Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood--Part Two

Washington Baseball Historian and MASN Broadcaster Phil Wood spent the the first part of our lunch time chat discussing philosophy. What Our Washington Nationals are attempting to accomplish with personnel since Mike Rizzo was named permanent General Manager. And when we concluded yesterday's Part One--Phil was beginning to touch on Mr. Rizzo's recent front office hires. So that's where we pick up today followed by an in-depth look at what Washington currently has and should keep on their 2010 Major League Roster.

With that, here we go with Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood, Part Two.

What do you know about these recent Front Office hires—Roy Clark, Johnny DiPuglia and Doug Harris? (SBF)

“Harris I had heard of because he had scouted with The Rangers for years and was just with Cleveland last season. He’s a veteran, but the scouts I have talked to with other clubs say Roy Clark is as sharp as a tack. I don’t know what they (The Nationals) are paying him, but the point was made that to get a guy like Roy Clark to leave where he was (Atlanta) to come to Washington—they probably paid pretty well for the privilege. The guy from The Red Sox—DiPuglia—he’s had great success scouting Latin American countries for The Red Sox. The Nationals needed a greater presence there after the whole “Smiley” Gonzalez debacle and Jose Rijo. They’ve hired some really good people. Certainly, Rizzo has been around long enough that he knows where all the good people are.”

These hires are all Rizzo? This has his mark all over it? (SBF)

“Absolutely. When Rizzo was hired in 2006 (VP and Assistant General Manager) right after the club was awarded to the Lerner’s, Riz was one of the first hires. A friend of mine—a long time National League Scout—told me Kasten brought Rizzo in to be the next GM. And I think the expectations throughout baseball was that Rizzo would be the GM between six months to a year—because it was well known that Stan Kasten was not a fan of Jim Bowden. But Bowden had ingratiated himself to ownership and was basically able to keep his job. Of course Stan had to say nice things about Jim, which I am sure, wasn’t easy at times. But people knew that Bowden would eventually implode and it happened. And Rizzo was there to pick up the pieces.”

“You look at the job he did once that transition took place—it was remarkable. Rizzo did a remarkable job. All of these others saying it’s going to be Jerry Dipoto (Arizona Scouting Director). Jerry Dipoto? Jerry Dipoto has been an executive for a while, but he’s never been a GM. It was well known he wanted to be a GM. The idea that The Nationals would let Rizzo go through what he went through, then go through the Strasburg deal, sign Strasburg on Friday and Monday Mike cleans out his desk—that didn’t make any sense!!”

We didn’t believe it. (SBF)

“All along, I never bought into the whole thing either about Dipoto or any other guy coming in to supplant Rizzo. And in the end, I think Kasten accomplished what he set out to do once he first hired Mike. It took a while longer than expected, but I don’t think they would have made Mike go through that dance if there wasn’t going to be some Hot Fudge Sundae on the other end.”

All the rumors really just made no sense. (SBF)

“Mike is a guy who I believe has the ‘make-up’ of a (John) Schuerholz (long time Atlanta GM, now Braves President) in a sense he is not prone to panic modes. He is very deliberate about things and I think there is a payoff there. Mike's dad was a scout. Mike played minor league baseball (in The Angels system) and recognized he didn’t have the wherewithal to play in the Major Leagues and got into the backroom part of baseball. From the very first time I met him when he first got his first job in Washington, he was impressive. Mike knows every scout in baseball—for every team. He knows EVERYBODY!! And I have yet to find anybody to say: ‘you know, he is weak in this area. Or he is good at this, but not at that.’ Everybody thinks the world of him. And because so many people in the game want to see him succeed, there is something very positive about Mike Rizzo as GM. Again, Rizzo as GM. Riggleman as Manager—that works for me.”

Are you surprised Bob Boone has made his way through this changeover and will continue in his role (as Assistant GM—VP of Player Development)? (SBF)

“If you had asked me that six weeks ago, I would have said—yes. But now finding out that once Bowden left and whether it was a sit-down with Rizzo or maybe well before that—Bob wanted to make sure that people knew that while, yes, he had known Bowden in Cincinnati and yes—he had been hired by Jim for The Nationals--that in general he did not consider himself a Bowden Guy. Because he had been around the game for so long, as a player, coach and manager, he felt like he pre-dated Bowden. Certainly, he gave advice to Bowden, but Bowden didn’t always take it. So I think he successfully convinced everyone: ‘I worked for him but I am not his boy.’ Since then, there are scouts who were saying earlier to me that Bob will probably be gone once the season is over. Well, you know what—they are saying now they think Bob and Mike have found a real connection. Whether it’s in terms of special assignments or whatever, I think Bob Boone figures to be around for a while unless somebody else offers him a job.”

I have always thought Dana Brown to be an unsung hero of sorts. Are you surprised to see him go to Toronto as Special Assistant to The New GM? (SBF)

“They (The Nationals) probably thought Dana would be around for a while, but being an assistant GM is a little bit better. Apparently he and Alex Anthopoulos have a history together which I wasn’t aware of. Any time you get a chance—especially at Dana’s age—to move up even if it’s just a tiny move up—you have to do it. Although let’s be honest, The Toronto Blue Jays are not likely to win the American League East any time soon. They can be competitive, but that’s about it right now.”

So we are now in the off-season, Rizzo is truly in control. What does he need to do? (SBF)

“There are a couple of determinations that need to be made. First of all you have to see if Jesus Flores will be able to play 130 games? And if he is not, you have to do something about that. You have to get another catcher. I don’t think you want to go into a season with (Josh) Bard & (Wil) Nieves as your two catchers. Now, I will say this. If you add up their numbers they did OK. Neither one of them is much of a threat at the plate. Nieves not much more than a threat to hit a single to right field. Bard is a switch hitter and he has some power, but he’s not a very good receiver. He’s adequate. Derek Norris is a couple of years away, but Norris may end up as an infielder when he gets to the Major Leagues. If you decide that Flores isn’t going to be an everyday guy, then you maybe look for a left-handed hitter who is a good receiver. A veteran, a young veteran in their late 20’s, early 30’s because catching is such a critical spot. Again, if Flores is healthy, I think you have to give him another shot and you go into it (Spring Training) assuming he is not going to get hurt again.”

“You are set at third base (Ryan Zimmerman). At first base, I think you are set (with Adam Dunn). The point is that Adam only has a year to go on his deal. I think if they could go back in time, they (Washington) would have signed him for more than two seasons. But if you talk to Adam, Adam is not unhappy. He is not unhappy in Washington. He and Ryan Zimmerman have become very, very tight. And I think he would be open to an extension. But obviously, if Albert Pujols becomes a free agent and declares that he wants to play close to The White House (joking), all bets are off at that point. But seriously, look; Dunn did what they got him here to do. He produced a lot of offense. He had a higher batting average than he ordinarily does. He walked a lot and was a great guy in the clubhouse.”

“The trade last year with The Marlins. If they (Washington) had gone into the season with (Josh) Willingham playing every day then I have no doubt Willingham would have hit 30 homers. And again, there is another guy with great make-up and he is a couple of years away from walking away as a free agent. Those fans that have been posting on these online bulletin boards: ‘oh, they have to trade Willingham. They have to trade Dunn.’ Well, why? Why do they have to trade them? Willingham is just 30 years of age. He is a dangerous hitter. And frequently, he was a dangerous fielder (chuckling). He had some adventures out in leftfield I didn’t expect. But as I look now at guys on other teams having the same issue, there had to be something going on with the lights or something (at Nationals Park). Be that as it may, Willingham can play. Nyjer Morgan can clearly play. And if they had a vote for Most Valuable Player this year, I would vote for him (Morgan). He made all the difference in the world.”

Was Nyjer playing over his head? (SBF)

“No, I don’t think so. I think this was the first place he played where he wasn’t labeled—as he was in Pittsburgh—as just a speedy guy who can play the outfield—not a guy who can put the club on his back and be an offensive catalyst. That is exactly what Rizzo saw in him and clearly that is what he became. He embraced that role. He had a couple of adventures on the bases, but they were errors of aggression and I don’t have a problem with that. But when Nyjer went down—Willie Harris we all like—but he wasn’t Nyjer. He (Harris) wasn’t going to make the same things happen. And then (Elijah) Dukes in rightfield. I like Elijah Dukes a lot and I think he is a better hitter than he was. He still has the occasional adventure in rightfield. He’s that toolsy guy who doesn’t have all the greatest instincts in the world. But, he’s shown a great willingness to work on it.”

