francouer knocked down a portion of the right field wall on his catch. Marlon Byrd made a sprawling diving catch on a liner, a game saving catch, against the Dodgers earlier this season at RFK, but Logan's was FAR SUPERIOR!! Nook may not be much of a hitter, in the long run, but the guy has shown, over the past 2 games, he can PLAY DEFENSE!! With the best of them.

Unfortunately, this will give Frank Robinson and Jim Bowden ANOTHER EXCUSE to NOT PLAY RYAN CHURCH!!. Ryan may rarely dive for a hit ball, but he's a decent outfielder, with plus power, that the Nationals will NEVER, EVER, give the honest opportunity. It really sucks. Logan will only be a slap hitter with a low on base percentage.

Our Nationals, unable to solve Webb, consistently swung at EVERYTHING, getting RallyTimeRichard and I to chant, "TAKE A PITCH!!, TAKE A PITCH!!!" over and over. This still didn't help as Webb cruised through 7 innings.

Armas, during that time, continued to show why he is the THE MOST FRUSTRATING, pitcher in the game. Never able to close the door, has no confidence in his stuff. Rarely a first pitch strike. In the 5th, Chad Tracey would lace a first pitch Home Run over the right field wall to tie the score at 1-1. In the 6th, Tony would really lose it, going DEEP into the count on every single hitter. But, as is the norm for Frank Robinson, no one was warming up in the bullpen to bail out Armas. And, it proved costly, when Luis Gonzalez walked, and with one out, Johnny Estrada would single to right, moving Gonzalez to 3rd. Rookie Conor Jackson would then hit a medium fly to Austin Kearns in right, Gonzalez running all the way. Kearns unleashed a TERRIFIC throw to Schneider at the plate. Luis sliding just moments in front of the tag, but REPLAYS showed that Gonzalez slid past the plate to the right--AND NEVER TOUCHED IT!! Home Plate Umpire, Wally Bell called the play safe at the plate. 2-1 Diamondbacks. The RFK Faithful went NUTS over the call.

At this point, Armas was approaching 100 pitches, and to EVERYONE in Section 320's amazement, Frank sent Tony out for the 7th. It took only one hitter to FINALLY PROVE TO FRANK, that Armas should be out of the game, as Carlos Quentin would get a leadoff walk. After being sacrificed to second by Webb, Ryan Wagner trotted in to retire Drew on one pitch. But Orlando Hudson would close the scoring for Arizona with a liner to right, scoring Quentin and giving the DBacks a 3-1 lead after 7.

Wagner may have given up an inherited runner, but you have to like this guy's makeup. He pitches with CONFIDENCE!! Trusts his stuff. May well be the STEAL of the Bray/Majewski/Clayton/Harris deal for Lopez/Kearns and Wagner. Ryan would retire the side in order in the 8th. Which meant only one thing!!

RallyTimeRichard got us started with "WHAT TIME IS IT!!" RALLY TIME!!!" Section 320 was in FULL FORCE!! MickNats, Mrs. Mick Nats, RallyTimeRichard, NatsDelNegro, Andy, Jim, African Queen and myself bellowing throughout the game. Another spectator, filling in seats to the right of the African Queen mentioned how "Shocked" he was when we started chanting at the beginning of the game, was thoroughly impressed how "WE NEVER STOP" and how we held out for all hope during "RALLY TIME"!! He said Section 320 "MADE MY DAY MOST ENJOYABLE" And wished more fans were a fun as were were. It was well appreciated by all the 320 regulars.

And Nook Logan responded to "RALLY TIME" with a beautiful running bunt single down the first base line that Webb had no chance on. Ryan Church would pinch hit for Wagner, drawing a 5 pitch walk. With the CROWD NOW ON ITS FEET, expecting the MIRACLES of the previous 3 games, Soriano would strike out HORRIBLY on an off speed pitch that I called well before the toss by WEBB. How Alfonso could not figure this out is beyond me sometimes. More "WHAT TIME IS IT!!" "RALLY TIME" and Felipe Lopez responded with a ground ball, to left, scoring the fast moving Logan, moving Church to second. AND RFK STADIUM ERUPTED!!! Arizona is not a team that travels well with its fan base. This series was a true home game for the Washington Nationals. And that FAN BASE ROARED ITS APPROVAL!! 3-2 DBACKS, but you could sense we had them.

Amazingly, Doug Melvin did not go to his bullpen. Webb was tiring noticeable. A potential wild card playoff position is on the line for Arizona, yet their manager does not trust the 25+ man roster. And that spells disaster.



