Road Trip

As Nat Del Negro mentioned in his comment to the last post, I am out of town. I want to thank screech's best friend and everyone from Nats320 for keeping me up to date. Part of the reason I am out of town is for my yearly pilgrimage to Fenway Park, the Holy Grail of Baseball Stadiums. If you have never been, it's a lot of fun. I treated my Dad to a game. We arrived early and caught the end of the Red Sox batting practice and the Tigers batting practice. No one put on a show, so we walked the park to see the changes since last year. The ownership have made so many changes to the ole ball park. Aside from the Green Monster seats and the extended roof box seats, there are so many new vendors under the stands. They have also added signage that is reminiscent of the '20's. A 3 piece brass band plays, there is a guy who walks around the stadium on stilts playing catch with the fans. Yawkey Way is now almost like a carnival, with vendors, music et. al. Luis Tiant, know to the baseball world as El Tiante, has a table, and signs autographs before the games. He is pictured with me and my Dad.

I wish the game was better for Sox fans, Beckett never had great stuff. The Tigers led 5-0 after 3 innings. The Sox nibbled away and scored 3 runs in the middle innings.

Right when the Sox were rallying trying to come back, I made section 320 proud. Mike Lowell was up with men on 1st and 2nd and they played the Hey Ho Lets Go song. Nobody was singing, so I started into "Hey Ho Mike Lowell". After the second time people started to catch on and sang with me. And Lowell singled on a sharp liner to right. IT WAS GREAT!!! Unfortunatly the Sox sent Manny home from second and he was dead at the plate. To make it worse, Terry Francona took a page out of Frank Robinson's managing book, he left a questionable reliever (Rudy Seanez) in for too long and the Tigers scored 2 more. Between the bottom of the 8th and top of the 9th they started playing "Sweet Caroline" I sang out chorus of "I hate this song" which got a lot of laughs. Although I love the Nats, I am also a Red Sox fan, and wished for a beter outcome, but they Sox lost 7-4.

Well maybe better luck next year when I return back.

From the road, best wishes to the Nats,and section 320!!!!!

Dear Frank:

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I realize over the course of a 162 game baseball season, that on some nights, you just simply lose. Tonight's 10-4 whacking by the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium was one of them. Chipper Jones unloaded on our mediocre pitching for 3 homers and 5 RBI and Matt Diaz tied a National League Record with his 10th consecutive hit, 4 hits in all, 1 home run and 4 RBI. This one was over pretty early and everyone knew it--and it was OFFICIALLY OVER when Damian Jackson replaced Ryan Zimmerman for the top of the 8th.

But, Frank, what I want to understand is what were you thinking during the 5th inning when Ramon Ortiz was struggling so badly. Everyone knows that your bullpen is not too good. You are trying to get every possible out from your starters to lessen the opportunities for your undependable guys from the New Orleans Zephyrs. Lets retrace the steps during the deciding 5th inning.

With the score tied 3-3, Ortiz continued to struggle, giving up a leadoff single to center by Marcus Giles. Edgar Renteria would hit a lazy pop to Austin Kearns in right for out number 1. Chipper Jones would come up and on a 0-1 count, Ramon tried to sneak a fastball on the outside corner of the plate, that Chipper went with, driving it high into the prevailing wind and it carried well over the left field fence for a 2 run homer (Jones 1st of the night). Making it 5-3 Atlanta. Andruw Jones would follow with a 0-2 count shot down the left field line, doubling into the corner. It was obvious Ortiz was out of gas, but you left him in and Brian McCann crushed a deep fly to dead centerfield that landed just short of the wall on the track--appearing that Alex Escobar might have misplayed, the ball bouncing over the fence for a run scoring ground rule double. 6-3 BRAVOS. After a visit by Randy StClaire, Ortiz was able to get the free swinging Jeff Francouer to strike out for out number 2.

Now--here's where the question arises. There are 2 outs, Adam LaRoche is at bat. You are not going to take Ramon out, because you feel he is your best of the lesser choices. You intentionally walk LaRoche to get to THE HOTTEST HITTER IN THE GAME TODAY. Matt Diaz is one hit away from tying a National League Record. I would say Diaz is determined at this point!! I was surprised you did not pitch to LaRoche. So, Diaz comes to the plate. Yet, Ortiz can not find that plate and gets behind 3-1 in the count. The Atlanta Pitcher, Chuck James, is the next hitter. He has never recorded a hit in the Majors. James has looked foolish at the plate tonight. 2 Outs (thinking out loud here), I can pitch to Diaz, waiting for a fastball you know he is going to hit, OR--I can intentionally walk Diaz and pitch to James as I am sure that Bobby Cox, Atlanta's Manager, will not pinch hit for him?

What would I do? I would walk Diaz to bring up James. You chose to pitch to Diaz, who slammed the next pitch, a fastball to center scoring McCann and closing out the game. 7-3 Braves. Only then do you take out Oritz and replace him with Ryan Wagner. For the Nationals, this game was out of reach at this point.

I am really confused about this one Frank. The managing choices are obvious in this situation, yet you chose the hard way out. Why? Really would love to know.

And this all came after we had just battled back to tie the score at 3 in the bottom of the 4th thanks to Alfonso Soriano playing the GAME CHANGER--knocking in Bernie Castro (who by the way CAN REALLY FLY!!--TREMENDOUS SPEED!! Lets see him some more--PLEASE!!), stealing second, advancing to 3rd on the catcher's overthrow (everyone enjoyed the site of seeing Soriano just jog nonchalantly to 3rd after Brian McCann's throw went about 15 feet behind second, Alfonso knowing he could easily make it without busting it) and scoring on a Felipe Lopez (Surprise!!) single up the middle. This after MICKNATS and I started chanting "DON"T KILL THE RALLY!!, DON"T KILL THE RALLY!!" Over and Over again for Lopez, to those surrounding Section 320's great amusement.

Chipper Jones continued to put on his show by ripping a 2 out shot over the right field wall in the 7th off Wagner, and completed his excellent night by HAMMERING a 2 run shot off Travis Hughes that just missed the Mezzanine Section below 464 in the 8th. I have to say I had to clap for the guy, it was a TREMENDOUS NIGHT for a SUPER PLAYER!!

One more thing Frank--You pinch hit Ryan Church with two out in the 9th to face Braves Lefthander Wayne Franklin. Church CRUSHED a fastball well over the right field fence for his 7th home run of the year. As I have said before, Ryan has BETTER Power Numbers, Average and On Base Percentage against lefthanders. Yeah--he struck out looking yesterday on a 99MPH Heater from Billy Wagner, but he's facing, at that time, one of the BEST in the game. Ryan Church is not YOU in your prime. Not many players will, or ever be. But, Church is a good player. Would you please not continue to put him in your doghouse, when he makes ONE OUT??

Only 21,550 showed up for the Monday Night affair. In fact, Section 320 was left short again when the 4 "Noise Boys" who sit directly in front of Sohna and I, and to the right of MickNats, did not post up for their second straight game. Come on guys, we need your VOICES!! Screech came by early and was surprised to see all the no shows. Maybe the boys are still recovering from RallyTimeRichards Birthday Party from last Saturday Night.

So Frank--What were you thinking???

How To Make A 1-0 Win--A 3-1 Loss

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Our Beloved Washington Nationals showed to everyone of the 37,732 at RFK Stadium, why they are a LAST PLACE TEAM to the great consternation of all Nats Fans. On a beautiful, sunny, not a cloud in the sky, 81 Degree day in our Nation's Capital, the Washington Nationals, Fans in attendance, including the Section 320 Faithful just played out the string. Unlike the intense excitement just over 16 hours ago in the very same stadium, RFK felt more like a morgue today, with virtually no action on the field and little excitement in the crowd. It was PRETTY DULL! Except for a few brief moments. Even the New York fans were pretty quiet.

Maybe it had to do with all the kids in attendance for the Screech Bobblebelly Giveaway to those 12 and under in age. Maybe it had to do with both teams playing a day game, after a tense, raucous night game, before a HUGE CROWD, just a few hours previously. And, definitely, it had to do with the partying that took place before, during and AFTER last nights event for RallyTimeRichards Birthday Party.

Section 320 had limited regulars in attendance, as Myself, The African Queen, MickNats and Mary were the only ones capable of posting for the 1PM start. And, as the Nationals have clearly shown that you just can't produce with a Minor League Pitching Staff from their New Orleans Affiliate, Section 320 could not sustain its momentum or excitement with all the called on last second fill-ins. Despite Sohna and I's best efforts, we could only get Lisa and Jeff, who sit to our left, directly behind MickNats to get into the spirit of the festivities. And, Screech, fully occupied with his guest Mascots (Mr. Met, Ace from Toronto and The Bird from Baltimore) for his End of Summer Party, must have sensed the
hangover effect behind the Nats 3rd Base Dugout, as Screech didn't make an appearance today in 320. That's OK Screech, you didn't miss much!!

Tony Armas would complete 7 very effective innings. Probably his BEST EFFORT of the season, throwing 98 pitches, 60 for strikes, allowing just 2 hits and one walk, but leaving game when the Nationals JUST KILLED HIS GOOD EFFORT TODAY, IN BRUTAL FASHION.

The game itself was a pitchers duel between mediocre talents. Tony Armas for the Nationals and Steve Trachsel for the Mets. Each pitcher got through the first 3 innings perfectly. But, former National, Endy Chavez, would lace a liner to right in the 4th for the games first baserunner, but he would be left stranded.

In the Bottom of the 4th, Alfonso Soriano would, not only take away Trachsel's perfect game, but no hitter and shutout ON ONE PITCH. Slamming a 2-2 fastball DEEP over the left field fence, near the GEICO Sign for his 38th Home Run of the Season, second in as many days. And the FANS WOKEUP AT RFK!! For the first time today. 1-0 Nats after 4.

