tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post2563545065972496298..comments2023-10-20T04:28:04.547-04:00Comments on Nats320 -- A Washington Nationals Blog: "The Most Thrilling Closer In The Game"Screech's Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01094199653375184305noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-42457823776357145752007-10-23T21:02:00.000-04:002007-10-23T21:02:00.000-04:00Closing is all about having ice water in your vein...Closing is all about having ice water in your veins. And Chad is straight from Alaska.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-67027896774239870452007-10-22T20:23:00.000-04:002007-10-22T20:23:00.000-04:00It will be interesting to see if anyone asks Stan ...It will be interesting to see if anyone asks Stan about it at the ESPN Zone tomorrow or by calling in to the show they are doing from there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-89063547090197286042007-10-22T20:21:00.000-04:002007-10-22T20:21:00.000-04:00It is my belief that the club has not offered Slow...It is my belief that the club has not offered Slowes and Jageler what they are seeking and deserve, if, in fact, they've made offers to them at all at this point. THe organization, except for MLB imposed deadlines, is way behind in every other area of running their business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-33860189731363037052007-10-22T20:18:00.000-04:002007-10-22T20:18:00.000-04:00As to the Dave & Charlie Contract Comment: Believe...As to the Dave & Charlie Contract Comment: Believe me, I have asked Mr. Kasten about Charlie and Dave a few times. What he always clearly states is--he will not talk about negotiatons or contracts, ever. Its his policy to never negotiate publicly. That does not mean The Nationals are not interested in them. Its just part of the process. I also believe he understands the popularity of the two.Screech's Best Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01094199653375184305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-71329237376581207922007-10-22T16:46:00.000-04:002007-10-22T16:46:00.000-04:00Tim Tolman made a few errors in judgement early in...Tim Tolman made a few errors in judgement early in 2007, but as the season wore on, he seemed to get a better handle on when to be aggressive or when to hold the runner. Not that he was perfect, but who among us is? I was glad to see that Tolman was retained for 2008. I'm sure many of us are still having nightmares from the 2005 season with vivid memories of Dave Huppert sending Esteban Loaiza, or Livan Hernandez or another slow-footed Nat (Carlos Baerga?) to a date with disaster at the hands of the opposing team's catcher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-32170383796227647762007-10-22T16:30:00.000-04:002007-10-22T16:30:00.000-04:00Forgot to comment on your astute observations re: ...Forgot to comment on your astute observations re: Acta and the unusual deference paid to him by letting him keep his own staff for 2008. Yes, he is the field general, and he has the comportment for one all the way around. I think that Manny Acta is the one person that EVERYONE from owner, to team president, to GM, to player, to fan, feel precisely that same about - that the Nats identity may be tied up in this man for a generation!<BR/><BR/>Smart to let him keep his comfort zone, and win his loyalty in the bargain. Smart, all the way around. Now - about Tolman's eye prescription...<BR/><BR/>Trust in Manny. All Good.SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-86337433458625011732007-10-22T16:25:00.000-04:002007-10-22T16:25:00.000-04:00SBF offers sage commentary throughout - concur com...SBF offers sage commentary throughout - concur completely. Recognize this amazing statistic: The Chief, whom I lovingly refer to sometimes as the Chef (serving up some real meatballs!), as a Washington National closer has been created for closing fully 50.2% of our precious victories, and only responsible for just under 8% of our losses. As noted, the win figure could actually go lower (and the loss percentage higher)should the team produce a winning record next year, even if he improves, and the defense behind him does too.<BR/><BR/>Point is: he would be fiercely competitive on a winning team, since a lot of what is involved with closing is the mindset of the opposing team that they are in the clutches of some dark force.<BR/><BR/>Keep him. And, he is cool.<BR/><BR/>And sign the duo to the radio contract soon; and give Carpenter two years, as he is the proficient one. We are tuning in for Sutton's commentary and analysis anyway, and like Jaggler, you need one relatively understated, and one more flaboyant to make a good announcing tandem.<BR/><BR/>SBF - why are they throwing Bowie out the back door? Of all the discards, he seems the most versatile and potentially valuable. I realise we can sign him back, but I would try to keep him now.<BR/><BR/>Finally, is the young outfielder from the U of MD, Justin Maxwell going to make the big team in 2008, and play?<BR/><BR/>Trust in Kasten. All Good.<BR/>(And go Rocks - shock Sox!)SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-67405894957120899552007-10-22T13:37:00.000-04:002007-10-22T13:37:00.000-04:00SBF - completely unrelated to your post, but if yo...SBF - completely unrelated to your post, but if you could, PLEASE talk to Stan about the lack of contracts for Charlie and Dave. As radio announcers go, they are certainly some of the best as you have duly noted in the past. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-54143530252586617922007-10-22T11:36:00.000-04:002007-10-22T11:36:00.000-04:00Trevor Hoffman hasn't thrown 95 mph for at least 1...Trevor Hoffman hasn't thrown 95 mph for at least 10 years -- if he ever did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-62304320757078543802007-10-22T11:23:00.000-04:002007-10-22T11:23:00.000-04:00One thing you can say about a closer who tends to ...One thing you can say about a closer who tends to load the bases is that he doesn't get rattled when he loads the bases. Chad's got great poise. Doesn't quite make up for talent, but it's crucial in a closer. <BR/><BR/>MickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-26801036042297446832007-10-22T01:02:00.000-04:002007-10-22T01:02:00.000-04:00SBF -- As you know, Chief is my favorite National....SBF -- As you know, Chief is my favorite National. That said, I think I'd like to see a little less of him. It may sound odd, but when I've seen the September meltdowns, I've wondered if the 70+ appearances has something to do with it.<BR/><BR/>I think Chief is still maturing as a pitcher. This season, he seemed to be consistently at 90 with his fastball, which may be a slight gain in velocity. His slider is what it is, but he seems to be experimenting with an off speed pitch. I doubt St. Clair had a lot of time to work with him this season, in the midst of starting roulette. So I don't think we've seen Cordero's ceiling.<BR/><BR/>Chief pitches to contact and depends on the defense behind him, which I think makes people nervous. But when he, and the defense, are on, it's amazing to see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-67003768502324510212007-10-21T23:37:00.000-04:002007-10-21T23:37:00.000-04:00Rauch, Cordero, and an ace to be named later would...Rauch, Cordero, and an ace to be named later would make a fine bullpen line-up for the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning for a contending team.<BR/><BR/>SBF, I guess Jon Miller was out of reach. . . . You didn't miss too much!paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683734720896529408noreply@blogger.com