tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post5658287329953645748..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Game 9: Nats at MetsMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47018289532029179282011-04-11T12:17:27.625-04:002011-04-11T12:17:27.625-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54820800955101962882011-04-11T08:45:04.092-04:002011-04-11T08:45:04.092-04:00Sitting Desmond in game four when he was what, 0 f...Sitting Desmond in game four when he was what, 0 for 16 or something like that is stupid? Keeping your bench sharp after most of them had not had a plate appearance in over a week is stupid? I suppose if he were to bench Michael Morse and his sub .200 batting avearge right now against Halladay or Oswalt you would probably say that was stupid as well. With two off days in the first week of the season I have no trouble with this move. <br /><br />As for "fire" representing "a passion to win every game you play", all I can say to you sir is Jim Riggleman wants to win as much as anyone I've ever met. And as for your comment about Riggleman's losing record do a little homework and research and check out the rosters of those clubs he has managed in the past. Check out just how bad the talent was in San Diego where he inherited a last place team with a losing culture and an owner who was determined to trade away all of his established veterans (Tony Gwynn being the exception)for prospects. Check out how he managed to get the Cubs into the playoffs and also had another season with a winning record. Check out how many injuries he had to work around with his front line players, especially pitchers in his five years in Chicago. Check out how Mark Grace and Shawon Dunston both to this day claim Riggleman was the best manager they ever played for. Check out how he took over a last place dysfunctional Seattle Mariners team in mid season only to lead them to a better record in the half season he had them, a record that allowed the Mariners to post a better won/loss record than the 2008 Nationals thereby giving the Nats the first pick to draft Strasburg in 2009. <br /><br />Yes JayB Riggleman's record doesn't look good on the surface, but dig beneath and find out just what he has done with the limited resources he has ben given to work with. If the Nationals should somehow find themselves at .500 at the end of the season, Riggleman deserves serious consideration for manager of the year.Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71945355950968955412011-04-11T06:43:47.939-04:002011-04-11T06:43:47.939-04:00Catching up with comments after the fact, interest...Catching up with comments after the fact, interesting to see many of my own in-the-moment reactions to the game were voiced here already. Agree with JayB and Grandstander re. the improved bunting, which I'd been commenting on to my husband. Also agree re. the Morse at-bat with the bases loaded. Not a good one (which I said to my tv set at the time, um, in a slightly different manner). Generally speaking, hope that they'll improve on hitting with RISP. Nice to see another win in extra innings. Seems to me that we've lost those more often than won in years past.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-68564793418313995632011-04-11T05:42:11.715-04:002011-04-11T05:42:11.715-04:00To me "Fire" is a passion to win every g...To me "Fire" is a passion to win every game you play. "Fire" is doing everything you can every game to win. That means putting the best line up on the field and using the best players. Riggs manages like a little league manager who worries about vet feelings and making sure everyone is happy with their playing time. Sitting your starting infield on the 4th game so your vets feel good is stupid. Riggs is a find AAA manager but their is a good reason why he has always lost, has the highest losing % in baseball (Acta is there too with less games) and works so cheap....no other team wanted him or will want him.....sorry but that is the way it is.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30445656205724253842011-04-11T00:21:05.152-04:002011-04-11T00:21:05.152-04:00Glad to see others come to Riggs defense. I see a...Glad to see others come to Riggs defense. I see an intense manager who backs his players both on the field and in the press. Like DC Wonk says, we have no idea what is going on in the locker room but the early quotes from players seems like this team likes each other and is getting closer each day. Pudge also gets crushed here and yet he is constantly upbeat and positive and helps in little ways that we will never know.<br />I also question what JayB means by "fire"? What do you want us to see, a pep talk every inning? Lots of hand clapping? I am not a psychologist but there are times the camera is on Riggs and I see lots of fire in his eyes. bottom line is people on this blog need a whipping boy and replacing Millege, Morgan, Guzman etc is a Hall of Fame Catcher and a veteran manager. Go figure.<br />We are 4-5, pitching has been better than hoped for and while we now have some serious injuries to deal with and some poor hitting we are going into a key series with the first place team in our division with our heads up. I love it.<br /><br />Go Nats!!sjm308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-90142373790938448422011-04-10T23:24:25.205-04:002011-04-10T23:24:25.205-04:00Knoxville Nat wrote:
"Why is it so important...Knoxville Nat wrote:<br /><br />"Why is it so important for Riggleman to have or to show "fire"? Did Walter Alston ever show any "fire" when he managed the Dodgers all those years? Did you consider Joe Torre as a manager who demonstrated a lot of "fire"?"<br /><br />Good point -- thanks for making it. There's more than one way to motivate players. That goes for baseball (see above), for basketball (compare, say, Dean Smith and Coach K vs Bobby Knight), for football (Parcells vs Tony Dungy), etc etc. We don't know the personalities of the players, we don't know what goes on in the locker room, or behind closed doors. Looking like you're about to burst a blood vessel is not the only way to motivate players and/or hold them accountable.A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62511301980570565012011-04-10T20:52:11.914-04:002011-04-10T20:52:11.914-04:00For others who may appreciate Schadenfreude, Aaron...For others who may appreciate Schadenfreude, Aaron Heilman, I mean Blaine Boyer was just DFA'd to bring up Izzy. Glad he gave us a win before he left!Grandstandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79032707604344460122011-04-10T20:48:31.080-04:002011-04-10T20:48:31.080-04:00uh, that should have read "...thrown OUT 81 o...uh, that should have read "...thrown OUT 81 or 82 win"<br /><br />Grey Goose got me!Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38740914652021077512011-04-10T20:46:50.558-04:002011-04-10T20:46:50.558-04:00JayB,
Why is it so important for Riggleman to ha...JayB, <br /><br />Why is it so important for Riggleman to have or to show "fire"? Did Walter Alston ever show any "fire" when he managed the Dodgers all those years? Did you consider Joe Torre as a manager who demonstrated a lot of "fire"?<br /><br />If this team wins as many games as you seem to think they are capable (I believe you have thrown oit 81 or 82 wins this year), why in heaven's name do you want to get rid of the manager who would have taken them from 59 wins to 81 or 82 in just 2 years? You make no sense to me.Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67701710987386906742011-04-10T20:39:44.011-04:002011-04-10T20:39:44.011-04:00@ JayB - Great point on the bunting. That was one...@ JayB - Great point on the bunting. That was one of the most excruciatingly frustrating things the past few season and I can't recall a flawed bunt so far this season. Watching JZimm come into the game today and just dropping that perfect bunt was my personal highlight of the day.Grandstandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-81833165733983671612011-04-10T20:07:48.708-04:002011-04-10T20:07:48.708-04:00Great veteran leadership today from Rodriguez and ...Great veteran leadership today from Rodriguez and Nix. Good results. Good to have different guys contributing. When the hitting comes around, this might be a lot of fun.fpcstevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5140370445195275152011-04-10T20:03:19.566-04:002011-04-10T20:03:19.566-04:00Regarding Chris Young....if he pitched at National...Regarding Chris Young....if he pitched at Nationals Park today, Morse would have hit a home run instead of a warning track shot...<br />The fact that Citi Field is a HUGE pitchers park may have been the reason why Young chose to sign with the Mets...<br />That field helped him look like Cy Young today...TimDznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54006447875592291982011-04-10T19:10:09.844-04:002011-04-10T19:10:09.844-04:00@ Jeeves, I agree my analysis of Danny was a littl...@ Jeeves, I agree my analysis of Danny was a little premature and negative but he does seem to strikeout whenever I follow his at bats. Maybe I should stop watching him hit, because otherwise he is getting on base at a good rate and might as well push Desmond to #2 spot (if either Ryan, Adam or both start missing games). He just needs to prove himself on the basepaths.<br /><br />Anyways, I will take a win in any form against Mets. I still think we are better than the Mets and should finish so in the standings at the end of the season too. CBS are really doing their job as relievers. If only Broderick could perform like he showed he could in ST, we would not need to worry about bullpen. It is also good to see our starters six and more innings. It is the hitters that really need to start producing.FSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84883990227969073042011-04-10T19:02:26.231-04:002011-04-10T19:02:26.231-04:00Wow, what a great comeback victory today. Its nic...Wow, what a great comeback victory today. Its nice to see different guys contributing to a win so we don't have to depend only on Zimmerman and Werth to provide all the offense. As for Riggleman, I have no problems with his management style. He did great today and I think for the most part he has done well given the talent he has had to work with.<br /><br />Go Nats!!!SonnyG10https://www.blogger.com/profile/06568010128457246433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59154953095817105562011-04-10T19:00:32.600-04:002011-04-10T19:00:32.600-04:00Njack,
