THE " AT BAT" OF THE YEAR!!

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In this afternoons 7-3 Nats win over the Chicago Cubs at RFK Stadium, Alex Escobar, came to the plate in the bottom of the 6th, injured, limping badly--AND DELIVERED WITH A DRAMATIC, PINCH HIT, 2 RUN, 2 OUT HOME RUN, that was the decisive blow, giving the Nationals a 6-3 lead that they never relinquished.

What was special about it, was the manner Escobar BATTLED AT THE PLATE. The Cubs had hard throwing left hander, Will Ohman, on the mound, in an attempt to shut down a Washington rally. Luis Matos had started the bottom half of the sixth with a clean double down the left field line. Cubs Manager, Dusty Baker, called for Ohman. Ohman would strike out Marlon Anderson on 3 straight pitches. Ohman would then get Robert Fick to ground out to short on 3 straight strikes. Frank Robinson then called on Alex Escobar to pinch hit for Livan Hernandez.

As most fans know, Escobar has been clutch in the few games he has played for the Nats, but he's injury prone. And, last night, Alex drilled a shot down the left field line to score two and give the Nats an eventual 7-6 win over the Cubs. He's batting over .400 with 12 RBI's now. But, on that play, Escobar, once again, pulled up lame running out the play, and pulled his right hamstring rounding first base and was immediately taken out of the game.

No one in today's crowd could have possibly expected Alex to play. The Nats had called up, my favorite, Ryan Church to add to the outfield depth, overnight and sent down pitcher Kevin Gryboski who had not been effective. (Church actually was not in uniform at the start of the game as he was traveling from New Orleans, but did make an appearance late in today's game--to a very nice ovation from the RFK FAITHFUL!!)

Frank though sent Escobar to the plate and Alex did so, noticeably limping. Ohman continued to throw strikes. Escobar took a called 1st strike. Swung at a second strike. Then proceeded to foul off the next 2 pitches. Ohman had, at that point, thrown 10 CONSECUTIVE STRIKES!! And, was in control. Ohman then threw one in the dirt that Escobar laid off. Escobar then fouled off 2 MORE PITCHES, protecting the plate nicely. Then, ON THE 8th Pitch of this AT BAT, Drilled Ohman's offering over the left center field wall for a FABULOUS 2 RUN HOMER! Escobar then proceeded to limp BADLY around the bases and was greeted in GRAND FASHION by MATOS and SORIANO at the plate, shuffled over to the dugout, where the players congratulated him in SHOCKING SURPRISE! Frank Robinson had a Grand Fathers' prideful look on his face like you have NEVER SEEN.!! Even Frank could not believe it!!

AND THE CROWD NOISE FROM OVER 38,000 WAS DEAFENING!!

Troy, sitting next to Sohna in Section 320 had joked that Ramon Ortiz was probably waiting, in the hole, to pinch run for Escobar--Alex, as it turned out, decided to act like Kirk Gibson, he of the famous injured, off the bench, game winning homer off Dennis Eckersley in the 1989 World Series in Los Angeles. If this game was as important--ESCOBAR'S AT BAT WOULD BE REMEMBERED FOREVER!! But, it will be remembered in NATS LORE, as a GREAT MOMENT IN 2006!! Escobar with the "AT BAT" OF THE YEAR!!

I know many will say the Ryan Zimmerman game winning blast off the Yankees Wang in June was UNBELIEVEABLE--and it was, but Z blasted out the very first pitch of the at bat. Escobar showed incredible patience, fouling off pitches he knew would not go anywhere. Alex has the most balanced, even swing, I have seen in a long time. Hope that he can get over the injury problems, HE IS A SPECIAL TALENT!!

Grand Re-Opening Greeted At the Door

Grand Re-Opening--Frank, Ryan and Chief at the door, and Sohna checking out the Margarita Bar!! July 21, 2006.

More Grand Re-Opening Photos

Photos Outside the Park, Grand Re-Opening, July 21, 2006

Great Night All AROUND!!

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Tonight's Grand Re-Opening was a tremendous amount of fun. From the time, Sohna and I stepped off the Metro at Stadium-Armory Station you could feel a different energy from fans heading to the Nats/Cubs Game at RFK. As we walked to the Stadium, we came across the RED CARPET outside the main entrance, all the way up to the turnstiles. A Curly "W" flower bed had been laid out at the main gate were the Redskins Painted Helmets sat for many years. Nats/DC United Banners were on every lightpost. We noticed Austin Kearns, Ryan Zimmerman and Frank Robinson shaking hands at the front entrance, just to the left of the Team Store. I introduced myself to Kearns and welcomed him to Washington. And told him that DC is a FABULOUS TOWN, give us a chance, you will like it and the fans too. Austin said that he's getting more comfortable everyday and sees the excitement here. Sohna and I then turned around to meet Ryan Zimmerman. He was sooooo nice. Asked our names, shook hands and then took a terrific picture with Sohna. Frank was next. He gave Sohna a huge hug, then Sohna asked how his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Sharon (Section 320 Favorites) were doing. Frank got a big grin on his face and said they are doing great, but were back in LA right now. I mentioned to Frank that we were part of the Section 320 Noise Boys that his wife sits with at times and whether he hears us. Frank grabs my shoulder and says--"DO I EVER!! KEEP IT UP!! He then laughed and thanked us again.
FRANK LOVING SECTION 320!!! MADE MY NIGHT!! We then picked up our Red Curly W caps and headed inside the stadium.

