"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!!

Some Sharp Business Acumen

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Today's Press Conference by Stan Kasten about the "Grand ReOpening" of RFK Stadium shows how good this guy is going to be at President of the Washington Nationals. Starting July 25, and for the remainder of the season--1,000 upper deck outfield yellow seats will be $3. 1,000 upper deck outfield dark pink seats will be $5. The Capitol View Terrace between the 300 and 400 levels behind home plate will be a new Food Court with local vendors selling all their wares. And open to everyone. More portable food stalls will be placed around the stadium. And food prices will GO DOWN!! Including a team meal of a hot dog, chips and soda for $7.50. All vendors, ushers, security and ticket taking personal will be trained to be NICER??!! And, Aramark, the food contractor, must bring in their top people from other parks to get their act in order. Also, the stadium will be completely powerwashed, painted. Nats Banners on all light poles. All Flowerbeds replanted and, my favorite, A RED/BLUE Netting will be drapped across the Main Entrance in Nats colors to spiffy up the place. All are good things, including a Kosher Stand, directly behind section 320.
Here's a short list of all the food/stadium upgrades:

“GRAND RE-OPENING WEEKEND” FACT SHEET

STADIUM RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS

Beautification of Stadium Landscape (re-planted flower beds)
Team-Colored (Red and Blue) Tennis Court Netting around main entrance to Stadium
Washington Nationals Light Pole Banners throughout Stadium grounds
Upgraded carpet, furniture and TV’s for Player Clubhouse
ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO BALLPARK MENU

Opening of the Terrace Food Court (formerly the Capitol View Terrace), featuring two – four themed food concepts from the local area and a casual gathering location for beverages
Addition of three new grill locations on the 200 (1) and 500 (2) levels
Conversion of grill cart on the 200 level to feature: Half Smokes, Bratwurst, White Bockwurst, and Red Hot
Expansion of current offerings throughout the stadium; Red Hot & Blue (500 level outfield), Papa John’s Pizza (500 Level Outfield), and Glatt Kosher Stand (200 Level 3rd Base)
Addition of portable stands throughout the stadium that will feature Fresh Popped Popcorn, Micro Brews, and Ice Cream Machines
Expanded services for Diamond Club and Suite ticket holders
Addition of menu items at concessions stands throughout the stadium:
Cheese Steaks
Half Smokes
Red Hot Dogs
Bockwurst
Bratwurst
Abels and Heyman All Beef Hot Dogs
Neshama Spicy Italian Sausage
Potato Knish
Brown Mustard


I am really liking these guys. They are going to make the game more fun. Also included will be better video and music, and in game entertainment. I guess the President Bobblehead Race is out the door. Lerner/Kasten know you have to be accomodating and welcoming to get the non serious baseball fans into the park. This is a very good start for the NEW NATS!!

What Now!!??

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At 38-52, dead last in the National League East and the July 31st trading deadline fast approaching, I decided to put in a few words of what I think might happen to our beloved Nationals.

Starting Pitching: Absolutely TERRIBLE. If someone had told me that at mid-season Ramon Ortiz would be our most consistent starter, I would have laughed for a good 5 minutes. But, Ramon has been OK, not good, not bad. After a 0-4 start he's now 6-7. Never overpowering, but does hang in there. Livan Hernandez has been horrible. Livan needs to decide whether his surgically repaired knee CAN PITCH or go on the DL. John Patterson has that mysterious Nats Medical elbow sprain that will most likely end his 2006 season. Tony Armas has a similar problem. After a nice season start, Armas has struggled with his ability to throw strikes and is on a rehab assignment wanting to come back too soon. And, Pedro Astacio--out all season was thrown into the mix for 2 starts, decent the first game and couldn't make it through the 4th in his second. And, Mike O'Connor was whacked his last 2 starts and is back in New Orleans. Leaving Shawn Hill, decent but not great, also on the DL. This staff can not consistently get to the 5th inning. There is very little hope for the starters. Ortiz is probably trade bait. Armas was too, until his stint on the DL. Livan has not been helping himself to bet traded. Whatever they could bring in a trade, will have little long term value for the Nationals. I see very little hope for Nat starters in the second half.