Frank Robinson sent in Henry Mateo to pinch run for Ryan Church, looking for any advantage to push the tying run home. Zimmerman was up next. "RALLY TIME" continued, and on the very first offering form Webb, Z LACED a liner to left. Mateo running ALL THE WAY. Gonzalez, not much of an arm. Henry tying the score at 3-3. The JUMPING began along the 3rd baseside stands. The Crowd on it feet, whooping it up. Everyone realized that the Nats had STORMED back late for the 4th consecutive game. Lopez and Zimmerman would advance to 2nd and 3rd on a throwing error on the play by Gonzalez.



Still, Melvin did not take out Webb. Nick Johnson was intentionally walked to get to Austin Kearns. And, on a full count, with the RFK CROWD ON ITS FEET, STOMPING AND CLAPPING and me yelling at Kearns to "KEEP THAT SHOULDER IN!!!"



Austin DRILLS a shot to deep right centerfield. I thought it was out of the park, but it landed on the warning track, Lopez scoring the go ahead run, Zimmerman making it 5-3, and as RallyTimeRichard so shrewdly pointed out, Nick Johnson may have been the ONLY baserunner in the Majors that could not have scored on that stroked ball. Johnson at 3rd, Kearns stopping at 2nd. 5-3 Nationals and, without a doubt--PANDEMONIUM AT RFK STADIUM. IT WAS ROCKING!!!! The shear joy in SECTION 320 was beyond comprehension, not believing, what we had just witnessed--FOR THE 4TH Straight Game!! .

Our Washington Nationals have consistently disappointed with the game on the line, in the clutch, yet over 4 consecutive games, had turned the table on an ugly success rate, pulling ahead, destroying confidence in a competitor. IT WAS VERY SWEET TO WITNESS!!

Although Arizona's Brandon Lyon would come on to retire Vidro on a sharp liner to second and Schneider striking out on a pitch in the dirt, Nationals FANS ROSE TO CHEER the 4 run, 9 batters to the plate inning. Bringing the Nats on the verge of a 4th straight victory.

Chad Cordero had pitched 3 innings in yesterday's DAY/NIGHT Doubleheader against the DBacks. He was truly not available. So Jon Rauch trotted to the mound, in an effort to record his very first Major League Save. The "WOOKIE" was up to the task. Carlos Quentin would ground to Lopez at short, FLop with a fine throw to first, retiring Carlos. Then Jon got pinch hitter, Craig Counsell to pop to Z near the dugout on the 3rd base side. Finally, Stephen Drew would ground a one hopper to Z, who calmly set himself, confidently throwing to Nick Johnson at first to END THE GAME--to the GREAT DELIGHT OF EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE!!!! BANG! ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS!



Jon Rauch PUMPED HIS FIST IN JUBILATION over his first MLB Save. Curly W number 59 for the Washington Nationals. Austin Kearns was MOBBED by his teammates. For the second consecutive night, "BLUEGRASS" was the hero. Hopefully coming around and showing the confident player that so many believe he can become. Frank Robinson, standing near the dugout, congratulating each and every player for a job well done. Grandfather Frank was beaming.

The Nationals had overcome great odds, down huge in the standings, just playing out the string of games to end the season, yet have resurrected themselves, in a effort to push back to respectability. No one could have expected the thrilling endings over the past 4 games, each a story themselves. Despite the rainout on Friday, it was an enjoyable 4 game weekend at RFK STADIUM. And you can bet all those who attended went home with new found respect for our Washington Nationals. We are not going to win anything this season, but it doesn't take away from the FUN AT THE BALLPARK!! Anything can occur on any day. And that's why we all ATTEND EVERY SINGLE GAME!!!

Stay Tuned Tomorrow, as there is a HUGE SURPRISE coming during the Monday, Labor Day game versus the St.Louis Cardinals--involving Section 320. Its going to be SPECIAL!!

Wonderful Day & Fitting Farewell At RFK Stadium

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1 Day, 2 Games, 20 total innings, 2 Come from Behind Thrilling Wins, One in a constant drizzle, the second under sunny clear skies and beautiful Moonlit night. Featuring the return of Livan Hernandez to Washington. Alfonso Soriano tying the franchise mark in Home Runs. In fact, 4 clutch home runs by four different National players. A Win AND a Save for The Chief. The debut of 5 new players. All in 9 hours--making for a WONDERFUL DAY AT RFK STADIUM in Washington, DC.

As the African Queen and I headed out to attend the first of today's Day-Night Doubleheader at RFK, a necessity after the torrential rains from Tropical Storm Ernesto that worked its way through the Mid-Atlantic States on Friday, you had to wonder whether even this makeup date would be played. Because, as we headed over the 14th Street Bridge in the Express Lane, it was raining HARD, and as we pulled into Lot 8, we counted a TOTAL of 42 CARS. 42!! And it was 12:45PM--20 Minutes before gametime!!