And, that's how it would remain through 6. A single here, a double there, but no offense was sustained by any team. All runners left stranded.

Then, the Nationals decided to GIVE AWAY THE GAME!!!! Carlos Beltran lead off the 7th and got a 2-0 count from Armas. Getting a pitch to hit, Beltran launched a deep drive to left centerfield, Soriano got a late jump, but was still able to keep the fast Beltran from racing for 3rd, Carlos stopped at 2nd. But Armas would settle down, getting the Dangerous Carlos Delgado to fly meekly to Soriano. Then, David Wright grounds to short, but slow enough, so Lopez can only make a force out at second on Delgado. Wright beating the relay throw to first. But 2 are out. Nats are still in a good position. Unfortunately, the next 2 plays were the game changing moments that ended any chance of a Washington Victory today.

With Wright still at first, and Jose Valentin at the plate with a 2-2 count, Wright took off in an attempt to steal second. Valentin took the outside pitch and Brian Schneider, off balance, from the outside toss from Armas, HEAVED THE BALL toward second, well over the head of Felipe Lopez covering, David Wright quickly stood up and sprinted to 3rd as Ryan Church retrieved the ball. Still 2 were out and all Armas had to do was retire Valentin.

And HE DID!! Only Marlon Anderson decided to CHOKE on the play. Valentin hit a routine, full count, grounder to Anderson, directly where Marlon was standing. All he had to do was field the ball cleanly, throw it to first, inning over and the Nats maintain the lead. Instead, Anderson thought about it too long, didn't charge the ball, the ball played him, he booted it, scurried to pick it up, still had time to retire the slow Valentin--AND THREW IT OFF THE BAG TO NICK JOHNSON"S LEFT, IN THE DIRT. Valentin SAFE, Wright SCORES. 1-1 and the NEW YORK FANS WERE, Suddenly, back into it.!!

Two, BACK TO BACK, errors by experienced veterans, players you expect to have their acts together. TERRIBLE BASEBALL, JUST TERRIBLE!! Armas would complete his day by getting Ricky Ledee to ground to Johnson at first, but the damage was done. The momentum was lost, and the Nats WALKED OFF THE FIELD, not jogging, looking like the defeated team they would be in a very short while. And, a fabulous start from the very inconsistent Tony Armas, Jr. WAS WASTED!!

The Nats would attempt to rally in the bottom of the 7th with a 2 out rally. Anderson, attempting to rectify his horrific error, would slap a single to left. Brian Schneider, deciding he needed to step up after last innings bad throw, got ahead in the count, 3-1 and grounded a pitch into right field, Anderson swiftly moving to 3rd. 1st and 3rd--2 outs.

Frank Robinson then sent ACE PINCH HITTER, Daryle Ward, to the plate for Armas. Mets Manager, Willie Randolph, countered by removing Trachsel and bringing on lefthander Royce Rings. Ring would walk Ward on 4 straight pitches, bringing the RFK Stadium Faithful to life for ALFONSO SORIANO WITH THE BASES LOADED!! The anticipation was GREAT!!

Randolph would replace Ring with righthander, Chad Bradford, he of the fabulous underarm sidearm motion. Bradford, at times, throws so low to the ground, his knuckles scrape the dirt. It also means that his pitches RISE, and if off target, can fly DIRECTLY into a POWER HITTERS WHEELHOUSE!!

The crowd stood and roared for the entire at-bat. This was the Nationals chance. Soriano would take strike one looking. Take the next two pitches outside the strike zone. Ahead 2-1 in the count, Bradford came in with a whipping up shoot at the letters, Alfonso swung mightily--AND MISSED!! 2-2 the count. Bradford looked in for the sign, never paying attention to any of the baserunners. His only concern, and rightfully so, was Soriano. Chad laid in a pitch on the outside corner of the plate, Alfonso swung slapping the ball up the middle, but to the right of second base. Valentin was able to cleanly pick up the ball and throw Soriano out at first--The Washington crowd sighed in defeat. Mets fans rose in celebration. Soriano stopped and just looked up at the sky. He wanted to be the Hero. But IT WAS NOT TO BE TODAY!!

Jon Rauch would come on in the 8th for Armas, and, as effective as Jon has been all season, he gives up WAY TOO MANY FIRST PITCH AND 1-0 PITCH HOME RUNS. Sorry to report, he gave up Home Run number 9 today, this one on a first pitch, one out fastball, to, OF ALL PEOPLE!!, the very washed UP MICHAEL TUCKER!! Tucker was a decent player in his prime for many teams. He's a Virginia Native, from Farmville, Virginia and Longwood College, but when the Nationals cut him, in favor of Daryle Ward during spring training, I thought it would be the last time anyone ever saw him playing in the Major Leagues. Tucker has been toiling at Norfolk for New York and only got the call up when Cliff Floyd went on the Disabled List for UPTEENTH MILLIONTH TIME in his career.

This home run, and, if the Nationals had any gas left in the tank after the disastrous 7th, put them on empty. The crowd began to leave in droves. Frustrated at the abrupt turnaround.

That Empty Tank reached critical in the bottom of the 8th, when Ryan Zimmerman slammed a one out single to left off Bradford, and Willie Randolph came to the mound to replace Bradford with Lefthander Darren Oliver. Now remember, ONE OUT is important to remember. The Patient One, Nick Johnson was at the plate, and has he has struggled hitting of late, he has not been going deep into the count. On Oliver's very first pitch, Zimmerman took off, and Johnson swung at the pitch, driving it high, but not deep enough to center to get out of the park. Beltran raced under the fly, caught it, AND WAS AMAZED TO SEE ZIMMERMAN CONTINUING TO RUN AROUND THE BASES TOWARD 3RD, AS IF 2 WERE OUT!! Tony Beasley, the Nats 3rd base coach, was SCREAMING at Z to turn around. Zimmerman, realizing his lapse in judgement just stopped, and was easily doubled off first to end the inning in CHORUS OF BOOS!!

Zimmerman has been pretty terrific all season long, better than anyone expected. I will give him the mulligan of that one--as discouraging as it was for everyone watching and Frank Robinson ( who I am sure was just STEAMING!! in the dugout).

The Nationals would continue to unravel in the 9th, when Saul Rivera would give up a lead off walk to Beltran, and with one out, David Wright would single hard to left, moving Beltran to second. Valentin would step to the plate and Rivera would throw a WILD PITCH, moving up the runners. Valentin would loft a fly, just deep enough to Austin Kearns in right to score Beltran, but Kearns would throw the relay past Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman into the Nats Dugout, fortunately, the errant toss hit the protective screen in front of the dugout and bounced back, keeping David Wright at third, where he would be left stranded.

Mets FLAMETHROWING Lefthander, (and Charlottesville, Virginia resident), Billy Wagner, would come on attempting to close it out. Billy made short order of Kearns and Church, but with 2 outs and 2 strikes, and Mets fans on their feets rhythmically clapping for the final out, Marlon Anderson was able to poke a Wagner toss into center for a single. Alex Escobar, the electric one, with a powerful stick, would pinch hit for Schneider and work a 5 pitch walk--runners and 1st and 2nd--2 still out--But the Nats have a chance. Frank would send backup catcher, Brandon Harper, to pinch hit in the clutch in his second Major League Game Ever.

As nervous as the guy must have been, Frank decides to really put the pressure on him, by sending the runners on a 1-0 pitch, Harper swings at a high outside fastball, pops it foul toward the first base dugout, where Delgado makes a nice sliding catch at the dugout steps to end the game. Wagner gets his 28th save and the Nats lose out on a very decent opportunity to win the 3 game series.

Our Nationals are a last place team. A last place team for many different reasons.

Injuries
Bad Pitching
Poor Fundamentals
Just can't bunt
Can't hit in the Clutch
And, today proved that, even veteran players, are just not thinking out there on the field. I find that really disturbing.

Marlon Anderson's error was INEXCUSABLE!! Even if he booted it, he should be experienced enough to recover nicely.

THIS ONE WAS A WIN. WE ARE NOT A GOOD TEAM, BUT EVEN POOR TEAMS NEED THIS ONE. VERY BAD LOSS.

DEMORALIZING!!

Rocking NIGHT AT RFK!!

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42,507 baseball fans showed up at RFK Stadium tonight for an exciting affair. Its safe to say that nearly 15,000 were Mets fans, but it really didn't matter as it all added to a fabulous atmosphere on a VERY LOUD NIGHT.

Section 320 was in full tilt, with the celebration of RALLY TIME Richards birthday. Nearly the entire contingent was in attendance--16 in all, and the Cheering, Singing and Attempts to drown out the New York fans was in constant motion. Everytime the "LETS GO METS" chant began, Section 320 went into a "LETS GO NATIONALS!!" or a song for whomever was at the plate for our NATS!!

We added a "HE-HO Castro" chant for Bernie Castro, and had nearly the entire 320 and accompanied sections screaming the "Alfonso----SORIANO!! cheer, EVERY SINGLE TIME Alfonso came to the plate. Zimmerman, Nick Johnson, Austin "Bluegrass" Kearns, Mar--LON! ANDER--SOOON, Schneiderman (Spiderman theme song) and even Felipe Lopez got in some serious chants. Section 320 was rocking. And SCREECH (MY MAIN BIRD) came by early to receive his deserved adulation. And quickly got "DOWN IN FRONT".

It was a GREAT NIGHT, it would have been FABULOUS, if the Nats had won, but pitching, once again doomed our team, a 6-4 lost to the very dangerous, and talented, New York Mets.

Mets starter, John Maine, came into the game riding a 22 inning scoreless streak. Maine, traded by the Baltimore Orioles over the past winter, for Kris Benson (and his showoff wife--Anna) has been nothing short of tremendous for New York-although is record of 2-3 does not show it. And, he continued that streak, mowing down the Nationals on zero hits and one walk through 3.2 innings. At first, the Nats just could not figure Maine out.

