Master Index of Archived Threads


Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy MD Mar 16 2012 08:58 PM

Hey, you want a storyline? Every time Wilson Ramos comes to bat for the first time in a series, the opposition announcer is going to remind us that the dude was kidnapped this winter and rescued in a firefight. With any luck, Keith will remind us that he played winter ball in Venezuela and spent the whole time getting blasted with Warren Cromartie. Nine-year-old Bryce Harper is still in camp with the Nats, but has already been through a calf strain and is 0-6 since returning.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2012 09:02 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 16 2012 09:33 PM

I'd bet on them to suck but Dave Johnson is managing.

Edgy MD Mar 16 2012 09:16 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

After watching the US fall flat in the WBC, I'm kind of counting on Johnson to have lost his edge. I wouldn't put it past him to find it as the season progresses however. He's got a history of being a real competitive dude.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 16 2012 09:48 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I have a sneaking feeling these guys worm their way into second place, and a playoff spot.

Ceetar Mar 16 2012 10:05 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

[url]http://mlb.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=was their roster links only 4 outfielders. One's not actually on the roster, the other's Harper who's probably/maybe not starting with the team.

G-Fafif Mar 16 2012 11:08 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Nationals suck. Fuck them.

TransMonk Mar 17 2012 05:38 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Prove it, Washington. I've been hearing for years that this team is finally going to have a winning record...I'll believe it when I see it.

bmfc1 Mar 17 2012 06:32 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I've seen more Nationals hats this year than ever before. Frigging front runners. I wonder see if they have enough hitting. They are weak at CF and we'll see if Zimmerman's back holds up. Werth is a key and we'll see if Morse can repeat his first successful season. They have a great manager, as we know. The bullpen is strong with an excellent closer (Storen) and set-up man (Clippard). And they have this guy:

Frayed Knot Mar 17 2012 03:30 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Definitely a team on the rise. Even if only some things to break right they're going to improve, and if everything breaks right look out! -- although I tend to think next season is more likely to be their time than this one. - Strasberg + Zimmermann are healthy and ready to head the rotation - although they're supposedly going to stick to a strict 160 IP limit for Strasberg regardless of where he/they are when it's reached. - They'll be a bit shy in the OF at least until Harper gets there. I'd be shocked if he starts the season but even moreso if he's not up by June and, once here, nobody believes he's going to be one of the ones who'll miss. - Their middle IF (Desmond & Espinosa) will still be light on OBP and erratic in the field (esp Desmond) but are decent in other areas and are both are young and improving - Should be strong at catcher, 3rd & pen - Questions: Bernadina in the OF (similar to Desmond/Espinosa), LaRoche at 1st, Morse repeating, Werth NOT repeating, who's in CF? - Trades have robbed their system of most immediate internal help beyond Harper

metsguyinmichigan Mar 17 2012 05:03 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy DC wrote: After watching the US fall flat in the WBC, I'm kind of counting on Johnson to have lost his edge. I wouldn't put it past him to find it as the season progresses however. He's got a history of being a real competitive dude. Well, on the other hand, Davey's WBC team was stuck with a shortshop with no range and a weak-assed stick. Other countries used their best shortstop while Team USA used Derek Jeter. Thank goodness Jeter had David Wright next to him to pick up some of the slack!

Edgy MD Mar 17 2012 06:26 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Well that's on Johnson, is it not? He had Jimmy Rollins, and he was swapping one for the other mid-game. It was grievous.

metsguyinmichigan Mar 17 2012 07:03 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Can you imagine the weeping and gnashing of teeth from Verducci and his ilk had Johnson not used Sweet pants? Rollins is a bum, too!

Edgy MD Mar 17 2012 08:16 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Yeah, well, kowtowing to "Verducci and his ilk" is sort of exactly what I mean when I suggest that Johnson may have lost his edge.

Frayed Knot Mar 19 2012 07:32 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Bryce Harper assigned to AAA to begin season -- and the plan is for him to play CF while he's there.

Vic Sage Mar 19 2012 10:52 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Definitely a team on the rise. Even if only some things to break right they're going to improve, and if everything breaks right look out! -- although I tend to think next season is more likely to be their time than this one. - Strasberg + Zimmermann are healthy and ready to head the rotation - although they're supposedly going to stick to a strict 160 IP limit for Strasberg regardless of where he/they are when it's reached. - They'll be a bit shy in the OF at least until Harper gets there. I'd be shocked if he starts the season but even moreso if he's not up by June and, once here, nobody believes he's going to be one of the ones who'll miss. - Their middle IF (Desmond & Espinosa) will still be light on OBP and erratic in the field (esp Desmond) but are decent in other areas and are both are young and improving - Should be strong at catcher, 3rd & pen - Questions: Bernadina in the OF (similar to Desmond/Espinosa), LaRoche at 1st, Morse repeating, Werth NOT repeating, who's in CF? - Trades have robbed their system of most immediate internal help beyond Harper This. Plus, lets not pretend Morse came out of nowhere. His step up in class was predicated on similar success the year before playing 1/2 season for the Nats. He's always hit for a solid average and has finally developed significant power as he approached his late 20s. While his low BB/ high K rates indicate a guy that can be pitched to, he's also a guy that can punish mistakes and help a lineup. I don't see the case for assuming a regression. As for LaRoche, if he's healthy and ready to play, then his career avg of .270/25hr with a good glove at 1b seems solid enough. Zimmerman came back well from the injury and is in line to give the Nat another 290/25hr GG-caliber season at 3b. The kids up the middle, Desmond and Espinosa, are erratic but with huge upside, offering a power/speed combo at both positions. Along with Morse in the OF, Werth is not really a CFer and he may not be the hitter he was in the Phillies bandbox, more likely to replicate his low average/high BB/decent power numbers from his earlier LA days now. But that's not nothing (despite that they're overpaying for it). And Harper is the bluest of chips, waiting to be cashed midseason. And Ramos is an above-avg catcher; not top-tier but a decent average, with power, and solid glove. So i think the offense has big upside... But not as big the pitching. With Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson, they are deep and solid, and Wang probably pushes Lannan out of the rotation entirely (Lannan would be on of our top starters), With Storen and Clippard anchoring the pen, this rotation will have great support. I see the Nats chasing the Phils all season, with a good shot at a WC at least.