Sohna and I then headed up to the New Food Court. It was crowded, but managable. In the center was a Margarita Bar. $9 frozen, plus $4 for a Grand Marnier floater. We had one apiece. To their credit, it actually had alcohol in them. They were good. Hard Times Cafe served up 3 different chilis, and a plate of Nachos far better than the Aramark crap. A.R had Catfish and Crabcake Platters (both large servings), Q Barbecue served up some nice looking Brisket and a company called Clucky Chicken had Wings and Breast pieces.

As we headed to our seats, we ran into The Chief, Chad Cordero, greeting fans at Gate F. We stopped, talked briefly, but the handlers would not allow us to take pictures with him for some reason. Mark Lerner was there and we met him, also.

Once we got to our seats, a Marine Band was playing behind home plate, and a large military group unveiled a GIGANTIC American Flag on the field for the playing of God Bless America and The National Anthem. Screech'sBestFriend was visited by fellow blogger, Eddie Cunningham, introduced himself, took a picture. Was a pleasure to meet him. Thanks for stopping by
Eddie!!

The game proceeded and the over 35,000 was in it from the start. Soriano got hit by pitch leading off the bottom of the 1st and would end up scoring on a wild pitch by Mark Prior. Aramis Ramirez would get that run back on the first pitch of the second inning by blasting a shot down the left field line into the upper deck on the first pitch by Pedro Astacio. But, the Nats would come back in the bottom of the 2nd. Kearns singled into the hole at short. Schneider forced him at second, but Felipe Lopez would slice a double down the left field line putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. Astacio would be hit by pitch loading the bases. But, Soriano would K swinging at EVERYTHING!! Marlon Anderson comes up and immediately gets into an 0-2 hole, takes a close ball one, then Prior tries to place one over the outside corner and Anderson drills it into the leftcenterfield gap for bases clearing double. 4-1 Nats. And the STADIUM WAS ROCKING!! The Cubs would come back with a manufactured run from Ronny Cedeno on a sacrifice fly to right by Juan Pierre that Kearns made a near perfect throw that Schneider could not handle. Cedeno should have been out. John Mabry hit a solo homer in the 4th for Chicago to make it 4-3 Nats.

At the end of the 4th, the NEW PRESIDENTS RACE took place. Like the Milwaukee Sausage Race, this race consisted of GIGANTIC HEADS of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Jefferson. The 4 came out of the gate down the right field line, near the Nats bullpen and race to the finish line just on the other side of the visitors dugout, near homeplate. Washington Won. And, it was a nice sight to see. Everyone was into it.

In the bottom of the 6th, SayHeyKlib was chosen by the NatPack to play "Lets Make A Deal" Standing on the Nats Dugout. He could take the Nats Jersey or what was in Box Number 1 or Box Number 2. SayHey chose Box Number 1 and was rewarded with 4 ROUNDTRIP AIRFARES ANYWHERE ON SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!! Section 320 went Nuts, and SayHey thanked the 320 Faithful on the microphone standing on the dugout. Later, one of the NatPack guys came up and gave to MickNats what was in Box Number 2---Chad Cordero GAME WORN SOCKS!! I am not kidding. Very Funny.

Astacio got through the 6th and one out in the 7th when Frank took him out. Stanton came in and immediately gives up a double to Pierre. He steals 3rd and Stanton gets Todd Walker for out number 2 but Pierre scores to tie the game at 4. Frank does his over managing manuver and brings in Kevin Gryboski. Gryboski gives up a single to Michael Barrett and then the game changing CRUSHING BOMB HOME RUN by Aramis Ramirez (AGAIN) into Section 448 to give the Cubs a 6-4 lead. The Nats would load up the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th, but, per their usual style, do not score when Matos weakly pops to first, after being ahead 2-0 in the count and Lopez lines out to right.

But--in the 8th, the game would change once again. With one out, Soriano would hit a badly broken bat slicer to center for a single. Marlon Anderson followed with a single. Soriano to second. Soriano would then steal 3rd, while Anderson was sleeping at first. 1st and 3rd, 1 out now. Zimmerman pops down the right field line, Todd Walker chases it down in foul territory, but Soriano, running all the way, scores easily. Nick Johnson comes up and, with 2 strikes hits a duck snort blooper just out of reach of everybody behind 2nd for a single. Anderson to 3rd on the play. Alex Escobar comes up, and rips a serious line drive down the left field line off Howry. Cubs leftfielder, Matt Murton has trouble picking it up. And Tony Beasley sends Nick Johnson home. Nick stumbles badly, but the relay throw is up the first base line and the Nats take the lead 7-6. And, the STADIUM WENT NUTS!! It was extremely LOUD!! Fans were on their FEET SCREAMING!! Unfortunately, Escobar, the hero of the moment, pulled up lame rounding first base and had to leave the game. Listed as a mild hamstring. Day to Day. This guy is good, but his injuries are maddening!! HOPE HE'S OK. Alex is really helping, big time!

The Chief then came on to actually pull a 1-2-3 Ninth Inning for his 15th save. Sending the faithful home happy.

There was alot of excitement in the Park tonight. There was always something going on. Much more music set to the pace and action of the game. We loved the PRESIDENTS BIG HEAD RACE. It was very nice. Sohna and I are going to check out the other amenities throughout the weekend. Tonight was a good start for the new ownership. The Nats won. We do need pitching though. We had alot of fun!!

Favorite RFK Mess Ups!!