By the time the Nats would get their first hit, the Mets would have already struck hard at emergency Washington Starter, Jason Bergmann. Decent at times, Bergmann has been up and down for the Nationals over the past season and a half. And, only because the Nats are DESPERATE for pitching, did Jason get the call tonight after his recent call up from New Orleans.

In the top of the 3rd, Jason lost his control over the first 4 hitters. Hitting Maine with two strikes, followed by a Jose Reyes triple to right center that Alex Escobar made a valiant dive for, but missed , scoring Maine, a sharp single to left by Paul LoDuca, scoring Reyes and another shot to right center that got past Kearns and Escobar for another triple, making it 3-0 METS. And the stadium was rocking, unfortunately, it was the New York Fans. With still no outs and a visit to the mound by Randy StClaire, Bergmann was able to settle down, retiring Carlos Delgado, David Wright and Jose Valentin in order, without Beltran scoring.

The Nats would get their first hit and first run, in the 4th, when Nick Johnson would finally figure out Maine, in a big way, and CRUSHED a full count fastball deep into the upper deck. SECTION 464. Monster Shot--Giving the approximately 27,000 Nats fans a good opportunity to, FINALLY, let out some NOISE!!

Bergmann would actually complete 5 innings, throwing 91 pitches, 61 for strikes. He wasn't bad, just wasn't good enough tonight against a very aggressive lineup. The 3rd inning killed him, just 4 batters, but it was enough.

Travis Hughes would come on for the 6th and proved, once again, he is just not Major League Material. Leadoff blast by David Wright into the right centerfield poweralley, put Wright at second. Valentin would move him to 3rd on a ground out to second. Michael Tucker would walk, and Lastings Milledge (the guy so many Nats fans were craving for, in exchange for Livan Hernandez) chopped a pitch right off home plate soooooo HIGH that Zimmerman just had to hold onto the ball, scoring Wright and giving the Mets a 4-1 lead.

But, as the Nats have proven alot lately, they can fight back, and they did it GRAND FASHION in the bottom of the 6th!!. Bernie Castro, a talented, fast second baseman, that played extremely well late last season for the Orioles, came to the plate to pinch hit for Hughes. He slapped a single to Reyes at short and beat the throw easily. Soriano would come to the plate, take one pitch and then WHACK a John Maine High Fastball to DEAD CENTERFIELD. A NO DOUBTER 2 RUN HOMER. THE CROWD WENT NUTS!! The African Queen (my wife) went crazy over her love, Alfonso's 37th home run of the season, and RFK STADIUM BOUNCED and ROARED ITS APPROVAL!! 4-3 Nats And Sohna gave me a very appreciative kiss!! Still no outs!!

Felipe Lopez (not known as my favorite player, and affectionately known by me and other bloggers as "FLop") lashed a single to center. Flop then stole second. After retiring Zimmerman, Mets Manager, Willie Randolph would take out Maine and bring in crafty lefthander, Pedro Feliciano. Nick Johnson would greet him with a line shot single to center, scoring Lopez and bringing the RFK Stadium Faithful to their feet!!

As faith would have it, this was the last time we were able to shut up the New York Mets Fans.

Frank Robinson, with his hands tied over an inexperienced bullpen, called on Chris Schroder to make his second Major League Appearance. Unfortunately, his effort was nowhere near as positive as his first one. Schroder looked nervous from the first pitch, which Carlos Beltran greeted him with a towering drive to right center for a clean double. Delgado would ground sharply to Lopez at short, moving Beltran to 3rd. Then, Chris would hit David Wright. A visit to the mound by StClaire didn't help as Valentin would go deep into the count, fouling off 4 straight pitches, before blopping a texas leaguer just in front of Kearns, scoring Beltran, moving Wright to 3rd. And Michael Tucker would end the scoring with a routine sacrifice fly to left, scoring Wright and giving the New York Fans the opportunity to chant "LETS GO METS" for the remainder of the evening.

Aaron Heilman would come on for the Mets in the 8th and Billy Wagner would come on in the 9th to retire the side, including another fabulous strikeout by my least favorite player, Damian Jackson, pinch hitting for Saul Rivera. The Mets fans stood, clapped and shouted till the end. But, that's OK with me. It was a FUN atmosphere. The Nats just don't have enough right now to compete every single night.

But, it did not take away from the enjoyment of the evening.

One final note, in celebration of Screech's Birthday, the Oriole Bird, Mr. Met and "ACE" of the Toronto Blue Jays were all in attendance, and will be for the entire weekend. All the mascots, with Screech stood on the Nats 3rd base dugout during the 7th inning stretch and threw T-Shirts to the Crowd. I believe MR. MET is the very first Mascot, ever. And "ACE" looks just FABULOUS. Serious BEAK and close cut wings/fur. And, we all know the Orioles Bird from many seasons past. It was nice to see them.. Too bad the Phillie Phanatic could not have been there. Sohna LOVES the Phanatic!!

Wish I could've been there...

...but it was fun to (at first) hear on my way home from work, and then watch the final few innings...

I was watching the late innings, listening to the Mets fans vs. the Nats fans (like the Mets fans had a chance!) and when Rauch got the strikeout, I think my TV's speakers blew out. I hadn't heard an RFK roar like that in a long, long time, and it was good. Really good. I was doing a jig so hard my apartment manager below put the major broomstick to her ceiling. Heh.

Billy T. was amazing, I was psyched (after a healthy dose of "oh well, here we go again" as he gave up the long ball to LoDuca early on...) when he came back, unfazed, throwing the "filthy" stuff (see Harold Reynolds) to throw off and out some somewhat decent Mets hitters (see sarcasm)...

It's great not expecting the unexpected (see NATS WIN!). We all gotta have patience, but it's awesome in those (unfortunately) rare moments when we pull a good, concise game together, FLOP notwithstanding.

Thanksmuch again to Screech's BF for a wonderful recap.

Allrighty then, see some or all of ya'll tomorrow night, I trust.

Respectfully (and ready to cheer his *** off Saturday night) yours,

-Nat del Negro

PS... Tomorrow (Saturday) is Rally Time Richard's B-day. Anyone and everyone should come by 320 and yell RALLY TIME!!!!!! with him as tribute. I will laugh. And probably spill beer.

Excellent Tight Win

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On Negro League Tribute Night, the Washington Nationals and New York Mets played a wonderfully tight, well fought, pitching duel that came down to the last pitch. A Nats 2-1 Victory before 29,414 on a beautifully comfortable night at RFK Stadium.

Washington came out in vintage 1943 Homstead Gray White Jerseys with Navy Pinstripes, GRAYS on the front and a "W" (but not a CURLY W) on the left sleeve. The cap was Navy with a "G". The Mets wore replica NEW YORK CUBAN Gray with Red NEW YORK across the Jersey Front, Navy/Red Piping down the neck and jersey front and a Navy Cap with Red Bill and Classic NY crossover logo in Red.

The Players looked great in them, most even looked heavier due to the bulky style of the day. Alfonso Soriano looked 20lbs heavier. Most everyone looked like a barnstorming player from years past. It was really cool.

The game featured a fabulous pitching duel from sure fire Hall of Famer, Tom Glavine, for the Mets and one time top Mets prospect, Billy Traber, getting the opportunity to, once again, revitalize his often injured career.

Traber gave up a DEEP Home Run to Paul LoDuca, the second batter of the game, giving the Mets a quick 1-0 lead, but he was solid the rest of the way. Glavine was just as good, and except for a clutch single by Brian Schneider in the bottom of the second scoring 2, Tom and Billy traded shutout innings the rest of the way, Glavine going 6 complete and Traber 7 complete and one hitter in the 8th.

The Nationals only runs came in the 2nd when Austin Kearns led off with a clean single to left. Marlon Anderson followed with a looper to center, moving Kearns to second. Alex Escobar would ground into a force out at second, removing Anderson, moving Kearns to 3rd. With one out and Schneider at the plate, Escbar would steal second and on a 3-1 pitch, Brian would lash a outside corner fastball from Glavine down the left field line scoring both Kearns and Escobar. 2-1 Nats. The Final Scores of the game.

Although Alfonso Soriano was not a factor offensively tonight, he did make his usual outragous play in the field during the 6th. With 2 outs and Carlos Beltran at the plate, Beltran belted a HIGH FLY to the left field warning track. Soriano drifted back, not realizing it was farther than expected, over his head. Instead of running back, like most outfielders, Alfonso just kept on peddling backwards and as he hit the warning track LEAPED OFF HIS WRONG FOOT, getting no jump, but was still able to snowcone the ball into the webbing of his glove as his back hit the fence. The crowed cheered with approval, while sighing in relief, and laughing all at the same time. You have just got to love watching that guy play. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SORIANO WILL DO NEXT. Alfonso jogged off the field to a standing ovation and was greeted warmly at the dugout steps by his teammates. Austin Kearns was laughing so hard that Soriano started to cover his mouth--embarrassed. Just one of the many enjoyable moments you can enjoy in this game.

Traber, with his slow, off speed stuff, pitched alot like Livan Hernandez in his prime. Getting batters off balance with just enough zip on the fastball to set up the junk. And his pitching motion is so odd, it appears he will throw out his left shoulder on every pitch. Traber gave up just 4 hits, WALKED NO ONE, and certaintly pitched his finest game in about 3 years at the Major League Level. After giving up a lead off single to Michael Tucker in the 8th, Frank Robinson did the right thing, removed him from the game for Jon Rauch, and let Traber jog off the field to a ROUSING STANDING OVATION from the NATS FANS in attendance. Billy deserved it BIG TIME. IT WAS A MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE.