Relief Pitching: Well oversued by poor starting pitching and the usual decision by Frank Robinson to use every single pitcher, every single night--blowing them out early. Its very obvious that the Nationals, more than any other team, were hurt badly by the World Baseball Classic in March. Luis Ayala, just back from elbow surgery, decided, poorly, to pitch for Mexico in the WBC and blew out his pitching elbow. There went 90 appearances right there. Cordero and Majewski barely played for the USA and didn't get a proper spring trainging. And, they are regretting it now--BIG TIME!! Very inconsistent throughout the first half. Both look lost. Jon Rauch gives up too many home runs, Stanton has a good game, then an atrocious one. Bill Bray is very talented, needs more experience, has closer qualities--is a keeper. Saul Rivera, Jason Bergmann, Micah Bowie have all been up and down and are journeymen at best. Cordero, Majewski and Bray are talented youngsters, worth keeping and under team control. Rauch needs some more work after coming back from shoulder surgery, but he can bring it. Everyone else is expendable. Stanton can certaintly be traded for someone at the trading deadline. Can't wait for Ayala to come back next year.
The starters have had a domino effect on the Nats bullpen. Just beat up at mid season. Not much hope here either.

Starting Lineup:

Brian Schneider is a terrific catcher, and the only one suited defensively to play in the entire Nats system. Unfortunately, offensively he's been putrid. Also played in the WBC for Team USA--regrets it also. Did hit well over the just completed homestand. Needs to turn it around in the second half. Need badly and is not going anywhere soon.
Nick Johnson continues to be a consist player, great defender and hustler. Needs to drive in a few more runs and has slumped over the past 14 games dropping his average under .300, but I really like him. Would only trade him for something really really good. And, he signed cheaply for the next 3 seasons.
Jose Vidro--No range at second, hitting over .300, but under .200 in the clutch. Rarely gets on base when it counts. Can barely move 6 feet either way to get a grounder at second. Owed $8 Million next season. Hoping badly that Omar Minaya loves him so much and wants to win in NY this season with the Mets so bady, Omar will give the Nats something good for him. And, allow Brendan Harris to get a good shot at the 2nd base job.
Royce Clayton--Caretaker shortstop brought in the battle for the starting job from THE GUZ!! Guz got injured, and despite a not too swift start, Clayton has played fairly well of late. Section 320 fan favorite with the French Cajun Sounding of his Name. Actually is marketable to a team looking for a solid backup infielder by the trading deadline. Hope we get something for him.
Ryan Zimmerman--21 Years Old, on pace for 25 Homers and over 100 RBI's. 2 Walk Off Homers, another last at bat game winning hit. Stellar Defense. Will hopefully play his entire career in Washington. GREAT, and I mean, GREAT YOUNG PLAYER!!
Jose Guillen--Diva outfielder having a terrible season. Can't decide whether he's injured, trying too hard or both. Not getting the job done. Regrets turning down the Nats 3 year contract offer in the spring. Would be a great person to trade, if he was hitting the ball. Not doing it. Not helping himself or us.
Alfonso Soriano--Electric Player, tries to hit the ball out of park every single at bat. Better than anybody in DC would have expected. And, a respected team player. Has improved his outfield play, but still has a long way to go. Stated recently, he would like to stay in DC and play leftfield, but you can bet that was an opportunity to drive up the price for other teams during a contract season. Like him alot, but the Nats would be smart to trade him for some serious young talent, and if he's really sincere, will come back to play for us again next season. If not, it was a great 4 months. And Sohna will be sad.
Centerfield--Brandon Watson (terrible),Marlon Byrd(can not hit) Ryan Church(in the teams Doghouse), Alex Escobar (exciting but scary at the same time-his outfield tracking of balls is not good--can hit though and has a terrific arm), Damian Jackson (SUCKS!!) The revolving door position for Washington this season. Escobar is here until he gets injured. The least productive position for the Nats in 2006. Need help badly and no one here is tradable.

Bench--Marlon Anderson, after a slow start, has been productive as a platoon outfielder, 1st & second baseman and pinch hitter. Can run very well for a 33 year old. Come to like him. He's also good trade bait. Wouldn't be surprised to see him moved at the deadline to a contender.
Daryle Ward--Extremely productive pinch hitter having a very good season. 2 Monster Home Runs into the upper deck in right at RFK. Frank should have used him more as a DH in American League Parks earlier in the season, but didn't for some foolish reason. Really like him, and also has made himself tradable to an American League team looking for punch off the bench down the stretch.
Robert Fick--medicore, has helped some, but nothing special. Backup catcher, but no arm. Matt LeCroy--American League DH wasting away on the Washington Bench. Damian Jackson--I will repeat--SUCKS!! Fick, LeCroy and Jackson have no trade value. I would like to see LeCroy and Jackson designated for Assignment and lets bring up Harris, Church, even Soloman Manriquez, catcher at AA Harrisburg, Larry Broadway and see what they can do. Its better to improve and win with your players, instead of someone elses.

