Friday, May 18, 2012

A Beltway Battle that finally matters



There's a bit of a misnomer circulating around the region that this weekend's Battle of the Beltways marks the first time winning baseball teams from Washington and Baltimore have ever faced each other.

Not true. On April 16, 1970, the 4-3 Washington Senators traveled up the road to Memorial Stadium and beat the 5-2 Baltimore Orioles before a rabid throng of 4,674. Frank Howard homered off Jim Palmer. Davey Johnson went 0-for-3 with a walk.

It was a rare, shining moment for baseball in the District against its rivals from Charm City, a perennial American League contender in the 1960s and early 1970s while the Senators languished at or near the bottom of the junior circuit.

"It never was much of a rivalry, because the Orioles used to do a little whupping up on people over here," Johnson said yesterday. "But right now, I think we're evenly matched ballclubs, pretty good, young clubs. So I'm excited about it, and hopefully the fans around will be excited."

Indeed, there's plenty of reason for fans of both local baseball teams to be excited about the latest interleague matchup between the Nats (23-15) and O's (25-14), who for the first time in more than four decades find themselves squaring off while sporting winning records.

Actually, tonight's series opener would have pitted a pair of first-place clubs if not for the Nationals' 5-3 loss to the Pirates last night, which coupled with the Braves' win dropped Washington to 1/2-game back in the NL East.

Nevertheless, this weekend perhaps offers a glimpse into what many around baseball hoped could be the case when the Expos relocated to the District eight years ago: Two successful franchises in these two, connected markets.

There's been precious little on-field success for either the Nationals or Orioles since then. Though each did surprisingly find themselves in contention early during the summer of 2005, each wound up fading down the stretch and finishing well back of the pack.

The Nats franchise hasn't posted a winning record since it won 83 games in Montreal in 2003 (managed by former Orioles great Frank Robinson). Baltimore hasn't finished above .500 since the 1997 club (managed by Johnson) captured the AL East crown with 98 wins.

There's a strong sense around South Capitol Street that this Nationals squad will finally get over the hump this season, led by the majors' best pitching staff. There's still some skepticism over the Orioles' chances of maintaining this pace, though with each passing day they're winning over more supporters.

"I follow them," Johnson said. "I watch them on TV. I know what kind of a lineup they have. It's pretty potent. They've got some great young pitchers."

Whether this ever develops into a true rivalry remains to be seen, especially with realignment next year shaking up the way interleague games are scheduled.

For now, both sides can simply enjoy this new, winning component to an annual series that to date has meant far more to fans than to the men in uniform.

"I just hope I don't hear during the National Anthem the 'O's' too loud," Johnson said.

70 comments:

Section 222 said...

That's funny, I had just written a long comment including info on the August 3 doubleheader right before that post appeared. Thankfully I noticed the new post before pressing "Publish." Note that the doubleheader will be on Friday, not the next day when we also play the Marlins. Perhaps that's because they don't want to play a doubleheader the day before a day game getaway day. Oh well, great excuse to kick off early that weekend

Some random thoughts about last night.-- Znn wasn't sharp, but the Nats had their chances in the late innings and just couldn't produce. The seventh was the real killer -- leaving aside that having Flores bunt with men on 1st and 2nd and nobody out was a bad idea, at least he did his job. Can't anyone at least put the ball in the air with a man on 3rd?

I won't even mention Desi's ineptitude last night. Oh wait, I guess I just did. Equalled only by Zim's, and yes, Zim should take the bat off his shoulder. I guess he's been watching Werth too much.

And finally, perhaps Davey has learned his lesson about giving Votto and McCutcheon anything to hit, no matter who's pitching. Too bad we won't play either of them until next year.

But on less grumbly note, I'm considering going to Hard Times in Clarendon tonight to watch the game while cashing in on the free wings the Nats earned us on Monday and Wednesday. Let me know if you might head over and I'll bring some extra ticket stubs.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hopefully the pitchers can regain the April form

IN the month of May the team stats are kind of interesting.

In Hitting the Nats are 5th in average. 9th in runs, Seconds in homers. and 16th in strike outs.