Rauch though, made it interesting by throwing a Wild Pitch with Jose Reyes at the plate, moving Tucker to second. Reyes would chop a bouncer to short, and with his speed easily beat the throw from Felipe Lopez, moving Tucker to 3rd. Reyes would steal second unopposed with LoDuca again at the plate. Rauch would pitch to a full count and the ENTIRE STADIUM ROSE, SCREAMING Both Nats Fans and Mets Fans. Rauch rared back and UNLEASHED at 95 mile per hour fastball right down the middle of the plate, LoDuca swung mightily, missing and the STADIUM ROARED ITS APPROVAL!! Standing ovation for the Nats as they jogged off the field.

The Chief, Chad Cordero, would make it interesting once again in the 9th. Chad would hit Carlos Beltran leading off the last inning. Powerfully Dangerous, David Wright would come to the plate, and Chief pounded fastballs inside, getting Wright to Pop out in foul territory to Nick Johnson. The equally dangerous, Carlos Delgado stepped to the plate. This guy can CRUSH the ball. And he did, just so happen to slam it the the dead zone of RFK, centerfield, where Alex Escobar ran under it easily. With 2 outs Cordero walked Jose Valentin on 4 straight pitches. First and Second 2 outs. Michael Tucker once again came to the plate, and swung at the very first Cordero offering, grounding to Nick Johnson at first, who ran over to the bag, retiring Tucker and giving the Chief save number 21 in the Nats 51st win of the season.

This game was one of the best, well played games of the season. The pitching was excellent, except for Lopez dropping a hard hit liner by Reyes right at him, it was a very clean game. Fast pace, fun to watch. Everyone was into it.

And, my main BIrd, Screech came by in the 6th for an inning of fun with his BEST FRIEND!! ME!!

On most any night a lesser team can beat a good team, its the fun of baseball. The Nats played extremely well tonight. We enjoyed the game tremendously. The stadium was rocking and noisy all night long .REALLY REALLY FUN!!

Tough Road Ahead

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We have all seen this coming for some time, the fact that the Washington Nationals are trying to compete with a Minor League Pitching Staff. Last night's 9-6 loss to the Florida Marlins drove the image home clearly.

There is no way the Nats will be competitive until they overcome the alarming amount of injuries to the pitching staff, and can put competitive Major League Pitchers on the mound.

Last night, Washington gamely fought back from a 4-0 deficit, eventually tie the game 6-6 in the 7th, only to see relievers Travis Hughes, Ryan Wagner and Saul Rivera fall apart under the pressure of runners in scoring position, 2 outs and 2 strikes on a batter-- batters that ended up knocking in the game winning and insurance runs that determined the outcome.

7 of the 12 pitchers in the Nats bullpen all played significantly for the New Orleans Zephyrs, Washington's top farm club, this season. These 7 players, collectively, do not have either, the experience, or talent to compete on the Major League Level. That's why when the Nationals got solid starting pitching over the previous few games, its necessary for them to pull out a win. Only Jon Rauch, Micah Bowie and Chad Cordero can be trusted late in games. This will not change for the remainder of 2006. Its going to be a difficult last 52 games this season.

On a better note, Alfonso Soriano possibly made his BEST OUTFIELD PLAY of the year in the top of the 3rd inning. A play that had everyone of the 21,304 in the crowd talking about for some time.

With one out, Dan Uggla roped a solid single to center off Pedro Astacio. Slugging third baseman, Miguel Cabrera, stepped to the plate and on a 1-1 pitched, looped a sinking liner down the left field line. Alfonso rushed in toward the line, looking like he had NO CHANCE to catch the ball. But, speed paid off for Soriano and he reached down with his glove AT THE VERY LAST SECOND, catching the ball off his shoelaces. Uggla, believing Number 12 had no chance had already reached 2nd base. Soriano, never stopping after the catch, immediately threw the ball OFF HIS WRONG FOOT (His left foot), slinging the ball sidearm toward first. Uggla had reversed course and was steaming back toward first. The ball bounced once and reached the streching Nick Johnson well in time to retire Uggla and end the inning.

Outfield Assist number 19 for Soriano was a FABULOUS ATHETIC PLAY!! This was a play that Soriano would have had trouble with earlier in the season. In April or May, he would not have made this catch. Alfonso has gained confidence, and is becoming a more complete ALL AROUND player. The STANDING OVATION from the crowd was WELL DESERVED.

Of Course, Soriano would also WHACK his 36th home run of the season in the 5th. A Towering Blast into the Mezzanine between section 433 & 434 in left. Soriano actually paused to watch the flight of the ball and smiled noticeably. Later, he would pay for his indulgence when Sergio Mitre would drill him in the thigh, leading off the 7th--which actually lead to the Nationals big comeback 4 run inning to tie the game. Only to see Ryan Wagner give it all away in the 8th.

Despite the nice comeback in the 8th, the Nationals also continued to fail in DRAMATIC fashion with runners in scoring position. In the first inning, Marlins Starter, Anibel Sanchez, could not find the plate. Sanchez walked Soriano, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman on 14 pitches to load the bases with no one out. Nick Johnson comes to the plate--AND WITH SANCHEZ TOTALLY STRUGGLING--swings at the very first offering, a high inside fastball, fouling it off. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!! Johnson would then pop out on the very same next pitch. Nick should know better.
Then, Austin Kearns would step up, take two balls, then swing at an inside fastball and ground to Cabrera at 3rd for a 5-4-3 inning ending, rally killing double play!! It was awful. And, the boos came out noticeably. Frank Robinson actually took off his cap, rubbing his head, as if he had a migraine. I think every Nats fan in attendance felt the same way.

The Marlins would open the scoring in the 2nd on a Josh Willingham single to left, Joe Borchard drive to deep left centerfield, scoring Willingham and a Reggie Abercrombie single up the middle to take a 2-0 lead. Florida would go up 3-0 in the 4th when Willingham crushed a Pedro Astacio 0-1 fastball over the left field fence, near the Geico sign, for a homer.

And, then go up 4-0 in the 5th on a Abercrombie infield single to short, Anibel Sanchez sacrifice bunt, Uggla walk and Cabrera 2 out, 2 strike line shot single up the middle.

But, the Nats would get on the scoreboard in the bottom half on Soriano's Blast, Lopez single to right, Zimmerman single to left, advancing Lopez to 3rd, and NICK JOHNSON, with one out, hitting a sacrifice fly to deep left, making the score 4-2.

Travis Hughes came in for the 7th, and was downright awful. Hughes hits Cody Ross with one out, then gives up a HOME RUN to Dan Uggla that was crushed over the dead centerfield wall. Ryan Church had no play on it. 6-2 Marlins.

But, in the bottom half of the 7th, The Natonals showed life, this time set up in the exact same situation as the 1st. Soriano was hit by Mitre, then walked Lopez and Z. Bases load, ZERO OUTS. This time, Nick Johnson would not fail, drilling a liner up middler off Brian Moehler scoring Soriano and Lopez. 6-4 Marlins. Austin Kearns would then bat, and ground a slow roller to Cabrera at 3rd. Miguel's only play was to step on 3rd. Everyone else safe, keeping the bases loaded. Ryan Church would step up and swing badly on a 3rd strike way off the plate, in the dirt. I like Church alot, but sometimes he comes to the plate with NO GAME PLAN. Every team throws him outside waste pitches with 2 strikes, he almost always swings at it.
But, Schneider would come up with 2 outs and actually come through, lining a shot up the middle, scoring Johnson, moving Kearns to 3rd, 6-5 Marlins.

Then, inexpicably,Damian Jackson ran onto the field to pinch run for Schnieder. Before he was officially announced, Frank Robinson started yelling at home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom and Jackson ran back off the field. Apparently, Damian, wasn't listening to what Robinson actually told him. Jackson would pinch hit later in the inning. Schneider staying in the game.

Darlye Ward then continued his fabulous play off the bench, by pinch hitting a double down the left field line, scoring Kearns to tie up the game at 6. But, Damian Jackson would kill the rally, striking out badly once again.

Unfortunuately, Ryan Wagner would give it all back in the 8th. A Willingham lead off single. One out bloop single by Olivo and very frustrating 2 out, 2 strike double down the left field line by Wes Helm put the Marlins up 8-6, a lead they would never relinquish. Saul Rivera would give up 1 run on 2 singles and a walk, making in 9-6 in the ninth. The Nats did get 2 runners on with 2 outs in the bottom half, Alex Escobar at the plate, he hit a nice liner up the middle on the shortstop side, but Hanley Ramirez SNARED it to kill the rally and giving the Nats their 64th loss of the season.

Good pitching always wins over the long haul. The Nationals certaintly don't have it.

August and September are going to be trying times for The Nationals and their Fans.

WOW!! What a Start!!

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Over the past two days, the Washington Nationals top pitching prospects made their Nationals Farm Systems Debut at Harrisburg. You know, the two the Nats received from Arizona for Livan Hernandez--Matt Chico and Garrett Mock.

BOY--WERE THEY TERRIBLE!! Lets hope its just adjustment pressure and nerves.

Chico got things started last night against the Portland Sea Dogs in Harrisburg. Chico struggled all night long, couldn't strike out anyone, giving up 9 hits, 2 walks and 3 earned runs in 5 innings. From most reports I read online, he was all over the place and just couldn't stay ahead in the count. His fastball just didn't have it.

To make matters worse, today, Mock was down right awful against the same SeaDogs. Garrett could not make it out of the first inning. Facing only 10 batters, 7 reached base, six on hits, one via walk, giving up 5 earned runs.

Its just their opening game playing in the Nats System, lets hope they got their mulligan out of the way.

Remarkable

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If someone had told me the Washington Nationals would load up the bases with less than 2 outs--4 times (and 5 times total during the game), have runners on 2nd and 3rd twice with less than 2 outs and 1st and 3rd with less than 2 outs once, draw 11 walks and stroke 9 base hits, I would reasonably expect to have routed the opponent.