We made it to Section 320 at 12:55, and you could COUNT the number of folks in the stands. NOT MANY--In fact, easily less than 1,000, maybe even close to 500!! Even with the late arriving crowd, this game NEVER had many more in attendance (22,012 was the official tally), BUT IT DIDN'T"T TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXUBERANCE OF THE RFK FAITHFUL. Section 320 was Rocking!! With MickNats, NatsDelNegro, African Queen, Diane (Ms. ZIMMI), Shawn and myself. We were able to ROUND UP most of the 3rd base side of the crowd. And, if you are going to attend a game, in the rain, not originally scheduled--YOU HAVE GOT TO BE A SERIOUS FAN. And, those attending this one were. IT ALL MADE FOR A FABULOUS ATMOSPHERE!! No matter who you were, or how loud or low you yell, you could be heard in this one. I just can't tell you how great it really was. You had to experience it. One of the most FUN GAMES AT THE STADIUM THIS SEASON!! Screech was back in FULL FORM!!! Stopping by 320 and doing his usual theatrics. And, I want to thank Bryan, a faithful Nats320 reader for stopping by and introducing himself and saying how much he enjoys reading the Nats320 Blogs. Stop by anytime. I appreciate everyone that is kind enough to read my musings.

Baseballwise, it really didn't start out fun at all. Nats starter, Billy Traber, didn't have it from the start. Arizona had speedy second baseman, Orlando Hudson, on first via a single with 2 outs and Eric Byrnes at the plate with a 1-2 count. Traber couldn't finish him off and Byrnes ripped a deep drive to right center that Ryan Church (struggling in centerfield chasing drives) couldn't reach, but FORTUNATELY, the ball bounced over the centerfield wall for a ground rule double, stopping Hudson at 3rd. Orlando would have scored easily on the play. Hudson would then be stranded on 3rd when Traber was able to strikeout Johnny Estrada on 3 pitches. No one realized it at the time, but that ground rule double actually helped the Nationals win the game later.

In the second, with Damion Easley on first and one out, Stephen Drew would hit a chopper off the plate, that Traber could not handle on the wet turf. Both runners safe. And, after Diamondbacks pitcher, Miguel Batista sacrificed the runners to second and third, Chris Young (DBacks fine young centerfielder, that had a fabulous first game today) would drive both home with the first of his 5 RBI on another deep drive to right centerfield that Ryan Church missed by mere inches off of his glove. It looked like Ryan could have dived for the ball, but he did not. 2-0 Arizona.

Ryan Church would walk with one out in the bottom half, and Young would then make the defensive play of the game, when Brian Schneider would DRILL a deep liner right over Chris, Young running with his back to the ball the entire way to the warning track, would misjudge the angle on the ball, and at the last second running to his right, with his back to home plate, had to REACH BACK, over his left shoulder, turning right to left to STAB the ball out of the air, while falling right on his head. IT WAS A GREAT CATCH!! REALLY!! But with 2 outs, and Bernie Castro at the plate, Church would steal second and score on a full count slap single to center by Bernie. 2-1 Arizona.

Young would strike again in the 4th after Easley and Drew had singled, moving up on another Batista sacrifice. First pitch swinging, Young would drill a liner to left center that Soriano could only pick up and throw back in, both runners scoring and it was 4-1 Diamondbacks. Traber would make it into the 5th inning, but after a leadoff single by Byrnes, followed by another from Estrada, and me SCREAMING TO FRANK--"HE JUST DOESN"T HAVE IT!!" Frank stepped out of the dugout to bring on newly called up Chris Booker to make his Nationals Debut. Traber would leave after giving up 10 hits in 4+ ugly innings.

Booker had the advantage of no Arizona players ever facing him, and he mowed down Carlos Quentin on strikes and got Easley to hit the very first pitch he saw, a chopper to Ryan Zimmerman that Z turned over to Castro at second, on to Nick Johnson at first for a beautiful AROUND THE HORN double play. Booker received a STANDING OVATION as he left the field, He and Schneider exchanged closed fist knuckle punches as they entered the dugout.

The Nats still could not get to Miguel Batista, but Frank brought on Beltran Perez, another new Washington player, just called up from AA Harrisburg. The Lanky Righthander mowed down the Diamondbacks over the next 2 innings. Keeping the game close. Perez also walking off the field in the 7th to a STANDING OVATION. But when Chris Schroeder entered the game, all looked lost by the time Chris left the mound in the 8th. Schroeder just didn't have it.

