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Phil Wood
Nats, please keep this six pack
- When the Nationals came out of spring training I looked at their roster and figured if they stayed healthy they’d win 75-76 games.
- When the Nationals came out of spring training I looked at their roster and figured if they stayed healthy they’d win 75-76 games.
Interleague play in need of fixing
- Interleague play — save for a Pirates-Yankees makeup game — has concluded for the 2008 season. You’ll pardon my lack of grief over this situation.
Please disturb this lack of groove
- When the Nationals acquired Wily Mo Pena from the Red Sox last August, there was an assumption that he’d provide the additional power that was missing from the everyday lineup. Sure, he was less than Gold Glove caliber in the outfield, but he usually caught whatever he could get to, and it was hard to overlook his 2004 season with Cincinnati, when he homered 26 times in just 336 at-bats. Bringing him back to the National League looked like a recipe for success.
- When the Nationals acquired Wily Mo Pena from the Red Sox last August, there was an assumption that he’d provide the additional power that was missing from the everyday lineup. Sure, he was less than Gold Glove caliber in the outfield, but he usually caught whatever he could get to, and it was hard to overlook his 2004 season with Cincinnati, when he homered 26 times in just 336 at-bats. Bringing him back to the National League looked like a recipe for success.
Nats need to bring back Guzman
- On the heels of the Nats’ three-game sweep of the Mariners in Seattle, it’s time to discuss one inevitable conclusion:
An attendance issue? Not so fast my friend
- As dreadfully as the Nationals have played as of late — and there’s no way to sugarcoat it, the offense has been nearly invisible — it seems that criticism of Washington’s attendance is as prevalent as their play on the field.
All is sunny on Mike Rizzo’s farm
- A 2-4 road trip isn’t what the Nationals had in mind when they headed west last week. At this point their record is only a game better than a year ago at this time, a shade past the one-third point of the season. Last year they were 16 games under .500 at the end of June, and played .500 baseball from that point on. This year they started 5-15, and have played .500 since, with a shocking lack of offense, much better starting pitching than expected and an extensive disabled list.
- A 2-4 road trip isn’t what the Nationals had in mind when they headed west last week. At this point their record is only a game better than a year ago at this time, a shade past the one-third point of the season. Last year they were 16 games under .500 at the end of June, and played .500 baseball from that point on. This year they started 5-15, and have played .500 since, with a shocking lack of offense, much better starting pitching than expected and an extensive disabled list.
Acta to replace Mets’ Randolph? Don’t bet on it
- The vultures have started circling over New York Mets manager Willie Randolph.
Is Milledge the next Devo?
- I hesitate only slightly in saying this, but every time I look at Lastings Milledge, I see Mike Devereaux.
When the strike zone is not the strike zone
- About 20 years ago during a rain delay at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, AL umpire Ken Kaiser consented to don a headset and take some listener phone calls on the Orioles’ flagship radio station. Kaiser, whose big league career spanned 23 years, was never timid when a microphone was around. He loved the attention, good or bad, which may have stemmed from his earlier career as a “heel” in pro wrestling.
- About 20 years ago during a rain delay at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, AL umpire Ken Kaiser consented to don a headset and take some listener phone calls on the Orioles’ flagship radio station. Kaiser, whose big league career spanned 23 years, was never timid when a microphone was around. He loved the attention, good or bad, which may have stemmed from his earlier career as a “heel” in pro wrestling.
Not-so-bad Nats
- Thirty-two games. Twenty percent of the season, give or take. Fourteen wins and eighteen losses. A winning percentage of .438. A better record than six other teams — including the reigning NL champions. Not great. Not good. Not horrible. And objectively, about where I thought the Nationals would be at this point (other than having a better record than Colorado).
- Thirty-two games. Twenty percent of the season, give or take. Fourteen wins and eighteen losses. A winning percentage of .438. A better record than six other teams — including the reigning NL champions. Not great. Not good. Not horrible. And objectively, about where I thought the Nationals would be at this point (other than having a better record than Colorado).
Nieves has the Wil to win
- Remember Jim Hegan? Chances are you probably don’t, since Hegan last played in 1960. Regardless, Hegan was a catcher in the big leagues for 17 seasons, mostly with the Cleveland Indians. For 10 of those seasons he was the regular catcher for the Tribe, handling a staff that featured a trio of Hall of Famers in its rotation: Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, and Early Wynn, along with 3-time All-Star Mike Garcia. Hegan is the name that frequently comes up when baseball people refer to catchers who are predominantly “catch-and-throw” guys, which is another way of saying they don’t hit much (Hegan batted .228 for his career), but their skills behind the plate are so superior, you really have to let them play.
Don’t panic yet
- I should probably know better, but every so often I fire up the computer and check out the Nationals-related message boards. I’m painfully aware that most Internet message boards, regardless of the topic, are largely populated by folks who know what they know, so please don’t confuse them with facts or logic. It’s as funny as it is frustrating most of the time, but particularly now, with the ballclub off to such a horrendous start.
Is it the Park?
- So, after seven home games at new Nationals Park, can we tell whether the place is playing any smaller than RFK?