Overall, it could be an ugly second half, if the Nats participate in deadline trades and move up to 5 players. Possibly a 90 loss season. The Nats need to go 34-32 the rest of the way just to only lose 90. But, hopefully, we can get a player or 2 to build on for seasons to come. Think Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz. Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell. These type of regretable trades happen all the time when winning is on the line. Lets hope the Nats can be on the good side of them.

AWFUL!! JUST AWFUL!!

Nats320 As befitting of a mediocre to bad team, our Washington Nationals could not hold a 7-1 lead in the 6th inning and a 9-6 lead in the 9th. The true disappointing part was that the let down came from 2 of the so called younger players the Nats are looking to build on. Gary Majewski came in with one out and one on in the sixth and could only retire one more hitter while allowing Jon Rauch's inherited runner to score and giving up 3 more himself. Mike Stanton was able to put his finger in the dyke and got the Nationals to the 8th leading 7-5. Inexplicibly, Frank Robinson decided to send Chad Cordero out for a two inning save. And, as MickNats shrewdly pointed out, "Frank brought in The Chief one inning too early and left him out there one inning too long." Chief gave up a leadoff double to Josh Barfield, and after PH Bowen K's, Dave Roberts triples to right center to score Barfield. 7-6 Nats. But, Cordero was able to strikeout Cameron and Giles to retire the side. In the bottom of the 8th, Alex Escobar (4-4 today, 2 runs scored and a 3 run homer) would double to right when Giles misplayed the line drive and would move to 3rd on Clayton's sac bunt. And Brian Schneider, on a 2-2 count sent a fly ball just over the right field wall, that Brian Giles made a nice attempt and just missed over the fence for a 9-6 Nats lead and everything looked good. But, in the 9th, Chief just didn't have it. Josh Bard doubles to left center on a line drive that Escobar froze on and it went directly over his head. Adrian Gonzalez doubles off the wall in left center that Escobar hesitated on but almost climbed the wall to retrieve, but it fell off his glove. Scoring Bard. Khalil Greene, NATS KILLER, comes up and on a full count, drills a NO DOUBT Shot over the left field wall to tie up the game 9-9. Cordero gets the next 2 hitters and Mike Piazza comes up to PH for Cassidy, the Padres pitcher. On a 0-1 Count, Chief serves up a lob right in over the heart of the plate and Piazza clubs it into the Mezzanine level of left field. YOU COULD HEAR A PINDROP AT RFK. IT WAS THAT QUIET!! 10-9 Padres. We went meekly in the bottom half to end it. And, the announced crowd of 22,000 (could not have been more than 14,000) headed silently for the exits.

This was an awful loss on so many levels. John Patterson started and had elbow problems again and was taken out after one inning. You can bet, he might not pitch again this season. Majewski and Cordero were just terrible, TERRIBLE. They do not trust their stuff and continually get behind in the counts. And, get killed!! Jose Guillen, continues to try to do too much. Twice, The Padres Intentionally walked Nick Johnson to get to Guillen---Who struck out and grounded into a double play.

One good spot was Alex Escobar. He has hit safely in all 6 games played for the Nationals this season. His 3 run homer in the 5th, was a rocket. But, his outfield play can be disarming at times. In the first inning he did not come in on a looping liner that could have been caught but loaded up the bases for the Padres. He misplayed Bards liner in the 9th and then n Adrian Gonzalez's double off the left center field wall, Escobar looked sheepish about climbing the wall. He tore his right knee for the Indians back in 2001 in the same situation and was out for 4 years. He looked gunshy. Frank made a comment about this after the game blaming Escobar for putting the Chief in trouble. But it really was just as much Cordero's fault.

Frank also gets the blame for this one. Rauch was pitching effectively. There is no game for 5 days due to the All Star Break. Everyone is available as far as I am concerned. Yet, Frank takes out Rauch, Majewski loses it, and as usual Frank waits until the inning gets out of hand, before making a change. And the Chief coming in for the 8th was just plain stupid. You have plenty of other arms available. Why use the one guy who never can give you 2 solid innings consistently. Come on Frank!! ALL HANDS ON DECK!!