Were you surprised to see Dukes recalled in August? (SBF)

“No, actually I was not.”

I thought there was a possibility we might never see him again. (SBF)

“There was danger of that happening because when he went down (to Syracuse), he was completely out of whack at the plate. And I think there was a fear he would sour on being sent to the minor leagues and just shutdown. That didn’t happen. He hit the ball very, very well at Syracuse and he showed a maturity I don’t think they (Washington) were expecting.”

“Up the middle can (Cristian) Guzman play second base? I am sure he can. He did not play it last year out of any conceit or anything. He just had never played 2nd Base and his point was: ‘you are not going to make a veteran play a position he has never played before’ at the risk of embarrassing himself this late in the season when The Nationals are hopelessly out of the race. He stayed at shortstop and kind of got banged up and was basically a pinch hitter the final weeks of the season. But he’s got a year to go on his contract. He showed a little bit more patience at the plate. When he walked twice in one game I nearly keeled over! (Laughing) However you want to slice it, he is another one of those guys, another one of those middle infielders who if they can reach it, they are going to swing at it. Obviously, he didn’t hit .300 this year, but he came close. He was well over .300 for a period of time. He had that foot problem and any number of things that probably impacted his swing—but with a year to go (on his contract)—I don’t think they want to pay him to go away. I think Guzman is still capable of being a productive player at second base.”

But you feel he will move to 2nd base? (SBF)

“Oh, he will move to 2nd base. There will be no issues with that. It just came down to…..”

Timing. (SBF)

‘Yes, timing. Perhaps if he (Guzman) had been 100% at that point in time, he might have moved then. His biggest fault, from my perspective is, if he was a victim of a drive-by shooting on the way to the park--he wouldn’t tell anyone about it (chuckling). He would wrap an ace bandage around it, put a uniform on it and hope no one notices he’s bleeding. (Laughing)

He never says anything about any injury. (SBF)

“He just wants to play so badly—and you have to respect him for that. This has already happened a couple of times since he got here. He’s gotten hurt and he tries to compensate for it and do anything to stay in the lineup. There are a lot of other players out there who would milk it (injuries), but he (Guzman) is not one of those guys.”

Then what about shortstop? (SBF)

“Can Desmond play shortstop everyday in the Major Leagues? I don’t know the answer to that. Some scouts have said he is one of those guys that will be a better fielder in the Major Leagues than the Minor Leagues. Well, I guess, we will have to wait and see. But, on the other hand, if they had an opportunity to pick up a J.J. Hardy (Milwaukee Shortstop), I think you would have to go with someone like that. Hardy is coming off an off-year offensively.”

Hardy has been mentioned is a few stories I have read. If Washington were interested in him--whom would they give up to receive him? (SBF)

“I think because Washington has a lot of arms in their system you have to look there. I think you also look at the Big League Pitching Staff now. You see (John) Lannan as a sure thing. We read some of the scouts at Stephen Strasburg’s first Arizona Fall League start say he should be Washington’s Opening Day starter. He is better than anything they have now. So, let’s just say, for the sake of argument, Stephen Strasburg is with the club from April on next season. So you have Strasburg, you have Lannan and after that you have to decide. Will (Scott) Olsen be 100%? I don’t know. But Olsen doesn’t have much in trade value because of his surgery. You are going to have to wait another year for Jordan Zimmermann. But from my perspective, the thought of having a Strasburg, Zimmermann and Lannan top of the rotation—well the back end could be you and me! You want better than that, obviously. But we have three guys; you think, in Strasburg’s case, Zimmermann’s case—great command, terrific fastball. And a solid young pitcher in Lannan.”

“J.D. Martin made a good case for himself for the 2010 season with the way he pitched in September. (Craig) Stammen I am a little bit on the fence about.”

How about Garrett Mock and Ross Detwiler? (SBF)

“Ross Detwiler to me is the wild card because once he came back (to the Big League Club) and they said go ahead and throw across your body—he was much better. He was far more relaxed out there. I can’t look at him and not think he is the guy that delivers my papers (young and thin body build). He looks so young. His last couple of starts were pretty good, he got that first win. I can see Detwiler, if he has a strong spring, start the season on the Major League Staff.”

“Mock is enigmatic. Mock I think has a future as a Major League Pitcher, but whatever light bulb needs to go on--is just flickering right now. He has some innings where he is brilliant and some innings where his command is off and he keeps going back to the same well. He leaves something up and he’s looking over his shoulder (at the hits going past him). He is still a young guy and I think the ball club looks at Mock as having more upside than Martin or Stammen. The results haven’t quite been there yet. There are some other guys who are in the system that can throw, but they are a little bit further down in the system.”

“Talking about trades, and I bring up The Marlins because they have dealt with Washington in the past. Can you imagine if Josh Johnson was available?

I would take him in a heartbeat. He throws smoke. (SBF)

“If The Marlins are really and truly going to try to move Josh Johnson, Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida—to get an arm like Josh Johnson—maybe you take something else you don’t want and maybe trade someone you might not want to get rid of. Somebody young who has a high ceiling. I just think Josh Johnson is one of the best right-handed pitchers in baseball and he’s one of those special guys if you can pick him up—it’s a coup.”

Did not Josh Johnson have the same surgery that Jordan Zimmermann had? (SBF)

“Yes.”

And he still throws that hard. (SBF)

“He’s got a pitcher’s body (tall, big legs). He’s a big guy, throws hard, has a decent breaking ball and has that great make-up.”

What does Rizzo do about the bullpen? Are there really any keepers already there? (SBF)

“Yeah, I think there are. He had more walks than strikeouts, but I have to bring back Mike MacDougal. He’s kind of an interesting story. Mike’s dad was a Washington Senators Bat Boy in the 1950’s. And Tom (Mike’s Dad) pitched in the Kansas City A’s Farm System in the 60’s. When Mike first got here, I was talking to him in the dugout and I asked him what else he throws. ‘Well, I throw a slider and kind of a changeup.’ Well, kind of a changeup is really not a changeup. But of course you never saw him throw it because they (Washington) told him not to. And one of the issues he had in Kansas City and Chicago was that he would get away from his great fastball, throw more breaking balls and get into trouble. Everything he throws up there is 95 or 96 MPH, but what the problem is with Mike is that he has so much movement on everything he throws that frequently the ball moves right out of the strike zone. That's where all his walks come from, but I think there is something there. There is something there than can be worked on. Maybe if (Steve) McCatty and some of the other guys have him from spring training on—something can improve.”

Jason Bergmann, Sean Burnett? (SBF)

“Sean Burnett is clearly coming back. He’s a very effective lefthander, situational guy. He’s a lock. Bergmann is interesting. Jason is a guy, and this is said about a lot of young pitchers, he doesn’t pitch up to the level of his stuff. He understands that as well as anyone. If you look at the numbers he put up in Syracuse as a reliever—he was great in AAA ball. And he had some great outings with The Nationals and some awful outings for The Nationals. He’s got a solid Major League fastball. He’s got a plus slider. When he has command, he is terrific. And as you saw in ’08 when he was a starter, he was great at times. That game against The Mets at Shea.”

He also nearly pitched a no-hitter in 2007 at RFK Stadium. (SBF)

“I think he is one of those guys that embraces being a Major League player. He wakes up every morning thrilled to be a Major League player. A guy that likes the game enough that when The Dodgers were in town he walked across the field to introduce himself to Joe Torre and had Torre sign a ball for him. Bergmann appreciates the game. He really appreciates the game.”

“The bullpen is an evolving thing. And if you look at what is available in the off-season, there really is not much out there. Would you want to spend $5 to $6 Million per year on a multi-year deal on a closer on a club coming off two straight 100 loss seasons? There are a couple schools of thoughts about a closer, but the conventional wisdom is a 2nd Division Club doesn’t need a dominant closer. So at this point in time, neither one of us expects The Nationals to contend next season, so going out and getting a guy who has had multiple 30 save seasons is not necessarily the way to go.”

“For another season, you can go with MacDougal. Or maybe at some point, Bergmann becomes a closer. The wild card in this is Drew Storen. If Drew Storen has a great spring, I think that Storen is your closer Opening Day.”