Frayed Knot Apr 04 2012 12:54 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In a sign of the improvement of their staff, John Lannan (who I believe started opening day twice for this club) now finds himself nudged out of the rotation as he's been assigned to the minors in favor of Ross Detwiler as their 5th starter Both LF/1B Michael Morse and closer Drew Storen will begin the season on the DL

Frayed Knot Apr 04 2012 08:08 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

John Lannan has acknowledged that he's asked the Nats for a trade following his demotion. His biggest problem here, in addition to the part where he has no leverage to make a trade happen, is that he's making $5mil this year which is a lot for a team to pay and give up players for just to get a back of the rotation starter. But I can see why he wants out. Sure he could get called back due to an injury or someone faltering; but Strasberg, Zimmermann, and Gonzalez can falter all they want and they're not going to get bumped out of a spot in the rotation anytime soon. Which leaves just Detwiler or Edwin Jackson as guys to replace and Jackson makes even more money than him and he just lost the ST battle to Detwiler. Plus by the time someone does need replacing, CM Wang will probably be healthy and the team's first choice. I don't see the Mets as a player here.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 04 2012 09:46 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

He's worth his money, if barely; he's taken a very Moyerly route (stuffwise) to a pretty damn Pelf-y stat profile (low-K, sorta-BB-heavy, okay ERA, good amount of baserunners allowed), only slightly better, and with one more arb year to go.

bmfc1 Apr 22 2012 08:47 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

The Nationals are 12 and 4 and getting a little buzz in DC (at least until the NFL Draft this weekend). T The batting stats are not impressive: 17th in MLB in Runs Scored, 20th in BA, 23d in Slugging, 23d in OPS. But the pitching stats are: 1st in MLB in ERA; 1st in BA against; 2d in WHIP. The pitching stats can't stay this high so will the hitting get better to keep the Nationals in first place?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 22 2012 12:38 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

The pitching stats can't stay this high? Who says? Not that I'd necessarily bet on it, but this pitching staff is capable of maintaining thus and then some; Davey's gang trots out Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson as back-end rotation guys, and-- with 3-4 strikeout-per-inning guys-- boasts maybe the deepest pen in the NL.

Frayed Knot Apr 22 2012 01:00 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In the last week and a half the Nats have had two blow-up games where they've allowed 11 and 8 (3 in extras) runs The runs-against in those two games certainly stand out against the others since game 5 of the season (right after the Met loss): 2, 0, 2, 1, 1, 8, 3, 0, 2, 11, 0, 2 So that's a total of 13 runs allowed in a 10 games out of 12 stretch - 3 of which even went extra innings And 4 of those runs were allowed by substitute closer Lidge, who has now blown 2 of his 4 sv-opps (2-run leads both times) although the Nats have managed to win both of those games. And even the four game stretch that opened the season prior to this run their runs-against were all of: 1, 4, 4, and 4 Of course their down-side is that they're not exactly scoring a lot. I mentioned in one of the IGTs the other day that every time I look in on a Nats game it seems to be either 0-0 or 1-0 in about the sixth inning only about an hour or so into the game.

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2012 06:35 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Ryan Zimmerman to go on the 15-day DL with (non-serious it's thought) shoulder woes. And to replace him on the roster the Nats have - despite his rather pedestrian AAA numbers (.250/.333/.375, 6 XBHs) - purchased the contract of one Bryce Harper. Harper, who will not turn 20 y/o until after the season is complete, is expected in the lineup for Saturday's game in LA I guess scoring over 3 runs just twice in the last 8 games can make you a bit panicky even when your pitching has been as good as it has. I believe it's also just past the date that will delay Harper's FA eligibility for an extra year.

metsguyinmichigan Apr 28 2012 08:58 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I didn't know the Nats brought Harper up. Just got his first ML hit, a double.

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2012 09:11 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 28 2012 09:19 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I didn't know the Nats brought Harper up. Well if you had read my damn post right above yours you would have known all about it now wouldn't you? Sheesh, kids these days. You can't learn 'em nuthin'! 1-0 Nats (LaRoche HR) Strasburg with the shutout in the 7th

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2012 09:14 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Harper just made a PERFECT throw from LF to cut down the tying run at the plate ... except the catcher dropped it. 1-1, Dodgers still batting in the 7th.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 28 2012 10:41 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Tied in the bottom of the 9th on an 0-2 passed ball, won in the bottom of the 10th on a Kemp bomb to center. Your winning pitcher? A perfect Jamey Wright. Even if you set aside the Harper debut, it was a great friggin' ballgame.

Gwreck Apr 28 2012 10:51 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In case you need some additional proof that Dodgers fans are among the worst in the league: -Fans doing the wave while the Dodgers are pitching...and a fan in the $500+ Dugout Club seats directly behind the plate turns around as the wave is passing through and moons the camera. Not coincidentally, Bryce Harper hits the pitch for a double. That's karma, douchebag. -Fan on the field as the Dodgers had multiple runners on in the bottom of the 9th. Then Mattingly has the temerity to come out and complain that the previous pitch (a swing-and-miss-strike) shouldn't have counted due to time being called for the fan running on the field.

The Second Spitter Apr 29 2012 12:42 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In case you need some additional proof that Dodgers fans are among the worst in the league: -Fans doing the wave while the Dodgers are pitching...and a fan in the $500+ Dugout Club seats directly behind the plate turns around as the wave is passing through and moons the camera. Not coincidentally, Bryce Harper hits the pitch for a double. That's karma, douchebag. Yeah, Dodger fans are a rare breed of douche. My theory is that they are a remnant of the Raiders fans that stayed behind from the mid-90's.

Frayed Knot Apr 29 2012 06:11 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In case you need some additional proof that Dodgers fans are among the worst in the league: -Fans doing the wave while the Dodgers are pitching...and a fan in the $500+ Dugout Club seats directly behind the plate turns around as the wave is passing through and moons the camera. Not coincidentally, Bryce Harper hits the pitch for a double. That's karma, douchebag. -Fan on the field as the Dodgers had multiple runners on in the bottom of the 9th. Then Mattingly has the temerity to come out and complain that the previous pitch (a swing-and-miss-strike) shouldn't have counted due to time being called for the fan running on the field. Then there were the fans going nuts in the LF corner because a ground-rule double which barely cleared the low fence bounced right to them. Their celebration seemed oblivious to the idea that had the ball stayed on the field it would have tied the game. "Yeah, it was a bad break for the team ... but the important part is that we got the ball and got on TV" The last three innings in that game were a wild ride.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 06 2012 09:52 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Between the charmingly-douchey field dress, the incidental barehanded catches, and this business tonight, I think I kinda love the Harper kid.

Frayed Knot May 06 2012 10:12 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In addition to the steal of home he hit a dunker over SS and legged it into a double.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 07 2012 10:30 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

He's done that 2 or 3 times already, plus an outfield assist (shoulda been two, but for Ramos' wimpy hands) and a couple of crash-into-walls plays. He kinda feels like Dykstra and Strawberry put together.