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With the "Grand Re-Opening" of RFK Stadium slated for this weekend against the Cubs, I thought it would be fun to remember some of my favorite RFK Stadium mess ups from the beginning of 2005.

As anyone that has attended a game at RFK would know, all things Nats is a little off kilter. RFK Stadium has had it problems, from poor sound quality, sometimes too low, sometimes too loud. A scoreboard that continually has the wrong, incorrect information on it. A PA Announcer with no feel for baseball and who acts like everyone's attending the lastest professional wrestling extravaganza. Terrible concessions by Aramark. Always running out of food by the 3rd inning. Long lines to get what little food is available. You really have to love baseball to consistently attend Nats games. RFK is the greatest NO FRILLS baseball park in the game today.

Despite all of that: I have attended every game. And these are some of my favorite bloopers/screwups.

With concessions so bad at RFK, the Nationals sent out a press release in April 2005, stating that fans could bring in bottled water, food and snacks. Just no hard sided coolers, alcohol and sodas. Fine. Sohna and I started to do so immediately after hearing about it. On our first game, after the announcement, April 29th versus the Mets, security tried to stop us from bringing in ANY FOOD, demanding that we trash everything immediately. We refused and got into a huge fight with the CSC Security Folks. It got so heated, CSC wanted to ban us from the park and get Metropolitan Police to arrest us for disorderly conduct. By chance, I happend to see my ticket rep for the Nats walking by the Gate B/Players Entrance. I called him over. He immediately told every security person they were wrong and to leave us alone. To this day, Sohna and I carry a copy of the Chartese Burnett press release with us to everygame stating we can bring food into the game. IDIOTS those CSC employees.

On Saturday, May 14th, 2005, Cubs in DC for the first time ever. It rains something awful, torrential downpours, on and off. The grounds crew gets stuck putting the tarp back down on the field as it rained so hard you could barely see the first base stands from section 320. The tarp gets so heavy with rain, the grounds crew falls down trying to drag it across the diamond. The final result--the 3rd baseline is totally exposed from 3rd to home plate. It became a quagmire. The fans booed the grounds crews mightily. The game finally started at 9:55, nearly 3 hours late--and the 3rd baseline was a mess for the remainder of the game. This was also the night, last call for beer came IN THE FIRST INNING!! Its also the night, a drunken fan ran out onto the wet tarp during the rain delay, slid all over the tarp, eluded about 15 security guards and police officers and ran back into the stands and hid among fans under the overhang behind home plate. He got away with it for about 45 minutes, when, section by section, the security guys finally got him. And, everyone booed the security guards, cheering the drunken fan.

On Opening Day, 2006 (The Nats second season in DC), from the time I arrived for batting practice, approx. 11:30AM, until the end of the first inning. The rotating electronic boards down the right and left field lines continued to say "Welcome to the Washington Nationals Inaugural Season"

On May 5, 2006, Friday game against the Pirates. When Pittsburgh second baseman, Jose Castillo, comes to the plate for the first time, the PA Announcer actually says "Now batting for Pittsburgh, VINNY CASTILLA!!!" We laughed about that for the rest of the game. Still funny today. What a mistake.

June 10, 2006 against the Phillies. Chad Cordero Bobblehead Day. Instead of handing out the Bobblehead as fans enter the stadium, someone decides to, give out vouchers to fans coming through the turnstiles and MAKE EVERYONE THEN GO AND STAND IN LINE ON THE UPPER 300 LEVEL OF CENTERFIELD!! It made absolutely no sense. Many people had to walk halfway around the stadium, just to get the bobblehead, after entering RFK. Plain, STUPID!!. And, yet, the Nats did it again for the Jose Guillen Bobblehead later.

June 8th, 2005, night game with the Oakland Athletics. Screech, My Main Pidgeon, is prancing around in front of the walkway in the bottom of the 6th, during a key moment of the game, with Ryan Church, at the plate--Screech is blocking the entire view of the game, hamming it up, taking pictures, not paying attention to the important moment of the game. I start yelling: "MOVE THE BIRD!!, MOVE THE BIRD" Over and Over again. Section 320 joins in the chorus. Church would triple, scoring 2 and the Nats would go on to win 7-2. But I didn't see it, nor did anyone in our section. As my "Move The Bird" gets louder and louder, Screech's handler grabs him and pushes him into the tunnel to the left of section 320. On the way past me, Screech literally and figuratively "GIVES ME THE BIRD!!" Section 320 was so stunned, no one could say anything, but laugh. That moment has come to define our section and gave rise to my user name: Screech'sBestFriend. Screech's handler gave him a serious talking to after that episode. Now--Screech always blows me kisses as he passes Section 320.

My all time favorite: On June 8, 2006, a Thursday night before an announced crowd of 24,669, the Nationals had Phillies starter, Eude Brito in trouble in the 5th inning. After a Soriano walk, Alfonso steals second, Clayton doubles him home giving the Nats a 3-2 lead. Clayton advances to 3rd on a wild pitch and Nick Johnson doubles off Pat Burrell's bad fielding in left, making the score 4-2 Washington. The Phillies make a pitching change, when Clay Condrey comes running onto the field from the leftfield bullpen. To everyone's surprise, The PA system starts playing the "ROCKY" theme song. THE ROCKY THEME SONG!!! We are playing PHILADELPHIA!! Is there any song more associated with the "City of Brotherly Love" than Rocky. Fans started to Boo. Section 320 went Nuts!! The Nats rally to take a lead and the PA kills the enthusiasm by playing a Phillies rally song. Unbelievable!! Classic screwup!!