38-52 at the All Star Break, last place and, most likely, not able to get out of the cellar by the end of the year. And, most of our trade bait players are not playing well enough to get anything. GREAT!!

RRRRRRRoyce CLAY--TON!!!! Heh Heh!!

Nats320 The only thing really nice about tonight's 5-2 Loss to the San Diego Padres at RFK Stadium was the delight from our section and the crowd of our French Cajun RRRRRoyce Clay--TON Cheer that seemed to have everybody laughing and enjoying. Its also been nice to see that, after one and a half seasons of Nats Baseball at RFK, the PA announcer and music arranager have finally realized that WHENEVER JOSE GUILLEN comes to the plate, you must play the JOSE Song! Its even better that the scoreboards along and first and 3rd base lines put up the words. Just gotta love that!!

Also, in the crowd of over 27,000 tonight was our illustrious President, George W Bush and First Lady, Laura. First game for "W" this season after attending 2 games in 2005, and this was the first game for the First Lady ever at RFK. And since they sit in a box just above us to the right in the Mezzanine, YOU CAN BET THEY HEARD EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR CHEERS AND CHANTS!! How cool is that!!

There was an older couple sitting in the "GO TO" seats in the front row of our section. those 2 in front of Andy's seats. They told me that WE MADE THEIR NIGHT!! Our enthusiasm made the game so much more enjoyable. Lisa, one of the ladies from Andrews Air Force Base, sitting next to me, had a girlfriend with her tonight and she also said we make the game more fun even when the games not too interesting. We were just a riot!!

I like to know what "W" thought of us, as 2 Secret Service Agents were standing by our section in the early part of the game.

Finally, Sohna was pissed that one of the NatPack guys told her on friday night that she would do the Southwest Flyaway tonight. And of course she would pick her love, Alfonso Soriano. For whatever reason, the NatPack did not come by and Soriano hit the very first pitch of the game RIGHT OUT OF THE PARK in the bottom of the first. Sohna was beside herself. She really wants those 2 free tickets anywhere on Southwest.

Stan Kasten

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As new President of the Washington Nationals, Stan Kasten says he wants everyone that attends a Nationals game to go home enjoying the nights events. For the past month, he has been seen all over RFK Stadium checking out the game experience and has said, on numerous occaisions, that he wants to hear ALL the fan input. In tonight's 3-2 lost to San Diego at RFK, Kasten happened to be standing in the portal just to the left of section 320 between the 8th and 9th innings. As he was looking at his blackberry, I yelled over to him "Mr. Kasten" he replied "Please call me Stan!!" So I said, "Stan, on your TO DO LIST, (and he's still looking down at his blackberry) does it include trading away Damian Jackson??!! Stan looked up immediately and laughed mightily!! But he didn't deny it. Then he yelled back, "Damian's my main man!!" laughing the entire time. Kentucky Rob agreed with me that Stan wasn't denying my wish. Say Hey Klib then cornered Kasten for a brief moment in the tunnel. It was funny his response to my question. Made my night.

HEY FRANK!! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!!