Edgy MD May 07 2012 10:34 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Wow. That's a lot of prison time in his future.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 07 2012 10:55 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Could be. THAT'S PART OF THE FUN!

metirish May 07 2012 01:24 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Kinda like that Hamels didn't trot out the usual tripe when asked if hitting Harper was intentional.... [code:1d8iqpcr]I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it. It's something I grew up watching. That's what happened. I'm just trying to continue the old baseball. Some people get away from it. I remember when I was a rookie, the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything. That's the way baseball is. Sometimes the league is protecting certain players. It's that old-school prestigious way of baseball. "I'm not going to injure a guy. They're probably not going to like me for it but I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't trying to do it. I think they understood the message and they threw it right back. That's the way, and I respect it. They can say whatever they want."[/code:1d8iqpcr] He could have gone with the "just trying to pitch inside yyybbb", of course he'll probably get suspended now.

metirish May 07 2012 01:31 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

How about Heath Bell losing his closer role "temporarily" ? that didn't take long, jeeze

Edgy MD May 07 2012 01:42 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Good to see the Phils wasting their emotional energy on the Werthless Nats.

Ceetar May 07 2012 01:43 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy DC wrote: Good to see the Phils wasting their emotional energy on the Werthless Nats. hah. well the Nats are expending plenty of energy back at them. Maybe they'll all be worn down and go 8-20 in September.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 07 2012 01:52 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Ted Berg has been exposing Hamels' phony tough-guy act ever since he made remarks about the Mets years ago with one of the best tweets ever written this morning. Ted Berg ? @OGTedBerg Old-school baseball tough guy Cole Hamels listens to Lifehouse, loves the Twilight books, and carries his dog in a bag.

metirish May 07 2012 01:53 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Funny , Rizzo called him "fake tough" today......

Ceetar May 07 2012 01:58 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Benjamin Grimm May 07 2012 02:02 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Doesn't he know that dogs are supposed to be strapped to the roof of the car? Get with the Romney program, or get out of America! That's what I say!

metirish May 07 2012 04:10 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Doesn't he know that dogs are supposed to be strapped to the roof of the car? Get with the Romney program, or get out of America! That's what I say! dying

bmfc1 May 12 2012 01:35 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Bryce Harper continues to show that old-school fire that the locals love so much by injuring himself: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... _blog.html

bmfc1 May 13 2012 08:52 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Wilson Ramos out with a torn ACL. Nationals fans are questioning their trainers... can you imagine such a thing?

Frayed Knot May 13 2012 10:40 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: Wilson Ramos out with a torn ACL. Wow! He was just chasing a passed ball. Jesus Flores into action now. On the other hand, it's not like it can hurt their offense THAT much. They won another 2-1 game last night (1 of the runs via a Ramos HR before the injury)

Edgy MD May 13 2012 10:57 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Maybe Pudge gets a call after all.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 13 2012 09:49 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Forget standings, Strasburg will be shut down Joel Sherman The Mets had pitch-count guidelines for Johan Santana, then the lefty began to throw his no-hitter on June 1 and, well, so much for the plans. The Mets infamously had never had a no-hitter. They were in the midst of an unexpectedly positive season. There was a fan base ready to storm Citi Field if Santana were removed. Thus, the emotions of the moment served as an avalanche to wipe out pre-planned, post-shoulder-surgery logic. Manager Terry Collins let Santana throw a career-high 134 pitches. And if you think that was a difficult choice, then just wait for potentially the most seismic decision of 2012, when the Nationals shut down their ace, Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg, like Santana, is coming off surgery (Tommy John). But he is just 23. The lack of a no-hitter pales in comparison to not reaching the playoffs in three decades. The Nationals last appeared in the postseason in 1981, when they were the Expos. Now the moons have aligned for the franchise. The Phillies are down. Bryce Harper is an insta-star. But the Nats are in first place mainly due to an elite rotation in which Strasburg is honoring the otherworldly expectations for him. The Yankees will miss the fireballer this weekend because Strasburg goes tonight against Toronto. He is 7-1 with a 2.41 ERA. In 71 innings, he has struck out 92, walked 19 and yielded 55 hits. And here is the item that just might matter most — Strasburg’s season is about half over. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has vowed no matter Washington’s standing, Strasburg will be shut down before the end of the season. The expectation is about 160 innings because that was roughly the limit for teammate Jordan Zimmermann (1611?3) last year coming off Tommy John surgery. Rizzo won’t say the number. Actually, he doesn’t want to say much on the subject because it is such a tinderbox, and he knows it is going to explode further later this season. When we talked by phone yesterday and the topic was broached, Rizzo said, “Joel, you are killing me.” Then he promised, “This is the last time I am discussing this with any member of the media. It is well-chronicled. It is not changing.” Strasburg threw 68 innings as a rookie before his elbow broke and 24 innings late last year just to get back on the mound. “To ask [Strasburg] to throw 200 innings now [off those previous totals], that is not a prudent way to do business with a 23-year-old, top-of-the-rotation starter we plan to have for a long time,” Rizzo said. “[Shutting him down] is going to be painful, and we are going to take grief. But I will not shy away from it. I am the caretaker of this organization for the long haul.” Rizzo said there are no plans to artificially restrict Strasburg before then — skip starts, go to a six-man rotation — to assure he can pitch in September and October. “We don’t want to gimmick this thing up,” Rizzo said. Translation: Strasburg is going to become a controversial bystander in about eight weeks, renewing debate if pitchers are babied too much these days and whether Rizzo has taken the Nationals’ best chance ever to win and flushed it by being overly cautious. “The situation hasn’t changed, and it won’t matter where we are in the standings,” Rizzo said. “[Making the call to shut Strasburg down] is not about guts. It is the right thing to do.” Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_spo ... z1xglEdbzs

Edgy MD Jun 13 2012 09:57 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I guess I have to admire managers and GMs. Most of them act like that. "I am the caretaker of this organization for the long haul." Even though there's too often no place for them beyond the short haul.