Unfortunately, that was not the case last night for the Nats, although, they did pull out a 5-2 win over the Florida Marlins in the most excruciating fashion.

And due to just a BRUTAL ERROR by Felipe Lopez, the Florida Marlins were actually in position to steal this one late, before Micah Bowie was able to quell the uprising, lowering the blood pressure and heartbeats of the 21,390 in attendance at RFK Stadium and relieving Manager Frank Robinson from a sure heart attack. This all on one of the most beautiful, full moon, comfortably cool, summer nights you will ever spend in our Nations Capital. In fact the weather tonight helped off the Section 320 cheering and singing as the voices carried BIG TIME on the cooler air and breeze in the park.

The Nationals left 14 runners on base, 35 total runners by all their batters. Alfonso Soriano and Felipe Lopez left 5 runners apiece, Nick Johnson, Damian Jackson and Marlon Anderson 4--Not to be outdone, Alex Escobar, Ramon Oritz and Luis Matos--3.

And all 5 runs scored--WITHOUT A BASEHIT--REMARKABLE!!
The Nats scored on a wild pitch, 2 ground outs and 2 sacrifice flys. I could personally strangle Felipe Lopez last night. He continues to show no enthusiasm for the game--NONE.

You could see Frank Robinson just STEWING on the top step of the dugout. At one point, I thought he was going to blow his top!!

This win, though, had alot to do with nats starter, Ramon Ortiz, who pitched a rather efficient and effective game. Going 6.2 innings scattering 8 hits, walking NO ONE and striking out 6. He would leave in the 7th to a rousing standing ovation from the RFK stadium faithful. And Oritz DOFFED HIS CAP APPECIATIVELY!

It all got started with Ortiz getting in trouble right from the start. Alfredo Amezega would lead off the game with a looping liner to left center, that Alex Escobar, could not get a bead on, circled around to his right, and allowed the ball to drop right in front of him for a single that should have been out number 1. Amezaga would advance to second on the very next pitch to Dan Uggla, when Ortiz and Brandon Harper (playing his very first MLB GAME at catcher for Washington) got crossed up on signs with Ortiz throwing the pitch to the backstop-prompting a quick visit from pitching coach Randy St.Claire. Uggla would K, but Mike Jacobs would lace a liner to center to score Amezega and it was 1-0 Marlins.

But, the Nats struck back when Soriano doubled to DEEP RIGHT CENTER FIELD in bottom half, Zimmerman blooped a single to left, Soriano holding on the play. Dontrelle Willis, tonight's Florida Starter, would then unleash his first Wild Pitch of the night, advancing the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Nick Johnson would then walk on a full count, but on the 4th ball, Willis threw another WILD PITCH that bounced off the screen behind home plate, Soriano scoring easily. Zimmerman to 3rd. 1-1. Austin Kearns would ground slowly enough to short to score Z, Johnson out a second on the fielder's choice. Kearns then would be PICKEDOFF FIRST by Willis to retire the side, killing the rally, 2-1 Nats after one.

In the 2nd, Escobar singles to center, and with one out, Brandon Harper would get his first MLB Hit, a bloop double down the right field line, advancing Alex to 3rd. Ortiz would come up to bunt. Ortiz would come up, could not get a sacrifice bunt down, and ends up grounding to second. Escobar, for some unknown reason, decided to run home. Was out by a mile. Soriano would then walk to load the bases, but FELIPE LOPEZ would strikeout BADLY on a Willis pitch so far in the dirt in front of the plate, it was laughable.

Ortiz would continue pitching well and in the bottom half of the 3rd, Z would slice a liner to left for a single, Johnson would K, Kearns single to right center, moving Zimmerman to 3rd. Kearns moving to 2nd on the throw hom. And, then, lo and behold, Alex Escobar would drive a deep fly to right field to score Ryan for run number 3. The NATS FANS went nuts over seeing the Nats actally drive a run home from 3rd. It was a nice moment. But, Damian Jackson would kill the rally with a terrible stike out at-bat.

During the bottom half of the 4th, Ortiz proved, once again, what terrible bunters the Nats are. Harper was hit by pitch to start the inning, but then, in horrific fashion, he bunts just in front of the plate toward first, the ball bouncing high, instead of just stopping and allowing the play to develop and advance the runners, Ramon tries to JUMP over the ball, which hits him, killing the sacrifice, making Ortiz an automatic out and returning the runner to his original base. Really, how stupid can you be.

Pitchingwise, Oritz would cruise through 5 and in the bottom of the 5th, the Nats would score in strange fashion. Zimmerman walked, Johnson opposite field single to left. Kearns walks. Bases Loaded, NO OUTS. Escobar would strike out swinging mightily at a Willis Fastball right down the middle of the plate. Damian Jackson would come up, and I was fully expecting the inning ending double play by my least favorite National, Damian didn't dissapoint, by dribbling back to Willis. Dontrelle picked up the pitch, no more than 5 feet from home, but threw off to the left of catcher Miguel Olivo. Olivo caught the toss and threw to first to retire Jackson, but Home Plate Umpire Kerwin Danley called Zimmerman safe at home, Olivo's foot off the plate as Z slid home. Lucky break. Big sigh of relief. 4-1 Nats after 5.

After Ortiz got through the 6th unharmed, the Nats loaded up the bases in the bottom half on a Ramon 4 pitch walk, Lopez single--(bringing Joe Girardi to the mound to replace Dontrelle with Randy Messenger) Zimmerman would greet him by walking to load the bases with one out. But, Nick Johnson would hit into a inning ending 4-6-3 double play to kill the rally. The groans in the audience were loud.

The crowd was getting mighty restless. As we have seen all year, the Nats tend to keep teams into games that should be routs. The 7th inning came back to haunt the Nationals.

Olivo would hit a ground rule double down the right field line to lead off the 7th. But Ortiz would fight back to strike out Cody Ross, and Amezega grounded to 1st, 2 outs. Dan Uggla came to the plate, and in a previous at bat during the game, Ramon had thrown a pitch near his head. Ortiz threw the second pitch of this at bat right over Uggla's head--Uggla glared at the mound. On the very next pitch, Ramon hit Uggla on the hands. Home plate umpire gave the warning, prompting Frank Robinson to come out and get into a good 5 minute jawing session with Kerwin. During that time, Micah Bowie came in to replace Ortiz. Frank got in a good spat, cap beak to cap beak and, as expected, didn't back down. Frank got a nice ovation from the RFK faithful.

With runners on 1 and 2nd, 2 outs, Jacobs grounded a routine, inning ending, ball to Lopez, who BOOTED IT BADLY, with the ball rolling into the grass towards left center. Lopez then, DID NOT GO AFTER THE BALL, at first, and Olivo ran all the way home for the second score. The crowd was all over LOPEZ--DESERVEDLY--Frank looked like he wanted to kill him. Miguel Cabrera came to the plate and walked to load the bases. But, Bowie was able to retire pinch hitter, Wes Helms, ending the inning to a great relief of most everyone at RFK.

The Nats would load up the bases again in the 7th with one out but Soriano and Matos K'd badly to end it. VERY FRUSTRATING. Rauch pitched a scoreless 8th for Washington. The Nats would load up the bases again with 1 out in the 8th on 3 walks, and, Escobar delivered again with another sacrifice fly to score run number 5.

I joked to my Section 320 friends that these extra runs were very helpful because with Chad Cordero coming in for the ninth, Cordero could have his typical inning and we would still pull out a 5-4 win. Everyone laughed.

The Chief did come on to get his 20th save of the season, giving up only a 2 out single. And, the Nats got CURLY W number 50 on the season.

As a side not, during the 8th, with Escobar at the plate, this totally drunken fan, early 20's, that earier had slobbered all around Section 320, and who MICKNATS yelled to: "Yeah, I remember my first beer too!!"
eventually made his way down behind the 3rd base dugout and JUMPED UP ON THE DUGOUT YELLING!..Frank Robinson turned around immediately, and so did the entire team. They were worried something was going to happen. The game stopped briefly, the fool jumped down and was arrested while walking away by MPD. WHAT AN IDIOT!! You can bet he will never remember it.

It was truly remarkable that the Nats could only pull out a 5-2 win. Easily, decent teams would have scored 10 runs on a night like this, and the game would have never been in doubt. For 2 straight nights, Washington got good pitching, not only from their starters, but the bullpen was solid. Its only a few games, but when we do get these efforts, the hitters have got to come through. It was really remarkable that the Marlins were in a good position to win this game in the 8th.

And, Felipe Lopez needs to get his head examined. Lopez has some decent talent, speed and pop in his bat, but he just does not seem to care. He struck out badly 2 times last night, had done so the previous night, all with runners in scoring position and the game on the line. And, his crucial error in the 8th that prolonged the possibility of an unimaged comeback victory for Florida was unacceptable. It was a routine ground ball, not difficult in any way. UNACCEPTABLE.

Oh Yeah--one more thing--DAMIAN JACKSON HAS GOT TO GO!! HE'S TERRIBLE!! Bernie Castro deserves the chance to play. Come on FRANK!!

Just An Awful Game

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I am preparing myself for an atrocious last 2 months of the season for my beloved Washington Nationals, especially in the pitching department.

But what I can not accept was the TERRIBLE fielding and lackadaisical effort put forth by the Nats last night against the Florida Marlins. The eventual 4-2 loss was painful to watch.

Tony Armas was on the mound and had his usual high pitch count (102, rarely throwing a first pitch strike to any hitter--and when not giving up any of 9 Marlin hits off him, was hammered on shots right into fielders gloves. Despite all that, he was in a position to possibly win, but shaky defense just killed the Nats--and a very bad night on the bases by Alfonso Soriano.