Estrada led off the inning and DRILLED another liner into deep right centerfield. It look like it would get down, only to see Ryan Church DIVE FOR THE BALL, at the very last moment, running right and diving right, snaring the ball just before it hit turf. TO THE TOTAL AMAZEMENT of the RFK SUPPORTERS. Church never dives for a ball. But he did this time, and it must have inspired him for his heroics to come later in the bottom half of the eighth.

But before Church changed the momentum, the Diamondbacks would attempt to put this one away when Carlos Quentin would jack a homer into the Mezzanine Level just to the right of the left field foul pole. 5-1 Arizona. Then Schroeder would lose his composure, hitting Easley, walking Drew and giving up a single to right to Tony Clark loading the bases, but Chris Young (Yeah the same Chris Young that was a Nats Killer today, would hit a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Easley and this one looked like it was over. 6-1 Diamondbacks.

Arizona Manger, Doug Melvin would take Batista out of the game and replace him with Tony Pena. It was the GAME CHANGING DECISION, and started the Nationals HUGE COMEBACK. With 2 outs and nobody on, Nick Johnson would lace a double to right center, Austin Kearns would work a full count, then walk.

Church would step to the plate and HAMMER the very first offering from Pena to right center field, clearly out from the get go, bouncing off the "Washington Hall Of Stars" Banner. The CROWD ERUPTED and remained loud throughout the remainder of this exciting game. 6-4 Arizona after 8. We had a chance.



Jon Rauch would pitch a scoreless ninth and the Diamondbacks would bring on Jorge Julio--I repeat, JORGE JULIO!! After watching Julio pitch for Baltimore over the past few seasons, one thing is obvious--he believes he can over power every hitter, Julio does not know how to get batters out with his stuff. ONLY HARD THROWING. We had a chance with him on the mound. And with Soriano batting third in the inning--We needed a baserunner. Bernie Castro would walk on 4 pitches to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Although Robert Fick would K badly it set up THE PERFECT STORM. A Hard Throwing Free Wheeling Fastball Pitcher, against the FINEST FREE SWINGING FASTBALL HITTER IN THE GAME. Alfonso Soriano stepped to the plate, and as I clearly stated to everyone, this was the our chance. The stars were aligned. And sure enough, Julio challenged Soriano with a Fastball that Alfonso Crushed over the left field wall to tie the game at 6!!



Pandemonium at RFK. There might only be a few hundred in the stands--BUT IT WAS LOUD!! Section 320 chanting the Alfonso!! SORIANO!!! cheer to serenade Alfonso. That home run tied the Expos/Nationals Franchise single season mark. Number 44 for 2006 for our MOST EXCITING PLAYER.

The game would move to extra innings. Chad Cordero shutting down the Diamondbacks in the 10th, and remain in to pitch a scoreless 11th. Its in the 11th when Washington would pick up the Curly W. Brandon Lyon on the mound for Arizona. Castro lead off walk, moves to second on a sacrifice by Robert Fick. Forcing an intentional walk to Soriano. 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Lopez then walked to load the bases. Zimmerman now at the plate. The CROWD SCREAMING, ROARING AND STOMPING!!! Z would take ball one, called strike 2, take ball 2, called strike 2. Ryan had not even taken the bat off his shoulder. On the 5th pitch, with great anticipation from the crowd, Lyon would throw a TERRIFIC looping off speed pitch that had Zimmerman fooled. Only to see Home Plate Umpire, Mark Carlson, call ball three. It was a great pitch, under pressure, Lyon just didn't get the call. Z would then foul off the sixth pitch and on the 7th and final pitch of game, would take an outside pitch, walking and scoring Castro with the game winning run. 7-6 Nationals!! Bang Zoom Went the Fireworks, the Nationals had come from behind late for the second straight game.

African Queen and I retired to Lot 8 for dinner and wine, then returned to our seats for Game 2, featuring the return of Crowd Favorite, Livan Hernandez, starting for the DBacks. Significantly more were in attendance for this one (22,922--officially), but the noise was no where near as fun as the first game. The Diehards attended the 1pm game, the 7PM start feature the more casual fan. The difference was strikingly noticeable.

Arizona would jump on Washington Starter Jason Bergmann right away when Chris Young would lead off the game with a walk, and with 2 outs, score on a 0-2 count single to center by Eric Byrnes. 1-0 DBacks.