Fman99 Jun 13 2012 10:10 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Forget standings, Strasburg will be shut down Joel Sherman The Mets had pitch-count guidelines for Johan Santana, then the lefty began to throw his no-hitter on June 1 and, well, so much for the plans. The Mets infamously had never had a no-hitter. They were in the midst of an unexpectedly positive season. There was a fan base ready to storm Citi Field if Santana were removed. Thus, the emotions of the moment served as an avalanche to wipe out pre-planned, post-shoulder-surgery logic. Manager Terry Collins let Santana throw a career-high 134 pitches. And if you think that was a difficult choice, then just wait for potentially the most seismic decision of 2012, when the Nationals shut down their ace, Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg, like Santana, is coming off surgery (Tommy John). But he is just 23. The lack of a no-hitter pales in comparison to not reaching the playoffs in three decades. The Nationals last appeared in the postseason in 1981, when they were the Expos. Now the moons have aligned for the franchise. The Phillies are down. Bryce Harper is an insta-star. But the Nats are in first place mainly due to an elite rotation in which Strasburg is honoring the otherworldly expectations for him. The Yankees will miss the fireballer this weekend because Strasburg goes tonight against Toronto. He is 7-1 with a 2.41 ERA. In 71 innings, he has struck out 92, walked 19 and yielded 55 hits. And here is the item that just might matter most — Strasburg’s season is about half over. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has vowed no matter Washington’s standing, Strasburg will be shut down before the end of the season. The expectation is about 160 innings because that was roughly the limit for teammate Jordan Zimmermann (1611?3) last year coming off Tommy John surgery. Rizzo won’t say the number. Actually, he doesn’t want to say much on the subject because it is such a tinderbox, and he knows it is going to explode further later this season. When we talked by phone yesterday and the topic was broached, Rizzo said, “Joel, you are killing me.” Then he promised, “This is the last time I am discussing this with any member of the media. It is well-chronicled. It is not changing.” Strasburg threw 68 innings as a rookie before his elbow broke and 24 innings late last year just to get back on the mound. “To ask [Strasburg] to throw 200 innings now [off those previous totals], that is not a prudent way to do business with a 23-year-old, top-of-the-rotation starter we plan to have for a long time,” Rizzo said. “[Shutting him down] is going to be painful, and we are going to take grief. But I will not shy away from it. I am the caretaker of this organization for the long haul.” Rizzo said there are no plans to artificially restrict Strasburg before then — skip starts, go to a six-man rotation — to assure he can pitch in September and October. “We don’t want to gimmick this thing up,” Rizzo said. Translation: Strasburg is going to become a controversial bystander in about eight weeks, renewing debate if pitchers are babied too much these days and whether Rizzo has taken the Nationals’ best chance ever to win and flushed it by being overly cautious. “The situation hasn’t changed, and it won’t matter where we are in the standings,” Rizzo said. “[Making the call to shut Strasburg down] is not about guts. It is the right thing to do.” Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_spo ... z1xglEdbzs I'll believe it when it happens. More likely is some "phantom injury" that they can blame it on. I can't imagine a scenario where he's throwing darts in August and September and they pull him from the rotation.

metsmarathon Jun 13 2012 12:21 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

why not hold him out of april games instead of september games? give him an extended spring training, some easy minor league assignments, and you get to hold an extended tryout for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Edgy MD Jun 13 2012 12:25 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

A little late to play that card, but yeah.

TransMonk Jun 13 2012 12:30 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Will the Nats hold him out of the All-Star Game? There's an inning saved.

Ceetar Jun 13 2012 12:32 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

TransMonk wrote: Will the Nats hold him out of the All-Star Game? There's an inning saved. Probably 'shut him down' around it though. can steal a whole start off that way.

Frayed Knot Jun 13 2012 08:13 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 13 2012 08:57 PM

If I were the Nats I'd move Strasberg to a once a week schedule or something like that to keep him from reaching their self-imposed innings limit. Makes more sense to me than simply ending his season in late August or whenever. Meanwhile, that team just can't do anything wrong lately. Adam LaRoche has been super-hot after missing the entire season in 2011, but was hurt today so he was replaced with rookie Tyler Moore -- who promptly hit two HRs (the first two of his career). In short, their pitching has NOT cooled down, their bats are heating up, Morse is back, Lidge is now back, and Storen should be back soon.

Edgy MD Jun 13 2012 08:19 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Yeah, i hear you on the weekly start thing. Heck, make him always pitch Friday night, or always pitch Sunday if he prefers. I'm curious to see Davey Johnson handle this, but I imagine he's a lot more willing to roll over for upper management than he was in his heyday.

Ceetar Jun 13 2012 08:54 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Funny, winning one of three from them is starting to feel like an accomplishment. Hopefully they've cooled off by mid-July, post-ASG, the next time the Mets face them.

Ceetar Jun 15 2012 06:39 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Josh Lewin wrote: How do I discern between the Washington Nationals logo&the Walgreen's logo? Every time I'm at NationalsPark I have an urge2buy dental floss.

bmfc1 Jun 15 2012 06:18 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

This weekend, we have to root for the MFYs. (Sigh.)

Frayed Knot Jun 15 2012 06:20 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: This weekend, we have to root for the MFYs. (Sigh.) Either Bryce Harper's favorite team will win ... or the Nats will.

Ceetar Jun 15 2012 09:18 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: This weekend, we have to root for the MFYs. (Sigh.) no we don't, playoff hopes don't ride on this, Mets still have a ton of games against the Nationals via which they can take care of them themselves. I'll simply see the silver lining in either result.

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2012 06:17 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

This game was typical MFY. Davey walked PHer Cano (not sure why he didn't start) to load the base and get to Jeter with the Yanx up by 1. Jeter hit the desired grounder but, in a fashion we saw all too much of last week, hit it too shitty to be turned into a DP and then when SS Desmond overthrew 1st trying to get the only out that was possible all hell broke loose.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 16 2012 03:16 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Going to the bottom of the 13th in today's tilt. Nats probably should have won in regulation but Moore thrown out at plate on a close play (but blown call) in the 8th.

MFS62 Jun 16 2012 04:14 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Yanks win in 14 innings. Uber-twerp Bryce Harper went 0-7, including the (I don't even know what to call it - diamond crusted platinum?) sombrero with 5 Ks. Later

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2012 04:38 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I saw just a few innings here and there of this game ... but I'm just constitutionally incapable of rooting for the Yanx. Maybe next year when there'll be season-long inter-league and the Yanx get one of our division foes during September as we're fighting for the title down the stretch, I'll manage. But until then ...

MFS62 Jun 16 2012 04:44 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I couldn't bring myself to watch it either. I saw this thread and checked out the box score. My interest in watching will be like yours, when the games are meaningful to us during a pennant race. Later

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2012 05:14 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

It wasn't that I refrained from watching it - I was just doing other things along the way so only caught it here and there - it's just that I can't bring myself to pull for the Yanx even when it's in our best interest. The only thing that changes when they're playing an NL East team is that I feel less pissed-off if they do win.