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In tonight's 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on a beautiful night at RFK Stadium, Frank Robinson, our illustrious manager, made two decisions that are indefensible and did not give THE NATIONALS a good chance to win the game. Adrian Gonzalez hit a monster shot into the left centerfield facing of the upper deck in the 4th off Nats Starter Ramon Ortiz, then in the 5th, the Padres got to Ortiz, near his 100th pitch, with 4 singles and a walk from Roberts, Giles, Bard, Gonzalez again and Greene to plate 2 more runs to make it 3-0 San Diego. But the bottom of the 5th was the real determination of this game. Jose Guillen (he of the bobblehead giveaway to fans attending tonight) got hit by pitch from Padres Starter Woody Williams. After Robert Fick flied out to Giles in right, Alex Escobar hits a frozen rope to left center, moving Guillen to 3rd. My main man, Damian Jackson, actually walked then to load the bases. Down 3-0 with 1 out, with Ramon Ortiz at 100 pitches and struggling, Frank Robinson LETS ORTIZ BAT, instead of either Daryle Ward or Marlon Anderson. The entire stadium was going nuts. Yelling for a Pinch Hitter. Frank decided to save his tired bullpen but not to get back into the game. Ortiz swings at the very first offering from Williams and drills in down the left field line, but it is foul by a few feet. Ortiz then strikesout on 3 pitches. Alfonso Soriano comes up and hacks away, but flys out on a liner to left to end the threat and the Nationals get NOTHING!! NOTHING! There is just no excuse for the manager not to give his team the chance to get back into a game. In every single game, no matter what the final score, there is ALWAYS ONE OPPORTUNITY to put the game in your favor. FRANK FAILED MISERABLY!! Then, in the bottom of the 6th and one out, Zimmerman lines a single to center. Nick Johnson doubles to right center off Cameron and Jose Guillen lofts a inside fisted pitch to center, just over Kahlill Greene's glove to score Z, but Johnson can only advance one base due to the close possible catch. Woody Williams then walks Robert Fick to load the bases and is replaced by sidewinding righthander Clay Meridith, who can reach the low 90's and has wicked stuff. Escobar is up and grounds to Vinny Castilla at 3rd, who throws to Barfield at second but off the bag, Fick trying to take Barfield out at second to break up the double play, overslides the bag, Barfield drops the ball, but Fick is called out on the overslide. Johnson scores on the fielders choice. Which leaves runners at 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. Damian Jackson, who is just terrible, comes to the plate. Frank Robinson again has Marlon Anderson and Daryle Ward available. Its also a perfect double switch opportunity. Yet Frank inexplicably lets Jackson bat and he goes down swinging badly. I have defended Frank in the past, but these 2 moves are TERRIBLE!! JUST TERRIBLE. There is NO WAY that Jackson should be batting in such a situation. And, it was made worse, when Frank double switched in the 7th, taking out Ortiz with 2 outs bringing on Jon Rauch and double switching, taking out Jackson and placing VIDRO at 2nd. JUST STUPID BASEBALL!! STUPID!! As fait would have, Vidro (hitting under .190 in the late innings) made the last out of the game, flying meekly to center against Trevor Hoffman, the Padres Closer, with Soriano waiting on deck. It just really sucked!! This was a winable game. No question.
Frank baby, you have got to go!! But, I still love your wife and daughter, Sharon--though.

MATOS--Available!!

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The Baltimore Orioles designated Luis Matos for assignment today. Which means the Orioles have 10 days to trade him, or he is available on waivers for free before he can be sent to the minor leagues. I have watched Luis for the past 5 years, and although he is a mediocre hitter with some pop, HE IS AN EXCELLENT CENTERFIELDER!! No one needs a solid caretaker centerfielder more than the Nationals. If he becomes a free agent, I would jump on this guy and release Damian Jackson. We are not talking much money. Jackson is only owed appox. $400 grand and Matos would be available for a prorated minimum salary. He's only 27. Come on JIMBO--do the decent thing, give our pitchers a fighting chance on flys to the outfield!!!

"Z" & The Bullpen Reversal

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In what has become a typical whacky Nationals Game, the Marlins and our home town boys started off with a slugfest reminiscent of last nights 18-9 blowout, but it settled down today with a FABULOUS 9 1/3 innings of relief by the Nats and, as most here have come to expect, a walkoff run scoring hit by Ryan Zimmerman to beat the Marlins 8-7 in 11 exciting innings. Just under 30,000 showed up for this afternoon affair that featured a TERRIBLE START AGAIN by a Nationals Pitcher. Livan Hernandez HAD NOTHING!! NOTHING! And gave up a 5 run first inning lead by allowing 7 runs on 6 hits and one walk, including a 2 run shot my Mike Jacobs that Livan just lobbed in over the plate and Jacobs crushed it. Livo only lasted 1 2/3rd innings and looked totally lost. Fortunately, Micah Bowie, just called up from New Orleans to replace Mike O'Connor pitched a solid 2 1/3 innings to keep the Nats back into the game. Jon Rauch then came on with 2 shutout innings and Majewski looked VERY STRONG in the 7th. Then in the bottom half of the 7th, Alex Escobar, just off the DL and replacing Bergmann, drilled a leadoff triple past Florida centerfielder Reggie Abercrombie and scored on a Brian Schneider fly to Marlins leftfielder Josh Willingham that he botched, dropped, moving Schneider to 2nd. After Marlon Byrd lined a PH shot for Majewski to 3rd basemen Cabrera for 2 outs, Soriano was intentionally walked by Tankersly, Then everyone moved up on a passed ball which was followed by a Vidro Walk to load the bases. Zimmerman came up, showing patience, walked on 5 pitches to tie the score and the RFK stadium faithful went nuts. 7-7 after 7 when Nick Johnson grounded out to 2nd to end the threat. Bill Bray would come on to mow down the side in the 8th. And then Nats went quietly in their half. In the 9th, Bray's own error put Abercrombie on 1st and a walk to Uggla put the go ahead run at second, but Bray faught back and got PH Joe Borchard to fly out to Jose Guillen in right. In the bottom half of the 9th, Daryle Ward hit a ph single and Soriano moved him to second with a single. But Vidro, he of the terrible in the clutch hitting, grounded out to first bringing Zimmerman to the plate with 2 outs and the RFK STADIUM CROWED EXPECTING Z HEROICS, but not in this at bat as Ryan popped out to Wes Helms at 1st to send it to extra innings. There was a sigh in the stadium like never heard these past 2 seasons.
The Chief came on and pitched 2 solid innings and then came the 11th, when Schneider reached on a bad error by SS Ramirez and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Robert Fick. Soriano was intentionally walked again, and as has come to be expected, Vidro hit a ground ball to Ramirez at short to retire Alfonso, but was able to beat the relay to first keeping the inning alive. Zimmerman came to the plate and on a 3-1 count, singles up the middle to score Schneider and the NATS WIN 8-7!! Now the RFK FAITHFUFL GOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED!!. Z is Good. And he is going to get better. You just have to love this player. He is very very special.

