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| Photo by USA Today Sports Images |
What was a whirlwind of a rookie year for Bryce Harper seemed to carry over into his offseason as the 20-year-old has been quite busy this winter. Harper has been active tweeting pictures of his travels, campaigning for the cover of a video game, and even appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. With just weeks to go until Spring Training, Harper is now just looking forward to entering his first big league camp with a set role in the starting lineup.
“When I go into Spring Training I’m going to work my tail off, work out in the weight room, and get things done. I’m going to try and get ready for the season,” he said.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to get back going and try to get back to where we were last year.”
Harper said he didn’t watch any of the baseball playoffs after the Nationals were bounced in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. He didn’t even watch the World Series.
Months after the ending of last season had settled, Harper was invited to compete in the World Baseball Classic, but declined. He wants to take the next few weeks to relax before starting the long 162-game schedule.
“I think it’s just too serious of at-bats for me right now,” he said. “Coming off the year that we had, I just want to get back into the swing of things in Spring Training. It’s the first Spring Training I can really be up with the big league club and I think hopefully in four years I can do the WBC then.”
102 comments:
I see a monster year from Harper coming. Like Justin Upton best season.
The kid has a knack for saying the right thing. Maybe someday we'll find out what he really thinks.
That said, we're lucky to be able see him hustle his tail off every day
STAY CLEAN, Bryce. Be careful who you hang with.
New post, just not in here:
MLB to meet with Gio, other players involved in PED report
(and aside to Chase: "refute" means to disprove, not just to deny. FYI.
"His father was quoted in the story denying any involvement by Gio and the pitcher himself refuted the story on Twitter.")
Just the Gio stuff:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/01/the_gio_files_every_mention_of.php?ref=trending
And now for something completely different. A where are they now piece on the 2005 Nationals, courtesy of former NJ Blogfather Barry Svrluga. LOL at one of the two "last men standing" in the bigs. Ha! Take that, FO! You never should have sold him to begin with. (humph!)
every time I read his quotes or hear him speak, my belief in him grows. if it's an act then mark me down in the hoodwinked column
1a I enjoyed tge 2005 team blog item - thanks!
Fun memories. Somewhat cleaned up version of Oka leaving, though. As I recall, he challenged FRob and was gone the next day.
Gee, I ask a question in here one day and the next day the blogfather does a whole piece on it in NJ. What an honor. As I said yesterday, that was not a young team. By my count 12 of them, almost half, were out of baseball by the end of 2008. I doubt very much that more than 2 or 3 of our starting 25 will be done by 2016. (I'm thinking Haren and LaRoche are the best candidates, but even they could be around much longer.)
Of course, there are always injuries and PED suspensions...
swami, yes, and he didn't mention the pine tar game for Guillen. He *did* also say that he had work to do, though, so we'll cut him some slack. :-)
MLB still beating the shutdown horse to death and quoting SS from the fall with no recent update. Sigh.....
I hadn't really looked closely at the "evidence" before, and I haven't seen the dates that Gio appears in the notes commented on before. But for what it's worth, May 29, 2012 ("5/29" in the notes) was, in fact, during a Nats visit to Miami. Gio had started the game on May 27 in Atlanta and didn't pitch again until June 3 in DC.
"May 7, 2012" on the other hand, was a Monday off day in between the last game of a home series against the Phillies on May 6 (the famous Colbert old school steal of home game) and an away series in Pittsburgh that started on May 8. Gio pitched against the Phillies on Saturday, May 5 and in Cincinnati on May 10. Would he have been allowed to leave the team and go home in between starts?
Whether or not the newspaper gives its records/notes/documents to MLB, you can be certain -- as I have said previously -- the DEA will give MLB everything (almost) that it sweeps in from its investigation. The DEA may not get reporters' notes but will certainly get everything that's in Biogenesis's office and everything off of their computers. (Not like they don't have MS-13 or other similar organizations to investigate.) So long as there is a pending DEA investigation, it strongly behooves Gonzalez to stay silent, as anything he says to MLB investigators is also likely to end up in the hands of the DEA.
I suspect that, until M. Cabrera raised his ugly face, Selig thought he had doping stamped out or at least quarantined to a few marginal minor leaguers. He will instruct his investigators to take scalps.
As for Harper's hopes for remaining in the #2 slot, for reasons I set out yesterday (I think; the days run together), I see him in the #3 position (LRLRLRSRP) and I hope that doesn't disappoint him too much.
I gotta hand it to Chase, he keeps trying to post other topics for discussion.
Not working, though, is it?
Section 3, my sofa said...
I gotta hand it to Chase, he keeps trying to post other topics for discussion.