Ceetar Jun 16 2012 09:05 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Frayed Knot wrote: The only thing that changes when they're playing an NL East team is that I feel less pissed-off if they do win. What really bugs me about this is that we got swept by them and it changed the whole dynamic. They're now on some crazy win streak and we've been struggling. The Mets and Yanks met as equals (win% wise) and now blah. While it's too early to 'need' their help, them winning really does help and that's where it's irksome. If the Nats had like a 2-3 game lead you could be like "whatever, we'll take care of it".

Ashie62 Jun 16 2012 09:46 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Kirk vs. Bryce for ROY. Brought to you by Omir Santos.

Ceetar Jun 16 2012 10:34 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Ashie62 wrote: Kirk vs. Bryce for ROY. Brought to you by Omir Santos. presumably there are a couple of other candidates right?

metsguyinmichigan Jun 16 2012 11:21 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

So how do they actually shut down Strasborg? Send him to the minors? Put him on the disabled list? Keep him on 25-man roster but not use him?

Frayed Knot Jun 18 2012 07:55 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

So how do they actually shut down Strasborg? Send him to the minors? Put him on the disabled list? Keep him on 25-man roster but not use him? It'll essentially be September before they shut him down (assuming they actually do) so there's no need to pull any roster gymnastics. Just stop using him. I still think they'll find a way --longer rests between starts most likely-- to use him for the whole season and still adhere to their self-imposed innings limit. Meanwhile in Nats land: Brad Lidge has been DFA'd Facing ten Yanqui batters over the weekend and retiring four of them certainly didn't help his cause.

Vic Sage Jun 18 2012 08:26 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Facing ten Yanqui batters over the weekend and retiring four of them certainly didn't help his cause. that would make him the ace of our pen.

metirish Jun 18 2012 08:31 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

"Lights out on Lidge"

Frayed Knot Jul 05 2012 02:26 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Nationals turning back the clock tonight ... to 1924!! In addition to usual practice of having both teams (Giants are in town) wear 1924 replica jerseys, the grounds crew will also be dressed in full 1920’s attire and gameday staff will don newsie caps and skimmer hats. Also: - The first 10,000 fans will receive a commemorative replica of a 1924 World Series scorecard - A 1920s-themed jazz orchestra will perform outside the stadium prior to the game - The modern scoreboard will attempt to reflect how a scoreboard from that era would have appeared - Video tributes of the 1924 Senators will be shown - Organ music will be played between innings. - 1924 concession prices will be in effect (apparently at a one-per-customer rate) - The ceremonial first pitch (thrown out from behind the National's dugout as was the custom of the times, not from the mound) will be tossed by Walter Johnson’s grandson. - The ball used for that ceremony will be an actual game-used ball from the 1924 World Series (Washington's only WS winner) on loan from a collector. Sounds like they're going all out, I'll try to take a peak in on that one. In the meantime, the Nats are suddenly hitting. They've been scoring over 8 runs/game over the last 8 games and while, yeah, three of those were out in Colorado, they've also faced Minor, Hudson, Lincecum and Baumgarner over the last four scoring 7, 8, 9 & 9 runs. None of this sweating out 2-1 and 3-2 games like they've been doing all year. Tonight they get Cain (vs Detwiler)

Mets – Willets Point Jul 05 2012 02:30 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

If the Giants wear New York uniforms and win, will the win be credited to the Mets?

batmagadanleadoff Jul 05 2012 03:02 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

[u:2s2p628n]Jonesing for Bobby Jones[/u:2s2p628n] There's no doubt in my crazy head that the cocksuckers who own the Mets, and who must be suffering through a nasty case of the DT's all on account of cold turkeying the black drop-shadow pajama top eyesores for all of three months now (save one backsliding day), are scheming up a Nats '24 inspired 2000 throwback day, just to get back to black.

bmfc1 Jul 07 2012 05:01 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Wuss Ian Desmond is skipping the All-Star Game to rest his tender oblique but he still hit a homerun today. So much for Bud's edict that everyone has to play if selected. Michael Bourn is his replacement. As @AdamKilgoreWP points out, Ian Desmond has played every inning since 4/20. Yet Nats believe 1 inning off bench in ASG is too risky. Sad.

Frayed Knot Jul 07 2012 06:55 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

And now Harper replaces Stanton on the NL AS Squad. At least Stanton has an excuse. But the Nats - at least Davey anyway - publicly stated that they preferred Harper skip the ASG so the Desmond pull out is probably more on the player than the team.

Ceetar Jul 07 2012 08:54 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Frayed Knot wrote: And now Harper replaces Stanton on the NL AS Squad. At least Stanton has an excuse. But the Nats - at least Davey anyway - publicly stated that they preferred Harper skip the ASG so the Desmond pull out is probably more on the player than the team. I assume they're both going to fly to KC anyway. Everyone always does (except Jeter/Rivera). Is it really that hard to privately tell La Russa "Hey, dude, my chest hurts and I want to rest. Don't feel like you need to get everyone in the game and just let me chill and tweet and whatnot"

bmfc1 Jul 08 2012 07:58 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

If the All-Star game is so important that it settles home field advantage for the WS, and Commissioner Bud has said that he wants everybody to play, then Desmond should be playing unless he's on the DL. It's nonsense that he can play every inning since April 20 but can't play 2 innings in a game that "counts." He didn't even bother to announce it after today's game ("uh-oh, I aggravated my thingy.") If Selig doesn't fine Desmond or the Nationals, then he's even more of a ball-less, incompetent, stooge than I thought and I consider him to be on a par with Bowie Kuhn.

Ceetar Jul 08 2012 08:05 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: If the All-Star game is so important that it settles home field advantage for the WS, and Commissioner Bud has said that he wants everybody to play, then Desmond should be playing unless he's on the DL. It's nonsense that he can play every inning since April 20 but can't play 2 innings in a game that "counts." He didn't even bother to announce it after today's game ("uh-oh, I aggravated my thingy.") If Selig doesn't fine Desmond or the Nationals, then he's even more of a ball-less, incompetent, stooge than I thought and I consider him to be on a par with Bowie Kuhn. he better fine them. It's the only weapon he has to try to make teams do what he wants. (since he didn't bother trying to get a harder All Star rule into the CBA anyway) Hell, use him as a pinch hitter. i can practically guarantee that Desmond is going to take swings at a batting cage somewhere between today and Friday anyway.

bmfc1 Jul 08 2012 08:41 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

We keep seeing the commercial with the players saying that they're into the game. Sure. I hate to think that this screwing around will hurt the Mets chances of home field advantage in the WS.

Ceetar Jul 08 2012 08:51 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: We keep seeing the commercial with the players saying that they're into the game. Sure. I hate to think that this screwing around will hurt the Mets chances of home field advantage in the WS. Don't worry, the AL voted in Jeter to start.

