tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post1820044733250289443..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: An off-night for inconsistent StrasburgMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30635512223840807882012-08-01T13:12:54.168-04:002012-08-01T13:12:54.168-04:00Peric,
I think that there was a plan for Harper ...Peric,<br /><br /> I think that there was a plan for Harper and it was modified in midstream due to a string of injuries. He got of to a great start and it took Morse and Zim a long time to get going so sending him back was taken off the table.<br /><br /> I think that this was not the best outcome for his development and it may have in fact caused a slight regression; part of development for such a young player is that you want him to keep moving forward and mastering every level until there is only 1 level to master. You never want to go backwards.<br /><br /> At the end of the day it's not a tragedy and it won't stop Bryce from becoming a super star but we just need to understand that it's a tough process with many bumps on the road.JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74679410038332273762012-08-01T12:39:45.260-04:002012-08-01T12:39:45.260-04:00I also noticed the swing for the fences from Espin...<i>I also noticed the swing for the fences from Espinosa. Do any of you think it's because Davey had him batting 3rd and we were behind from the 1st inning? </i><br /><br />Of course. The thing to remember, as Rizzo said to Rally Carp and FP, these are all young players still getting their feet wet in the majors. Like it or not even with the winning its going to take time. Rizzo then went on to say he did that himself with Stras. He may be Jesus but he's still being trained in the temple.<br /><br />I am actually more worried about these former prospects than I am the score. Harper lost at the plate? Lost at the plate? That is not like him at all. He needs a break. Yes, Stras does appear as if his starts are numbered now. But they have a plan in place for him ... I don't see that with Harper any longer. There's a lesson to remember Davey from Darryl Strawberry. Last year when Trout was 19 he seemed far worse and they sent him down to the minors. <br /><br />That said, Atlanta is coming hard strong seeing the demise of the Phillies and wanting to send Chipper out with a ring. The Nats have a beast on their tail. They must learn to put the nail in the coffin of teams like the Phils and the Marlins as did the Nats for all the previous years. If they want to be contenders this year. Its up to them.perichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669200119049715758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36578405778651181702012-08-01T11:03:31.378-04:002012-08-01T11:03:31.378-04:00To gems, Bryce looks to mellow and the Phils look ...To gems, Bryce looks to mellow and the Phils look for answers:<br /><br />http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/01/slumping-bryce-harper-trying-to-find-some-mellowness/<br /><br />http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-talk/Phillies-have-nothing-more-to-lose-in-20?blockID=749373&feedID=704Tcostanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13264565854413303198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66588279792799797652012-08-01T10:49:25.067-04:002012-08-01T10:49:25.067-04:00This is a team that has spent most of it's exi...This is a team that has spent most of it's existence in last place and now has soared to being in first almost wire to wire. A couple of these guys have done it before, not many - maybe only Werth, and he has not been around to help. So we have rookies, who probably should still be in the minors but are here due to injuries, learning how to be major leaguers, in a pennant race, holding down first place. They just haven't been there before and are learning how to do it. 19 years old, really? Most of our players are in new territory. We fans have not been here before, either. I don't know how to do this and at times I am not very good at it. Being a fan of a last place team is pretty easy - no expectations. No wonder we panic and expect armageddon every time things crumple a little bit. No wonder the players falter sometimes - can you even imagine? They look like they are always having fun, but the weight has to be heavy at times. Maybe that day off allowed too much time to think.baseballswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473384422940931212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-20695198952002209092012-08-01T10:45:32.176-04:002012-08-01T10:45:32.176-04:00I am no expert but I think Espi's problem is p...I am no expert but I think Espi's problem is pitch recognition. He has quick hands and excellent power to all fields. He took Kimbrall's 98 mph fastball over the left field wall which is not an easy thing to do.<br /><br /> I think most experienced pitchers know that you don't have to throw a strike or anything close to one to get Espi to chase; until he's able to recognize the off speed pitchers in the dirt and lay off them he will continue to strike out.JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52190578485474839142012-08-01T10:40:51.916-04:002012-08-01T10:40:51.916-04:00Laddie, I disagree on Danny. The loop is part of h...Laddie, I disagree on Danny. The loop is part of his swing; if it was just a defect he could think about and fix then he wouldn't have been Mendoza like the first half of the year. You can't change muscle memory by just thinking it away.SCNatsFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05521403318226328638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59267950880492400452012-08-01T10:39:58.663-04:002012-08-01T10:39:58.663-04:00Bryce Harper on his slump: “I’m trying to find som...Bryce Harper on his slump: “I’m trying to find some mellowness”<br /><br />Aren't we all, Bryce, aren't we all?