Pitching they are 8th in ERA, 15th in home runs allowed,4thn in BB, 2nd in strike outs.

It appears that the hitters have come along fine. It is the pitchers who are living off their April greatness, and really have come back to the middle of the pack. Maybe we all need to pay more attention to the pitchers.

Section 222 said...

I just hope I don't hear during the National Anthem the 'O's' too loud," Johnson said.

Dream on Davey. People still do it in Nats Park when the O's aren't in town. It will be deafening tonight unfortunatey. Hope the singer is ready for it.

Whether this ever develops into a true rivalry remains to be seen, especially with realignment next year shaking up the way interleague games are scheduled.

I think I read somewhere that the schedulers will abandon the geographic rivalries next year. Anyone know exactly what the plan is? Is this the last year of the annual home and home series with the O's? That would be a shame. I liked that we got 6 chances to beat up on one of the worst teams in the AL East while the Mets had to play the Yankees six times. (I remain convinced that our hot start is for real, while the O's is similar to the Indians' last year.

NatsLady said...

222, I won't get off work until 8:30, but if I don't go to the gym I'll drop by so bring those extra stubs. Thanks.

Manassas, I remember something about regression to the mean--for both pitchers and hitters... Glad to know our "attention" is needed to fix things. Keep smilin' cause we're still bouncing around between 1st and 2nd place.

NatsLady said...

222, get the bat-violin guy... Or that Jazz saxophone guy with lots of flourishes...

SFNats said...

222, I agree with much of what you say, but let's not be too harsh on Zim's performance last night. He drove in 2 of the team's 3 runs, and scored the third. You can't ask for a lot more than that. It's true he hasn't been hitting well so far this season, but last night was on the rest of the lineup. Zim (and ALR) produced.

waddu eye no said...

doesnt matter to me whether our pitching or hitting is better than the other, they both need to be good for the next month. here's hoping.

gyfng

erocks33 said...

Going back a bit, some have been harping on Desi not being the best leadoff hitter (or that he should never have been there in the first place). Truth be told, the leadoff spot has not been the problem for the Nats so far this season. In fact, based on OPS, the Nats rank 5th in the NL in the leadoff position. Where the Nats need to work on in the order are the #3 and #6 spots -- these have been brutal:

Nats ----- BA / OBP / SLG / OPS / RS / RBI

Bats 1st - 272 / 294 / 434 / 728 / 22 / 15
NL AVG - 252 / 316 / 355 / 671 / 22 / 10
Nats Rank: 5 out of 16

Bats 2nd - 263 / 339 / 395 / 734 / 22 / 11
NL AVG -- 268 / 332 / 384 / 716 / 21 / 14
Nats Rank: 6 out of 16

Bats 3rd - 199 / 321 / 270 / 591 / 18 / 13
NL AVG -- 279 / 360 / 467 / 827 / 24 / 23
Nats Rank: 16 out of 16

Bats 4th - 333 / 427 / 596 / 1023 / 18 / 32
NL AVG -- 271 / 344 / 441 / 785 / 21 / 23
Nats Rank: 2 out of 16

Bats 5th - 248 / 323 / 441 / 764 / 16 / 19
NL AVG -- 258 / 324 / 430 / 754 / 18 / 21
Nats Rank: 6 out of 16

Bats 6th - 174 / 227 / 264 / 491 / 12 / 10
NL AVG -- 249 / 312 / 399 / 711 / 15 / 19
Nats Rank: 16 out of 16

Bats 7th - 232 / 289 / 362 / 652 / 13 / 12
NL AVG -- 257 / 318 / 422 / 741 / 15 / 17
Nats Rank: 12 out of 16

Bats 8th - 238 / 327 / 323 / 650 / 11 / 10
NL AVG -- 237 / 308 / 356 / 664 / 12 / 13
Nats Rank: 9 out of 16

If the Nats could only get AVERAGE production from the #3 and #6 spots in their lineup, then they could conceivably be running away with the NL East right now ...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsLady, I like violin guy but he became a turncoat and played 2 weeks ago at OPACY. I am fairly certain the Nats discovered him.

NatsLady said...

Well, #3-- Ryan Zimmerman, who will hopefully get back on track soon.