Frayed Knot Aug 03 2012 07:19 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

The Nats have obviously had good pitching for the entire year, but at this point their lineup also has no holes this season except for maybe catcher since Wilson Ramos went out for the year. To help plug that hole they've just landed Kurt Suzuki from Oakland. Not sure he'll be much of an improvement over Jesus Flores, but it's helps with their depth. As does the return this week of Jayson Werth

bmfc1 Aug 07 2012 11:07 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Holy crap, the Astros are embarassing. Look at how the Nationals scored the go-ahead run last night: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?conte ... b_houmlb_1 Reactions: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... a-bunt-and

Ceetar Aug 07 2012 12:00 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

“What a collapsed circus tent that was,” Danny Rouhier wrote.

TransMonk Aug 07 2012 12:08 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

bmfc1 wrote: Holy crap, the Astros are embarassing. The Astros are on pace for 109 losses. Ouch.

Frayed Knot Aug 07 2012 02:30 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

TransMonk wrote: bmfc1 wrote: Holy crap, the Astros are embarassing. The Astros are on pace for 109 losses. Ouch. And they were actually playing OK until nearly mid-season (looking it up ... 23-24 in late May). Usually when you get triple-digit loss season (or wins for that matter) it's for a season which is pretty much bad/good from wire-to-wire, but they're now 4-31 since their back-to-back wins on June 26/27. Double ouch.

Frayed Knot Aug 09 2012 07:27 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

* That above 'Keystone Kops/bunt play' was from the first Astros-Nats game this week (Monday night). What made it worse was that that play was in the 11th inning and that Houston left the tying run on 2nd in the bottom half to lose 4-3 * Then on Tuesday they lost by giving up a run in the top of the 12th inning (a legit one this time) and then proceeded to get the tying and winning runs on in their half before losing on this play. 3-2 was the final [youtube]PhhIUGxEYh8[/youtube] * Last night they lost again by one run (4-3) although in regulation this time, giving up runs on: - a balk - a 2R/2-out HR to the opposing pitcher, Gio 'I've been in the American League my whole career before this season' Gonzalez. - a 2-out 7th inning error They then scored one of their own in the 9th to close the gap to one but stranded runners on 2nd & 3rd to end the game. I don't know if they should be praised for hanging tough against the best team in the NL right now or mocked for how they're losing them. Either way, as a reward, they get a 4th game against Washington tonight. Wonder how they'll screw this one up.

G-Fafif Aug 21 2012 11:32 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Charles Pierce can't resist the Nationals, unsatisying TV voices and all, though he'd have preferred they'd moved to Havana. The fact that Gonzalez is having the year he's having has enabled the Nationals to create the season's finest controversy — namely, the decision by Washington general manager Mike Rizzo to hold Strasburg to a strict innings limit, even if it means shutting down his 24-year-old ace for the entire postseason. (Strasburg had Tommy John surgery in 2010.) This decision has roiled up the Nationals fan base, thereby providing final proof of its actual existence. It has mystified Strasburg and, according to the Washington Post's Tom Boswell, Strasburg's father as well. (Back during the All-Star break, the younger Strasburg famously said that the team would have to "rip the ball out of my hands" if they wanted to sideline him at the end of the year.) And, discussing the matter during a Red Sox–Yankees telecast over the weekend, Tim McCarver nearly went into orbit. To be fair, Scott Boras, Strasburg's agent, has chipped in to support Rizzo — which is, of course, exactly the kind of support that fans adore. Strasburg is expected to pitch Tuesday night against Atlanta in the second game of the series that will determine if there will be an honest-to-god pennant race here, whether a Washington baseball team will stroll into the playoffs talking about Stephen Strasburg and not Walter Johnson. Unfortunately, looking out over this happy, if hopelessly generic, new ballpark, I can only think about what might have been.

Frayed Knot Aug 22 2012 06:44 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Has anyone else noticed that, aside from: - their catching crew which, prior to the recent trade for the Hawaiian-born Kurt Suzuki, rotated between three different Latin-born players - the black (and German-born) Edwin Jackson who was just brought in this Spring on a one-year deal - and fourth outfielder Roger Bernadina from the Caribbean island of Curaco that the Nationals are otherwise all white and all-U.S. born? Not making a judgement here or anything, just something I've recently noticed and something I'm sure has got to be an oddity in today's game - particularly the dearth of Hispanics. The last overwhelmingly white team like this that sticks in my mind was the 1993 Phillies crew.

The Second Spitter Aug 29 2012 07:30 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

By my calculations, if you bet $100 on the Nats on every single game this season, you'd be up $1291. This is based on average odds of 1.83 for a win.

Frayed Knot Sep 02 2012 09:07 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Two more starts for Strasburg and then it's Operation Shutdown That means he'll miss what would be three more regular season starts. And, oh yeah, all that October stuff also.

G-Fafif Sep 02 2012 10:18 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Strasburg's last start at [crossout:zyyv4pp3]Shea[/crossout:zyyv4pp3] Citi 9/12. Crazy.

Edgy MD Sep 03 2012 05:31 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I'm wondering how seriously they considered the option of pulling him three or four starts early and saving the remainder of his innings for the playoffs. Or better yet, if this was the plan all along, why didn't they delay his season's beginning until mid-May?

Edgy MD Sep 03 2012 08:03 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Honoring returned and wounded veterans at Nationals Park every home game: very cool. Playing a song during this tribute that zero out of 10 million respondents from my fake survey claim to enjoy or to draw inspiration from: highly disappointing. Try harder, DJ.

Frayed Knot Sep 08 2012 12:54 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Strasburg shut down as of NOW!!!! -- No final game at Citi next week. After getting bounced around by the Marlins last night (and, really, in several of his latest starts) they think he is wearing down both mentally and physically and so are pulling the plug a bit earlier than they planned. And, actually, in terms of ERA he's now the 4th best starter on his own team; behind Gonzalez, Zimmermannnnn, and even Detwiler, ahead of only Edwin Jackson.

Ceetar Sep 08 2012 11:16 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Frayed Knot wrote: Strasburg shut down as of NOW!!!! -- No final game at Citi next week. After getting bounced around by the Marlins last night (and, really, in several of his latest starts) they think he is wearing down both mentally and physically and so are pulling the plug a bit earlier than they planned. And, actually, in terms of ERA he's now the 4th best starter on his own team; behind Gonzalez, Zimmermannnnn, and even Detwiler, ahead of only Edwin Jackson. nice. shutting him down means when he gets to this point next year it'll also be his career high in IP in a season and maybe he'll tire again.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 08:46 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

How do you get such sweet seats in a ballpark with such wealthy fans and not know that "play offs" is one word?