He had a good day....I like the running ga...Njack,<br /><br />He had a good day....I like the running game and the small ball....I remember being at a ST lunch and having Acta belittle a fan question about playing small ball......Riggs pull all the right strings today....My view is he is still a losing manager from way back. He has no fire and as the vets get traded this summer, Porter is a much better choice to hold the younger guys accountable.....we shall see....oh and like I have been saying for over 3 months now.....this team will win more than they lose this year....because of talent and fundamentals....I have never seen so many good bunts from Nationals in a whole season as we have seen this week.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-65200049891988167012011-04-10T18:57:31.404-04:002011-04-10T18:57:31.404-04:00Been around BB since the 1940s--can't understa...Been around BB since the 1940s--can't understand some of the negative comments. You have a brand new team--after the game Nix on MLB said they are still getting to know each other. Considering that hardly anybody playing regularly was around last year, they are putting it together pretty fast, it seems. Many bright spots--everyone on the team can be expected to produce. <br />PS Watched Nyjer strike out with the bases loaded last night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54901163441598194802011-04-10T18:20:19.812-04:002011-04-10T18:20:19.812-04:00A win is a win. Team stayed tough, and the Nets b...A win is a win. Team stayed tough, and the Nets bullpen which has been weak most of the season, didn't do the job. I had this team winning 76 at the beginning, and will stay there as the clutch hitting is to inconsistent to be much better. If it improves than they can win more.Manassas Nats Fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69896253844940082782011-04-10T18:09:35.269-04:002011-04-10T18:09:35.269-04:00lucretius,
When you say that the Pudge's dou...lucretius,<br /><br /> When you say that the Pudge's double was legit you are absolutely right; it landed in right center and no one caught it. <br /><br /> Nats Jack,<br /><br /> I am not a hater; I defended Riggllman throughout last year and you are right the moves you mention were very good (other than the Ramos pinch run as he was the last remaining non pitcher left).<br /><br /> My criticisms of him are that he takes his starters out too soon (this was not the case today where Marquis was taken out when he was begining to lose his command) and that he over manages.<br /><br /> My last point is that you should not judge moves based on results alone and this is exactly what people do; you can make a great move and have it blow up in your face and you can make a dumb move and have it work.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66004836412273755312011-04-10T17:59:44.534-04:002011-04-10T17:59:44.534-04:00There is only one reason the Nats won today....cur...There is only one reason the Nats won today....current baseball mentality. Young was pitching a teriffic one hit game through seven innings. Then baseball mentality took over. 'Let's not allow him to "hurt" his arm. We don't want him to get too tired. Even though he is eraning millions a year let's take him out and give other pitchers a chance to lose the game'. Well, it worked. The Mets lost and I'm happy for that. We were handed a game due to baseball mentality. GO NATS!! Unfortunately we are going to give up lots of games just like that.Rabbitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54203341990499085092011-04-10T17:59:25.968-04:002011-04-10T17:59:25.968-04:00lucretius.....Riggleman was pretty much a genius a...lucretius.....Riggleman was pretty much a genius all day today. From running LaRoche and Morse early to avoid a double play opportunity for the Mets, to using J. Zimm to lay down the sac bunt to running Ramos (he runs great for a cather) and inserting Nix.<br /><br />But the haters won't give him credit. Not today....not ever.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-3750334250792229942011-04-10T17:51:17.710-04:002011-04-10T17:51:17.710-04:00jd, pudge's single was a hard hit ball, it was...jd, pudge's single was a hard hit ball, it was totally legit, so was his double. listen, i know pudge isn't what he was but i get tired of people on this blog ripping riggleman for every decision he makes.lucretiusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63120497665405089092011-04-10T17:43:48.721-04:002011-04-10T17:43:48.721-04:00Awesome win!
Wow, the bullpen is red hot.
Marquis ...Awesome win!<br />Wow, the bullpen is red hot.<br />Marquis is really pitching well.<br /><br />,What's kinda cool is that this bullpen could be even better, if any of the lesser guys struggle there are some good arms in the minors or DL<br />Clippard, Storen and Burnett absolutely dominate the late innings, so there's really no worry about who is actually the closer. All three of them are the "closer".<br /><br />Just a few of my thoughts :)Cwjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-33339022608795722212011-04-10T17:20:44.223-04:002011-04-10T17:20:44.223-04:00lucretius,
calm down. The winning hit was a groun...lucretius,<br /><br />calm down. The winning hit was a ground ball slightly to the left of the 2nd baseman where anyone other than Daniel Murphy has a shot for a double play. I love that we won but let's relax with the HOF comments because we all know that pudge is not that anymore.<br /><br />We won a game with 0 contribution for Werth, Zim and very little from Morse; that actually bodes well because all of them will produce. I am concerned about LaRoche because I am not sure were we go for plan B.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22027969998951232862011-04-10T17:12:34.942-04:002011-04-10T17:12:34.942-04:00now where is everyone who was ripping riggleman fo...now where is everyone who was ripping riggleman for playing pudge today?2 for 4, 2 RBI.. maybe riggs knows a thing or two, like you don't panic if your HOF catcher starts off a season 1 for 10lucretiusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-72114175499389141762011-04-10T17:06:09.207-04:002011-04-10T17:06:09.207-04:00Met announcers say the Nats struck out 17. Althou...Met announcers say the Nats struck out 17. Although 4 of those were Willie Harris...Mattnoreply@blogger.com