The rest:
You have Harper (.227) - not getting bounced; Espinosa (.213) - discussed endlessly, gets the occasional nice hit;
Bernadina/Nady - not much you can do until Morse gets back.

So good luck getting production out of those spots until Harper adjusts, Zim warms up, Espi figures it out and Morse gets back.

NatsLady said...

Did he really???? They couldn't spare him a comp? (Shaking head with sympathy for all musicians.)

NatsJack in Florida said...

Snark, NatsLady.....snark.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

I doubt there is any requirement that an anthem performer has to sign a loyalty oath before he's booked. Especially so if the team is only booking him on a freelance basis and not wrapping him in their identity as the Yankees once did with Ronan Tynan. Music is universal. It's not a competition. If there's any standard at all for deciding who gets to perform the anthem, it should be the quality of the music and not loyalty or allegiance to any particular team or ideology. (Although I suppose having an ideology in opposition to that professed in the song might be a problem, but most musicians will self-select themselves out of such a gig. Unless they really need the money.)

Actually it would be nice if the Nats had a higher standard based on musical quality for the anthem. For the most part it's okay, but there are some times when it's terrible. And barbershop quartets should never be allowed under any circumstances.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, so true. I was actually there pre-game with a Comp and saw him and I left before first pitch. Can't give MAngeloS'N my money. Will StubHub for the series there in June.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Erocks, when Morse gets back then Espi bats 7th so expect the 6 spot to improve and the 7 spot to suffer. The 3 spot is on Zim.

MicheleS said...

AnnO,
Wait.. What about the Nats Insider Quartet? We should at least hear them before we kick them to curb.

NJ.. from NatsLady's reaction, I am guessing that has probably happened in the past to someone she knows. Sad.

Section 222 said...

Good point about Zim SF Nats. You're right. I'm just getting frustrated waiting from him to be our Votto or McCutcheon, getting the big hit when we need it. And called third strikes are the worst.

SCNatsFan said...

Please let the Nats win and stop the invasion of O's trolls on this board, even if it is a short lived invasion

Section 222 said...

And barbershop quartets should never be allowed under any circumstances.

Hey, I resemble that remark. :-) For those other than @ Ann Om who want to hear us again this year, we get to seranade the fans for the Phillies game on July 31. And for the record, the Nats provide comp tickets but no other remuneration.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Interesting video Mark. The mention of Ian Desmond as a possible All Star candidate shows how far he has come. To think people wanted to give him away packaged with Detwiler for BJUpton.

Anonymous said...

SFNats Said...

It's a lesson the Nats seemed to have learned. There is no point in ruining a good, young pitcher for a one-time run at the postseason. Now, it had been 100 years for the Cubs, but still. They drove Wood and Prior into the ground to "go for it now" instead of bringing them along slowly and building for the long-term.

Once again, you are dead wrong on this issue. From 2000-2004, here are Wood's IP:
2000-137
2001-174
2002-213
2003-236
2004-Got Hurt

Please tell me how the Cubs ran him into the ground??? If anything, they followed the heralded "Verducci Effect" logic and proved that it is no more effective in preventing injuries than anything else. You should really get your facts straight before you make such a false statement. And Prior...

2001-Senior Yr. at USC-138 IP
2002-167 IP
2003-236 IP

Once again, please tell me how they ran him into the ground??? I saw all of this unfold in person, and overuse had NOTHING to do with the injuries!!!

MicheleS said...

Ghost.. I think if Desi has a good first half, he has a shot at the All Star game. If LaRussa is picking, then Ian has a chance because when LaRussa was here, he said how much he loved Desi.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Section 222 said...
And barbershop quartets should never be allowed under any circumstances.

Hey, I resemble that remark. :-) For those other than @ Ann Om who want to hear us again this year, we get to seranade the fans for the Phillies game on July 31.


That's an #OURPARK fail fer sure.

MicheleS said...

F&I.. I think some of the "overuse" issues, etc, also have to do with the shoulders not being developed by the time the pitcher is 25? I know Prior is all shoulder issues.

Didn't Wood also miss all of 1999 because of an elbow? I am not sure if he has shoulder issues, but I know he has had knee and back issues.

hiramhover said...