In the first, Amezaga and Dan Uggla would get lead off singles, and Mike Jacobs would fly out to Soriano in left, for whatever reason, Amezaga tried to advance to 3rd and was gunned down by Alfonso. Things looked hopeful, but, Miguel Cabrera drilled a shot into the left centerfield gap with 2 outs and Dan Uggla still on first. Ryan Church just could not pickup the ball (error #1 on the night), and Uggla came around to score, Carbrera stopping at 3rd. 1-0 Marlins.

In the bottom half, Soriano would come to the plate and receive a VERY NICE STANDING OVATION from the RFK STADIUM Crowd, for still being a Washington National. Ricky Nolasco, not being in such a festive mood, promptly DRILLED Alfonso in the left shoulder, bringing some serious boos from the stands. Soriano actually appeared injured for a brief moment, as Medical Staff and Frank Robinson came out onto the field, but he eventually jogged to first. Soriano would advance to second on a Felipe Lopez ground out, but, never being patient and with Ryan Zimmerman at the plate, Alfonso took off for 3rd and was gunned down for out number two. Zimmerman's been pretty solid with runners in scoring position--Soriano can FLY--Alfonso had no real reason to steal 3rd.

The Marlins would go up 2-0 in the top of the 3rd when Uggla (who has got be the BEST RULE 5 Draft Signee in many, many years) slugged an Armas 2-2 pitch right over the left center field wall. But, Church would come back in the bottom half to hit a laser shot over the right centerfield wall to make it 2-1.

But Defense killed the Nats in the top of the 4th. Hanley Ramirez would single to right with one out, steal 2nd--a good throw by Brian Schneider would have nailed him--but the throw was on the shortstop side of second. Miguel Olivo would then smash a grounder right at Nick Johnson, (And Nick having some fielding problems lately)--for whatever reason, Nick tried to backhand the ball hit directly between his legs, it bounced off his glove (error #2), rolled into right--Ramirez scored easily. 3-1 Marlins. And, Johnson was obviously pissed at himself.

Pissed so much, that when Nick came up in the bottom half of the 4th, he turned around a Ricky Nolasco full count fastball and deposited it in the Mezzanine Level, Section 468--his 17th Dinger on the season. 3-2 Marlins.
But once again, fielding killed the Nats comeback. In the top of the 6th, Jeremy Hermida hit a routine ground ball to Marlon Anderson's right. Anderson fielded the ball cleanly, but inexplicably could not get off a decent throw. (Error #3) Of course, Hermida would advance to second on a Ramirez ground out, and Olivo would clean single to left, Soriano would run in pick up the ball and fire it to the plate, Zimmerman cut it off, turned, threw home--a good throw would have nailed Hermida-but the ball skipped off the dirt right of home and off Schneider's glove, Hermida scored to make it 4-2 Marlins. Zimmerman just slammed his right hand into his glove--looked down--disgusted with his effort. He knew--It was an OUT all the way.

Armas would labor through 6 complete innings before being replaced by Chris Schroder, (making his Major League Debut at 27 years old),just called up from New Orleans. Having never been seen by any Major League Hitters, he was on top of his game and shut down Jacobs, Cabrera and Cody Ross on 8 pitches and walked off the mound to a ROUSING OVATION from the fans behind the Nats 3rd base Dugout. You could tell he was very very pleased, but he didn't want to doff his cap--BUT HE REALLY WANTED TO--Its a moment, a long time coming, Number 55 will remember for the rest of his life.

Then came the game deciding bottom of the 7th. In most any game, even when you are behind, you usually get ONE CHANCE, to get back into the game. The 7th was the Nationals chance, and in an almost exact replica of Sunday's loss against the Padres (the game that got me to blog "One Of These Days")--the Nationals failed miserably.

Nick Johnson would slice a leadoff ground rule double down the left field line that bounced over the fence. Austin Kearns would follow, get 2-0 on Nolasco, swing mightily and miss a fastball right down the middle of the plate and eventually ground into the hole at short that Ramirez could not handle, everyone safe--Johnson moving to second.

Then, Frank began to over manage--again. Marlon Anderson is at the plate, Taylor Tankersly, a left hander, is warming up in the bullpen for Florida. There are NO OUTS. Church is next up. Tankersly is coming in to face Church. For whatever reason, and exactly as Sunday in San Diego, Frank lets Anderson give himself up, advancing the runners to 2nd and 3rd and wasting an out. As Church comes up, Tankersly comes to the mound to replace Nolasco--And, Frank takes out Church for the still hobbling Alex Escobar.

If Escobar had been 100% healthy and ready to play, I would have less of a problem with this decision. But, Escobar CAN NOT RUN YET, his hamstring has not healed. And--HE IS NOT GAME READY.

Church, on the other hand, has played well since the call up from New Orleans. And, HE HAS A BETTER AVERAGE, POWER NUMBERS, and ON BASE PERCENTAGE against left handed pitchers. But, Frank Robinson just will not give him the chance. He's already hit one home run today, he could clearly tie the game or put the Nats in the lead, but Frank sits him with the game on the line.

How do you think RYAN CHURCH FEELS?? Pretty Crappy. Not trusted. Just messes with the man's head. Terrible move on Frank's Part.

Escobar, down quickly 0-2 in the count, does fight back, gets a break from the umpires on a check swing and walks to load the bases. Brian Schneider comes up next--and looking like he has NO PLAN at the plate--swings at 3 straight Tankersly curve balls off the plate---A VERY BAD AT BAT!!

Luis Matos would pinch hit for Schroder--and also K badly on a slop curve in the dirt to retire the side. It continually amazes me how Washington just can not score with runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs. They are awful!!

The Nats last opportunity was wasted in the top of the 8th when Alfonso hit a lead off single, then, to the shock of just about everyone--fell asleep just long enough for Tankersly to pick him off with a SNAP THROW to first. He was embarressed, and so was everyone else not cheering for the Marlins.

It was a painful game to watch. The Nationals showed little effort or life. Not sure how much the depression of Livan Hernandez being traded has to do with the effort. But tonight was just unacceptable. When you have a team on the ropes, you have got to close it out. GOT TO!!

ADIOS!! Mi Amigo!! Livan Hernandez

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Livan Hernandez would look in for the sign from Brian Schnieder, knowing exactly what he wanted to throw, then lift his burly left leg, whirl back and heave forward the mighty toss--the batter would stand at the plate lunging forward, fooled, but trying to recoil a second time, as the looping pitch, sometimes not even reaching 60MPH would float in over the middle of the plate, and the batter would stand dumbfounded. Strike Three Called!!, Inning Over and Livan would sloooooowly walk off the mound toward the Nats 3rd base dugout, slight smile on his face, looking up, appreciatively, at the RFK faithful, now standing and applauding his just completed feat. Another opposing rally snuffed out by this great magician. Section 320 would just laugh at the absurdity of the pitch we just all saw. Livan had mindboggling stuff.

And that's why Washington DC fell in love with the BIG CUBAN. Never a more relaxed player, have I ever seen in a game. As great of a competitor that he is, you would always see LIVO talking to fans, talking to opposing players, Livan had a air about him that was enjoyable to watch. And, THE MAN COULD HIT!! Better than Guzman or Schneider on most any day.

And now, he is GONE!! Traded today to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 young pitching prospects. Only 31 years old, the second longest tenured Expos/Nats player (Vidro has been with the franchise the longest) Livan wanted to stay in DC, clearly stating before the July 31 trading deadline that he would prefer to remain in Washington.

"I'm a National," Hernandez said on July 23, shortly after he beat the Chicago Cubs with six decent innings in a 7-3 victory. "I'm a Washington player. I represent these colors, this city, and I want to be here for the new stadium." (Washington Post)

Livan would go on to say: "I don't want to get traded. I want to feel good in here. It's my team." Hernandez wanted to throw the very first pitch in the Nats new stadium and concluded by saying: "I've got a lot of memories. It's difficult thinking you're going to be traded one day."

But, General Manager, Jim Bowden, following the course of NEW TEAM President, Stan Kasten, to build the Nationals from the ground up, decided to unload Livan's $7 Million contract that runs through the 2007 season. Livan had strugged through the first 2/3rds of the season. Never fully recoving from off-season knee surgery, and never fully disclosing the recovery problems until late June, Livo could not push his legs with the force needed to effectively throw his arsenal of off speed pitches.

Every pitch looked the same, And it Showed BIG TIME on April 13, 2006 when, in the very first inning--Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Cliff Floyd would all hit BOMBS off Hernandez at RFK Stadium. Carlos Delgado would add another in the third.

As Livan struggled, so did the Nationals, plummeting to the Eastern Division Cellar, and never recovering to date . Pitching, the stalwart on the 2005 team, completely went away in 2006. At times, the Nationals have gone 2 complete weeks without a starter winning a game. Injuries have depleted the entire pitching staff.

And this was the way it went for Number 61, he would only win one of his first 9 starts, a 1-5 record on May 20. At times looking totally washed up, before winning 4 consecutive starts against Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta to even his record at 5-5. Then, back and forth, good start, bad start, but over his last games leading up to the July 31 trading dealine, LIVO was beginning to look like the Livo of old. Snapping off those fabulous off speed pitches, confusing hitters at the plate, with just enough zip on his fastball to go late into each start.

But, Jim Bowden was shopping all the Nationals High Salaries. The Nats were well out of the playoff chase, and with many holes to fill. Livan and Alfonso Soriano were considered top candidates to be traded. Yet July 31st came with both players still on the 25 man roster.

As happy as Soriano was to stay in DC, LIVO was just as estatic and it showed in his last 2 starts in August, shutting down the Giants in San Francisco, giving up one run through 7 and downright STERLING yesterday in San Diego, when everything was working, striking out 7, with the Nationals unable to give him deserved run support. LIVO could feel he was once again THE MAN, pitching for the Nats.