From this point on--Phil Wood and I began to discuss specifics about who might be out there for Washington as roster additions this off-season. Free Agents and other creative opportunities that might arise and which General Manager Mike Rizzo might have to consider between now and February, 2010. All that and more coming in Part Three of Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood tomorrow.

Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood

Phil Wood on the right in this photo along with Hank Thomas--Walter Johnson's Grandson, Sohna and myself

Most fans of Our Washington Nationals know Phil Wood. The Washington Baseball Historian, MASN Broadcaster and columnist omnipresent at Nationals Park covering D.C.'s Major League Team--and Baltimore's too, The Orioles at Camden Yards. Well versed in the game of baseball, Phil and I are sort of kindred spirits. We both grew in the Washington, D.C. area with The Expansion Washington Senators as our team. The '60's Nats were fairly awful record wise (except for that wonderful '69 turnaround), but The Senators were Our Team and Frank Howard was Our Guy!!

As Phil likes to always say: "If we went to a Senators game and they lost--but Hondo hit one out--we went home happy."

So, very true. We had take what you could get out of D.C. Baseball back then. There was no future for Major League Baseball in The Nation's Capital after 1971 for over 33 years. A far different situation now surrounding Our Washington Nationals since Major League Baseball returned in 2005 and a new ballpark opened in 2008.

As the 2009 Season wound down--I approached Phil to see if we might get together again and review the just completed campaign and look ahead to what might be in store this off-season for Major League Baseball in the Nation's Capital. He readily agreed and just like last season when we met over lunch for a similar chat, this time we devoted ourselves to just talking about Our Current Nats. Phil Wood and I had lunch together this past Wednesday, October 21st in Arlington, Virginia to talk about all things Nationals. This conversation lasted nearly 90 minutes and is pretty encompassing. Most likely there will be at least three installments, but for sure this is part one. And we begin by chatting philosophy. What Washington is looking for in their managerial search and even from their players? Not necessarily who Mike Rizzo should trade for, or what guy they should sign this off-season.

With that, here we go with Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood.

I want to start with the managerial search. I’ve noticed that many of those that cover the team on a regular basis, including you, like Jim Riggleman as the choice. Why is that? (SBF)

“First of all he is experienced. Number two; he didn’t do anything to lose the job. I wasn’t thrilled when he put Ian Desmond in rightfield, but that was more Desmond’s idea, instead of Jim’s. And if you are a second division club and you want to see what someone can do—you can experiment like that. In general, he didn’t do anything to lose his job. I thought when they (Washington) brought him in as bench coach, that’s a brilliant move because he’s a local guy and because he is extremely experienced. And I know from talking to Manny Acta that Manny knew Jim and respected Jim. And having talked to Jim, he (Riggleman) felt they were of similar managerial styles. I thought they would be comfortable with each other.”

“As you look at all the other potential candidates in the field, whether it’s Bobby Valentine, now even Don Mattingly. Mattingly I am intrigued by. I have spoken to Don a few times. He’s a very smart guy. And as a player, he had that tangible that players these days seem to lack, which is he was intense whether he was doing infield practice before a game or actually playing in a game. Mattingly approached everything as if ‘this is important. We are not kidding around here. This is important.’ You have to love that. Right now in baseball you have 750 players where 730 of them don’t play like that (chuckling). But the fact is that he has never managed on any level. He’s been a hitting coach and he’s probably very good at that. Of course, there is an interesting tie-in locally, in the sense that Mattingly’s minor league hitting coach was Mickey Vernon (Washington Senators Great). And he (Don) loved Mickey. In fact, when Mattingly had his retirement ceremony in New York, he insisted Mickey be a part of it.”

“As you know, I knew Mickey pretty well, and having talked to him about Mattingly, I said: ‘What did you do with him when you had him at Columbus (then The Yankees Top Farm Club)?’ He said: ‘I looked at his swing and said—Son, stay away from me because there is nothing I can do to help you out! (Laughing). You’ve got a perfect swing now.’ Apparently, Mattingly had other hitting coaches who would say try this, try this, try this—to the point of changing him. Mickey was the first one to say: ‘Well, you seem to have it down.’ So, if that is his approach (Mattingly in instructing), then I think he has a very evenhanded approach. Not, I need to do something just for the sake of doing something.”

“But Riggleman is the type of guy that is solid--as solid of a baseball guy as you will find. He is exceptionally respected throughout the game. Every scout I know feels Jim deserves the job. I don’t know. I just think there is something, purely from the issue of karma, that fits. Here is a guy that grew up in Montgomery County (Maryland). He was an expansion Senators Fan, like you and me. He knows what it’s like to suffer and wake up smiling. And I think there is a positive to that. I can’t make the decisions for Mike Rizzo or (Stan) Kasten, but when Mike says that Jim has just as good a shot as anybody—I don’t think he is kidding. Rizzo really likes Jim. But I think they (The Nationals) need to go through this exercise looking at other candidates.”

You’ve sort of eluded to this right off the bat, when The Phillies came back to win in their last At-Bat the other night (Game 4 NLCS), both Barry Larkin and Dan Plesac on MLB Network stated The Phillies always play until that 27th out. And are one of the few teams that seem to do that consistently. Why is it that The Nationals can’t play that way? (SBF)

“Let me preface this by saying: the more I am around people who are inside the game, the more you get to appreciate the aspect of the game that is referred to as ‘make-up’. When I say there are only a handful of players that really have that ‘make-up’ to play to the 27th out, there are not many of them. The Phillies have several of them. The Boston Red Sox have some of the best in Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury. (Derek Jeter of The Yankees-SBF) Yes. They are all playing on that higher level—if you will—of observation. They see everything around them and every move they make is important. I just don’t think The Nationals have enough of those players. In general, 2nd Division Clubs don’t and it’s difficult to scout those type of guys in high school or college.”

“Now, the one player that has it, in spades, on The Nationals—is Ryan Zimmerman. There is no doubt. You spend five minutes talking with him and it is clear he is focused. He is absolutely on it! And I think to a similar extent, although he is not gifted athletically, so is Adam Dunn. Once he got to play first base on a daily basis, Adam became a much better first baseman. He was so focused on doing a better job there that I think, at times, it impacted the way he swung the bat. He knew how he had embarrassed himself and the club in leftfield and wanted to avoid doing that at first base. Now he made some mistakes, but by season’s end he was at least average.”

“I think (Josh) Willingham has that same kind of make-up. But there are a lot of guys on this club—I wouldn’t refer to it as a culture of losing—I would refer to it as the comfort of losing in the sense that, win or lose, they feel pretty much the same after a game. And it’s not just The Nationals; every club has a lot of those guys. Some of them are gifted enough that the other players can kind of compensate for it. The more time you spend around scouts, and I have been absolutely blessed with about a dozen Major League Scouts who have trusted me—I’ve gotten some insights I would never get anywhere else. They (the scouts) talk about make-up over and over and over again. It’s that intangible that is important.”

“For instance, you have the guys that are referred to as ‘baseball rats’—guys who hang around the diamond. They are not great players, but they love it. One good example is a young man that played at Towson State University (Maryland) named Gary Helmick—an infielder that puts the ball in play, pretty good fielder, nothing special in anything that he does and he went undrafted. Well The Orioles signed him as a free agent and they sent him to the minor leagues. He hit around .270 (Rookie Ball). He hit better than many of the guys that were drafted. Everyone talked about him. This guy has got such great make-up. He wants it so badly that he is going to make sure he gives more, as they say, than 100%. It wouldn’t surprise me if in three or four years, Helmick is a utility player on some club in the Major Leagues. And you will know that he got there on his own. He didn’t get there because he is exceptionally gifted. So finding players that are gifted, athletically, as opposed to being just a ‘toolsy’ guy is just as important. Someone said a long time ago, you can have all the tools in the world, but if you can’t figure out how to use them you are not going to help."

"For instance, if you are an outfielder and you’ve seen something happen a number of times—and we certainly saw this with Lastings Milledge--and you can see it in Baltimore with Adam Jones--guys who are athletically gifted enough to get to anything. But the strategy of knowing what angle to take to get to it and actually catch the ball is something else. Which is why you will see lesser athletically skilled players as much better outfielders than the guys who have speed to burn. They get to the ball and can not catch it. Or, overrun it, or turn the wrong way. There is a mental aspect to this game that trumps pure athletic ability.”