Erocks - Thanks for the numbers.

I agree with NatsLady and Ghost about the #3 and #6 holes.

And tho you're right that those are bigger problems for the Nats right now than the #1 hole, the fact remains that Desmond doesn't profile as a conventional leadoff hitter. His OBP is too low (and has dropped each season since he entered the league). His power--if he can sustain it--would be better saved for #2 or later, when he's more likely to have men on base. And while I'd love to see him sustain that power, I do have my doubts--right now, he's hitting about 60 pts above his slugging % for the past 2 yrs.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
NatsJack, so true. I was actually there pre-game with a Comp and saw him and I left before first pitch. Can't give MAngeloS'N my money. Will StubHub for the series there in June.


You're naive if you think by StubHubbing that you're keeping any money out of Angelos's pockets. You're just reimbursing whatever buyer of those tickets already gave him the money. And don't put it past Angelos to list unsold seats on StubHub himself. Dan Snyder was unmasked for doing that, and I'm sure when he and Angelos have their weekly lunch somewhere in Hell's Kitchen they compare notes.

SFNats said...

F&I,

You're telling half the story on Wood. He was brought up in 1998, when he was 21 years old, and threw 166 innings. He didn't play at all the next year because he was hurt. Now, he did come back to have a couple good years after that where he threw over 200 innings, it's true. But he was hurt before 2004. The relatively low IP in 2000 was when he was recovering from injury.

As for Prior he was drafted in 2001, but didn't sign until August. He then pitched 116 innings in the majors in 2002. And over 200 in 2003. And that was the last time he came close to 200 innings in a season. His high after that was 166 in 2005, and then he was done the following year.

Traveler8 said...

@Section 222, as usual I am totally looking forward to your performance on July 31. The last time you performed I was in the Stars and Stripes Club, and usually after the SSB is finished people there just move on, go back to eating and drinking, etc. - for you, however, there was a big round of applause.

Anonymous said...

MicheleS-If you recall, Steve Stone predicted both of these guys having severe arm problems due to poor mechanics. Hundreds and hundreds of great pitchers who never got hurt threw more innings before 25 than either one of these guys. There is no causation. These injuries would have happened regardless of the number of innings pitched before the age of 25. This whole innings argument is becoming the global warming of baseball...or global cooling I think it is being called now. Nobody can prove anything.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Come on. The tickets have been paid for by someone else. Our money isn't going to Angelos. The other holder paid him.

Anonymous said...

SFNats-He WAS brought on incrementally. He pitched 114 in 1996, 151 in 1997 and 171 in 1998. What SHOULD they have done??? Saying the Cubs ran either of these guys into the ground is simply not true.

Holden Baroque said...

Hell's Kitchen? They live in Manhattan? I did not know that.

NatsLady said...

Boy, Mr. Ominous is certainly ominous today! Waddu eye no and some other NI musical types were thinking of forming a group. I shudder to think of the music critics if we do! There are, by the way, auditions and standards for anthem performance (can't be too long or unrecognizably ornamented). They may not be high enough standards, but on the whole, I like the idea of using local performers. My pet peeve is child singers, because they are never in tune (at least not for an entire number) and it's just not cute.

...Not a stubhubber myself, usually prefer buy or sell tix to the local boys on 1/2 street.

NatsLady said...

Good catch, Sofa. Had to look back to see where you got that!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NatsLady said...

Oh, FWIW, KLaw doesn't have much use for hitting coaches either. In reference to the guy the Halos fired after a "dispute" with Pujols, he said the hitting coach's primary job is to diagnose hitting problems with frame-by-frame video and other tools. He might give "situational" advice, but that is not his primary role in Klaw's view. (This was on the Baseball Today podcast for 5/17).

Another interesting point was on the Toronto Blue Jays picking up players who don't have "good" make-up, in particular, who don't get along with coaching staff or management. His feeling was FO's get rid of the player when the player is (or should be) more valuable than the coach. (He is not talking about drug or alcohol or off-field issues.)

Not sure I agree with him on that--when you have a bad apple it can really disrupt your clubhouse.

Thoughts?

SFNats said...