This whacky stuff has gone on and on. The humor of it all, far outdistances, the frustrations though. I would love to hear more from others. Those mentioned above are PRICELESS!!.

Here We Go!! AGAIN??!!###

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One day before the so called "Grand Re-Opening" of RFK Stadium by the new Lerner/Kasten Group and the much ballyhooed "Paint The Town Red" Promotions, Major League Baseball has declared, according to The Washington Post, that The DC Government is in Default on the New Stadium Lease Agreement!! In fact, MLB states the District has failed to meet 11 provisions in the Construction Agreement. The most startling is that our beloved DC Government has failed to turn over paperwork with the signed lease details and proof that the city actually contains the title of the land the new stadium is being built on in SW.
The entire story can be read at this link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072000750.html

UNBELIEVABLE!! Is all I can say. I am sick and tired of all this crap. Outside of the dwindling fan base, does anyone really care about the Washington Nationals!! Once again, petty bickering over little league stuff is hurting the franchise. MLB remains officially in charge. And, as you can tell in the Washington Post story, Stan Kasten, is getting mighty uptight about.

One day before the fun was suppose to begin in earnest, HERE WE GO AGAIN??!!## I can't tell you how much I am holding back.

Vinny Released By Padres

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In an unpopular move in the Padres clubhouse (according to the Associated Press), San Diego released Vinny Castilla today making last winter's trade of Brian Lawrence from the Padres for the Nats Castilla, a total washout. Vinny's numbers are even more way down than last season with the Nats. And, his bad knee has continued to bother him all season long. Still a solid defensive player, the Padres felt they needed to make a roster move for more pitching.

And, as quoted from the AP story, Vinny "is a career .276 hitter, with 319 homers and 1,101 RBI in parts of 16 seasons. He also played for Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Houston. He is the all-time major league leader by a Mexican-born player in homers, RBI, hits (1,880), doubles (349) and runs scored (900)."

Vinny also has my favorite ballplayer idiosyncracy. Whenever he would swing and miss at a pitch, a pitch he should have hit, Castilla would spit out his chewing gum and swing at it with his bat. Never got bored watching him do it.

Last season in Washington, I enjoyed watching him play. Vinny was part of that close knit latino connection (Esteban Loiaza, Carlos Baerga, Luis Ayala, Cristian Guzman, Jose Guillen, Jose Vidro, Hector Carrasco, Tony Armas, Jr. and Tony Blanco) that helped make the 2005 Inaugural Nats so very special. Castilla had a fabulous Opening Night Game against Arizona. His home run that night off Javier Vasquez began the famous jumping/moving of the stands along the 3rd base side. RFK rocked that night! And, if Lance Cormier had not hit Vinny during his last at bat that night, he would have most likely hit for the cycle. I remember, vividly, the entire stadium booing the Diamondbacks when he got hit.
Castilla was a very good fielder, but notorious first ball swinger. During the Brewers series on May 16, 2005 at RFK, with Vinny at the plate, Rally Time Richard and myself screamed out "Take A PITCH!! VINNY!!" as the ball was delivered. Castilla promptly WHACKED IT OUT OF RFK!! The pitcher was Doug Davis and the Nats went on to win 5-2. Section 320 has laughed about that moment for a long time. In fact, I would say that Home Run, early in the season, actually set the pace for the fun that has become SECTION 320!!

Will miss Vinny. Good Player. Did not complain, when his knee was killing him last season. Unfortunately, his time was up.

Trading Deadline Blues

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4-6 weeks ago, I was very hopeful that the Nationals could trade Jose Vidro, Jose Guillen and Livan Hernandez and receive the decent young players the Nats need to build a winning franchise. Today, I just can't see anybody trading the Nats anything useful, long term. Very despressed about the Nats right now.
Vidro shows no range in the field, and little at the plate with the game on the line. Now, Vidro has nagging injuries to his knee and hamstrings.
Guillen continues to play, claiming he's OK, then gets hurt, again, and claims he just being a man about it. Last night, he reinjured his right elbow on a terrible throw and was removed from the game in the second inning. I was sure he had been traded when Alex Escobar was sent out onto the field for Guillen. The Diva outfielder has knocked in a few runs lately, but he's made it very hard to continue singing the "JOSE" song with his terrible 2006 campaign.
Livo finally admitted his surgically repaired knee has bothered him all year. Hernandez has no command of any of his pitches. Why would anyone want him?? Expensive and Damaged.

So, where does that leave the Nationals with 12 Days remaining before the July 31st deadline.

As much as I love Alfonso Soriano--He's a legitimate Game Changing Impact Player, Soriano has got to be traded. Rumors are that the Tigers, Angels, Yankees and Mariners have a keen interest, with the Dodgers waiting in the wings. But, what is very, very clear, is that Jim Bowden, in trading Fonzie, must get, in return, 2 legitimate, can't miss, pitching prospects and an everyday player. The future of the Nationals with Jimbo in charge is riding on this. Bowden has got to get it right. If nothing outstanding is offered, don't trade Alfonso.

I am not a big Jim Bowden fan, I feel he has made many mistakes, self promotes himself too much, depleted what little excess talent he inherited for little return. We have a team with no life right now. The future on the Nationals is on the line. Time to see results. Its all given me the Trading Deadline Blues.

Escobar remaining (maybe?)!