As Livan Hernandez walked to the mound to pitch the bottom half of the 1st (he looked mighty strange in his Arizona Gray Pinstripe uniform), Livo picked up the ball, stood momentarily on the mound, facing the Nats 3rd base dugout, tipping his hat to the Nationals. Frank Robinson and the entire team tipped their hat back to the burly righthander. A moment of respect for long time friends, now competitors. As nice as it was to see, Sohna and I were very sad over it. We both liked Livan alot. He's a great competitor. He loved playing in DC. And, as I have said before, a great Ambassador for our city. Sometimes you need to look at more than the WINS AND LOSSES.

Livan was on his game, throwing alot of pitches, giving up a hit here and there. And the Diamondbacks would make it 3-0 in the 3rd when, again with 2 outs, Bergmann would lose his concentration, giving up a walk to Hudson, followed by a first pitch home run to right center by Luis Gonzalez. The Nats would get one run back in the bottom half when Soriano would create a run, all on his own, lead off single, stealing second for his 35th stolen base of the season, moving the third on a bad throw on that play and scoring on Zimmerman's ground out to short. From that point on, Livo and Bergmann would pitch shutout ball. Bergmann leaving after 7 strong innings, 108 pitches, only giving up 4 hits and 2 walks. Hernandez would continue to dance the ball around Washington Batters, no one making headway against the fine magician from Cuba.

At least until the 8th, when Livan, at 107 pitches and one out, Ryan Zimmerman would turn on a 1-2 off speed pitch over the inside corner and lofting a line shot off the CHEVYFIRST.COM sign just above the Arizona Bullpen for a home run. 3-2 DBacks and the Crowd was back in it again. The "RALLY TIME" chant going full force in Section 320.



Nick Johnson would follow, first by fouling a opposite field drive over the left field fence, but just foul, drilling a liner down the right field line, JUST FOUL, then lacing a single up the middle. Austin Kearns next. Kearns has not done much for Washington since his arrival from Cincinnati. But this time, he delivered and HAMMERED a DEEP DRIVE to right center field, over the wall, just left of the Washington Nationals Clock. AND JUST LIKE THAT!! The Nationals had the lead for the first time today. And for the third straight game had come from behind, LATE to take a lead. Recently recalled Melvin Dorta and newly acquired Nook Logan would follow with singles. And, that was it for Livan today. Doug Melvin came to take him out of the game.



As Livan slowly walked to the first base dugout, THE ENTIRE CROWD STOOD CHEERING AND CLAPPING FOR LIVAN--GIVING THE BIG GUY HIS DESERVED FINAL OVATION, AN OVATION HE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE AFTER BEING TRADED, FROM SO MANY THAT ENJOYED HIS EFFORTS FOR WASHINGTON. As Livan reached the first base coaches box, he took his glove hand and tapped his heart, then TO GREAT CHEERS from the RFK STADIUM FAITHFUL, Livo, looking teary eyed, DOFFED his hat to the crowd, A CLASSY MOMENT FROM A DECENT MAN!! Number 61 then dropped his head down into the dugout, sitting dejectedly on the end, ALONE--for the remainder of the inning. It was touching and VERY SAD--all at the same time. You had to feel for him. Sohna couldn't hold back the tears.

The Chief, Chad Cordero, would then come on to close it out in the 9th. Not as sharp after pitching 2 innings in the opener, Byrnes would walk to lead off the inning. Steal second while Cordero struck out Clark for out number 2. Then get Craig Counsel (the very first batter to ever hit in a regular season game against the Nationals at RFK on April 14, 2005--facing Livan Hernandez) on a called third strike!! Striking out the final three hitters of the game. Giving the Nats a THRILLING 4-3 comeback win, and Cordero's 24 save of the season. Curly W number 58 of the season.

September 2, 2006 was a WONDERFUL DAY OF BASEBALL AT RFK STADIUM. The Nationals showed some spunk. Hung in there despite being behind early. Got some solid pitching late. Clutch Hitting, and Nationals fans got the opportunity to bid farewell, properly, for an Original Nat. IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!

Marlon, FLop--INSANITY AT RFK STADIUM!! THEN MARLON/WARD TRADED!!

Nats320
Only 22,221 folks decided to buy tickets to tonight's Nats/Phillies Game at RFK Stadium. And, many of those did not show up with the Washington Redskins playing their final exhibition tuneup 6 miles to the east at FEDEX Field against the Baltimore Ravens. By the time the RFK game ended there were only a few thousand left in the stands. Those faithful, WITHOUT A DOUBT, were treated and rewarded to the MOST INSANE LAST TWO INNINGS OF ANY GAME THIS SEASON. A 6-5 Nail biting thrilling win in 10 innings. And then saw the Nationals TRADE THE STAR OF THE GAME TO THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOR A TOP PITCHING PROSPECT RIGHT AFTER THE GAME!!