Mike Rizzo talks about ‘make-up’ all the time. And Washington certainly needs more talent. But is he looking for ‘make-up’ in his new manager too? (SBF)

“Make-up in a manager comes down to whether the guy has the ability to determine which of his players have that make-up and which of them don’t. It’s also about having the relationship between that manager and the general manager where the field manager can go to the GM and say; ‘you know what, I know you like this guy, but let me tell you, he ain’t got it.’ For instance, as a pitcher he’s got it here (pointing to his throwing arm), but not here (pointing to his head). Baseball history is full of guys like that, million dollar arms and 10-cent heads. Certainly, The Nationals have had their share of guys like that. So yes, it’s the make-up of the manager, but it’s more the ability of the manager to recognize make-up in players.’

Was Manny Acta different in that respect? (SBF)

“Not really. Manny would be the first to tell you this. There are guys on the roster that he didn’t care for personally, but he put them in the lineup because he knew they could play. But I look at the demise of Manny Acta (in Washington) and it’s traceable to just one thing—the bullpen was just awful. It was something that Jim Bowden ignored. If Manny had the bullpen Riggleman finished the year with, he (Manny) would still be manager. I have no doubt. They would have won 72 or 73 games—somewhere in there. Look, they had, I believe, 22 blown saves; most of those came in the first half. You almost hated to see Manny walk out to the mound. The idea making you think: ‘who are you going to bring in that can do any better than the guy who is already in there.’ You go through that and hope that one of these guys (relievers) will figure it out. The light bulb will go off and he will say: ‘oh, that’s what he was talking about!’

So you are not surprised that Manny has made it, reportedly, to the finals for the Cleveland Indians manager? (SBF)

“No, I think he is deserving. I actually spoke to him the other day. He admitted the Cleveland thing came to him unexpectedly. He had already talked to Houston and he has a history with The Astros. When that position opened up and they (Houston) fired Cecil Cooper—that’s a job he really thought he had a great shot at. And he still may for all I know, but when Mark Shapiro (Cleveland GM) called him and said The Indians wanted Manny to come talk to them and then called him back for a second interview—Manny thought the first one went about as well as could be expected. He said you don’t go into these things knowing what phrases they are looking for you to say, or what buzz words they want to hear. It’s purely a gut feeling. But he thought it went well. My response to him was—it would have been lovely if it were a job with a contender? He said there are only 30 of these jobs—you can’t afford to turn anybody down.”

There is a story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about a press conference Manny had after his second interview (but not yet been offered the job). That article was just like reading The Washington Post a few years back when Manny first came on board here—everyone in Cleveland—including the reporters was enamored with him. (SBF)

“The casual fan, not just here but anywhere, will look at a managers won and loss record and say—‘Oh, he stinks! He can’t do it.’ Or my favorite: ‘He lost the clubhouse.’ That always makes me laugh. People who wouldn’t know where to find the clubhouse say ‘he must have lost the clubhouse.’ The only guy that I thought Manny really had an issue with personally—was probably (Elijah) Dukes. It wasn’t because of Dukes’ past. It was times when they would go over things, over and over again—and they would think he had it. And the very next day, it was gone, whatever they talked about.”

“Now, when Dukes went back to the minor leagues, I think Tim Foli (Syracuse Manager) got something out of him by pushing the right buttons because when he came back (to DC) he was far more patient at the plate. But in general, Manny respected his players. He understood that many of them were not Major League Players and you play the hand you were dealt. The casual fan will take a look at this just completed season with 59 wins and say: ‘well, they were just as bad as the previous year. They are still the worst team in baseball.’ Well, they (The Nationals) had the worst record in baseball, but clearly from the second half (of ’09) they were not the worst team in baseball. They had gotten much better.”

“Obviously, there is the bullpen. There is the shoddy defense. Offensively, they scored a lot of runs. They scored enough runs to win a lot more games! But they couldn’t keep the other team off the scoreboard and they consistently gave the other team more than 27 outs night after night after night.”

You’ve just touched on something that many others always write about. I don’t think this franchise is as bad off as many continually claim. Where do you think The Nationals are solid? What have they done really well? (SBF)

“I think they have drafted pitchers very well. The Stephen Strasburg decision aside—which was basically a no brainer—they’ve got some other arms in their system that really show promise. Talking to the scouts who have seen these guys tons of times, and in fact a couple of scouts believe if you take Strasburg out of the equation and you look at just the other players The Nationals drafted—they still had one of the top two or three drafts in baseball. (2009 right? —SBF) Right. They had a pretty good eye for certain players and you give Mike Rizzo a lot of credit for that. You give the departed Dana Brown (former Director of Scouting) some credit for that as well. The Nationals Scouting Staff was rather small. This off-season they have hired some more scouts. That’s one of the things that Mike really wanted to do. Clearly, that is what his background is and he knew they were woefully short in that area. So, arm wise, I think they still want to have a veteran on the staff as some kind of mentor—which I think is a little overrated. But anyway, depending on whom you are able to get, whose name is not Daniel Cabrera (laughing), they’ve got some guys. Now, they don’t have a lot of position players, but if you look at what this club was when it moved in ’05 and what it is now—it is where you would expect a fifth year expansion club to be.”

“People want to say: ‘The Expos were around since ’69.’ Well, the last few years of The Expos, Major League Baseball spent no money on the farm system and spent no money on scouting. You couldn’t look at that objectively and say they came here (to Washington) with a system in place. It was again like starting over. But those things will work their way out. They clearly don’t have the strongest farm system in baseball, but they are now far from the worst. At this point, I would say they are somewhere between 11th and 12th. And that comes down to how much resources you are devoting to player development.”

“While the payroll has not been that high since the Lerner’s got the club, they’ve spent some money on player development. Has it been enough? There is really no way in knowing that yet. But when you start getting guys this next season coming out of their own farm system—like if Ian Desmond makes his mark? If Drew Storen is on the Big League staff next season? Some of the other guys they brought up. They got J.D. Martin as a minor league free agent. He pitched much better than I expected. Craig Stammen is a bulldog, but I don’t know if you could ever project him as more than a 4th or 5th starter—that's not bad though. So, they are getting something of their own out of their farm system. But there are still holes and there will be holes for another few seasons anyway. You can’t judge The Nationals Farm System and put it up against Boston or Atlanta. Some of the guys they just hired were hired to get them up to that point.”

That answer concludes Part One of Talking Nats Baseball With Phil Wood. Tomorrow in Part Two, Phil & I are going to pick up this conversation chatting about all those front office moves he just mentioned. The realignment of Our Washington Nationals off the field which hopefully sets up an ever brighter future for D.C. Baseball on the playing diamond.

History Makers--The Picture Of The Day

There is so much Major League Baseball History represented in this one photo from a late season game between The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals played on September 16th, 1963. With two weeks left in the '63 campaign, The Dodgers were holding on to a slim one game lead for the National League Pennant. Yet the outcome of this game (an L.A. Win) played at the soon to be replaced Sportsman's Park in St. Louis is not what is compelling. What is remarkable about this otherwise mundane in-game photo is that all but one person clearly depicted in uniform played a significant historical role in baseball history. And the one that didn't eventually became The Captain of The Washington Senators--and was involved in the best trade the Expansion Nats ever made. The one that brought My Favorite Player Of All-Time!!, Frank Howard, to the Nation's Capital in 1965.

I love this photo for the History Makers depicted. And not all of the sagas they represent are pleasant ones.

Here's why.

Number 11 with his back to the photographer in this shot is none other than Ken McMullen, the heart and some would say, the soul of the Washington Senators from 1965 through early 1970. The team of my youth. McMullen was a good third baseman with good pop in his bat. And when Senators Owner Bob Short traded Ken away for Aurelio Rodriguez and Rick Reichardt to The California Angels--the official dismantling of Washington's Major League Team truly began.

But wait--there is so much more to follow.