<br /><br />The kid is certainly quotable.Brother Juniperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106991469009619453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59513939903570843772012-08-01T09:55:15.310-04:002012-08-01T09:55:15.310-04:00I also noticed the swing for the fences from Espin...I also noticed the swing for the fences from Espinosa. Do any of you think it's because Davey had him batting 3rd and we were behind from the 1st inning? I still marvel at what a great SS he is and his arm is a gun with almost every throw a strike. The double play in the 1st was started with a great play by Lombo but Danny's pivot was also solid as Pierre was right at the bag. I am not trying to start anything because I know Ian was a huge part of our success but how great is it to have two shortstops of that caliber? <br /><br />Go Nats!!sjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16510480699769502102012-08-01T09:47:57.040-04:002012-08-01T09:47:57.040-04:00"Laddie, I'm most concerned with Espi.&qu..."Laddie, I'm most concerned with Espi."<br /><br />I agree. The loop was back in his swing from the left side, big time, hence the 4 Ks last Sunday. Of course, he has gotten rid of it before, so he can do it, again. Surely he knows what is happening. He has also shown a recent tendency to swing for the fences, again, and to chase those breaking balls to the inside, which are fooling him, once again.Laddie Blah Blahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474416524698003749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-50446438080173783152012-08-01T09:40:45.445-04:002012-08-01T09:40:45.445-04:00pRAA - thanks for that - isn't it amazing that...pRAA - thanks for that - isn't it amazing that one bad game can make you forget that we went 6-1 on that last away trip?<br /><br />I also remember O'Malley and his band. Harp & Fiddle is a nice place with a great singer on Sunday nights (MaryAnne Redmond) but not as dingy as Flanagans<br /><br />Go Natssjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66675426351552088602012-08-01T09:37:57.331-04:002012-08-01T09:37:57.331-04:00222! We were there last night and said, (as we onl...222! We were there last night and said, (as we only rarely do), "Okay, THOSE guys can come back!" Great job!<br /><br />Last night, had I been able to log on from the Park (and with so many more fans, the FO has GOT to do better with bandwidth now, they really do. It was bad before, and beyond awful now), I would have written, "No Zimm, no ALR, no Desmond: that would have made me nervous last year. Now I still expect to win." I was wrong, of course, but I expected we would win all the way to the top of the 9th. Then I didn't.<br /><br />I agree with some of you who are saying this is ONE GAME, and the violent swings of emotion are just nutty. ANd unproductive. We play till the beginning of October and see where we are then. And meanwhile, I'll root against the Braves. Because SHEESH, what has gotten into them???<br /><br />Bluejeener, sorry about the family illness. The traditional Nats Insider in-game drink has been bourbon and maalox. I didn't need the maalox last night but a little bourbon might give the koolaid some kick. <br /><br />Headed out of town myself for the next few nights. Will keep up with you all and Our First Place Nationals via the interwebz.JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04882101532666365432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-61856775940071066482012-08-01T09:27:45.519-04:002012-08-01T09:27:45.519-04:00sjm308 said...
Loved the old Flanagan's in Be...<i>sjm308 said... <br />Loved the old Flanagan's in Bethesda (and pRAA, that was owned by a guy named Walsh).</i><br /><br />I know. I used to frequent Flanagan's back in the day when an unknown named Martin O'Malley was one of the rotating cast of singers there.<br /><br /><i>Also wondering when the Braves might just lose one stupid game so I can take a deep breath.</i><br /><br />If you ever look at the standings, many outlets have a column called "Last 10". (I think the Washington Post eliminated it around the same time that I eliminated my Washington Post subscription.) The "Last 10" column in this morning's standings reads Nationals 8-2, Braves 7-3. Sure doesn't seem like it, though.The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13147290573966561009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-60161830376959274102012-08-01T09:26:52.399-04:002012-08-01T09:26:52.399-04:00Agreed on the anthem (wasn't at the game but w...Agreed on the anthem (wasn't at the game but watched the video).natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79906755152998189982012-08-01T09:25:58.239-04:002012-08-01T09:25:58.239-04:00222, in case you didn't see my comment in game...222, in case you didn't see my comment in game, you guys were great on the Anthem!MicheleShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04972863154063796569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-20455984522924284592012-08-01T09:24:14.490-04:002012-08-01T09:24:14.490-04:00On a somewhat related note, how is the team with t...On a somewhat related note, how is the team with the better record determined for claims on a player who does not clear waivers? Is it based on the prior season's record or the current season's record? I'm thinking the former but couldn't find definitive info on that with a quick online search.<br /><br /><i>At the trade deadline (and the deadline for signing amateur free agents), what is the moment that seals a last minute deal? When both sides say OK? When they call MLB? Is there a MLB official on the conference call to verify the deal has been done before the deadline?</i>natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5073310383291737232012-08-01T09:22:36.589-04:002012-08-01T09:22:36.589-04:00Re Harper and Strasburg.