That's a good point NatsJack. And F&I is exactly right about Woods' progression through the minors, so I'm dead wrong about that. They did work him up to the majors in a smart way.

But, as you say, they kept throwing him out there when it was apparent that there was a problem. Which is about the same time they pitched the heck out of Prior.

My original point was that they abused Wood and Prior to try to take advantage of a short-term playoff window, and it cost them long-term. And I still think there's a lot of validity in that. But, like I said, I was completely wrong about them rushing Wood. It looks like the way they handled him after he got hurt that was the problem.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Ann, you're probably right, indirectly I know I am putting money into the troll's pocket and it could be a direct benefit if he is putting his own tickets on StubHub. I just swore years ago if I go there I wouldn't buy them off of the website and help their attendance, etc.

By the way, since they report sold tickets as attendance, I think they lead the Majors in "no shows". Even the Yankees on Monday/Tuesday didn't draw a lot. Looked like 10,000 max and that was with all the Yankee fans and I think announced attendance was 24,000+

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Ghost.....I'm Stub Hubin' tbe series in Baltimore but I'll only be there Friday and Saturday.

On another note, the Fox affiliate here in Orlando sees it fit to give us the last place Phillies against the last place Red Sox. I can hardly wait fot Saturday night.

At least I'll have Charlie and Dave.

May 18, 2012 12:39 PM


As we get closer, send me a text to meet up. By the way, our mutual friend opened up a store in the warehouse there inside the park. I saw it when I was there. Lots of Nats, Dodgers and Yankees items on display. ;)

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Come on. The tickets have been paid for by someone else. Our money isn't going to Angelos. The other holder paid him.


Right. And when your employer withholds income tax and FICA from your paycheck that money isn't going to the government.

No ticket ends up on StubHub without someone first giving money to Angelos - unless Angelos puts the ticket on StubHub himself. Then when you buy that ticket on StubHub, you are either completely (if you pay face value or more) or partially (if you pay less than face) reimbursing that person. Your money is going to Angelos, plain and simple. There's even a word for this process - money laundering.

Same deal if you buy tickets from a scalper. The only way to not give at least some money to Angelos is to not buy a ticket from anyone - unless you can find someone scalping a comp ticket.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Many shades of gray in the clubhouse. I root for my team to win; in order for my team to win I root for its players to do well. On the other hand, I don't want to root for toxic types (e.g., Barry Bonds) who separate themselves from their teammates, players who couldn't pass a breathalyzer when the umpire called "Play Ball" (Dick Allen), flagrant abusers of controlled substances (Dock Ellis, Elijah Dukes), knuckleheads who won't listen to coaching (Milledge), etc. I'd rather finish .500 w/ Nick Johnson than win a pennant with Bonds. There are limits to this intolerance, I suppose, and where the limit is drawn differs from person to person. Sometimes I think Bowden couldn't tell the difference between a knucklehead and a solid citizen; every once in a while I suppress the notion that he signed the Flops and Ohkas of the world because they were the only ones who would sign with Washington. What made the 109-loss seasons so difficult to bear was the realization that a bunch of whiny children were running the clubhouse.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Section 3, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said...
Hell's Kitchen? They live in Manhattan? I did not know that.


No, Hell's Kitchen the TV show. The chef's screaming drowns out the insults being yelled at them by fans.

Anonymous said...

In honor of getting NatsJack to agree with me...Pulling a Costanza and leaving this conversation on a high note!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O27RzZEOkeA&noredirect=1

NatsLady said...

I would never have caught the reference because I don't watch those food shows. The last thing I need is improvement in my cooking skill!

And for "reality"? Um, I go to baseball games.

djinFl. said...

I do not recall mlb announcing an umpire suspension. Must have been quite a scene.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel suspended 1 game for on-field incident in 8th inning of Tuesday’s game vs. Astros.

— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2012

Manuel was involved in an animated argument with umpire Bob Davidson during the eighth inning of the contest against Houston. Davidson was also suspended one game by the league this morning.

NatsLady said...

Coupla things. If enough time has passed, you might enjoy this video.

