Thursday, June 14, 2012

Nats Insider Party

Thanks to everyone who came out to tonight's inaugural CSN Nats Insider Party. It was great to see so many people turn out on a weeknight, and of course it was great to be able to put some faces to names (and online pseudonyms).

Thanks to CSN's Mark Lapidus, Brian Potter and Glendalyn Junio for organizing the event, thanks to CSN's Kelli Johnson and Michael Jenkins for attending and thanks to Penn Quarter Sports Tavern for hosting.

For those who couldn't make it, stay tuned. Sounds like we'll be doing something like this again later this season...

82 comments:

Holden Baroque said...

Can somebody post updates during the party, in between rounds? I won't be able to be there, but I don't want to just read the story later.

Holden Baroque said...

and since I got new-posted:

Duffy's is open for the 4th of July, Wednesday, for the 11:05 game (Giants are here), for those of you/us who might not be at the park, but want to congregate. And eat. Maybe have a beer or two.

A DC Wonk said...

I can try -- no promises. What do you want me to write, other than, "I see x, and y, and z here"?

Doc said...

Have a good time girls and guys!

Wish I was there!!!!!

Candide said...

Cunegonde says I should go, and I always do what she says. Will post updates whenever a fistfight breaks out...

RickH said...

Looking forward to it.

Water23 said...

See you all there.

sjm308 said...

Candide - have fun and watch the low blows!

Mark: I am too lazy to look this up. I asked on an earlier post, but got no reply from our regulars. After the starting position players are chosen by fan vote, how many players are then put on the team by other players? How many does the manager get to chose? I realize the manager picks all the pitchers but I am wondering about the "bench". Thanks

Go Nats!

Eugene in Oregon said...

Enjoy yourselves! Wish I could stop by, but it's a long, long way from the Pacific northwest to DC. Could someone, on my behalf, please express the utmost appreciation -- which I think we all share -- to Mark Z. for all the work he does and effort he expends to keep this little Nat space going? Thank you.

waddu eye no said...

have a great nite - and i seem to remember someone suggested an insider nite in NOVA?

quando?

gyfng

Faraz Shaikh said...

about to leave job to get there.

Faraz Shaikh said...

*go

LoveDaNats said...

Have fun everyone! I'm so sorry to have to miss. Mark, take some pictures and post them later.

Scooter said...

Wonk, there's a very slim possibility that Sec3 was joking about the updates.

I know, I know. My Weltanschauung has been knocked akilter too.

Section 222 said...

On the ASG selection process, Wikipedia has a comprehensive summary, and it seems reliable:

Until 2009, each league's All-Star team consisted of 32 players. On July 1, 2009, MLB added a 33rd player to each league's team roster.

On April 28, 2010, MLB announced several rules changes for future All-Star Games, effective with the 2010 edition.[5]

Rosters were expanded by one extra position player, to a total of 34.
The designated hitter will be used in all games, even in National League ballparks.
Pitchers who start on the Sunday before the All-Star break will be replaced on the roster, but will still be recognized as All-Stars.
Each manager may designate a position player who will be eligible for game re-entry if the last position player is injured. This is in addition to a rule that allows a player to re-enter to replace an injured catcher.
The players for each league's team are selected through the following process:

Fan voting (8 NL players/9 AL players): Baseball fans vote on the starting position players for the All-Star Game, with ballots distributed at Major League Baseball games before mid-season and, more recently, on the Internet. The designated hitter for the AL team is also selected in this manner. This method has been recently criticized because most of the starting players can come from teams that have large fan bases, such as the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.[6]
Player voting (16 players): Eight pitchers (five starters and three relievers) and one back-up player for each position are elected by the players, coaches, and managers.[1] If the top vote-getter at a position has also been selected via fan voting, the second-place finisher in this category is selected.
Manager selection (9 NL players/8 AL players): The manager of each league's All-Star team — in consultation with the other managers in his league and the Commissioner's Office — will fill his team's roster up to 33 players. The NL manager will also select his team's designated hitter.[5] At this point, it is ensured that every team is represented by at least one player.
Final vote (1 player): After the list of 33 players for each league is announced, fans vote (on the Internet) for one additional player, chosen from a list of 5 players that is compiled by the manager of each league's team and the Commissioner's Office.
Replacements: After the roster is selected, the All-Star manager and the Commissioner's Office will replace players who are injured or who decline to participate, as well as pitchers who started on the Sunday before the game.