As quoted from the post (I'd say Washington Post, but not sure if I'm infringing on any copyright laws):

"Another move is pending Tuesday, when lefty Mike O'Connor is scheduled to be recalled to start against Florida. Utility player Damian Jackson, who has spasms in his esophagus (Blogger note... I am most definitely not going to ask what the h-e-doubletoothpicks that's all about), is expected to be placed on the disabled list to make room, club officials said Monday night."

So why don't they just release him already?

In any case, it would appear from this that Escobar stays. Damn good. Hopefully.

And on a side note, I agree Screech's Best Friend (HA!), there is no life/confidence/whatever to this team at all, it feels like it's senior year, and everyone's waiting on their job application results, only to find out where they're going to go, therefore there's really nothing to invest in at this point... Of course, Alfonso (SORIANO!!!!) is filling in his App quite nicely lately...

This is all gonna take patience, patience, and more patience I know, but at this point I hope Kasten's words come to fruition soon. Bring up the youth. Let 'em play, thick and thin, better and worse, and then see what we got in a few years. This could be a helluva lotta fun.

Cheers

Felipe Come ON!! Armas You're Killing ME!

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I am sorry to say that Felipe Lopez is becoming my new whipping boy. In tonight's 4-2 loss to the Marlins, Felipe had 2 errors, the second one a routine ground ball that he booted that ended up costing the Nats huge in the bottom of the 4th when the Marlins scored 3 runs on a double, 3 singles, one walk and the Lopez error. Felipe did hit a no doubt about it home run to right in the top of the 4th off Ricky Nolasco, but more than put Washington in the hole with his bad fielding and throwing. He just does not look comfortable. Also, he plays with absolutely NO EMOTION!! On each of his errors, his expression doesn't change. When he left 17 runners on base over the first 3 games he played for the Nats, he did not seem upset with his inability to hit in the clutch. I find him very disturbing to watch. Alot of Nats fans did not care for Royce Clayton, but he was fairly steady for Washington this year and, more times than not, made the routine plays. Lopez has trouble with those routine plays.

Another disturbing sign is Tony Armas Jr's inability to trust his stuff. The man can reach the mid-90's, but he nibbles way too much around the plate. Tonight, Tony labored through 5 slow innings of 92 pitches, 56 for strikes. In the key bottom of the 4th, Armas had a chance to get out of a jam, despite Lopez's error by only giving up 1 run. But, with 2 outs and Marlins on 1st and 2nd, Armas nibbled around the plate on weak hitting Reggie Abercrombie and walked him to load the bases. If Armas just fires away with his best slider over the plate, Reggie would not have hit it. Then, nervous now, not finding the plate, Tony gives up a single to pitcher Nolasco to score 2, putting the Nats in the hole they could not recover. It very frustrating to watch a talented pitcher not be able to pitch. If he had confidence, he would be an above average starter.

The play of Lopez and Armas tonight is typical of why the Nationals are not a good team. NO CONFIDENCE!! NONE!!

Big Country--GONE!!

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The Nationals had to make a roster move today to bring Tony Armas Jr. off the disabled list and activate him for tonight's game in Florida. To no one's surprise, Jim Bowden designated Matt LeCroy for assignment. If "Big Country" is not claimed off waivers, then the Nationals could send him to New Orleans. But, what would be the point? As nice of a fellow as he is, LeCroy was a bad fit for this team in the National League. Matt had no position, he's a DH, and hopefully will get the deserved opportunity to return to the American League and produce again. LeCroy had only 78 total plate appearances this season, with 2 HRs and 9 RBI, hitting .239. He's a better hitter than that, just needs the chance somewhere else.

Alex Escobar

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Despite his scaring outfield play, Alex Escobar has been a very nice edition to the Washington Nationals Lineup. Alex has hit safely in all 8 games he has played for the Nationals, 12 hits in all and a .480 average. Today, he crushed a 2 run pinch hit homer off Pittsburgh's Paul Maholm to get the Nats back into the game in an eventual 8-4 win in 11 innings. Last night, Escobar stroked a key pinch hit RBI single to tie the game at 5 in the seventh inning. He's got a terrific arm and runs very well. But, there have been rumors that Escobar will be the odd man out, when the Nats make roster moves over the next few days to bring Tony Armas, Jr and Mike O'Connor back on the 25 man roster. I only hope that these rumors are not true. The Nationals need all the good news they can muster right now. Escobar deserves a chance to play. He's delivered in every game. I hope Bowden doesn't waste him and let Alex go.

