tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post4422158979365180393..comments2023-10-20T04:28:04.547-04:00Comments on Nats320 -- A Washington Nationals Blog: My Conversation With Frank HowardScreech's Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01094199653375184305noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-90880948939497155682007-10-05T13:32:00.000-04:002007-10-05T13:32:00.000-04:00SBF,Thanks for two great articles on Frank "Hondo"...SBF,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for two great articles on Frank "Hondo" Howard! It gave me great satisfaction to see Hondo's gracious and kind comments about the Senators teams of the late '60s and early '70s and I was especially happy that he was so kind in his praise of the Senators coaching staff under Ted Williams.<BR/><BR/>I say this because one of those coaches, Joe Camacho, number 40 in your Nats program, is my Dad! Those years in DC were wonderful for my Dad because players like Hondo, Mike Epstein and Eddie Brinkman were great students of the game and continue to be to this day.<BR/><BR/>Personally, the years in Washington were very nice, although having our Dad away from his Massachusetts home for 71/2 months was an adjustment for us all but the balance was the excitement of the Big Leagues and the joy it brought to my Dad. It also gave me a wonderful chance as a 10 to 12 year old to shag balls in RFK during batting practice and to interact on a personal level with the players. They all treated me and my brother great along with the other sons of the players.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, it is great to see baseball firmly back in the Nation's capital; may it never end!!<BR/><BR/>Go Nats!!<BR/><BR/>Jim CamachoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-47948488227855552282007-09-13T16:33:00.000-04:002007-09-13T16:33:00.000-04:00This is indeed a fantastic interview, approaching ...This is indeed a fantastic interview, approaching Mark Twain working with President Grant on his memoirs!<BR/><BR/>Frank knows his baseball, but I think he is looking at the demographics in D.C. with a bit of rosy-colored glasses. I think that the true radius of support and interest in smaller, encompassing closer to 2-3 million, or half his vision. <BR/><BR/>Plus, I do not foresee a regional interest and support for the team, a la Boston, and recalling the 1950's-early 60's Redskins being the professional football team for virtually the entire South.<BR/><BR/>The Orioles compete once you cross into Maryland, particularly north and east.<BR/><BR/>Still - his assessment of percentages of prospects that fulfill destiny are instructive - as it shows how much patience is demanded to truly build an efficient feeder system for the long haul. In the meantime, building a broad fan-base is somewhat undermined, creating a true marketing v. winning dilemma.<BR/><BR/>We can thank Bud Selig for imposing Stan Kasten onto the Lerners as a condition for him wrapping this franchise into a nice bundle for that family.<BR/><BR/>Imagine had they been on their own, and they had relied soley on Bow-Bow: impulsiveness and splashy news via bold trades for name players (can you say Vinny Cerito and Dan Snyder?!): the franchise would be doomed.<BR/><BR/>As it stands, Kasten likes the creativity of Bow-Bow, but is his governor. Nice combo - almost as nice as imagining what a real hitter to go along with Frank Howard in 1966-71 would have meant for our beloved Senators.<BR/><BR/>Trust in Kasten. All Good. {And but a Hondo Hot on your way into the park next year...}SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-3564004289996320542007-09-13T14:32:00.000-04:002007-09-13T14:32:00.000-04:00Great interview... Cant wait for tomorrow's instal...Great interview... Cant wait for tomorrow's install!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-60540280084605085182007-09-13T09:22:00.000-04:002007-09-13T09:22:00.000-04:00Wow SBF. You've outdone yourself this time, which...Wow SBF. You've outdone yourself this time, which is saying a lot. Look forward to your upcoming posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-51800198989724422462007-09-13T07:22:00.000-04:002007-09-13T07:22:00.000-04:00Great stuff, as usual, SBF! I must admit that I e...Great stuff, as usual, SBF! I must admit that I envy you as you get to spend time with Frank Howard, and the others you've intereviewed for the benefit of those of us who enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-76848693005082470182007-09-12T19:34:00.000-04:002007-09-12T19:34:00.000-04:00SBF...Fantastic. Thanks so much for your continued...SBF...<BR/><BR/>Fantastic. Thanks so much for your continued contributions. I know how important the Senators and Frank Howard are to you...and were to you all through your life. <BR/><BR/>I was impressed to read about Steinbrenner and Cashman getting excited about the return and suggesting Hondo come on down and support the effort. Boy, if a certain someone from Balm'r could get some sense of history and baseball grace, we'd all be better off.<BR/><BR/>Good for the Yankee duo. Nice to hear.<BR/><BR/>See you Friday at the kickoff to the final stretch!Jim Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10389688524746052643noreply@blogger.com