NatsLady said...

How are the Mets getting all these runs against the Rays, I thought the Rays had a good team? OK, well, I hope they remember how to give up runs when they get here...

Section 222 said...

I'll be dropping by the party but on the late side. Hope those drink specials are good enough that everyone hangs around till the bitter end.

Soul -- I won't be in town on July 4, but Duffy's on Opening Day in Chicago was fun. Maybe we can pick an upcoming away game and gather at Duffy's again to watch it. I think I even have a Groupon for Duffy's so can buy a round of beers. Maybe during the upcoming Orioles or Braves series?

sjm308 said...

Sec 22 - can't thank you enough!!

mick said...

You all have a drink for me, lol

JaneB said...

On my way to the metro, my elderly Dad suddenly started having issues. I will miss all my Imaginary Friends. I really wanted to be there. I even had maalox to pass out, so we could make a Cocktail of the Insider Past. ;-(

erocks33 said...

hoping to make it into the city for the gathering. regardless, will definitely be late. i, too, hope that the drink specials and the insiders will continue on towards the 8pm "ending" time.

NatsLady said...

JaneB, sorry to hear. Hope he's ok.

Steady Eddie said...

Sorry to miss you Jane -- hope your dad feels better and you will be able to get to the Park this weekend!

(I'd love to wander over if you'll be there tomorrow, but if the Our Park series is any indication, the ushers really discourage that kind of our-of-your-lane socializing when the place fills up, and maybe not unreasonably. Oh well, I guess there are things you give up with a great team, along with Red Carpet Seats next year, I suspect....)

Anonymous said...

Wish I could make it but its a 560 mile drive for me. Oh well, my spirit might be with yall, wooooooo.

NatsLady said...

By the way:

Nats odds to win W/S = 12/1; Nats odds to get to WS (win NL) = 5/1

washington-nationals-odds-to-win-the-world-series

http://www.docsports.com/washington-nationals-odds-to-win-the-world-series.html

Candide said...

About 15 people here so far, no fist fights yet.

Joe Seamhead said...

I was really trying hard, but job said no early quits. Have fun, folks.

UnkyD said...

Miss you all!!! GYFNG!!!!!

smurff said...

Have fun, y'all!

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Candide said...

Mark is here, with his heir!

smurff said...

Has Peric shown up? That would increase the chances of a fistfight....

peric said...

Has Peric shown up? That would increase the chances of a fistfight....

Doubt it. Would you pick a fight with someone who looks like they make you wish you were never born Smurff? ~smiles~

SonnyG10 said...

Have fun, everyone. Hope to meet you a later time.

Candide said...

I wouldn't recognize Peric if he came up and bit me on the nose.

Oh wait, was that him??? Dang...

Candide said...

MicheleS won the first raffle - a Nats sweatshirt. I think it was fixed. She did give us all a 'WOO HOOOO!'

A DC Wonk said...

A gazillion lurkers here. I've met Steady Eddie, Michele, walking over to Csndide now...

smurff said...

Nah, I never pick fights, Peric. (smiles). Just playing with ya. Sense of humor and all that...

A DC Wonk said...

I'll tell her. I think Mrs Wonk and I are going to Thursdays game, too

baseballswami said...

Just getting free and quite a distance from DC -- can we please have a NOVA get together? Alexandria? Have fun!!!

baseballswami said...

Oh - anyone going to the Ray's on Wednesday?

MicheleS said...

NatsJack just sent you a twit pic. I will be at Thursday's Rays game as well.

RickH said...

Had a good time meeting folks. Both guys who got tickets right after me won prizes.

RickH said...

Not bitter. :-)

Dryw Loves the Nats said...

Hope to make the next one! Y'all have some fun for me....

Another_Sam said...

Mark -- thank you. What a nice event. Great fun. And seeing your growing family: teriffic.