It was very satisfying for the Nationals to pull out a game they once again did not deserve to win. They are a mediocre team, but they do have some spunk. Some days they are decent, others just terrible, but I love them none the less.
GOOD WIN!!

The Revolving Door OPENS!!

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As I predicted after last night's wet 18-9 debacle loss to the fish from Florida--Mike O'Connor and Jason Bergmann better be looking for flights to New Orleans--And, lo and behold, JIMBO actually sees it my way for once. Both were optioned to the AAA farm club, but the choices returning to the Nats, probably are not much better. Micah Bowie, a true journeyman lefthander (one that stays in the game only because he is just that, a lefthander) was recalled from New Orleans to give the beat up Nats bullpen a fresh arm. Surprisingly, Bowden recalled from the DL, Alex Escobar, he of the 2 game stint with Washington earlier this season, who promptly pulled a hamstring and thought it was OK not to tell Frank??!! There have been many whispers that Escobar is just not tuff enough to play--A WIMP!! But---We are not going anywhere, we might as well see what he CAN DO! At one time, he was the Number 1 prospect for the NY Mets and he's still just 26 years old.
O'Connor has been a nice local story, but,having seen him pitch 5 times now at RFK, its been obvious, for some time, that he's been more lucky than good. He has no stuff that he can depend on. No out pitch. Many times he looks like he's pushing the ball to the plate with all the might he has in his wirey 170lb frame--AND IT STILL ONLY REACHES THE LOW 70'S. Mike's a nice guy, his parents attending the game are terrific, he made a good effort, be he cannot effectively change speed on his pitches to set up a hitter. I have said for a long time that I was just waiting for him to get WHACKED!! And, its happened two times in a row--from Tampa Bay and Florida. O'Connor might be back to finish the season, once the trading deadline comes and goes with the Nationals, but I am positive he is not in our future. Too bad.
Bergmann seems to have nice stuff, but absolutely NO LOCATION. He continually lays it in over the plate, gets behind too often, setting up a slap hit from a batter expecting a fastball up 2-1 or 3-1 in the count.
Probably will be traded in a minor league deal.

With our Nats floundering, this is the beginning of the shakeup of the Washington Franchise, alot could happen between now and July 31, its going to be very interesting, especially since Alfonso Soriano is quoted in the Washington Post today that he would like to stay in Washington. He's comfortable here. I guess he likes us cheering him so loudly, EVERY SINGLE TIME HE COMES TO THE PLATE!! Beats the Bronx Cheer anytime. More on Soriano is a later post.