HahnSolo Sep 21 2012 09:04 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Thats not a Yankee hat, is it? That could explain things.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 09:17 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I thought maybe. Hard to tell. I think it's a faded navy W hat. Seriously, though. Look at these folks. Like the opening ceremonies of the Douche Olympics. I gotta move.

bmfc1 Sep 21 2012 09:19 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

"Playoffs" is one word--and so is asshat.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 09:35 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

I'm happy for Davey, who's dressing in Navy, and I guess I'll root for them, as another championship could well get him in the Hall of Fame, which he deserves despite being undermined by his superiors at most stops (the Mets mostly being an exception, surprisingly). He could possibly even get bronzed in a Mets hat when he gets there. But when you see how much this organization is self-consciously and tentatively trying to be like their idea of a baseball franchise, these guys really make the Mets' leadership look like a self-confident, self-aware bunch. [list:2gr7tfjw][*:2gr7tfjw]We still don't know what their base color is and what they're secondary color is.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]We still don't know whether the DC insignia or the W insignia is the defining one.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]The shiny gold drop shadow is pretty much the ugliest thing on any big league uniform.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]The President's Race a forced, boiled-down stolen tradition.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]Washington/Jefferson/TRoosevelt/Lincoln represent a South Dakota landmark, not a DC one.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]The fans --- as noted elsewhere --- behave as if they saw Phillies fans acting up in latenight highlights on the widescreen TVs in their McMansions, and thought, "That's cool! I'm going to be hardcore like that."[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]The WWF announcer, who I've bitched about too many times to name.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw] [*:2gr7tfjw]Routinely hiring backslapping fools as broadcasters.[/*:m:2gr7tfjw][/list:u:2gr7tfjw] They're just such a faux team for our faux times.

HahnSolo Sep 21 2012 10:17 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Some fun little facts in this piece from David Schoenfeld on ESPN (Metly connections bolded by me). The most important weekend in Washington Nationals history might have been the final three days of the 2008 season. The Nationals began the weekend 59-99; the Seattle Mariners began the weekend 58-101. Both teams were horrible. The Nationals had lost 12 of 14; the Mariners had lost 14 of 15. The prize for the ultimate futility: Stephen Strasburg, already the clear No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft. The Mariners had it in the bag. Except the Nationals lost three in a row to the Phillies. Their batting order the final day was a beautiful list: Emilio Bonifacio, Anderson Hernandez, Kory Casto, Ryan Langerhans, Alberto Gonzalez, Roger Bernadina, Luke Montz and Pete Orr, with Odalis Perez on the bump. The Nationals lost 8-3. And then the Mariners did the impossible: They won three in a row against the A's. On the final day, Ichiro Suzuki had two hits and scored two runs. Yuniesky Betancourt had a big two-run triple. The starting pitcher and winner: R.A. Dickey. The following June, the Nationals drafted Strasburg first overall. The Mariners drafted Dustin Ackley. * * * * Or maybe the most important day came in the draft in June of 2005, the first for the Nationals since moving from Montreal. With the third pick in that draft, the Mariners selected Jeff Clement. With the next pick the Nationals selected Ryan Zimmerman. That draft also yielded John Lannan and Craig Stammen. In 2007, they drafted Ross Detwiler and Jordan Zimmermann. In 2008, they drafted Danny Espinosa. In 2009, Strasburg and Drew Storen. In 2010, they once again had the No. 1 overall. It didn't take long for Bryce Harper to arrive. Maybe the most important day came on June 28, 2009, when then-interim general manager Mike Rizzo traded Langerhans to the Mariners for Mike Morse, a middle-of-the-order bat for nothing. Maybe the Nationals should give the Mariners part of their playoff share. I bolded the part about the three in a row to the Phillies. The Nats gave no help to the Mets for either the present or future, as the Mets entered that weekend 1 game behind the Phillies for first place. We all know what happened.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 21 2012 10:54 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

HahnSolo wrote: I bolded the part about the three in a row to the Phillies. The Nats gave no help to the Mets for either the present or future, as the Mets entered that weekend 1 game behind the Phillies for first place. We all know what happened. As if we needed more evidence that last week of the 2008 season wasn't the ultimate moment in shark-jumping. Just thinking about all that went on makes your head spin. They crassly removed a section of the center field fence so that fucking creep could begin selling you chopped-up remains of Shea. For a team and a park that conceiveably have a few weeks of real life left, they were content to go into the playoffs with a fake fence. They staged a whole ceremony for the end of Shea ending with Seaver and Piazza walking right through the section of fake fence as if we wouldn't notice it, or somehow wouldn't have minded. Well I fucking minded it very much. The team laid down like wusses again and again. Not just that awful loss to the Cubs, where Ollie went out like crap, we went back ahead on Delgado's GS, the pen coughed it back up, and we failed to get even despite a 0-out,man-on-third situation with 3-4-5 coming up in the 9th, but that effortless Marlins game a couple nights later when we couldn't or wouldn't touch Chris Volstad until the 'pen made sure it was a blowout. The last game where we didn't bother to show up, and Schoweneweis gives up a homer to Wes Fucking Helms, and they schedule the emotional ceremony after the game, like a funeral, instead of before it, like a rally. Then they say, hey, who cares, Jerry Manuel was not just the only guy who can take over the team during a road trip, he's also the one and only guy we need to interview to lead the team forward, collapses while he's in the dugout be damned, oh, and Omar Minaya, who's way over his head, you get an extension and encouragement to overcompensate for your previous failures by acquiring a new bullpen by way of looking up Rolaids Relief Point leaders and spending this money we've been printing so consistently we don't need another investment strategy and will surely never run out suddenly and put the entire franchise in the crapper for the next half decade or more. No, meantime, we gotta hear that the Nationals took their concurrent low point and actually churned it into something, with a big assist from a brilliant manager who was available the last three or four times we made a worse switch. Arrrrgh.

bmfc1 Sep 21 2012 12:13 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Standing ovations for JCL, HahnSolo and Edgy.