This one included a game winning run scoring Wild Pitch, a go ahead run scoring Passed Ball after a liner nearly decapitated a pitcher, arguably the LONGEST STROKED MONSTER SHOT HOME RUN AT RFK since baseball returned to Washington, a late jump last moment snare off the turf of a sinking liner to end an inning, a to the back, running into the wall catch of a liner to deep center, a Washington Second Baseman showing some serious range, an incredible gaff by 3 converging fielders and NO ONE EVEN COMING CLOSE TO CATCHING THE BALL, a perfect throw to second on a steal by a catcher, easily out, that went right threw the fielders mitt for a 2 base error, and a CLUTCH 2 out 2 strike game tying single by that same fielder. OH YEAH--It was also the 71st Birthday for Frank Robinson.

THIS GAME HAD IT ALL!! With all its WARTS!!

Pedro Astacio got the start tonight for out Nats, and retired the Phillies in order in the top of the 1st. Washington would get right to Philadelphia Starter, Randy Wolf, after Alfonso Soriano (a non factor tonight, swinging at everything) led off the game with a strikeout. Felipe Lopez reached on a infield single that Jimmy Rollins had no play on in the hole. Zimmerman would line one up the middle. Moving FLop to second. Nick Johnson walked to load the bases. Still one out. Austin Kearns would step to the plate and on a 3-1 count would loft a fly ball to center that Shane Victorino could only catch and throw back into the infield. 1-0 Nats. Zimmerman moving to third after FLop scored. Marlon Anderson was next. A KEY PLAYER TONIGHT. Marlon stepping into centerfield for the slumping Ryan Church. Marlon would take strike one, then foul off 3 of the next four pitches. I yelled out "COME ON MARLON--Just hit it down the right field line!" On the very next pitch, Anderson hit a HIGH CHOPPER with just enough speed to bounce right over Ryan Howard's head for a run scoring single down the right field line. Nick Johnson made it to 3rd. 2-0 Nats after 1 when Brandon Harper, getting the catching start tonight, popped to Howard to end the rally.

The Phillies would come right back against Astacio when, Howard, down 1-2 in the count, amazingly gets an off speed pitch right over the plate, slapped into center for a single. David Dellucci would follow and slam a liner to right center, Austin Kearns dove to his right, missing badly, the ball rolling all the way to the wall. Anderson retrieved, but not before Howard scores easily and Dellucci is standing on 3rd. Still no outs. Pat Burrell was next and hits a routine grounder to Lopez at short. For whatever reason, Delucci goes too far down the line toward home. FLop throws to Harper for a rundown play. Zimmerman tags out Dellucci. Helps kill the rally as Pedro was able to retire Lieberthal on a fly out to left and Abraham Nunez on a grounder to first. 2-1 Nats.

The game continues through the 3rd inning with both Astacio and Wolf holding their own, and Marlon Anderson would come to Pedro's rescue with 2 outs in the top half, when Shane Victorino hit a looping liner to dead centerfield, Anderson stayed back on the ball, at first, then realized it was well in front of him. If there is one thing Marlon does well, its run, and he turned on the afterburners diving to his right on the dead run, snaring the ball off the grass at the very last moment. It was a beautiful catch. He received a deserved STANDING OVATION!!

But in the 4th, this game started to change into the wild one that ended so thrillingly.



After Chase Utley grounded out on a fine play by the Nats Bernie Castro ranging to his left, Ryan Howard was at the plate, and if there's one pitch you don't give to this guy, its a low fastball over the plate. On a 2-2 count, Astacio throws one right in that spot and Howard TURNED ON IT--you could hear CLEARLY the sound of wood hitting ball--and a MAJESTIC FLIGHT ensued. Everyone on the field turned to look as its arching flight, ending in the 6th row of SECTION 461--TITANIC IN EVERY WAY. It set the Phillies Single Season Home Run Record of 49, with Howard passing the GREAT MIKE SCHMIDT. And you had to appreciate the shot. The applause from both Phillies and Nats fans was pretty loud.