Wonk, Michell, SJK, all the others whose names I'll remember in a minute -- so nice to meet you.

Mark, the boss: thanks you very much. Very nicely done.

NatsJack -- wish you could have been here.

Candide said...

Very nice time, nice people. Wondered what Mark was doing bringing his kid into a bar, asked what kind of beer the young'un drinks. Got the predictable answer... :-)

Hey, Swami, I live in Alexandria; maybe we can arrange a subset get-together of the NoVa people.

A DC Wonk said...
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A DC Wonk said...

Hey all,

Just got back. A fun time hanging out with virtual friends, all of whom are so very into Nats and baseball.

So, I saw ehay2k, and Steady Eddie, and Candide, and Sec222, and MicheleS, and Faraz, and Scooter, and Natsnut, and erocks33, and RickH, and Another Sam (and his brother?), and SJK . . . and I'm sure I'm forgetting others (sorry!)

And of course Mark Z and Mrs Z (and baby Z) and Kelli.

You know what's funny? At first I was glad to put names to faces, but, after five or six I realized: I'm still bad at remembering names/faces! Even if they are formerly-virtual friends!

Thanks, too, to CSN for putting it together (and a _nice_ food spread, too!)

A DC Wonk said...

So, I'm standing there talking to Steady Eddie and MicheleS, when Mark Lapidus (CSN guy) announces the raffle. Huh? I didn't know there was a raffle. So Steady Eddie (so kind of him!) runs over and gets three tickets for the three of us, and hands them out: I get 655272, MicheleS got 655273, and he got 655274.

Out of the dozens (where there like 50 folks there? It was packed! And most were lurkers -- we owe them our support!) of numbers picked, it was . . . 655272. MicheleS won a nice jacket (would look good to wear in an October baseball game, don'tcha think?).

MicheleS -- you owe Steady Eddie big time!

And, lurkers: come out if you want! We won't bite! (Well, most of us won't ;-) )

Another_Sam said...

Wonk -- nicely said. Right on.

Lurkers -- I second Wonk's thought.

Again, nice meeting you all.

Another_Sam said...

And again: Mark Z, the Z faimily, Mark CSN guy -- thank you.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Nice meeting you all. I think it is easier for me to remember your screen names than your real names.

thanks for arranging this meet, Mark.

ehay2k said...

Just returned from the inagural NI Social. Thanks to Mark Z. and CSN for putting that together. Thanks also to Penn Quarter Sports Tavern for hosting the event.

Nice to finally put faces to the names I know so well. You all have as much energy and passion for the Nats in person as you do online (and I mean that join a good way!)

Unfortunately for me, my wife is now convinced I am off my rocker with my imaginary friends. She does not believe that my flight landed early enough to let me take metro to a bar in DC to meet everyone, then go back to the airport to get my car, and then arrive home only a few minutes later than scheduled. ;-)

Great to see everyone (you too, Rachel and Brian!)

A DC Wonk said...

Unfortunately for me, my wife is now convinced I am off my rocker with my imaginary friends.

Riiigggght . . . and next you'll be talking about your imaginary rabbit friend, too, eh?

MicheleS said...

Just got back to the Burbs!

Great night! Thanks CSN for arranging (and for the nice jacket for October!)

So glad to meet everyone and even the lurkers!!!

It was great to see Baby Z! Just as cute as always!

NatsNut said...

I enjoyed meeting ya'll. It's hilarious that we all walked into a room of strangers and only "recognized" each other when we gave our fake names. LOL Still, what a bunch of nice people.

Thanks again Mark and CSN for the nice event.

SCNatsFan said...

Oh c'mon Mark, host an event here in Myrtle Beach. After all we do have a single A team, maybe we can do it when the PNats are here.

Scooter said...

Glad to meet all y'all. Of course, I won't recognize a one of you if I run into you again, but whatever.

Funny enough, I met a lurker whom I hadn't seen in 12 years. Nice to catch up with her.

And I live in Alexandria too. Someone pick a date.

Anonymous said...

So great to put names with faces and meet the entire family Z. Also to see Scooter, who I discovered I've known in the real world for many years. Thanks particularly to MicheleS, NatsNut, and Mrs. Z for making another gal feel welcome

Section 222 said...