Bending over on the mound picking something up is Johnny Roseboro. The very Dodger catcher who replaced Roy Campanella behind the plate in 1958 when Campy was involved in the horrific car accident which paralyzed the three time NL MVP and ended his career. Roseboro would also be involved in the most violent ON-FIELD incident between two players in Major League History. A well known fracas documented in a special television program currently running on the MLB Network. On August 22, 1965 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco--Roseboro was upset with San Francisco Giants Pitcher (and eventual Hall Of Famer) Juan Marichal. Earlier in that game, Marichal had thrown brushback pitches to Dodgers Maury Wills & Ron Fairly. Roseboro wanted his pitcher--eventual Hall Of Famer Sandy Koufax--to throw his pitches directly at Marichal standing at the plate. The gentlemanly Koufax refused. Upset about no retaliation and taking business into his own hands, Roseboro whizzed his return tosses to Sandy RIGHT PAST Juan Marichal's face. Not taking kindly to Roseboro's too close for comfort throws, Marichal, out of nowhere, raised his baseball bat above his head and proceeded to pummel Roseboro's noggin.

Three times Juan Marichal pounded Roseboro's head with his baseball bat, opening up a huge gash that required 14 stitches and started one of the biggest brawls in baseball history. Roseboro survived, played for five more seasons, and ended his career in 1970 as a catcher for The Washington Senators. Marichal was suspended for nine games in 1965 by The National League and fined--what is today--a ludicrously small amount of dollars ($1750) and was banned from playing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for the remainder of that season.

Number 6 standing on the mound is none other than Ron Fairly himself. Roseboro's Dodger Teammate and eventual unwilling participant in The Marichal Beaning. But what is interesting about Fairly is that in 1969 he would be traded by Los Angeles to The Expansion Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) for none other than Maury Wills. The other unwilling participant and his one time teammate in The Marichal Beaning Game. Ron Fairly would play 21 seasons in The Major Leagues. Fairly would become the very first player to ever play for both Canadian Franchises (Montreal & Toronto). And be the only player EVER to be an All-Star for The Expos and The Blue Jays.

The Dodger Pitcher on the mound is Johnny Podres. The winning pitcher in Game 7 of The 1955 World Series. The only time The Brooklyn Dodgers won The World's Championship. The most satisfying moment for any Brooklyn Dodger Fan and The Boys Of Summer. A long awaited Series victory over their arch rival in the American League--The New York Yankees.

Number 24 in Dodger Gray Away Wool is Walter Alston. Hall of Fame Manager who led The Brooklyn Dodgers to their only World Series Championship. Then, led The Los Angeles Dodgers to three more World Series Wins and five total National League Pennants after The Dodgers headed west to Southern California after the 1957 season. Alston would manage The Dodgers Franchise their last four years in Brooklyn and their first 19 in Los Angeles.

The St. Louis Cardinals player wearing Number 21 is Curt Flood, one of the most important figures for player's rights in Baseball History. A Gold Glove Outfielder, Flood was traded by The Cardinals to The Philadelphia Phillies in late 1969. Flood refused to report claiming Baseball's Reserve Clause (which retained a player's right in perpetuity to the team that originally signed them) was tantamount to slavery. When then Commissioner Bowie Kuhn declined to allow Curt Flood Free Agency (an unknown territory for baseball players at that time), Flood filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball and sat out the entire 1970 Season. Eventually, Curt Flood would lose his case 5-3 in The Supreme Court of The United States. But ground had been broken and a new era of rights for baseball players was soon to follow.

Flood would NEVER receive any of the fruits of his hard fought labor war. Yet every single baseball player that followed in his footsteps did. In 1975, The Reserve Clause was struck down for good by Federal Arbitrator Peter Seitz. A new era had begun in Major League Baseball. Higher and Higher salaries for players was just around the corner. To really understand Flood's importance, a must read is the excellent book written by Brad Snyder that covers Flood's plight and life: A Well-Paid Slave.

As for Curt Flood, he would finish his baseball career in 1971 after 13 games with, yes, The Washington Senators. Feeling he was no longer capable of playing and having lost the passion for the sport, Flood skipped out on The Senators and took a flight to Spain--where he stayed for a number years while running a bar in Mallorca. Curt Flood battled alcoholism for a number years before turning his life around. But sadly, died of throat cancer in 1997 at the age of 59. Every single baseball player today owes Curt Flood homage for giving up everything in his life--leading to all the benefits players receive today.

Finally--Ken McMullen, Johnny Roseboro, Ron Fairly, Johnny Podres, Walter Alston and Curt Flood--all pictured in the above photo--won a total of 16 World Series Rings between them. And when this game was played that late September night in 1963--The Great Stan Musial was winding down his illustrious Hall Of Fame Career. He would retire at the end of this season. And just three batters before this picture was taken, "Stan The Man" had cranked out the 475th and FINAL Home Run of his wonderful career off Johnny Podres.

And oh--one more thing. The 1st Baseman for The St. Louis Cardinals this night (but not pictured here) was Bill White. The seven time Gold Glove Award Winner who would become the very first African-American President of The National League in 1989. The highest ranking minority executive in sports--at that time.

History Makers--The Picture Of The Day.

Life Magazine Photo Copyright--Time, Inc. (Photographer--Robert W. Kelley)

Baseball Americana--Treasures From The Library Of Congress

"This book meant a lot to me because of my love of baseball history," stated Frank Ceresi. "I wanted to see the history. I wanted to see it visually. I wanted to see the passion for the game. All of which I was hoping would be in this project and I think it is all included.”

240 pages worth in fact and over 350 images.




Baseball Americana--Treasures From The Library Of Congress--a just released coffee table sized book from Smithsonian Books via Harper Collins Publishing. Three years in the making, Baseball Americana was the brainchild of staff at The Library Of Congress (Harry Katz--Former Head Curator Prints & Photographs, Phil Michel--Manager Library Prints & Photographs Division plus Wilson McBee & Susan Reyburn--editors in The Library's Publishing Office) whom asked local museum consultant, baseball writer and historian--Frank Ceresi--to be involved in their project. Long time readers of Nats320 will recognize Mr. Ceresi's name. When Nationals Park was being constructed, Frank was hired by Our Washington Nationals to acquire, organize and formulate display plans for all the artwork placed throughout The South Capital Street Ballpark. The pictures, paintings, historical facts about the Great Game in The Nation's Capital enjoyed now by thousands during each home game in Washington, D;C.--all of which were first previewed on Nats320 in February, 2008. Mr. Ceresi also acquired and built the display units for the Shirley Povich Artifacts--now at Nationals Park in The Shirley Povich Media Center.


During the final home game of 2009, most of the five co-authors of Baseball Americana were signing copies of their new book in The Stars & Stripes Club. Sohna and I ran into them heading to our seats in Section 218 that day. Interested in the storyline, we all talked for some time. Frank and I agreed we had to get together and chat about the offering more, because this effort is not just about another baseball picture book. Baseball Americana reveals many baseball images not commonly seen. The Library Of Congress stores a copy, many times the originals, of every single copyrighted newspaper, print, photograph, film, book--you name it--ever produced.

Every single one of them.

That's an humongous amount of material. A body of historical proofs not many have indulged themselves into discovering.






Katz, Ceresi, Michel, McBee & Reyburn set out to show the history of baseball in a different light. Not just on the facts about what happened on the field of play--many understand that already--but how Baseball has always reflected American Life. From late in Colonial times, through The Civil War, Post-Reconstruction Period, Segregation, Suffrage, Two World Wars, The Depression-even The Beatles--Baseball has been intertwined in the fabric of America. Only scratching the surface of what The Library Of Congress offers, Baseball Americana gives a nice glimpse into the game's wonderful past while opening up new doors and eyes to what the largest library in the world can offer virtually anyone having the patience to study.

With that, here is the Nats320 interview with Frank Ceresi on the collaborated book Baseball Americana--Treasures From The Library Of Congress:

How did this book come about? (SBF)

“I grew up in this area and I am from this area and I have always loved the Library of Congress. In fact, when I was in high school, my first real research paper I researched at The Library of Congress. And I remember my mom, she was an educator that taught in Fairfax County for 25 years, she said (then), if you are going to do it, you have got to do it right and you should go down to the main reading room in The Jefferson Building of The Library of Congress. I went there and it stuck with me. It was overwhelming because I couldn’t believe I was living around the largest library in the world for rare books, for photographs, for any printed matter. And as time went on, I became kind of prone to that sort of thing. I like to read and write and learn more. Then, I trained as a lawyer. And as the years wore on I melded this other attraction I had to the game of baseball. Several years ago I started to write some articles and whenever I was doing research and wanted to find something arcane—or something you couldn’t find on the internet—I went down to the stacks there (at the Library of Congress).”