Astacio would settle down, 2-2 after 4 innings. The 5th inning would pass with the game scoreless, but not without one great play and a couple of strange plays. Abraham Nunez led off the top of the 5th with a hard hopper up the middle. Castro ranged all the way across the second base bag, beating FLop to the ball, throwing off his wrong foot, stopping his momentum in the shortstops set position to retire Nunez. IT WAS A TERRIFIC EFFORT!! An effort we can not see from Jose Vidro and his limited range. The HOME CROWD APPRECIATED IT TREMENDOUSLY!! Then, Jimmy Rollins was at the plate, with 2 outs, and lofted a routine pop to short left field, Alfonso just jogged in on the ball, letting it drop about 3 feet in front of him. Soriano was booed loudly, and rightfully so, for loafing on the play. Then on the very next pitch, Rollins would take off for second, Harper threw a PERFECT throw, right on the bag, beating Rollins, only to see FLop let the ball go right through, never touching his glove, Rollins advancing to 3rd. How Lopez missed the ball is beyond me. This is the exact situation that bad teams lose ball game. Fortunately, on this night--all these errors were overcome. Shane Victorino would pop to Castro at second to retire the side.

In the 6th, Castro would again show his athleticism when Utley once again hit a hard grounder to Nick Johnson's right, the ball caromed off Nick's glove to his right, but behind him, Castro, never giving up on the ball, retrieved the ball on the edge of the outfield grass--Astacio, running hard all the way to the first base bag, took that throw from the hustling Bernie to retire Utley. TO A STANDING OVATION AT RFK STADIUM. Its safe to say that we have not been treated to such outstanding defense at second base all season long by a Washington National. Nothing is close to Castro's efforts tonight. NOTHING.

Unfortunately, Astacio running hard to cover first must have been the final blow to his pitching for the night. Approaching ninety pitches at the time, Pedro would walk Howard, get Dellucci to pop to left, and on pitch 91, Burrell would drill a shot to the right centerfield wall, Howard running hard all the way, scoring easily, Burrell stopping at second. Lieberthal would follow with a hard slash to center and the Phillies led 4-2. Nunez would then single to left, ending Astacio's night, and Saul Rivera came on to retire pinch hitter Joe Thurston on a chopper back to the mound. Phillie Fans very happy.

In the bottom of the 6th, Nick Johnson would slash a single to center off Ryan Madson leading off. and after Kearns and Anderson both K'd, Daryle Ward would pinch hit for Harper. On a 1-1 count, Ward DRILLED a rising liner to deep centerfield. Rising enough that it appeared it would just get over the fence at the 410 mark. Only to see Victorino, running hard, with his back to the play all the way, make an OUTSTANDING running catch, crashing HARD into the wall to end the inning. Burrell and Dellucci running over to see if Shane was OK. Another of a few very fine plays in tonight's game.

Saul Rivera and Ryan Madson would both get through the 7th unharmed. Jon Rauch would pitch a scoreless 8th for the Nats. Geoff Geary would retire Washington in the bottom half.

And then the INSANITY BEGAN!

With the Chief, Chad Cordero, on the mound to start the 9th, Jimmy Rollins would foul a routine pop down the right field line. Nick Johnson, Bernie Castro and Austin Kearns all converged. AND NO ONE CALLED IT. The ball dropping 5 feet away to their right. IT WAS AWFUL!! Especially when Rollins hit the next pitch to center for a single. Victorino would sacrifice Rollins to second, Utley grounded out to second, advancing Rollins to 3rd. With Ryan Howard at the plate, Frank Robinson walked the big guy intentionally, to a great amount of boos from the Phillie faithful. Chief would go FULL COUNT to Dellucci, then see David foul off 3 straight pitches, a hit putting this game out of reach, when Cordero reared back and hums a fastball on the inside corner of the plate for CALLED STRIKE THREE--to the great joy of Nats Fans still there.

In the bottom of the 9th, Arthur Rhodes came on to close it out for Philadelphia. He's saved 3 straight games against Washington. Anderson led off with a bunt between the mound and 1st base, Rhodes let the ball slip under his glove. Marlon safe. Schneider ROPED a double down the left field line, moving Anderson to 3rd. NO OUTS. Castro, swinging at everything in the clutch, struck out swinging and Henry Mateo, pinch hitter for Cordero, would dribble one back to Rhodes for out number 2 and it looked like it was OVER.

Soriano, 0-4 for tonight, and swinging at everything, was intentionally walked by Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel. It turned out to be a GAME CHANGING DECISION. Up stepped Felipe Lopez. FLop has not been much in the clutch since coming over from Cincinnati. With the entire crowd still left in the stadium on its feet--CHEERING AND STOMPING--Felipe would take two balls, then look at strike one and foul strike two down the right field line. The man has rarely delivered in the clutch. Rhodes then delivered an off speed pitch that Lopez was able to get his bat on and ground into the hole, JUST OUT OF REACH, of Rollins at short. Anderson and Schneider scored AND IT WAS TIED, 5-5

What was left of the dwindling crowd had RFK STADIUM ROCKING! Although Zimmerman would strike out badly on 3 pitches to end the rally, the Crowd was HOPEFUL. A NATS WIN WAS POSSIBLE!!