It was conceivable to believe the Nationals Pitching Ace and Innings Eater was back, in prime form, ready to lead the staff--giving Washington Pitchers a Mentor for a few more years to come. But, it was not to be, finishing the season 9-8, 5.34 ERA and serving up 22 Home Runs for Washington.

After the trade, Livan was quoted by MLB.com: "Washington is a great town for baseball and the fans are amazing," Hernandez said. "There are a lot of great people here. My teammates are amazing." This is the type of professional that teams miss in the near future.

Livan threw the first two most important pitches in Washington's return to the Major Leagues. On April 4, 2005 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia--The Nationals first game ever, a called first strike to Jimmy Rollins. And, then tossed the very first pitch at RFK to Arizona's Craig Counsell, another called first strike, on April 14--The first Washington Home Game in over 34 years--AND THE FLASHBULBS ON THAT FIRST PITCH WERE ALMOST BLINDING!!

Hernandez would come to Love Washington, buying a place at the Ritz Carlton off 22nd/New Hampshire in the West End. Reveled in meeting the President Of the United States on Opening Night, 2005. Talked up DC wherever he went. How much he loved being here, in the Nations Capital!! Would get off to a hot start. At one point winning 10 games in a row, making the All Star Team along with Chad Cordero, running up a 12-3 record. But, as the Nationals began their 2005 second half swoon, Livan was affected as anyone on the team.

On July 20 at RFK against the Rockies, Livan gave up a late home run to Colorado's JD Closser sealing a Nats loss. After the game, Hernandez went into a tirade claiming his knee was hurting and he was 99% sure that he would have season ending surgery the next day. He also blasted some unknown Washington OFFICIALS. Both Frank Robinson and Bowden were caught completely off-guard. Regarding his anger, Hernandez said, "I've been happy [with this franchise] for three years. This is the best organization. After the season, I'm going to tell you something. Don't worry, I'm going to tell you." (MLB.com)

The very next day, Livan settled down, no surgery was taken and he completed the 2005 season, but no where near as effective as earlier in the campaign.

Loss after loss mounted, and Livan unraveled again on IRONCIALLY, August 6, 2005--exactly one year before his last game for the Nationals, AND against the Padres at RFK Stadium. Struggling mightily, Livan had given up 12 hits, 2 walks and a home run to light hitting speedster Dave Roberts. Yet, LIVO was still ahead 5-4 in the 6th when Frank Robinson came to the mound, replacing him with Joey Eishen.

Visibly upset of being removed from the game, Hernandez walked ever so slowly towards the Nats 3rd base dugout, as he reached the top step, he threw his glove into the stands, then his cap, and finally, reached down and threw his warmup jacket into the crowd behind the dugout. Livan would later try to get the glove back, but the fan who caught it wanted a KINGS RANSOM for its return. Livo told him to take a hike. And rightfully so.

Hernandez would finish the season 15-10, with only 3 second half wins. His knee was operated on right after the end of the 2005 season, and everyone expected a full recovery. But, it took Livan nearly 9 full months and was not his true self until late July, 2006.

I loved how Livan, when on his game, could get himself in trouble and, somehow, get out of it. He would many times walk a hitter, to load the bases, just so he could pitch to another hitter he felt more comfortable in recording the out. When 61 came to the plate, you could, many times, expect a good at bat. Livo swings a good stick, can hit for power, and would consistently get key RBI hits. And it was marvelous watching him run with that huge body around the bases. Always brought a smile to my face. On non-pitching days, Livo's head could always be seen leaning and looking out of the dugout, holding conversations with fans, having a good time. Enjoying the moment.

I'll never forgot on that faitful April 13 day this year when Hernandez gave up 4 homers to the Mets, when he came to bat in the bottom of the 3rd inning, he stood on deck, lazily swinging his bat, and having a lively animated conversation with some fans in the front row--laughing with them, nothing acrimonious.

Livan, along with Soriano, and Jose Guillen, have let it be known throughout baseball that WASHINGTON DC is a GREAT PLACE to play. He was a great Ambassador for our city. I wish he was still here. But, I hope even more that, not only do today's Arizona prospects help the Nationals down the line, but Stan Kasten RESIGNS LIVO for 2008, when the Nats move into their new stadium. He would still be the PERFECT MENTOR, at 33 years old, for a young staff. He would relish the opportunity. And, IT WOULD BE JUST AND FAIR!!

LIVO---TRADED!! Shocking to ME!!

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I really believed, all along that Livan Hernandez could help the Washington Nationals, be a stalwart on a very young pitching staff for a few years to come. He's a gamer, hangs in there during the toughest times.

Jimbo traded him this morning to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 flamethrowing pitching prospects.

According to the Nationals Press Release, the two 23 year olds are ranked 1st and 2nd in Strikeouts in the Diamondbacks minor league system.

Righthander Garrett Mock is the 7th ranked Arizona prospect, according to Baseball America. Mock tore up single A ball last year, but was only 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA at Double-A Tennessee in the Southern League.

Lefthander Matt Chico was 7-2 and 2.22 ERA at Tennessee, after posting a 6-0 1.87 ERA earlier this season at Single A Lancaster. After the 2004 season, Chico was ranked the NUMBER 1 PROSPECT in the Arizona System.

Both were 3rd round selections by Current Nationals Asst. General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations, MIKE RIZZO, who just moved over from Arizona. Rizzo was the Director of Scouting for the Diamondbacks.

Mock and Chico will both report to AA Harrisburg.

Its an interesting trade. What's shocking about it is that Chico is a DECENT YOUNG PITCHER. Matt has been good on Every Level and he's a lefty. On the surface, its not a bad trade at all, but for the next 2 months, the Nats pitching is going to be TERRIBLE. And, I will miss Livan. He was very entertaining.

One Of These Days

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One of these days, I would LOVE to see the Nationals score a runner from 2nd or 3rd base or 2nd and 3rd on a consistent basis with less than 2 outs--like every other team in baseball.

It would thrill me to no end to see a Nationals baserunner not get himself picked off or thrown out at a base because of terrible baserunning--every single game.

One of these days, I would like to see the Washington Nationals actually advance baserunners on a consistent basis with a decent bunt--because except for Zimmerman bunting FOR A HIT, there is NO ONE on this team that is fundamentally sound at the art of bunting. They should all practice it for 30 minutes before EVERY SINGLE GAME!! Squaring around to bunt consists of planting both feet side to side, NOT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER!!- And keep the bat LEVEL--NOT AN ANGLE!! Don't lunge at the ball, let it softly hit the bat!! Its pretty simple!!

Wonderful, JUST WONDERFUL SIGHT IT WOULD BE, to see a Nats hitter up at the plate with an opposing pitcher in serious trouble, 2 runners or more on, less than 2 outs and see the hitter actually not swing at the very first pitch he sees for the pitcher, getting himself out. Or, my other favorite, like today, when Livan Hernandez, with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, had a 2-0 count and swings at the very next pitch down and away and pulls it to short to end the inning. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SWING AT THAT PITCH!! EVER!!

Hopefully a day will come when Alfonso Soriano, or whatever Nationals baserunner does take off and clearly has such a good jump the base will be stolen easily, that the batter, Like Felipe Lopez today, will not swing at the pitch, just to protect the runner, fouling off the pitch, killing the steal, and then striking out on the very next pitch. Sometimes, it would be great to see a batter actually THINK OUT THERE on the field.

And, it would be a total surprise, and a good one, to see Frank Robinson, with no outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, NOT WASTE AN OUT WITH A USELESS BUNT!! (Yes the ONE TIME THE NATS BUNT SUCCESSFULLY--ITS USELESS!!) Like today, when Ryan Church gave himself up to advance the runners so Marlon Anderson and Livan Hernandez could end the inning quietly. Frank--CHURCH CAN HIT THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK--It was the way the ORIOLES DID IT WHEN YOU HIT THEM OUT OF THE PARK FOR EARL WEAVER--DID YOU NOT LEARN ANYTHING!!

How great would it be if the Nationals, who don't get too many well pitched games from starters, like today with Livan Hernandez against the Padres in San Diego, actually score some runs to give the guy some comfort level and not allow Livan to waste an absolutely TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE, due to NO RUN SUPPORT, and 12 runners left on base--CHOKING CONSISTENTLY IN THE CLUTCH WITH NO PLATE DISCIPLINE!! Playing outside their games. Livan should have easily had a 5-7 run lead heading into the 7th inning. This game was a WIN ALL THE WAY!! Not a 3-2 10 Inning loss.

Just ONCE!! When an opposing pitcher, Jake Peavy Today, throws 119 pitches, only 67 for strikes, walks 6, including 1 intentionally in 5.1 innings, the Nats score more than one run, OFF A LEADOFF HOME RUN from Alfonso Soriano. Peavy was in trouble all day, yet the Nats continued to get themselves out.

A smile would be brought to my face, if FRANK didn't consistently layout a relief pitcher to fail, like he did today with Micah Bowie going 3 innings--not trusting anyone AT ALL in his bullpen, EVEN--JON RAUCH and CHAD CORDERO--WITH AN OFF DAY TOMORROW!! WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING BACK FOR!! Its a off day, neither one pitched on Saturday!! And, you can bet that Frank will say something derogatory about the bullpen guys, doing his best to pump them up for the next time--Yeah Right!!

If everybody in the bullpen actually sucks, then lets just clear house and start all over again. And, thank JIMBO for slowing depleting whatever pitching depth the Nationals had when they moved here from Montreal.

Gary Majewski has pitched so badly for Cincinnati (ERA at 12.54 and 4 blown saves), maybe one of these days, they will release him and he can resurrect his career for the team he LOVED TO PLAY FOR--WASHINGTON!! Another talented guy screwed up by poor management decisions.