“So about three years ago, Harry Katz—who is the former head of Princeton Photographs—knew I loved baseball. He did too. He said: ‘Why don’t you join me and let’s see about writing a book on baseball treasures at The Library of Congress.’ We took the idea to their publishing wing and they were very enthusiastic. Then over the past two years, we did this journey of going down there, discovering and seeing what they had.”




“And let’s be clear, this is not like going to your local library. They have so much sheet music, photographs, rare books, newspapers, film, you name it they have it—that are ripe for things like this. Plus, collections like the Jackie Robinson Papers, Branch Rickey Papers, and Oral History by Fay Vincent on tape. No one had really tried to look at their contents holistically and see what they have there. We couldn’t even do it. It was too overwhelming. So we were able to find a lot of stuff but not as much as is down there.”

So how do you organize to decide what is most important? (SBF)

“That was interesting. We would literally sit around at a table, all five of us, Harry, me, Phil, Wilson and Susan. I was the only one that wasn’t an employee in a sense of The Library of Congress—although Harry is now a consultant—he is not down there permanently. For example, Harry and I would meet. Phil and I would meet. Or Sue and I, or Harry and Sue. We would go in combinations to tackle different areas. We would go into the rare books. We would talk to the head of rare books and just say: ‘Baseball’. And usually they are a fan too, so they will have filed in their head cool stuff and we would tell them what we wanted. Eventually, you start gathering these sorts of things. But you have eluded to it already—this was a real art to then be able to organize and discriminate between what we want and other cool things that we simply couldn’t get in there. We would prioritize, sit around a table, and if everyone felt pretty strong about something and we generally agreed--it went to the editors at Harper Collins and it would get in.”

“We probably met about 15 times around the table (as a group of five), but twice that many times individually or in small groups to just go tackle what was out there. And David Kelley at The Library of Congress was a great help because he is a baseball fan. He was the ‘Go-To Guy’. He’s been there for a couple of decades. So he knew where things were and sent us off in the right direction.”

Still, after you pull all this stuff together, you still have to build a story around it. (SBF)




“Yes, we talked a lot about that. Logically, when you talk about baseball, anything from a narrative to visual, you are going to fall into chronology. That is simply the way it works. It worked nicely for us and was a comfortable fit because I, for example, love 19th Century. The origins of the game. And I really wanted us to focus on that. Well that is a great starting point. Where did the game begin? When did it become the National Pastime? With The Library of Congress being ‘The People’s Library’ for a couple of centuries, the history of our country dovetailed—in a sense—to the history of baseball. So we started at the beginning and went up to the 1980’s. The reason being it usually takes a few decades for artifacts or ephemera to reach the heft or prestige to get into something like The Library of Congress anyway. In probably 10 years, what they have from the 80’s and 90’s will be filled in too.”

“What we also found out was that there was not a lot of battling among us to put things in the book. This team, this group, gets along anyway. It was more like “no brainer stuff”. Yeah, the mental battle for all of us was--and certainly to me at the end—I didn’t know how it was going to work out. How can they (Harper Collins) cleverly design all this stuff? How will this look as a package? And I was so happy with the final piece. Objectively, I couldn’t have hoped for more. This project meant a lot to me because of my love of baseball history. I wanted to see the history. I wanted to see it visually. I wanted to see the passion for the game. All of which I was hoping would be in this project and I think it is all included.”

What was the final overriding decision to put something in the book?

“It was a balance. The image needed to have two things. One, it needed to be a great image. It needed to be a knockout image and it also needed to further the story—representative of the history. Those were the two keys. There is nothing in the book that any one of us felt is a common image—meaning either photo, magazine cover, illustration—something like that.”

Ok then, if I go to Borders Book, Waldenbooks, whatever. There are a litany of large baseball books with pictures and history. Why is Baseball Americana different? (SBF)

“For me, and I have seen a lot. You have seen a lot. In this book you are going to see a lot of things you have never seen before. This book exposes the public to a slice of Our National Pastime that has really never been presented in a visual way—as this book has. For example, these are T-205 cards that came out in 1909. Tinkers, Evers & Chance—we all know that. These cards are beautiful. They are based on paintings, which I found out only because of research at The Library of Congress—were from photographs. All of which are in the files at The Library of Congress. So, that entire set of a couple of hundred cards—now I know—how those cards in 1909 so beautifully evolved.”

The Library of Congress is where anything printed or otherwise is copyrighted goes. (SBF)



"Here are some other examples that stand out because of The Library Of Congress. The entire LOOK (Magazine) collection is there. The entire Jackie Robinson Collection. I would not have known that Dorothea Lange—known for her work during difficult times of the 30’s and 40’s also covered some baseball. It’s all down there. The other thing, and this is important. This book should be considered a window to what's out there. The goal is to get people excited about what is there, but realize this is the tip of the iceberg. So, if they want to learn more about the WPA photos, or the Bain Collection, or the Look Collection, or baseball during World War 2; or baseball in film, or cards from the 1880’s—The Library of Congress has them all.”

“I have seen a lot of stuff, but I have never seen the proof sheets for The Old Judge Cards. Never, and they have eight or nine of them down there. The Library Of Congress is open so anybody from here or from all over the world can see, research, study, learn, preserve and protect all that good stuff on something as important as baseball in history.”

We've sort of touched on this already, but baseball has really reflected American life throughout history—during the Civil War, Segregation, Depression, World War 2, on and on. (SBF)

“This book is exactly what you are stating there. Baseball touches our country’s history like certainly no other sport. Here is another example. I knew about Octavius Catto—African American from the 1860’s. 99% of all historians, even hardcore baseball fan historians—probably don’t know this sad story of an early pioneer of the game that never really got any recognition.”

Why is this book important to you? (SBF)

“It’s very important for institutions and museums and particularly The Library of Congress to educate the public about the history and significance of baseball to our culture. To help, not to promote it, but to preserve it, to educate the young people about what it’s meant to our society. And it takes an institution like that (LOC) to stand behind that and bring it home. Museums have slices, but they don’t have what the The Library Of Congress has!”

So, what should some learn from reading Baseball Americana? (SBF)

"First, the history kind of grabs you. The reason why I give this book high marks is because it touches on everything I could think of in the game. There certainly may be a favorite player of someone that is not there, or things like that. We are limited by a number of photos--but it doesn't take away from the important role that baseball has played in our society. How important baseball is to our culture. How important it is to preserve the purity of the game. And how much the game means to, not only hardcore baseball fans, but to the casual fans—families and kids. I don’t think it is a coincidence that so much of the love of baseball is derived by children following their father’s or their mother’s love. Baseball tends to bind us as a society. It does not divide us into class, race or economic status. It gives us a collective way of enjoying and viewing the sport together. And that's what, I believe, this book represents."

What were the most surprising aspects you learned about the game for the first time? (SBF)



“There were a lot of surprises. The Old Judge Proof Sheet from the 1880’s and seeing the Washington team. I know a lot about the Old Judge Cards from the 1880’s, but I didn’t know there were such things as proof sheets. And it’s so logical. For the tobacco companies to create the cards, they needed to copyright them. And by law, the copyright depository is The Library of Congress. So I was surprised to see these things. Even with my education and background in collectibles, I had never seen them before. You could spend the next two years of your life going to divisions of The Library Of Congress and you are not going to know everything about whatever subject you choose, let alone baseball. They have amassed so much cool stuff that it’s everywhere—advertising, film, letters, people—their life’s work—like the Branch Rickey Papers. And I think Branch Rickey is one of the most important individuals, not just in baseball, but also in the 20th Century. This book gives a taste of what is down there.”

“In fact, James Billington—The Librarian Of Congress—believes they have to just get this stuff out. Let’s get it to where people all over the world can enjoy what we have. And that has been his passion for much of the past three decades. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in the early ‘80’s, so he has been there for nearly thirty years.”

Is it safe to say this book and the effort to get this material out there—as you stated—is a love affair for the people that work at The Library of Congress? (SBF)

“Absolutely, because it can be intimidating to go there. To you and me who have both been here (in D.C.) our entire lifetimes, it’s intimidating. You go to The Jefferson Building and The Madison Building (on Capitol Hill), those are huge buildings, and items are sectioned off—like the newspaper division. My goodness, you could spend two weeks reading newspapers just to find box scores. People have done it for a lifetime. What you have to do is focus. You can’t do it all in one day. I love baseball photographs. So you have to go to Prints & Photographs and find people there to help you as a member of the public. It’s still a hands on institution."