Hard To Watch

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I found watching last nights 7-6 Nationals loss to Pittsburgh hard to watch. Everytime the Nats got the lead, I just had this feeling that the Pirates were going to come back. The Nats played with little life. Except for Soriano, Zimmerman and Johnson, no ones shows any sense of excitement. There no sense of urgency. The Nats DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TEAM ANYMORE. Felipe Lopez looks totally lost on the field. Trades can be devastating for players, especially when you go from a winning team to a losing one, but Lopez looks feable at the plate. After leaving 6 runners on base in his first game friday night, he left another 7 on base last night. 13 in 2 days, that's pretty awful. I didn't like him before the trade, didn't think much of him on trade day, and Felipe has done little yet to change my mind. And, our bullpen, once the backbone of the team is hurting badly and leads Frank Robinson, to once again, make some strange moves that are questionable. Knowing that Jon Rauch is unavailable due to a family emergency, Frank brings in Mike Stanton in the sixth to face just one hitter, Nate McLouth, then immediately takes Stanton out and on comes Kevin Gryboski, who on his first pitch in the Majors in nearly one year, sees Jack Wilson lay down a beautiful suicide squeeze to give the Pirates a 6-5 lead. When Gryboski is pinch hit for by Alex Escobar in the top of the 7th, Frank then has to bring on Micah Bowie to try to get the Nats to the 9th, but he gets himself in trouble and Roy Corcoran gets the call and gives up the game tying sacrifice fly. Then, Frank makes a maddening move, when, with one out, HE LETS CORCORAN BAT FOR HIMSELF in a tie game, in the 9th. Frank said he was forced to, because Rauch was unavailable. Well Frank, that's your own fault for overmanaging!! You used 2 pitchers to get 2 outs in the 6th. That was unnecessary. Saul Rivera and Chad Cordero were still available. I am sure there is also some starter that's hasn't pitched all week, that might be available. There are plenty of choices. Bowden can always make a roster move the next day. The Nats had a chance to win and Frank, again, did not give them the best chance to do so. I couldn't watch the bottom of the 9th, and I am glad I didn't. It was not pretty. The Nationals are not a good team, can not hit in the clutch, poor starting pitching, and now a bullpen that depends on pitchers that were never in the teams plan at the beginning of 2006. And, it hurt to see Bill Bray get a win for Cincinnati last night. He is going to be good. Its very hard to watch.

The Day After

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In the first game by all the major league players traded in yesterdays big Nats/Reds 8 player trade, no one escaped the night without making crucial mistakes in their first games with their new clubs. In tonight's 7-4 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Felipe Lopez botches a line drive off the bat of Pirates Catcher Ronny Paulino that eventually leads to a run, and strikes out with the base loaded. Austin Kearns swings at the very first pitch he sees in the first inning, with Soriano on 3rd and grounds out to end the inning. Then, swings again at the first pitch he sees in the 8th, with the bases loaded in a 5-4 game when the Pirates bring in reliever Matt Capps to pitch to Austin. Kearns does throw out Jack Wilson trying to score to end the 8th with a nice giving it all, off the feet throw to the plate that Schneider nicely blocks and makes the tag.
Over in Cincinnati, Aaron Harang pitches a shutout through 7 innings against Colorado when Jerry Narron called on Gary Majewski for the 8th. Majewski first faces former teammate, Jamey Carroll, who grounds a double down the left field line. Clint Barmes singles Carroll to 3rd and Todd Helton flys to Griffey Jr in center to score Carroll. After Matt Holliday flys out to right, Garret Atkins reaches on a bad fielding error by Royce Clayton on a routine ground ball. Narron then takes out Majewski and brings in Kent Mercker who retires the side. Bray did not get into the 3-1 Reds win.
Nerves were the factor in tonight's play for the traded players. Its difficult to adjust, in 24 hours, and play for a team that you don't know much about. Give them all time and things will even out.
On another note, our pitching really looks bad. Just awful. And, it pissed me off to read that, according to Bill Ladson at Nationals.com, that Jose Guillen had a talk with Frank complaining about hitting 7th in the lineup. Jose, I love singing your song, but, you have to start getting on base and knocking in runs. You need to just play and shut up!! You are suppose to be a leader, act like one!!

My Head Is Spinning

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All the Roster Moves by the Nationals over the past 28 hours is mind boggling. First the well reported 5 for 3 player trade with the Reds. Nats call up Roy Corcoran from New Orleans to fill a bullpen hole. Then, Marlon Byrd is designated for assignment, clears waivers, accepts a minor league assignment to New Orleans. Nats sign Luis Matos to be the 4th outfielder, off waivers from the Orioles. Nats then place Brandon Watson on minor league waivers and he is picked up by, surprise, THE CINCINNATI REDS--And, as Farid at TheBeltwaysBoys so shrewdly pointed out, we need to thank Reds GM Wayne Krivisky for "taking out the trash". Love that comment and its right on the ball. Watson was a terrible player, which really makes you wonder about Jimbo and Frank. Then, our Nationals place John Patterson on the DL with that right forearm strain, and call up Kevin Gryboski from New Orleans. Not likely to see JP pitch for quite a while. The Nats medical staff will probably now diagnois something needing
surgery. How bad can our pitching possibly get over the next 2 months, unless some more trades are made? Finally, Bowden buys back off waivers, Chris Booker, a 29 year old minor league journeyman that was taken from the Nats by the Phillies in the Rule V draft last winter and then claimed by the Royals, who made an effort to move him off the 40 man roster, making him elgible to return to Washington. Booker will, most likely, never wear a Nats uniform. Totally a career minor leaguer.
So, since the tuesday night All Star game the Nats have swapped out 20% of their 25 man roster. And, it would not be unlikely to see another 5 gone by July 31st.
The Lerner/Kasten group is going to have to republish an updated Media Guide really soon.