Really weird first inning of baseball

http://mlb.mlb.com/cutfour/article.jsp?content_id=31353070

Also, a new book about the Bam-Bam Kid is reviewed in today's WaPo.

the-last-natural-bryce-harpers-big-gamble-in-sin-city-and-the-greatest-amateur-season-ever

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/book-review-the-last-natural-bryce-harpers-big-gamble-in-sin-city-and-the-greatest-amateur-season-ever/2012/05/18/gIQABayXYU_story.html?hpid=z5

NatsLady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NatsLady said...

Wait, did I read that correctly? They suspended an umpire?????

"Davidson was suspended for repeated violations of the Office of the Commissioner's standards for situation handling, MLB said in announcing the penalty."

Wow. Here is the link.

Suspensions

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120518&content_id=31623030&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

natsfan1a said...

That would be Balking Bob Davidson, right?

NCNatsie said...

With regard to "O's" shouting during the national anthem, it was one of my most serious pet peeves when I lived in the DC-Balto area. I had forgotten how obnoxious it was until I went back for a Caps game a few weeks ago and heard it again.

So I beg your indulgence for a little soapbox time. I know y'all aren't O's fans, but you can perhaps spread the word:

THE POINT OF PERFORMING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT SPORTING EVENTS IS TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT HOWEVER COMMITTED WE MAY BE TO OUR TEAMS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT ON WHICH WE ARE, OR SHOULD BE, UNITED.

O's fans are engaging in an act of desecration when they litter the Star Spangled Banner with their audio graffiti. It's disgusting, disrespectful and downright unpatriotic.

There. That's my rant. Let the game begin. Beat those dirty birds. GYFNG.

And God Bless America.

NatsLady said...

oooops, Adam Dunn in LF at Wrigley field. You maybe don't want to look.

natsfan1a said...

Re. ump suspensions, it's not the first time, but it doesn't happen often.

AceSmith said...

This is going to be a great series! its a great time to be a nats or O's fan! i did a feature article on this matchup where i talk about th rise of these two teams and the upcoming series! http://baseballpitboss.com/2012/05/baltimore-orioles-set-to-take-on-washington-nationals-in-interesting-series/

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NCNatsie, they yell O and Red at the Capitals games. Its pathetic and disgraceful and their ownership will do nothing about it even though they have received numerous complaints (including me).

What happens when O-vechkin is gone? I guess they won't yell O anymore, just RED.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I hear a Cap on spring break throws out the 1st pitch tonight and Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell has the honor tomorrow night. My guess is Liddell can throw further since I have seen him toss humans.

NatsLady said...

I know throwing inside is part of the game, but Konerko just got beaned, right on the side of the head, more head than helmut, left the game. Cubs announcers say no intent, and maybe not, but didn't look good. No warnings issued. So far.

SFNats said...

NatsLady said...
"oooops, Adam Dunn in LF at Wrigley field. You maybe don't want to look."

Now he's at first, and it looked to me like a guy just got an infield single because Dunn can't stretch at all to take a throw.

I love the Big Donkey and glad to see him hitting this season, but he's the textbook definition of DH.

carolync said...

NC Natsie,
I agree with you completely but just so you know, some Caps fans are yelling "O" for Ovechkin, their Russian player. We can't blame it all on the Orioles fans.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

carolync, that's what I made a reference to above regarding Ove but you have to believe that the lemmings have no clue what they are yelling for.

Honestly the most clueless crowd I've ever seen. Reminds me of baseball at Wrigley for the most part. There to party.

MicheleS said...

Hey.. The Party is only in the bleachers at Wrigely. ;-)

Section 222 said...

Ann O -- Our musical tastes may differ and you are certainly entitled to yours. Why you express them so harshly I don't know. (I remember these kinds of comments from when you were Anonymous instead of Ann Ominous.) But sticks and stones and all that.

But your argument that buying an Orioles ticket through StubHub or from the Baltimore equivalent of the 1/2 St. scalpers is the same as buying from the box office in terms of money in Angelos' pocket makes no sense. The tickets available from in the secondary market (whether of the SH or 1/2 St. variety) have already been purchased. If you buy that you're putting money in the pockets of the purchaser, whereas if you go to the box office or the website, you're buying what would otherwise be an unpurchased ticket and contributing in your own small way to the bottom line of our greedy neighbor to the north.