"What has also made me really happy is that the hardcore "sabrites" (SABR) have given nothing but great praise back on the book. I think we told the story the right way and it’s a beautiful book at a time when books like this just aren’t coming out.”

So there really is something for everybody? (SBF)

“Absolutely. That is a good way of putting it.”

With that final answer, my conversation with Frank Ceresi came to a conclusion. The large format book is a comfortable read. One you can pick up, study for while, then get back to later and explore some more. What I found most interesting, and sort of ironic, is the very fact that here is The Library Of Congress playing Gatekeeper to the rich history of baseball--much like The Baseball Hall Of Fame & Museum does in Cooperstown--but on a far different level. The largest baseball reference in the world and the Federal Government is holding the keys to the fascinating past of The Great Game--in the very city Major League Baseball thought was undeserving of a Big League Team for over 33 years.

Honestly, that is ironic and why this book is also an important edition for any fan of Baseball. The Library Of Congress--keeping the flame alive for The Great Game--so all can enjoy and re-live history's past.

Available on the shelves in most major bookstores, Baseball Americana is also available online at Amazon.com

If you are interested in doing your own research at The Library Of Congress you can browse the online catalog at loc.gov.

Finally--There a good deal of artifacts covering baseball in the Nation's Capital included in Baseball Americana. A chapter on the 1924 World Series Champion Senators and this factual tidbit in Baseball Americana that again proves how important Washington, D.C. was in the early development of the game's reach throughout these United States.

Frank Ceresi: "1867 is the year The Washington Nationals, as an amateur team, did the first tour of the western United States. An organized baseball team toured the west to kind of sow the seeds of the baseball gospel—two years before professional baseball began (in Cincinnati). This country—all the way out to Missouri—was so enamored with baseball and this team that a very popular song was written called ‘Home Run Polka’ composed by a Mrs. Bodell for The National Baseball Club of Washington, D.C."

Above is the early image from that songbook in the Library Of Congress Catalog.

Images used for this story courtesy of The Baseball Americana Authors, Smithsonian Books and Harper Collins Publishing. Any reproduction or usage strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved.

Getting It Right

Rumor here, hearsay there, people constantly speculate all the time about what Our Washington Nationals will do next. Unsubstantiated information about who will come onboard in the latest House Cleaning by Our New GM. Yet, the scuttlebutt has been wrong nearly every step of the way. What has become clear is that Mike Rizzo does his work thoroughly, and quietly, behind the scenes. No one pushes him to a rushed decision. No rampant gossip spread across any or all media sources will change his way.

Love that. "Riz" is his own guy.

Just look at the official hires today by Our Washington Nationals in Baseball Operations:

Roy Clark--Vice President of Player Personnel.

Johnny DiPuglia--Director of Latin American Operations.

And Doug Harris--Director of Scouting.

No one caught wind of these job hires until a deal was struck. The fact Mr. Rizzo was able to pull in front office talent from The Atlanta Braves (Clark), The Boston Red Sox (DiPuglia) and The Cleveland Indians--via Texas Rangers (Harris) speaks volumes about the respect Our New GM has in the game. There are no retreads here folks. These three all have been successful in their fields. And each brings a new element to finding and harnessing talent for Our Washington Nationals. Having never heard of any of these three beforehand, it's clear their resumes are solid. Aptitude is high on this list, not just flair--always present when Jim Bowden was Our General Manager.

Remember all the babble that Mr. Rizzo was going to be let go, two days before he was given the permanent GM Job in August? How wrong was the mainstream media then? And now, more times than not since Mike Rizzo took charge of Baseball Operation those heard through the gravpevine stories have again been nothing short of fiction. You have to laugh at that stuff because unless you are inside the walls of the Front Office of Our Washington Nationals, you are definitely not in the loop about what's going on.

That's a good thing because instead of the word being out first (as is so important in the media), Sohna and I would just rather see Our Washington Nationals GET IT RIGHT.

Today's Official Press Release depicts a fresh outlook for Our Washington Nationals. A franchise finding it's feet, moving forward, and clearly having enough promise to pull scouting and development front office capability from three of the more established teams in the game. That's respect shown, both for Mike Rizzo and D.C's Major League Franchise.

PS--Personally, we want to wish the best to Dana Brown--leaving Washington as Director of Scouting to become a Special Assistant to The New General Manager of The Toronto Blue Jays. A role which Kris Kline was promoted to in DC to take over for Brown. Few people could have done as good of a job as Scouting Director for The Montreal Expos and Our Washington Nationals under orphan ownership as Dana Brown did. Tirelessly, this man worked under very limited budgets and restraints but still was able to do pretty well in getting Major League Talent to the field for the Montreal/Washington Franchise. Just browse Baseball-Reference.com's Amateur Draft Summaries--especially those guys picked by Other Teams AFTER Montreal/Washington chose their player in each round. You could quibble over a few guys--Andre Ethier was available in the 2nd round of 2003 when Montreal chose Jerry Owens (Outfielder)--but The Florida Marlins chose Logan Kensing right before Ethier was picked by The Oakland Athletics too. And Justin Pedroia was available in the 2nd round of 2004 after The Expos chose catcher Erick San Pedro 11 picks earlier.

The Amateur Draft is a crap shoot and Dana Brown rolled some pretty solid dice for the Montreal/Washington Franchise when not only the house odds, but the league odds were far against him. Good luck in Toronto Dana--Sohna and I hope all your dreams come true.

Finally, today's Official Press Release announcing Washington's three new hirings and one promotion in Baseball Operations.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS ADD ROY CLARK, JOHNNY DiPUGLIA AND DOUG HARRIS TO FRONT OFFICE KRIS KLINE NAMED DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

The Washington Nationals today named Roy Clark Vice President of Player Personnel, Johnny DiPuglia Director of Latin American Operations and Doug Harris Director of Player Development. The Nationals also promoted Kris Kline to Director of Scouting. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Clark joins the Nationals after an impressive 11-year run as Director of Scouting with the Atlanta Braves. Clark joined the Braves as an area scout in 1989, and he later enjoyed successive stints as Atlanta’s southeast supervisor (1995) and national supervisor (1996-99). His efforts helped the Braves earn Baseball America’s prestigious Organization of the Year award three times (1991, 1996, 2005) and USA Today’s Organization of the Year citation in 1996. Clark sports a World Series ring from the Braves’ 1995 World Championship campaign.

Clark is best known for having procured talents such as catcher Brian McCann, right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson, right-handed pitcher Adam Wainwright, shortstop Yunel Escobar, right-handed pitcher Joey Devine, right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and outfielder Jeff Francoeur for the Braves. Meanwhile, Braves minor-league outfielder Jason Heyward was recently cited as Baseball America’s 2009 Minor League Player of the Year and is regarded by many as baseball’s top prospect among position players.

DiPuglia joins his fourth big league organization with his Nationals appointment. DiPuglia spent the previous 10 seasons working in the Red Sox scouting department, the last four as Boston’s Latin American Scouting Coordinator. While in that position, he was responsible for coverage in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Curacao, Nicaragua, Aruba, Columbia, as well as all of Central and South America. He earned World Series rings while with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

DiPuglia, who also enjoyed stints with the Giants and Cardinals organizations, signed or had a hand in the signings of shortstop Hanley Ramirez, second baseman Placido Polanco, outfielder Rick Ankiel, right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez and right-handed pitcher Rene Arocha.

Harris carries 20 seasons of baseball experience as a player, amateur scout and professional scout into his new role with the Nationals. He spent last season as a Major League Scout/Advance Scout with Cleveland after a 12-year tenure with Texas in various scouting capacities. Harris played seven professional seasons in three organizations.

Kline earned the Director of Scouting promotion after spending his initial three seasons in Washington as Assistant Scouting Director/National Crosschecker (2009) and Western Crosschecker (2007-08). A scout for 20 seasons, Kline joined the Nationals in the fall of 2006 after spending the previous seven seasons with Arizona, the last three of which were spent as the Diamondbacks’ Western Supervisor. Kline earned a World Series ring in 2001 as the Diamondbacks topped the Yankees in seven games. Before joining the Diamondbacks, Kline worked 10 seasons scouting for the Angels after completing his four-year professional playing career.