Agonizing Over Your Team's Players

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Having followed baseball my entire life, born and raised in Northern Virginia, I have gone the great majority of my life without a true home team to call my own. I grew up with the Washington Senators, but they went to Texas when I was 12 years old. Played baseball, professionally, followed the Orioles, cheered for them, liked alot of their players, especially Cal, but never called them my own. Now, since the Nationals arrived, I can't get enough about the team. I follow every detail, every single day. And, in doing so, I find myself, for the first time, actually caring about certain players. Which made yesterday's trade of Gary Majewski so agonizing for me. Gary was called up in early 2005 from New Orleans, and from the start was exciting to watch. Loved how he ran in from the Bullpen with that long hair flowing. Threw the ball hard and always pumped his fist when he got out of trouble, and always thanked the RFK faithful with a fist pump to his heart and did so in DRAMATIC FASHION as he walked off the mound in the final game of 2005 against the Phillies at RFK. I always appreciated his efforts. I met him once over the past winter, and he said to me that "2005 was the most magical year for me. It was so much fun, and the fans at RFK are out of this world! Washington is a great place to play and I hope I get to play here for a long, long time." And, he went on to thank me for coming out to see him and the Nationals play. He struggled mightily in 2006, at times he just was not good. Lost his confidence, but I was still shocked the Nationals traded him. Majewski to Ayala to Cordero was pretty special last season. I will never forget it.
Majewski is the first player the Nats have traded that I am really sorry we lost, because I liked his style. He was an original Nat, was fun to watch. Hope "Tex" does well in his Major League Career.
If, or when, the Nationals trade Soriano, my wife, Sohna, will have the same agonizing feeling. You can bet on it.

My Wish Comes True!!

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As I mentioned last week, when the Orioles designated Luis Matos for assignment, I thought this was a good opportunity to pick up an excellent outfielder, medicore hitter to shore up the Nationals outfield woes. After yesterday's trade brought in Austin Kearns to fill one void, Jimbo today, picked up Matos on waivers and designated Marlon Byrd for assignment. This is a very good move as Matos can patrol centerfield very well. He's a good solid fourth outfielder with some power. And, at the prorated minimum salary is a steal. Byrd was given every opportunity to grasp the centerfield job, but he never was able to take hold of it. This is a good move, Matos is only 27, especially with our pitching woes before and after yesterday's trade. By August 31, everyone really is going to have to need a scorecard to know the players. Any chance we can Designate Screech for Assignment?

"You're JOKING?? RIght??!

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That was my first response at about 4PM this afternoon, while editing tonight's news piece at NBC. Todd from intake, who for the past few years I have chided by making up fake trades just to see his reaction, handed me the AP wire story about a Nats/Reds 8 player trade. I quickly read it and looked up at him and said "You're JOKING?? RIGHT??!" Todd gave me this solemn look, shrugged his shoulders, and said "I don't really know--but its very strange." I knew right then this story may be TRUE!!
I jumped up and ran over to my desk and logged onto nationals.com and, sure enough, the breaking news story was there. The Nationals trade Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, Royce Clayton, Brendan Harris and Daryl Thompson to Cincinnati for Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner. I WAS SHOCKED!!
My first response, Jim Bowden, he of "pitching, pitching, pitching" and "get younger" trades away two stellar arms (and Bray's a lefty that can reach 95MPH) for older players, making more money), a solid utility player (Harris), who never got his fair shot, a caretaker shortstop and a minor league pitcher. We get back a power hitting plus outfielder with a good arm, potential leadoff hitting shortstop who can't play defense and, a one time first round draft pick, struggling in the minors. I said to Todd: "Jimbo gave up too much again"
I sent an email to the other 320's and Andy replied that Bowden has the Steve Spurrier tact--unless you played for Spurrier as a Florida Gator, you couldn't play in the NFL. And, Jimbo has the same feelings about anyone connected to the REDS. And, I agree, he is too obsessed with Cincinnati.

Now--As I write this after 8PM, settled down, this is my more objective response.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO GIVE UP BRAY!! I understand that you have to give up something to get something back, but Bray has CLOSER POTENTIAL and is just 23. He is going to be good and last a long time in the Majors. HE IS A LEFTY!! A VALUABLE COMMODITY!! Would not have traded him with these guys.

I liked Gary Majewski, having a terrible season, but really does have a great arm. Totally lost his confidence in 2006. Hate to see him go, but that's OK with me.

Royce Clayton was a caretaker shortstop, only here because Guzman was sooo awful last season and The GUZ got injured. Didn't expect much from him. He was OK, filled the void, but not much else. Not a loss at all.

Brendan Harris is a talented hitter with power that, for whatever reason, The Nationals just were not going to give a legitimate chance to play. I feel he will end up being a solid utility player, like Jamey Carroll.

Don't know much about Minor League Pitcher Daryl Thompson.

Austin Kearns--Good Hitting outfielder with power. Does strikeout alot, but plays defense well and can throw runners out. Hustler, like Nick Johnson, only 26 and under control, by the team, for the next 2 seasons.

Felipe Lopez--Also 26, boots alot of balls at short, erratic arm, but can be a good leadoff slap hitter and can steal bases. Changes the Nats top of the lineup dramatically. Overall, a decent upgrade over the free agent signed Clayton. Also, under team control for the next 2 seasons.

Ryan Wagner--23 years old, 14th pick in 2003, just beat Chad Cordero in being the first player from the 2003 draft to make it to the Majors. Can reach the 90's with his fastball, slider in the low to mid 80's, but has struggled mightily for the Reds and was playing at AAA in 2006. Some feel he would be better as a starter, than reliever. Sent by the Nats to New Orleans. Talented, but needs to be straightened out. He and Majewski are similar. If it was a one for one trade, this would be even.

All three originally drafted by or traded to the Reds originally by Jim Bowden. Bowden is quoted as saying that you can't pass up the opportunity to get 2 everyday players for, basically pitching. I not too sure about that, because, if you can't pitch, you are not going to win anyway.