UGLY!! & FUNNY!! At The Same Time

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Last nights 18-9 pasting of our Nats at rainy RFK stadium was a site to behold--with arguably less than 5,000 in attendance due to torrential rains all afternoon. Yet, the game started only 20 minutes late, and right from the start, Nationals Starter Mike O'Connor was asking for a mulligan. Back to back home runs by Miguel Cabrera and Josh Willingham put the Marlins up 3-0 quickly, but the Nats struck back with 5 straight hits and a sacrifice fly in the bottom half to actually take the lead 4-3, but it was all down hill from there. Not many times will a team score 9 runs and still lose by nine. As ugly as the 5th inning was for Nats pitching, it was actually funny to see 10 consecutive batters reach base in an 8 run inning and just AWFUL performance from Nats pitcher Saul Rivera. This, after O'Connor could not get a first out in the second inning and Jason Bergmann struggled through 3 inning of middle relief. (I just can't imagine these 2 staying on the 25 man roster) In the 5th, with only one run in for Florida, the Nats actually had a chance to get out of the big inning when Reggie Abercrombie hit a hard slapper to Vidro's right, a perfect double play ball, but Jose decided to run around the ball instead of backhanding and booted it allowing the second run to score in the inning and opening up the floodgates for 6 more Marlin scores.
But, our pitching really is terrible. Terrible. Only Bill Bray and Majewski were able to pitch effectively. The Nats can not hold a lead, no lead is too safe. And, we just don't have even a decent outfield. When Soriano, Jackson and Ward are your outfielders, alot of hits are going to fall in safely. Its costs this team outs badly.Not much more to say about this one, although the Nats actually could have made it close late, but failed to produce when it counted. And, it was nice to spread out in Section 320 or whereever you wanted to sit, it was festival style seating for this one.

Annouced attendace--18,441--Yeah Right!! By the end of the game, there was less than 500 people at RFK.

"VID-RO!!" MUST GO!!

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If there was any doubts that Jose Vidro is on the down side of his career, anyone who saw yesterdays dramatic 6-4 win over the Marlins at RFK were given plenty of reasons why Vidro should be traded by the July 31 trade deadline.
As much as I like Jose, he has no range at 2nd base, makes easy grounders into hits and continually gets himself out with the game on the line.
Yesterday, in the top of the 4th inning, John Patterson struggling, and one run already in for the Marlins with one out, Miguel Cabrera hits a routine grounder to the second base hole, but Vidro, overplaying toward the bag at second, could not go the 6 feet to his left to pick up the ball. Dan Uggla on second for the Marlins, scores easily. After Hermida strikes out, Joe Borchard singles into the exact same second base hole and Vidro still could not get the ball to his left. Reggie Abercrombie comes up and hits a routine ground ball to Vidro just to his left, and Jose boots the ball to load the bases. Vidro does make the final out when Patterson gets Matt Treanor to pop right to second, but the damage is done. Later in the 5th, with one Florida runner on base, Hanley Ramirez slices a grounder right at Vidro, he scoops it up and turns a 4-6-3 double play, but if that ball is not hit directly at Vidro, he will not make that play. In 2000 and 2001, Vidro helped turn over 100 DPs per season. He was healthy and did not have knee problems. He is on course to maybe turn 70 this season. His range is down noticeably. Later on in the key 8th inning, Vidro has a throwing error on a potential 5-4-3 inning ending double play, but he throws the ball in the dirt to Nick Johnson, setting up Cabrera to score the then go ahead run. Vidro only has 4 errors this season, 2 of which came on July 4th, a decent .988 fielding percentage,but there are many, many balls that are always just out of his reach, due to his range being so limited by his knee problems. How many times have you seen VIdro dive to his right or left this season. FAR TOO MANY TIMES!!

At the plate, Vidro has hit over .300 the entire season, but with runners in scoring position, he is batting .190 with just 4 RBI in the last 3 innings of any Nats Game. Yesterday, he flew out to left field in the 9th, right before Zimmerman hit the game winning blast. I am sure, I was not the only won who thought he would hit into a double play to end it. Vidro has hit into 12 double plays this season with the game on the line. Vidro gets alot of hits, but mostly when the game is not on the line. He's hitting .325 with runners not in scoring position. .276 with runners in scoring position overall.

Not good numbers from a supposed mainstay cornerstone player on your team.
Vidro still has value, and Omar Minaya, now the Mets GM loves him and Minaya wants to win it THIS YEAR!! Maybe the Nats can get lucky and rob the Mets of some serious talent to make up for the terrible giveaways Minaya made as caretaker GM of the Montreal Expos. It would only be fair.