And as quickly as Washington sucked you into believing in them, they broke your heart just a fast. Ryan Wagner now on the mound for Washington. Pitching with new found confidence. Gets Chris Roberson to ground out to Castro to start the 10th. Then hits Lieberthal, but Nunez would ground to Lopez at short, Castro just missing the pivot toss to Johnson at first for the double play. But 2 were out, everything looked OK. Then NEAR TRAGEDY STRUCK.

Jeff Conine, batting for Rhodes would ROCKET SHOT a Wagner fastball right back at Ryan, Wagner REFLEX ACTION deflects the ball off his glove, the ball caroms into short right field. Nunez advancing to 3rd. Frank, Randy StClaire and Tim Abraham, the Nats Trainer all came on the field. Wagner saying he alright.

Play continues with Rollins at the plate. On a swinging strike, Schneider misses the ball and it goes to the screen, Nunez scoring easily. And you could hear the bubble burst at RFK. It was that deflating!! And, even more folks headed for the exits. Wagner would get out of the inning without further trouble, but no one could expect the NATS to fight back 2 straight times in their last at bats.

But they DID!!

Lefthander Aaron Fultz on for the Phils to face mostly left handed hitters in the bottom of the 10th. Nick Johnson would hit a grounder to Ryan Howard's right. Johnson, not the fastest runner, Howard hurrying for no apparent reason, does not set himself, and throws a backhand toss--BEHIND the covering Fultz, Johnson safe at first. As, Troy in Section 320 said--"Howard had all day, why rush it!!" It was the turning point of the game.

Austin Kearns would then slam a DEEP DRIVE to DEAD CENTER, the RFK FAITHFUL anticipating a GAME WINNING HOME RUN, only to see, it die in the DEAD ZONE of RFK. Out number 1. But, Marlon Anderson, would stroke the very next pitch to center, moving Johnson to second. Brian Schneider up next.

Schneider has been on a tear at the plate lately, finally coming around after slumping through most of the first 5 months of the 2006 season. With a 2-2 count, Fultz tried to sneak a fastball over the outside corner of the plate, Brian, in his best AT BAT of the season, went with the pitch and laced a shot to left over the leaping Rollins at short, scoring Johnson, tie game at 5. RFK WAS ROCKING!!

"LETS GO NATS!!" erupting from the few left.

Marlon Anderson now on second, Schneider on 1st. One out. Bernie Castro up and I was fully expecting him to be THE HERO tonight. Castro gets ahead 3-0 in the count. Takes a called strike, then flies out to centerfield, but deep enough to move the fast Anderson to 3rd, setting up the DECISIVE PLAY OF THE GAME!!

Ryan Church steps to the plate, pinch hitting for Ryan Wagner. With the ENTIRE REMAINING CROWD ON ITS FEET---CLAPPING and STOMPING!!, Church takes ball one and then ball two. Then on the 3rd and FINAL PITCH OF THE GAME--Fultz throws a 55 foot curve ball that lands in front of the plate. CHURCH SWINGS AT IT--AND LIEBERTHAL CAN ONLY BLOCK IT BACK INFRONT ON THE PLATE. Anderson, never hesitating takes off as the ball caroms 8 feet infront on the plate. FULTZ CHARGES IN SCOOPS UP THE BALL AND DIVES TO TAG THE CHARGING ANDERSON. SAFE AT THE PLATE!!!, SAFE AT THE PLATE!!!

NATIONALS WIN IN EXTRAORDINARY FASHION!! 6-5. And the Crowd went NUTS!!
Bang ZOOM! Go the Fireworks. And Frank Robinson goes home happy on his birthday--Frank shown waving his cap to the crowd on the Big Screen as the players happily marched off the field. The happy look on Ryan Church, being congratulated for swinging at a pitch not even reaching the plate, setting up the winning score--WAS PRICELESS!!


This game had it all. Its WAS THRILLING TO THE VERY END. No one who attended this one will forget it for some time. This is why you go to the game.

I love BASEBALL!

And was STUNNED to read that Anderson was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately after the game for one of the Dodgers TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS, 20 year old Jhonny Nunez. The 6'3" Nunez has been nothing short of OUTSTANDING in his 3 pro season. And, then Jim Bowden announced that Daryle Ward had been traded to the Atlanta Braves for another pitching prospect--21 year old Luis Atilano, the 35th selection overall in the 2003 draft. What's curious about this deal is that Atilano just had TOMMY JOHN Surgery, so why would we be trading for this guy. Need to look into it more.

Like the Nunez trade ALOT!!! Confused about Atilano--BIG TIME!!