Friday, November 9, 2012

Vacation time

Given the year-round nature of the baseball season and offseason these days, there's never a perfect time for reporters to go on vacation. But we all need our share of time off, especially after the long and very eventful season the Nationals just experienced.

So I'm punching my time clock today and heading out of town for a little while to spend some quality time with Mrs. Z on a beach in a much warmer climate than this. I'll return at the end of next week, hopefully tanned, rested and re-energized to cover the real meat of what should be an eventful offseason for the Nationals.

Obviously, there are several potential stories that could break in the coming days. Davey Johnson's contract to return as manager next season is all but finalized and could be announced sometime today. Adam LaRoche will likely decline the Nats' $13.3 million qualifying offer before today's deadline (though that doesn't preclude him from re-signing with the team this winter). And Bryce Harper, Johnson and Gio Gonzalez are all finalists for BBWAA awards that will be announced Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

My colleague Chase Hughes from CSNwashington.com will be monitoring all of that in my stead, so you'll still be able to keep up on everything involving the Nationals. You'll probably also notice a couple of blog posts written by me in advance to help fill the void.

Talk to you all when I get back to town!

26 comments:

Faraz Shaikh said...

Have fun Mark!

Gonat said...

Have a great vacation Mark & Mrs. Z!

natsfan1a said...

Have fun, Mark and Mrs. Z! I promise we'll be good while you're gone. :-)

Joe Seamhead said...

Some beach..somewhere...
Sounds great,Mark. Have a blast. When you get back the countdown clock will have moved well into ever dwindleing double digits!

NatsLady said...
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NatsLady said...

Have fun, read some non-baseball books, splash away, Mark. Love da beach.

MicheleS said...
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MicheleS said...

Have fun, you and Mrs Z deserve a nice long vacation. (Hopefully Baby Z will give you some time to enjoy for just the 2 of you)

And Chase is in charge!!! WOOO HOOO!!! Chase you know that Mark feeds us a lot, so we expect the same from you!

Mark, we will try not to drive Chase nuts, but I suspect that he will want a vacation after you come back. Poor guy doesn't even have Hockey to distract him.

natsfan1a said...

Hope that Baby Z will be with loving caregivers who will spoil him in the manner that he truly deserves. ;-)

(Hopefully Baby Z will give you some time to enjoy for just the 2 of you)

Don said...

Have fun!!

bigfitzva said...

Enjoy Mark, you know the Nats will sign 4 or 5 players in your absence. LOL

Doc said...

Substitute teacher in the classroom.

Time to wad up the spitballs!

Have a fun time MarkMeister!!!

Faraz Shaikh said...

btw as a member of BBWAA, is mark voting for any awards?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Wear sunscreen. Have a blast. Promise we won't drive the car over 55 while you're done.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Hope you enjoy St. Thomas! Whoops, was that a secret.....I promise, no stalking! LOL

Laddie Blah Blah said...

You've earned it Mark. Enjoy.

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

Faraz Shaikh said...
btw as a member of BBWAA, is mark voting for any awards?


If so, he already voted since those ballots are cast at the end of the regular season. It's up to him if he wants to reveal those votes after the results are announced.

Faraz Shaikh said...

yeah, I get that FW. Just wanted to know what categories he is voting for.

SonnyG10 said...

Enjoy your vacation, Mark, Mrs. Z, and baby Z. I'm sure Chase will take good care of us while you are away.

SonnyG10 said...

Okay Chase, how about a new controversial post to get the party going!

Holden Baroque said...

I believe Mark said earlier he was in for MVP. I could be remembering that wrong.

Unknown said...

Have a good time Mark

Holden Baroque said...

Wait, Mark voted for MVP last year, so that can't be right, but is probably what I'm remembering.

sm13 said...

Enjoy the warmth and quiet , Mark. There'll be plenty of baseball news waiting for your return.

LoveDaNats said...

Have fun, Mark! Take Mrs. Z out for some lovely, romantic dinners. Try to remember what you talked about before Brian was born. :)

SlowPitch63 said...

Enjoy your time off, Mark.
Let's Play Two!

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