This assumes of course, that Angelos isn't putting unsold tickets into the secondary market, but since the seats available on StubHub are generally much better than those you can get at the box office, I doubt that's that much of a problem.

Incidentally, as I remember, the charge against Snyder was that the Redskins were taking season tickets away from people who violated the then policy against reselling tickets, while at the same time taking millions of dollars in a deal with StubHub.

peric said...

So good luck getting production out of those spots until Harper adjusts, Zim warms up, Espi figures it out and Morse gets back.

If Zim doesn't get on track soon he could find that he is batting fifth behind LaRoche followed by Harper at #6 when Morse gets back and could get placed at #3. Still a potentially potent lineup no matter how you slice it.

Desmond is not a prototypical lead off hitter. Johnson, like Riggleman before him, placed him there so that he could see more fastballs. Johnson foresees Desmond as a #3 hitter. I'm not sure it'll be for this team though.

Meanwhile lead-off hitter Corey Brown's BA climbs toward .300. He has 7 home runs and 19 RBI all from the lead off spot. In spite of what Fangraphs says methinks with Davey in town he'll reach from within for his CF. Brown looks like he could get a shot at that spot as opposed to Harper. Werth either ends up in left field (not right with Harper there) or on the bench if Morse continues to rake when he gets back.

We'll have to see how it goes.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MicheleS said...
Hey.. The Party is only in the bleachers at Wrigely. ;-)

May 18, 2012 3:31 PM


Definitely a party in the bleachers. Don't get me wrong, I like a good party as much as the next person, but try to also watch the game and enjoy it instead of being one of those types talking on your cellphone incessantly and standing up in front of people during the game or falling over drunk beyond you can't handle your beer.

The true core of Nats fans are knowledgeable fans of the game. Its also one of the few things I respect about Yankees fans. I remember actually discussing baseball with a group of Yankees fans in 2006 at RFK. It turned out they were the type that lived in DC and would root for the Nats during any other series.

baseballswami said...

MLB just showed Drew throwing with an actual pitching motion - not real hard, but I almost wanted to cry!!!!! It's nice to see that Morse and Drew are on the way back. I guess Wang, too, although I confess that I am very over the high-maintenance Wang situation. I honestly don't care what we do with him. We have a tough road ahead and I hope the Nats will get really psyched up ( not out) for these games.

Knoxville Nat said...

A $126 million outfielder on the bench.....now that would be worthy of Dan Snyder!

NatsLady said...

Weird thing from Wrigley, the game last year rained out, the announcement was made about 20 minutes before game time. No one left. They just sat there under the overhang, drinking with their buddies.

Holden Baroque said...

No, Hell's Kitchen the TV show. The chef's screaming drowns out the insults being yelled at them by fans.

Oh, like Gordon Ramsay. sorta. Got it.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

But your argument that buying an Orioles ticket through StubHub or from the Baltimore equivalent of the 1/2 St. scalpers is the same as buying from the box office in terms of money in Angelos' pocket makes no sense. The tickets available from in the secondary market (whether of the SH or 1/2 St. variety) have already been purchased. If you buy that you're putting money in the pockets of the purchaser, whereas if you go to the box office or the website, you're buying what would otherwise be an unpurchased ticket and contributing in your own small way to the bottom line of our greedy neighbor to the north.

What part of the money-laundering process do you not understand? At the end of the day Angelos is up whatever dollars you've spent, you are down that very same amount, and the scalper or StubHub is revenue neutral. Your dollars have passed into Angelos's hands. You've just introduced a middle man into the process to help you from feeling guilty. If that works for your conscience, fine. But you're still guilty of doing what you say you don't want to do, and meanwhile you're also absolving a lower life form (the scalper) of the sin you're committing.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...


The true core of Nats fans are knowledgeable fans of the game.


Would that be all those fans who are doing the wave with the Nats at bat in crucial moments of the game?

natsfan1a said...

Nah, those are probably O's fans who got their tix on StubHub.

Would that be all those fans who are doing the wave with the Nats at bat in crucial moments of the game?

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