Dana Brown Photo--Copyright Nats320--All Rights Reserved

ziMS Foundation Gala Update

"We've now sold over 175 Gala tickets," explained Cheryl Zimmerman. "And we are expecting to meet our goal of selling at least 250 total, possibly as many as 300."

Just three more weeks until The 4th Annual ziMS Foundation Gala & Golf Tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The two day affair that begins on Friday, November 6th with the Gala at The Wyndham Virginia Beach Resort. The social gathering which will include not only a Silent Auction, but a Live Auction as well. Then continues on Saturday, November 7th, with the ever popular golf tournament at the nearby RedWing Lake Golf Course--which has sold out for golfing participants already.

Our Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman's Mother contacted Sohna and I to update us on the preparations of this year's event. As she stated: "The golfing foursomes are all filled, but it's not too late to attend the Gala on Friday night by purchasing a ticket."

The $95 Gala Ticket provides entry to The Wyndham Resort event beginning at 6:30PM on November 6th. Included will be two hours of entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and the silent auction, followed immediately at 8:30PM by more entertainment and the live auction--which always involves Ryan Zimmerman himself. The Z-Man looking for bids to assist in his family's personal cause to help find a cure for MS--Multiple Sclerosis.

"We've even have another specially designed surfboard in this year's auction," said Mrs. Zimmerman. "Last year's was so popular, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to have one again."

A special hotel rate at The Wyndham Virginia Beach Resort is available. Click here to go directly to the link.

For Gala Tickets and to download the registration form, click here.

The 4th ziMS Foundation Gala & Golf Tournament is for a good cause.

More complete information can be found here and here.

Picture Of The Day--Jackie Jensen

Most sports fans today would look at this picture and recognize Mickey Mantle right away. The Hall Of Fame Slugger who completed 18 seasons for The New York Yankees. What most folks would not realize is that on April 16th 1953--when this photo was taken at Griffith Stadium on Opening Day in The Nation's Capital--The Washington Senators' Jackie Jensen was just as well known, if not more so, than "The Mick".

Yeah, that's correct. Jensen was a two sport All-American from The University of California at Berkeley. In 1947, he led The Bears to THE first College World Series Baseball Championship ever, defeating Yale in the finals. The very Ivy League Team whose 1st Baseman was George Herbert Walker Bush--the eventual 41st President of The United States.

In 1948--Jackie rushed for over 1000 Yards for Cal's 10-0 Pacific Coast Conference Championship Football Team. A season that ended in defeat on New Years Day, 1949, when Northwestern upset California in The Rose Bowl. Jensen's last season of amateur sport where he finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy Award balloting--losing to soon to be National Football League Hall of Famer--Doak Walker.

Jackie Jensen was a great athlete. And The Washington Senators received a gift when The New York Yankees traded him to Clark Griffith's Team early in the 1952 Season. The Yanks didn't have a spot for him. The Nats did, then The Senators let Jensen get away from them--far too soon.

One year after this photo was taken in 1953, Jensen would reel off six consecutive quality seasons. A half dozen of the finest campaigns comparable to just about any other American League batter playing during the 1950's. Unfortunately for Washington's Fans, those great seasons came with Jackie Jensen donning a Boston Red Sox Jersey.

Using poor judgment to save money and not pay high salaries again--Washington Senators Owner Clark Griffith traded off Jensen in December, 1953--for virtually nothing in return. Another awful swap by Griff's Team that continually contributed to Washington's bottom of the standings finishes in the 1950's.

From 1953 until 1959, Jackie Jensen would drive in 751 runs, 62 more than Mickey Mantle over the exact same time frame. "The Mick" would drive out more home runs (249 to 167) and hit for a higher average (.315 to .282), but each would be named MVP (Mantle twice, Jensen once). And Jackie would even lead The American League in stolen bases in 1954. For five out of six seasons--Jensen drove in at least 112 runs.

112!!

Three times Jackie won the American League RBI Title with a high of 122 when he was named The American League Most Valuable Player in 1958. Mantle only drove in 100 runs one time during the same stretch. Mickey driving home 130 during his MVP Season of 1956.

Jackie Jensen's and Mickey Mantle's early exploits were so intertwined. Both came up in The New York Yankees Farm System. Each were teammates on The Yanks' 1951 Kansas City Blues American Association Team. And they were teammates again in 1951 when The Bronx Bombers won The World Series. Mantle won one Gold Glove during his lifetime, so did Jensen.

They were buddies and this photo vividly depicts that friendship.

But whereas despite all his injuries and off the field activities--Mantle would still enjoy a long and prosperous Major League career, Jensen's life's work in Big League Baseball would come to a near screeching halt after 1959--due to the advent of Plane Travel. The Dodgers and Giants had already moved to California. The American League was one year out from expanding to Los Angeles and moving The Senators to Minnesota. The Houston Colt '45's and New York Mets were on the horizon.

Jet travel was replacing train travel and Jackie Jensen was afraid to fly. He retired before the 1960 season officially wanting to be with his family. Everyone knew better and not even pleas from The Boston Red Sox Owner, Tom Yawkey, (who set up therapy treatments) helped.

Jensen was gone.

Not for good as Jackie would attempt to return for one last season in 1961. But, he was never the same. At 34 years of age, Jackie Jensen officially retired. Then unexpectedly, this great athlete died of a heart attack in Charlottesville, Virginia on July 14, 1982 when was just 55 years old.

Jackie Jensen was a great athlete. The All-American Boy. And for seven seasons in The American League, Old Number 4 in the scorecard was just about as good as they come as a Major League Baseball Player--just not for The Washington Senators.

The Picture Of The Day--Jackie Jensen.

Photo Copyrighted Time Inc.--Life Magazine--All Rights Reserved (Mark Kauffman--photographer)

Remarkable

On the downside of an illustrious, productive and near Hall Of Fame Career--with most of his prime years played in the obscurity of the fading light of The Montreal Expos--nothing could have pleased me more than to watch Vladimir Guerrero stroke the final clutch and eventual game winning two run single against The Boston Red Sox this afternoon at Fenway Park. The last of four key at-bats to a dramatic three run rally in this American League Division Series by The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

An unlikely three game sweep.

A near miracle comeback in the top of the 9th inning that SILENCED The BoSox & Red Sox Nation.

All with two outs and with The Angels' Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu ALL being down to their LAST strikes before Guerrero swung away at the first pitch offered by Boston's Closer--Jonathan Papelpon.

This affair was all but over about four times with Game 4 scheduled for tomorrow between these two teams.

Instead, just a remarkable series of events sent The Red Sox home for the season. And The Angels back to Southern California to await the beginning of The American League Championship Series.

Baseball just does not get more exciting or as thrilling as today's series clincher by Los Angeles.

You have to appreciate someone like Vladi that battled his entire career to reach a moment like this. Then, see him finally succeed in the post-season after so much disappointment beforehand.

How satisfying to watch Guerrero's face light up like a kid again.

How pleasing to watch Old Number 27 enjoying the undeniable thrill of the moment.

How delightful to see Vladi receive hugs from not only all his teammates and coaches--but The Angels Owner--Arte Moreno.

Everyone involved with The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim understood the importance of Vladimir Guerrero stroking the series clinching hit today.

Only in baseball can such rich story be woven. Only in The Great Game can a flashback to one's career accomplishments be brought forward and cherished liked Vladimir's were this Sunday in Fenway Park.

Nothing against The Boston Red Sox and their wonderful team, but this afternoon was special at Fenway Park because an aging and once great player (now just merely good) for The Los Angeles Angels had a career defining moment in the post-season. The time when any accomplishment--whether good or bad--is remembered forever (just ask Aaron Boone about that. Or, Bill Buckner).

Vladimir Guerrero had his great moment to remember this October 11th 2009.

Remarkable actually. In fact, the entire top half of the 9th inning after two were out for The Angels was just an incredible series of events. What are the odds of three straight batters facing their final strike and their team's game elimination and each reaching base?

This is exactly why Baseball Is The Greatest Game. No Time Clock to run out. You have to record every single out to win. Boston didn't--until it was too late.

PS--But it does raise the question why in world did Jonathan Papelbon throw a fastball over the middle of the plate to the very batter that will swing and make contact on the same pitch if thrown two feet off the plate? There's the strike zone. And then there is The Vladi Strike Zone. Big Difference. What in the world was Papelbon thinking?

Today's InGame Photos--Michael Dwyer (AP)