Frayed Knot Sep 21 2012 02:11 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Getting back to that ESPN article posted by H. Solo (are you related to Hope by any chance?) it's amazing how many things went right for the Nationals over the last half-dozen years (and in some cases more) and all of them seemed to bear fruit just in time for this season. I don't want to just dismiss it as luck because obviously it's more than that, but a team does need more than a little luck to go their way in addition to all the right decisions and developmental successes that have to go right to get to where they're at now. At the same time and for much the same reasons it's also tough to just say 'well why don't we just copy what they did?' because their current team is the product not only of three different cities (remember San Juan?) and four different stadiums, but also was guided by several club presidents, three different GMs (the respected Mike Rizzon, the much-derided Jim Bowman, and, yes, some of these players - Ian Desmond for instance - even go back to Omar Minaya), four different field managers, plus, I'm sure, numerous other behind the scene changes. Obviously the back-to-back #1 overall picks was the biggest stroke of good fortune. Not only do you have to suck enough to "earn" the #1 overall two years running (something that used to be impossible as that pick alternated between leagues with each draft) but it happens to coincide with years when two once in a generation type players are at the top of those drafts. The rest of the major players: Adam LaRoche - Signed as FA in 2011 Had a lost season in 2011, then bounced back at age 32 (just when Alomar, Bay and others seemed to fall apart) to have as good a season as any in his career. Was a gamble to give up on Adam Dunn but it's paid off in at least equal offense and much better defense. Danny Espinosa - 3rd round pick 2008 (age 25) Probably the only player in the lineup not having his best or break-out season, and still has 55 XBHs as a middle infielder Ian Desmond - 3rd round pick 2004 (by Omar Minaya) 26 y/o 22 HRs in ~1,100 ML ABs coming in to this year - now has 23 in less than 500 this season while BA & OBA are up 30-40 pts each. Defense improved as well. Ryan Zimmerman - 4th overall pick 2005 Seemed to be slipping a bit but then, in mid-year, had what must be one of the most effective cortisone shots in the history of mankind. Not a break-out year for him, but right in line with his career norms Bryce Harper - 1st overall Jayson Werth - FA 2011 Bounced back (at age 33) from both bust year and a major early season injury to be as good or better than ever Michael Morse - Trade 2007 This one kills me. Was traded from Seattle (for Ryan Langerhans) as a 27 y/o with 3 ML HRs (over ~300 ABs) and less than 20 minor league ones -- and since is close to a .300/.350/.500 player with 65 HRs in one full season plus parts of 3 others. Did they know what they were getting before hand? I doubt it - but this is exactly the kind of move that allows you to pass on expensive FA signings like Jason Bay (acquired just months later) if you can somehow see it. Steven Strasburg - 1st overall Bounced back from major injury almost immediately and as good as ever Jordan Zimmermann - 2nd round pick (67th overall pick from Cubs in return for signing Alfonso Soriano) in 2007 (age 26) Also bounced back from major injury quickly and is probably better than before Ross Detwiler - 6th overall pick in 2007 Also missed a year due to injury - then suddenly this season dropped his last year's 4.50 ERA in the minors to 3.10 in the majors That's 40% of your rotation from consecutive rounds of one draft. Edwin Jackson - One year FA signing Always talented although somehow on his 7th ML team at age 28 - ERA in 2012 sits at about 1/2 run/gm below his career norm Gio Gonzalez - Per-2012 season trade involving 4 minor leaguers Took a big package to get him but, again, he's worked out as well if not better than expected. Biggest problem coming in was too many walks but this season that, as well as his H/9 and HR/9, are all at career lows. And, except for Jackson, that entire rotation is under 27 y/o and under club control for at least the next 3-4 years Tyler Clippard - Acquired in winter 2007 swap with Yanx for reliever Jonathan Abaladejo (pitched 3 innings for Arizona this year) Drew Storen - Now set-up man after losing his closer job due to injury - was the 10th overall pick only as a compensation pick when the previous year's 9th overall - Aaron Crow, a guy who has since been pretty much mediocre in two partial season in KC - refused to sign

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 02:29 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Davey. Johnson.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 21 2012 04:43 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy DC wrote: [*]Washington/Jefferson/TRoosevelt/Lincoln represent a South Dakota landmark, not a DC one. I think you need to get out and explore your own town. (plus an entire island named for him as well) All within the District limits. And the four most significant Presidential landmarks in the city too.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 08:56 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

But as far as linking them together as the four specific figures defining the presidency, that's a specific reference to Mt. Rushmore. After each race, they even show the standings with the four caricatures depicted on Mt. Rushmore. Washington, of course, didn't even work in Washington. It would be more interesting if they worked all the presidents in and out of the lineup. At least all the dead ones. You could even put FDR in a racing chair. They could race in earnest, too, instead of making Teddy take the fall all the time.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 21 2012 09:46 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Or make it into a presidential melee-- I'm fairly certain TR would take one of those every once in a while.

Edgy MD Sep 21 2012 10:13 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Wow. That's what God made bloggin' for.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 22 2012 05:54 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

We could get in on this:

Swan Swan H Sep 22 2012 06:16 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy DC wrote: But as far as linking them together as the four specific figures defining the presidency, that's a specific reference to Mt. Rushmore. After each race, they even show the standings with the four caricatures depicted on Mt. Rushmore. Washington, of course, didn't even work in Washington. It would be more interesting if they worked all the presidents in and out of the lineup. At least all the dead ones. You could even put FDR in a racing chair. They could race in earnest, too, instead of making Teddy take the fall all the time. At least Teddy should be able to edge out Taft.

bmfc1 Sep 23 2012 09:35 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

The 1st place Nationals have 2 for 1 ticket deals available for this week. And there are coupon deals. The "Natitude" only seems to appear on weekends. Other than Davey... F their fans. F Jayson Werth (another WS for him?) F their GM--I can't wait for them to be eliminated so he can be asked "do you think your team would have advanced if you hadn't 'shut down' Stephen Strasburg?" F them for tanking for 2 seasons, especially when we needed them to beat the MFPs (see above) F their awful TV announcers. (Yeah, I've said this before. Tough.)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 27 2012 11:12 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Astros name Nationality's third-base coach Bo Porter new manager.

Edgy MD Sep 27 2012 11:15 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Amazing to have a guy jump ship at this juncture.

metirish Sep 27 2012 11:17 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Astros name Nationality's third-base coach Bo Porter new manager. even has his own website , seems a good fit for Texas. http://www.boporter.com/index.html

metirish Sep 27 2012 11:17 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Edgy DC wrote: Amazing to have a guy jump ship at this juncture. apparently he will stay with the Nats while they are alive

Edgy MD Sep 27 2012 11:22 AM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Sounds kinda awkward.

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 12:18 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Teddy Roosevelt wins.

TransMonk Oct 03 2012 12:31 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

Now that the Nats have finally won a division championship, I instantly hate them and I'm rooting against them. It's mostly Bryce Harper's fault, bro.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 03 2012 01:29 PM Re: Division Foes 2012: The Nats

In his time of victory, will he speak softly?