Great to see the whole gang this evening. What an entertaining and fun group. Peric, you were missed.

Thanks to Mark, both for organizing the evening and for creating and nurturing this great community of Nats fans. See you out at the park this weekend, and online for the rest of the year. And lets figure out a good time to meet up to watch an away game sometime.

And now, I just have to share this great example of Harper's growing influence in official Washington. Don't let the legalese keep you from getting to the third paragraph.

NatsNut said...

So, uh, now what do we do?

JaneB said...

I didn't realize NatsNut is a girl! To borrow a phrase from another girl, woohoo!

(Thanks for the good wishes for my Dad. Getting old is not for the faint of heart.)

Steady Eddie said...

What a terrific event! Agree with DCWonk on the lurkers -- all those page views help to keep the site a great place not only to kibitz endlessly with all our imaginary friends, but get all tMark's info and insights on the real America's team for the 20 Teens before all the national sports media pretend they thought of them themselves.

Thank you Mark, thank you CSN, and tho DCWonk is too modest to broadcast it online, thanks for helping to connect the two! And thanks to Mrs. Z for sharing your guy with the crowd of admirers who were very non-imaginary for at least this evening.

Scooter said...

Yes, NatsNut is very much a girl. :-)

mayhemnsuz, up there, is my old friend. That's two former colleagues I've met via this here weblog. I wonder who else is lurking?

Oh, and everyone should know that he lowercase Z was the big star of the night.

Jim Webster said...

Sorry to have missed it ... but ZiMS Foundation benefit at the park was a great experience too.

Section 222 said...

@Jim Webster - do provide a first person report if you like. Did Gio have a date? And did the Nats take it easy on the booze and get home to bed early? They have kind of a big weekend ahead.

Gonat said...

Darn, Phillies took 2 of 3 from Twins.

Scooter said...

NatsNut said...
So, uh, now what do we do?


I guess there's only one thing left to do.
(What's that?)
Win the whole [darn] thing.

MurrayTheRed said...

Had a good time. Definitely worth the trip downtown.

See you all at the games this weekend. Baring injury I will be at all three.

Need a Nats*Insider t-shirt to ware at the park.

natscan reduxit said...

… it was great, even just to read about the camaraderie which exists among Nats Insiders and Nats' fans everywhere. Would have been there if I could, but I "was one too many mornings, and a thousand mile behind".

… last weekend, the guys came north of the 48th, and laid a beating on the Blue Jays - all of which I was privileged to watch on TV. It reminded me so much of the old Expos days, when the two teams would play for Canadian bragging rights. Those rights were held firmly in the Expos' grip. Now, as the north-of-the-border sports writers took a look-see at these upstart Nationals, they were brought to their knees, cried in their beer and reminisced on what we once had in Montreal. Here's one link:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/spirit-of-expos-renewed-in-washington/article4258006/

… so now some of you might be asking, if there was that much love for the Expos, why did they wind up being knocked out of town. Good question. Over to you, Bud Light.

Go Nats!! Bomb the Bombers!

mick said...

peric said...

Doubt it. Would you pick a fight with someone who looks like they make you wish you were never born Smurff? ~smiles~

I can relate, I tell ya, when I was born, the doctor turned me over and said "look twins"

lol

ehay2k said...

Sec 222, what a great link. Harper's influence is everywhere. Sadly, he is more mature now than most of our elected and appointed officials. And of course, after he sweeps the Yankees, he'll think twice before going via free agency to what is clearly a declining franchise in a vastly inferior ballpark! :-)

mick said...

I told my doctor, Doc, every morning I wake up, I look in the mirror and I wanna throw up, whats wrong?"

He said, "I don't know but your eyesight is perfect"

lol

DCJohn said...

Thanks Mark for a good time. Wonderful people, wonderful conversation. Look forward to doing it again

Holden Baroque said...

Thanks for hosting, Mark, even though I was otherwise engaged. I look forward to the next one.

natsfan1a said...

Ditto. I was out of town and missed all the fun.

natsfan1a said...

And I'd also be up for a Virginia gathering.

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