So where does that leaves the Nats. Our Bullpen, already streched to the max, just got amazingly worse for 2006. We do nothing, yet, to upgrade our starting pitching either. The Nats can hit though, with a lineup of Lopez, Soriano (or Guillen), Vidro, Johnson, Zimmerman, Kearns, Escobar & Schneider. This lineup has SPEED AND POWER. Should be able to score more runs. And, with the bullpen depleted, we are going to need as many runs as possible. But Kearns opens up the outfield revolving door even more. To make this trade (which just begs for more questions than answers), Jimbo has got to have Guillen or Soriano (or Both) traded. Soriano would certaintly bring in some pitching. Guillen not much. For next season, what happens to Lopez?, with Guzman coming back (I doubt the Nats are going to unload that Guz contract). Are we trading Vidro and moving Lopez to 2nd?? Is Lopez an upgrade to trade off later for something better, that Clayton could never bring?. Unless the Nats get something back for Vidro in a trade, we have no backup second baseman to fill the void. Harris is now gone. This also means, my main man, Damian Jackson, is with our Nats for the remainder of 2006--that really sucks!!

Who will be next? Most likely Soriano, Ortiz and Vidro, in that order. Guillen, Livan and Armas, only if they come around healthwise and on the field but that's unlikely on these 3.

The Nationals are suppose to be building, with their own players from within. Kasten has said this numerous times. This trade makes us slightly better, but older with other teams players, for the short term, but opens up more holes at the same time. I have to wait a few more weeks to see how this all pans out to give my final judgement.

One thing about it, this trade is going to be talked about for the rest of the season. And, I guess that means there is fan interest, which can't be all bad.

Soriano Update!

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While driving home from work tonight and listening to WTOP radio, Craig Heist, covering the All Star Game in Pittsburgh, bagged a one on one interview with Alfonso Soriano. As is typical of most sports reporters, they just feed generic softball questions: "How do you feel?" "What's it like seeing all these players?" Crap like that, and that's exactly what Heist asked him, but the final answer to his last question was telling and infuriating at the same time!! Craig asked Alfonso if he was looking forward to the second half of the season? Soriano, in his broken english, but clearly understandable, restated what was reported by many sources early last week. Alfonso said: "Yeah, I want to finish the year in Washington. And, I want to work on a way to return next season and beyond. I like it here." But, Heist, being a dump jock sports reporter with no in depth talent then said "Thanks alot, That's Alfonso Soriano, Nationals All Star" He makes no attempt to further the story. No journalism. NO "WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET YOU TO STAY HERE?" NO "HAVE YOU TALKED TO STAN KASTEN OR JIM BOWDEN" NO "WHO ON THE TEAM DO YOU NEED TO STAY, INSTEAD OF TRADING?"" NO" DOES YOUR AGENT WANT YOU TO STAY HERE?'' NO "DO YOU APPRECIATE THE FAN SUPPORT AT RFK?" Or even- "HOW GREAT IS IT TO LIVE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL!!"

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW UP ON!! IDIOT!! Soriano was there for the taking and Craig Heist blew it BIG TIME!! I am in the Media, but Sport Reporters are bozo's who just want to see a free game. I was furious.

Zimmerman, Wright & Upton--Teammates

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As amazing as it seems today, 6 years ago, during their High School Days in the Tidewater/Virginia Beach, Virginia area--Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright and BJ Upton all played one summer for the same Semi-Pro Tidewater Mets All Star team that toured against top ranked competition. For 3 players of this caliber to play together is not a common occurrence. You might see this more in Southern California, Texas or Florida, where you can play year round, but VIRGINIA!?? Not Common. I played on a Alexandria, Virginia High School Team (T.C. Williams) in 1976 that sent 9 of its 13 players to college and 3 to the pros (myself, my brother and a 3rd teammate) but none of us made the Big Leagues--Although, in the same '76 Season, Mike Brown, then from Marshall High in Tysons Corner was drafted in the first round and did pitch for Boston and other teams for quite a few seasons. Later, Brown became a pitching coach. His brother, Bill is the LONG TIME George Mason University Baseball Coach. Sorry for the disgression. Anyway,Zimmerman, from Kellam High School, went undrafted out of High School before going on to star and develop his game at The University Of Virginia. David Wright attended Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia and BJ Upton graduated from Great Bridge High School, also in Chesapeake. These 3 players, 2 on the fast track to stardom with Upton the heir apparent star shortstop for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays grew up playing against each other their entire youth days. When they played for the barnstorming Tidewater Mets, Upton batted 3rd, playing shortstop, Wright batted cleanup and played the hot corner, while Zimmerman, tall, lanky and not filled out yet in size, mostly played second base, switching occasionally with Upton. All were drafted in the first round, Wright in 2001, Upton 2002 and Z in 2005. The Tidewater Mets only lost one game that summer these 3 played together. Interestingly, Nationals Lefthander, Bill Bray, is also from Virginia Beach, but played high school ball at Ocean Lakes, with prep career games against all 3 of the above players. Says alot about Tidewater area baseball. David Wright is arguably the BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE--I would take him over any player today to start a team, even Albert Pujols. Zimmerman has had a terrific first half season of rookie Major League Baseball and is on pace to be a GREAT PLAYER. Upton has all the tools, but the Devil Rays have been slow to bring him on board. Should be in the Majors by September. 10 years from now, it would be interesting to look back to see if there were, at one time, 3 potential Hall Of Fame players on the same Prep Team. That would be PHENOMENAL!!