Shades Of Jorge Julio

At least when "MY BOY!!" Jorge Julio entered tonight's game against Our Washington Nationals a spark was fired. You see, Jorge Julio and I have some serious history. From his days with The Baltimore Orioles, through his days as a New York Met, to The Arizona Diamondbacks to The Colorado Rockies to The Florida Marlins--Jorge Julio has been nothing short of a disaster to me. In his entire career with Baltimore, he never produced a save when I was personally attending any game at Camden Yards. He failed EVERY SINGLE TIME. Every single one--exasperatingly so.

And he lost a game in Queens at Shea Stadium--pitching for The Mets--while I was on assignment in New York City.

At RFK Stadium, "MY BOY!!" became legendary for his incredible flameouts in 2006 and 2007. No one has ever given up the Big Hits more often, with me in person at the ballpark, than Jorge Julio. And no one has ever been featured more for his work on Nats320 than Jorge Julio. He is truly A LEGEND on this blog.

Just click here, here, here, here, here,here and finally here. Quite amazing isn't it!!?? Pretty incredible actually.

And there was NOTHING like "MY BOY!!" serving up that Grand Slam to Ryan Zimmerman at 1:40AM on Mother's Day Weekend in 2007--before that monsterous crowd of 76 total people in attendance at The Old Ballyard on East Capitol Street after three prolonged rain delays. Yeah, that number is accurate, I counted. And it's still one of The Greatest Moments In Our Washington Nationals History. Too bad so few witnessed it.

So at least for the briefest of moments tonight at Turner Field, there was hope. The belief Our Washington Nationals might actually have one final chance. But as it turned out, even Jorge Julio could not throw away a five run lead for The Atlanta Braves in the top of the 9th--sadly so. If you have followed the Nats320 blog for any length of time, you knew I was pumped over seeing him in this affair. You just never know if "MY BOY!!" can throw his pitches consistently. A important facet of the game this evening that found Our Starter Jason Bergmann having the same issues in the 3rd inning himself. You know, there comes a time when you just have to trust your fielders. Quit the dibbling and throw the ball over the plate. Give your defense a chance to help you out--when you know your command is lost.

Jason Bergmann did none of that tonight.

Our Number 57 wasn't helping himself by not letting his teammates do the work for him. All Jason Bergmann did was continue down that dark lonely path of trying to rectify every wrong by himself--by over compensating and losing even more control. He got pissed with himself and that hurt him even more. Did he ever let this game get out of hand. A similar feeling Jorge Julio has never been able to overcome his entire career.

"MY BOY!!" is past his prime and he probably will never learn the nuances of the game, while Our Number 57 still has his career in front of him.

Time to learn from your mistakes Jason. Time to give your defense some credit. Time to not be headstrong when things are going wrong. I've seen enough of that from Jorge Julio for years and years and years. And Julio's efforts only sent him on the Journeyman Bandwagon. A Journey you should not follow.

Jason, you know Sohna and I love ya, because we know you are better than what you showed tonight. Inconsistent at times all season, you have the stuff to be electric on the mound. But you need to learn that on those nights when you are not at your best and you can't trust your stuff--then trust your fielders. Please give them the opportunity to bail you out. Tonight's 7 Run bottom of the 3rd inning by The Atlanta Braves was avoidable--if you have kept your cool--maintained focus--pitched as a confident Jason Bergmann, understanding there were 8 others behind you watching your back. At least give your defense a chance to help. Walking so many gave NO ONE any chance to assist you in your troubles and brought back Shades Of Jorge Julio.

Final Score from Turner Field in Atlanta--a wipeout that even "MY BOY!!" could not throw away. The Atlanta Braves 10 and Our Washington Nationals 5. Everyone has their bad day, but there are times when anyone can minimize the damage--if they only use their head and not lose concentration. Composure which Jason Bergmann lost tonight and hopefully will regain very soon.

PS--I can't tell you how excited I was to see Jorge Julio enter this game in the 9th. I didn't even know he was back in The Major Leagues--knowing he was released by The Cleveland Indians earlier this year. And I would love to know if The Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox understands, or is even aware, of Julio's history facing Our Washington Nationals? In my entire baseball career, there has never been one player that has engaged their game more with mine than Jorge Julio. We are truly Blood Brothers Forever.

PSS--And I believed the entire 2008 season would pass without mentioning Jorge Julio on Nats320. That would have been a shame.

Tonight's InGame Photos--(AP) Gregory Smith