All-Stars and Jim Bowdon

With the All-Star game, people love to talk about those who made it and didn't make it. Some feel that by requiring all teams to have a player only adds to the list of those who deserve to be there and are not. Does Mark Redman 5-4 w-l 5.59 era deserve to be there more than Justin Verlander 10-4 w-l 3.01 era just to have all the teams represented? Others may say the Manager has a lot to do with it. Magglio Ordonez isn't on the team even though only 2 starters (Manny and Big Papi) have more RBI's. It is no secret Ozzie Guillen has had his issues with him. How can the Tigers with with the best record in baseball have less players then the White Sox? How can Nomah not be on the team when he is hitting .360!!! I could go on and on....




Jim Bowdon decided to throw his 2 cents in this morning in the DC Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/a-167978~Jim_Bowden__This_All_Star_Game_recipe_shines.html
Bowdon contends that fans shouldn't select the starters, but one player at each position. He thinks the GM's should choose the rest of the team (because thats what they get paid to do) and the managers should pick the starters. He also contends that every team shouldn't be represented and that there should always be a DH. He feels that putting DH's on the ballot at other positions knocks players that might deserve to be voted in off the Ballot (ie Kevin Youkilis)
Although his argument about having a separate ballot position for DH's has merit, the rest seems to be typical Bowdon. I think Screech's Best Friend will agree.

Sleeping Monsters AWAKE!!

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On, by far, the HOTTEST MUGGIEST NIGHT OF THE SEASON, the Nationals put together one of their most complete, decisive, victories with a 9-1 blasting of the Florida Marlins before nearly 25,000 steamy hot fans at RFK Stadium. With the humidity in the 80% range and temperature in the low 90's to start the game, the Nationals came out slugging against Marlins rookie right hander Ricky Nolasco. Alfonso Soriano, embedded in his worst slump of the year, 2 hits in his last 33 at bats that lowered his batting average from .302 to .263, lead off the game with a towering blast off the left field green wall for a quick 1-0 lead. His first Home Run since June 11, and one day after being named a starter in the upcoming All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. The Nats continued to slam away at Nolasco in the 2nd when Marlon Anderson Walked, Royce Clayton singled to left. And, Brian Schneider, also in a terrible slump, batting .222, slammed a single to right that Marlins outfield Jeremy Hermida had trouble handling, scoring Anderson, moving Clayton to 3rd and Schneider to 2nd on the error. Soriano came to the plate with 1 out, and Nolasco, totally unsteady, unleashed a very wild pitch to the screen behind home plate, Clayton scored easily and Schneider moved to 3rd. Soriano got Schneider home on a sacrifice fly to left making the score 4-0. Pedro Astacio got the start for the Nats tonight after being on the 60-day disabled list all season. Even in rehab starts Pedro had never thrown more than 33 pitches and actually had told Frank Robinson he did not want to pitch, that he wasn't ready. But, our Nats, needing anyone to start, threw him in anyway. Astacio looked fairly sharp, never reaching higher than 89MPH on any of his pitches, but his location was excellent. In 5 innings of 3 hit ball, his only real mistake was a CRUSHING HOME RUN by the Marlins Reggie Abercrombie into the upper deck, section 446, in the top of the 5th inning, making the score 4-1. But it really didn't matter, because in the bottom of the 5th, the Nats bats awoke with 2 more homers. Soriano unloaded again on Nolasco with a 2 run shot into the left field bullpen. His 26th of the season. The SECTION 320 Faithful went into a rousing Rendition of "ALFONSO" "SORIANO"!! Vidro and Zimmerman followed with singles and Nolasco was replaced by Matt Herges. Nick Johnson popped to left, but Jose Guillen, 3-10 with 4 rbi in his last 2 games, BLASTED a 3-0 Pitches into the upper deck just inside the foul pole in left for a 3 run shot and 9-1 lead and this game was over. SECTION 320 Again with a FABULOUS "JOSE, Jose, Jose JOSE!!" both before and after the home run. Saul Rivera and Jason Bergman mopped up the game.

Section 320 was in prime form tonight, with MickNats, Say Hey Klib, NatsDelNegro, KentuckyRob, CanadaJim, Sohna, Andy, ScreechesBestFriend, and tonight a CHORUS of additional voices. IT WAS VERY VERY LOUD!!. Even my main man SCREECH, came by twice to receive praise and love. Then was, in no uncertain terms, told to move along.

This game will not mean much, in the long term, other than make Soriano and Guillen easier to trade, but it was a FUN, HOT NIGHT AT RFK!!