Harper - In a perfect w...Re Harper and Strasburg.<br /><br /> Harper - In a perfect world Harper would be winding down his 2nd full season in the minors having made adjustments and improvements and getting ready for a September call-up. Injuries forced Rizzo to change his plans so instead we are seeing Harper go through the learning process in the majors in front of our eyes and sometimes this necessarily involves failure - the game is not that easy where you can come in at 19 and take over - patience.<br /><br /> Strasburg - most of his struggles are a product of inexperience as well. I later years he won't give up a home run to the 8th place hitter with 1st base open, he will pay attention to the base runners and he will be more focused when facing the opposing pitcher - patience.JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55283848985909991532012-08-01T09:19:36.145-04:002012-08-01T09:19:36.145-04:00Typo correction:
Gotta get old man Chipper off th...Typo correction:<br /><br />Gotta get old man Chipper off the twitta for that. Yo. :-)<br /><br /><i>Also wondering when the Braves might just lose one stupid game so I can take a deep breath.</i>natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-21071451363106602802012-08-01T09:19:34.732-04:002012-08-01T09:19:34.732-04:00Something I've always wondered about:
At the ...Something I've always wondered about:<br /><br />At the trade deadline (and the deadline for signing amateur free agents), what is the moment that seals a last minute deal? When both sides say OK? When they call MLB? Is there a MLB official on the conference call to verify the deal has been done before the deadline?Brother Juniperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106991469009619453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79837373375187670222012-08-01T09:17:34.736-04:002012-08-01T09:17:34.736-04:00Swami,
Thank you for the perspective. You are de...Swami,<br /><br /> Thank you for the perspective. You are dead on right. Last night was the 1st time this year I got really aggravated and that includes the blown game to the Braves. I was aggravated because I was following the blog and reading real ignorant comments - I won't do this again.JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24169595954115159472012-08-01T09:14:55.527-04:002012-08-01T09:14:55.527-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-21943359731015050912012-08-01T09:10:04.182-04:002012-08-01T09:10:04.182-04:00I have been stuck in Upstate NY for most of the su...I have been stuck in Upstate NY for most of the summer (family illness) and getting most of my game info from gamecast and twitter. But I get most of my Nationals information from Mark and all of the posters here. Thanks. And, great job, 222, thanks for sharing.<br /><br />ps- my koolaid is tasting a tiny bit sour, should I add something or just throw it out and replace it with cold water?bluejeenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11588719330762993119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83175440385706103402012-08-01T09:07:04.099-04:002012-08-01T09:07:04.099-04:00Didin't see the game but when a team is tied f...Didin't see the game but when a team is tied for the best record in baseball - as we were - they get a night off without everyone jumping ship.SCNatsFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05521403318226328638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-70610577089773061652012-08-01T09:06:50.432-04:002012-08-01T09:06:50.432-04:00Examples -- Bryce is 19 and needs to get a full se...Examples -- Bryce is 19 and needs to get a full season under his belt no matter what his batting average turns out to be at the end. We don't need him to take us to the promised land this year - we need him to learn. Strassie is in his first almost-full season after TJ - we need him to continue to develop and learn, not be so desperate to take us to the post-season that he isn't doing the right things to learn how to be a pitcher. So far I think, mostly, the right decisions are being made by the powers that be - decisions based on the future, but it has got to be tempting to be short- term. Tempting but maybe not the most constructive.baseballswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473384422940931212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56786981476051272202012-08-01T09:01:33.179-04:002012-08-01T09:01:33.179-04:00Swami - excellent post & I think I had started...Swami - excellent post & I think I had started to fall into that "fear"factor. When we were dismal, which was not too long ago, I rationalized that I was able to watch major league baseball in my home town and enjoyed the actual play. Baseball is still a game where the ground out to short or 2nd must be handled almost perfectly to get a good runner at first and we take that for granted. Last night I got to see my first inside the park homerun live (at least I think it was my first, as Peric has pointed out, I am old). I was hoping for 85-87 wins and now will be disappointed if we don't reach the playoffs but I need to get back to just appreciating the game and this team a little more.<br /><br />Go Nats!sjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82556541755785496472012-08-01T08:56:41.528-04:002012-08-01T08:56:41.528-04:00Section222 - I am an professional musician and I k...Section222 - I am an professional musician and I know lots of barbershop people. That was awesome! Kudos to you and your group.baseballswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473384422940931212noreply@blogger.com