I would love to see Frank Robinson actually show some trust in younger players and not take them out of the game, after one at bat that resulted in an out, and that player never seeing daylight again. Yet, Brian Schneider can KILL THE TEAM ON A DAILY BASIS, but he can always play. If Brandon Harper is that bad, we might as well bring back Matt LeCroy (which the Nationals actually did today, signing him to a Minor League Contract with New Orleans). Give the guys like Harper, Bernie Castro and even Daryle Ward, a legitimate chance Frank--WE ARE NOT GOING TO WIN ANYTHING SOON!

And, how great would it be if we could actually beat the Padres. They are World Champions against our Nationals. The Padres and the Reds. We need to get these guys out of the National League!!

One of these days, the Washington Nationals will actually be able to accomplish all these skills--And the Washington Nationals will be a winning team. Maybe even a Championship Team!!

That would be a DAY TO REMEMBER!

Sadly, TODAY WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE DAYS!!

Comcast Caves

According to the Washington Post online, Comcast agrees to start airing out beloved NATS beginning Sept 1st.
Mayor Anthony Williams is quoted as saying "Bravo. It's about time. This is great news for the fans who have welcomed the Nationals to DC and want to watch [Alfonso] Soriano on TV as he bangs in those runs,"
This was a long time coming. As a Starpower subscriber, I got to watch all the games. Maybe I will be able to call Rally Time Richard(a Comcast subscriber) now when a contoversial call happens and he will have seen it on TV.

Comcast does say that the Sept 1 date is soft because they have to notify channels they are bumping them for MASN.

Peter Angelos says "This is great news for sports fans throughout the mid-Atlantic region," I think he means for his wallet.

What a week for us NATS fans. First we get to keep Soriano for at least another 2 months, now everyone will be able to watch games by the end of the year (except for those in outer Comcast land, which might take up to 2 years)

This Is Why Soriano Is Important.

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I have mentioned in the past how my wife, Sohna, has never been much of a sports fan. But, when I became a season ticket holder for the Washington Nationals for the Inaugural Season in 2005, she agreed to attend more games. She loves our Section 320, but, what she has come to enjoy the most is Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is someone she can relate too. And, not just his game, but the professional manner he conducts himself. Sohna's attended 88 Nats Home games to date. And, 5 away games.

In late June, We took her female cousin, who had never attended a professional sporting event in her life, to the weekend series against Tampa Bay. After 2 games, the only person she could concentrate on--WAS ALFONSO SORIANO!!. She didn't know anything about any player, yet she noticed something special about Alfonso. Our Cousin called on the day after the trading deadline, and wanted to know why he was still with the team, when everyone expected Soriano to be traded. She was paying attention. And, she was glad he was still in Washington. Her husband believes she has the Nats Fix now.

Today, Sohna and I were in the discount store, Tuesday Morning, and I was wearing my Navy Blue Nats Cap. The lady on the register asked me if we ever atttended Washington Nationals Games. We said we were Season Ticket Holders. The cash register lady looked at us and said, "We've (her family) never had any interest in baseball, but we find Soriano very interesting. We went to a game in May and now have attended 3 more since. We don't know much about the game, but we are enjoying him and learning and love watching him play."

Another male employee pipped in--"I have always been an Los Angeles Sports Fan, in all sports, but I just love watching Soriano. And, my friends and I have attended 3 games so far. And, since he's staying, we're going to try to make a few more. You never know what that dude is going to do, so he's worth the ticket price."

Whereever we go, and the Nationals come up in conversation, the talk always leads to Alfonso Soriano. Everyone knows about him. He's is the face of the franchise, for the non baseball following fans.

This is a very small sample, but it does show how the Nationals and the Lerner Group need to attract the casual fan, not just the die hards like you and me. Alfonso Soriano is just such an attraction. People can relate to him, he's got charisma. He's worth the price of admission. Not much more you can ask from someone.

That's why Soriano is so important to The WASHINGTON NATIONALS FRANCHISE.

BASEBALL IN DC!!

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REPRINTED FROM COMMENTS MADE BY "SENATORNAT" A SECTION 320 FAITHFUL!! ITS JUST TOO GOOD FOR EVERYONE NOT TO SEE AND READ. "Screech'sBestFriend"

So much has happened in one and one-half seasons of 21st Century Nationals baseball that we may not have taken time to pause to absorb it. For one, please point out the four people in the D.C. Metro area who do not sport at least one version of the Nats hat?

Two, for the past 162 games, this is about the worst team in baseball, yet for the past two weeks, the four-letter network and FOX and most major dailies gave wall-to-wall coverage of the Soriano saga (the latest redux of Joseph Heller's sequel to Catch 22 - "Something Happened" which the NY Times aptly reviewed: "'Something Happened' - Nothing Happens."

Before that, it was all the hoopla about who would be selected to run the team. And immediately thereafter, all the huckstering by Kasten and his boy Bowden, whom everyone (wrongfully) presumed would be fired as the Kasten's first official action.

And, of course, the persistent interplay of the evil one, Peter Angelos ("There are no real baseball fans in Washington"); the painstaking one, Bud Selig buying off Angelos by making the Nationals, in essense, accessable by short-wave radio only; Comcast playing hardball and putting itself in harm's way with Congress; and many prominent politicians in D.C. trying to play the race card, somehow, out of a baseball team!!

Add the usual Washington Post elite "populism" and bias against the team, and its anecdotal fixation that RFK is a ballpark which can actually cause harm to its patrons, and a shared sense with Angelos that there are (or shouldn't be) any real baseball fans in D.C. {Anyone seen Post wit Mike Wise lately, now that the football team whose name he vowed not to use has started training camp?) And the largest proven no-nothing in sports reporting, Tom L. (is that his real voice?) of the Washington Times is no anedote, certainly...

So how is it that everything about this team just seems to warm the heart of fans and players alike, and creates so much buzz throughout baseball?

Community is the answer - you just cannot engineer it artificially, either. Tom Boswell has it. Frank Robinson has it. 20,000 hardcore Nats fans have it. Jose Guillen caught it. Ryan Zimmerman grew up respecting it. Alfonso Soriano had almost given up finding it in a commercial and cold America - but much to his own suprise, he found it and fell in love with it, apparently. Kasten is adapting to it, as manna from heaven for a sports franchise. Mark Lerner has it - Bowden is trying to claim it...

The Senators liked playing here, to a person. There has always been something special about the D.C. baseball fan - the teams were rarely good since about the mid-1950's on, but the fan was supportive and positive, and truly loved and responded to a player, who, while imperfect, gave what he had completely. This was certained exemplified by Hondo Howard - our true Hometown Hero. (Sorry, Gary Carter!!!!- is this a joke or what!!!!)

D.C. baseball fans have not had a player as complete and solid as Ryan Zimmerman since perhaps Micky Vernon; they have not had a true superstar since the 1933 team and before (Joe Cronin,and that gang; and before that, Walter Johnson) - thus, they cannot quite believe that Alfonso Soriano wears a Nationals uniform, and is indeed a superstar, one of the five best everyday players in the National League...That is probably why most had resigned themselves to his departure, and like me, had begun the grieving process, but were prepared to pore over the minor league statistics of the players received for him, and even listen to some false hope promises that the Nationals would be in the bidding war for him to return, after the season. (No way that would have happened, in reality, of course.)

Community and continuity: ironically, Kasten keeping Bowden, and Bowden not dealing Soriano, or Livo even, spells continuity, even were it just serendipity...The major problem, obviously, with the Expos has been the lack of it - no permanent place to play, no certainty players could stay and learn to play with one another, no permanent owner, etc.

The only true constant has been the manager through all the club's vagabound years - Frank Robinson, himself a superstar who found glory when he changed leagues at 30 to play left field for the Orioles with a rock at third base named Brooks Robinson. So, in two regards, perhaps the Nats are now reminiscent of the O's in 1966, with four major exceptions: superb (future Hall of Fame) starting pitchers who shut down the LA Dodgers 4-0.

The Nationals now have a solid line-up, and some versatile guys on the bench. With Vidro playing, albeit he hits a "soft .300" - it (still) adds a .300 hitter to the current line-up!

By signing Soriano for $65 million over 5 years, for example, the Nationals face the problems of paying Livo $7 million, and Guzman another $4 million (yes, he got that this year, too!). Those three alone would constitute $24 million of a (tops) $85 million payroll for 2007. {almost 30%}

The team currently has NO reliable starting pitching, and a very thin bull-pen. If Kasten-Bowden presume that all four arm surgeries go perfectly for Patterson; Lawrence; Dreese; and Ayala; and that Livo's knee has mended (how about a bit of a diet ordered to take some of the stress off it!?), that would still leave the team needing to enter the free agent market for one number 2-3 young starter, and one bona fide reliever.

Kasten and Bowden and the Lerners believe that the spirit on the club and the splash of signing Soriano long term will endear them to free agents generally, and especially Dominicans, to whom they are clearly trying to build a pipeline.

But, where does the $$$$ come from for these two sorely needed signings? I suppose some of it comes, perhaps, from trading Vidro for a reliever who is reliable. But, the team has no one, besides Castro, to slot in daily at second.

Community, continuity, confluence of good luck,and, finally, a commitment of fans to attend games are all requirements to sustain progress. The latter was a note sounded by Bowden by announcing no deals made yesterday - reminded me a bit of Bob Short chastising the fans for not supporting a woeful team in 1971, after he had dumped all the good young players for Denny McLain. But, he is right: the Lerners need to be able to rely on 2.5 million a season, at least, to make an $85 million payroll viable.

This is why pushing the MASN-Comcast agreement should be Job Number One. You simply cannot have a winning franchise with a 45 year old stadium and NO television...All the community, continuity, and confluence of good luck is eclipsed by the absence of it, in the final analysis.

And what better face to have on television 162 games, plus post-season, than the Nationals 21st Century superstar, Alfonso Soriano!! SenatorNat