January 31, 2013 6:10 PM
Yea, sofa, he's giving it a good try. This Gio thing is like a bad case of the flu, though. Its going to run its course.
I was in the Space Coast this week on business. I swung by the complex yesterday afternoon. Though I didn't see any players, there was lots of activity. It was the afternoon -- I should have looked on the golf course. LOL
Nice analogy, Sonny. Sounds about right.
Another--- in an interview Saturday, Det said he was going straight to Viera from here. Less than 2 weeks. I need some real baseball to wash the bad taste out of my mouth from this week.
swami, looks like the Caribbean World Serious starts tomorrow at 5 pm, on ESPN3. Enjoy!
Great, thanks!! Any MLB stars playing?
swami -- i forget; are you going down for spring training?
swami, I haven't the foggiest. I think the CWS (as it seems to be called) has its own website, so maybe you can find that.
Once more, with feeling. And a live link.
Another_Sam, thanks for the reminder--this is a good time to include the link to the NIDO spreadsheet, which includes a worksheet on who's there, when (if they listed it).
Speaking of embarrassing moments, I ran across this (Embarrassing Nats Moments--from Dec. 2010) while looking up something else. Happened to be the day the Phils re-signed Cliff Lee. Some interesting comments there from Steve M and NatsJack, among others.
Swami -- that's very cool! that spreadsheet. can i get my handle and dates on that sheet?
My dates are 3/18 - 3/22.
All I found on a quick google was this MLB site for the Winter Leagues:
Caribbean World Series
But to answer your question, yes. Pablo Sandoval gets top billing, for instance.
It's a wiki, Another. Just pop your info into the appropriate spots.
Trying to get to ST. Complicated, as my son is moving from there. I am going to try to go down and "help". We will obviously need a mental health break at some point so that he can say farewell to Viera.Dates up in the air. Also -i am a church musician and ST almost completely coincides with Lent this year. Opening day for MLB is ----Easter.
Not to be a conspiracy theorist--while I put out a conspiracy theory--but, who benefits most if Gio and Nelson Cruz are suspended. Well, there is a certain agent out there with a high-priced pitcher and a high priced outfielder who don't have jobs yet.
as-mlb-investigates-nationals-and-rangers-can-only-worry-and-plan
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/21626246/as-mlb-investigates-nationals-and-rangers-can-only-worry-and-plan
Wow....This entire thread is still on Gio...Even as a Nats homer, there just really isn't any motive for Gio to do PED's:
1) Gio was a 26 yo pitcher as of 2012 (most PED users are aging in terms of baseball careers aka 30+ yo)
2) Gio's only problem in becoming an elite pitcher in Oakland was control which PEDs have no real impact on (BB/9 in 2011 was 4.1 and in 2012 was 3.4). In fact, Gio's avg FB velocity only increased from 92 mph to 93 mph which for a 26 yo is pretty common.
3) Gio has no injury history at all (a typical motive for somebody to take PED's is to get back to where they were)
4) Look at any picture of Gio in a Nats uniform...Does it look any different than when he was in an A's uni? No...He's still one of the skinniest elite pitchers out there
This guilt by association is ridiculous and especially for Gio who has no motive at all to take any sort of banned substance. I guess I'm a homer and want to believe a player who I've grown to respect and like would never be associated with this and there is still a slight possibility in my mind he could have done it, but the facts just don't back it up. Almost all players taking banned substances you can see a marked improvement or some sort of physical difference and I just don't see that in Gio.
As for Harper...He's going to be a bease...
I wouldn't be surprised if he hit:
280 BA
370 OBP
530 SLG
900 OPS
32 HR
30 SB
He's upset that Trout got so much more pub than he did and will be the biggest upside to this 2012 98 win team. Trout will regress and Harper will continue to be the true prodigy that he is.
Mark is dealing with a personal matter which he shared with us. Chase is doing a favor by keeping the blog going. Very rarely comment but I have noticed a couple disturbing things. This post is about Bryce. Wish him luck.
Save your angst for a post later.
My humble opinion.
An old Expos fan. (not that old, yet)
NatsJack is going to Viera today. It's February!
Spring Training starts this month!
Here's a topic to get the blood flowing on a non-news day. Listening to the Braves' flagship station, their promo ad is pushing ticket sales with this claim: "Come out and see the best OF in the NL!".
The talking heads are concerned re: leadoff. With Bourn gone, Simmons will get a shot. He hit .289/.335 after coming up in June,but is unproven. They also admit the Braves may have trouble scoring without Chipper and Prado.
They have several high power/high K players (Uptons, Heyward, Uggla,Freeman), but who are the OBP guys??
Doug:
While I am not disagreeing with your assessment of the likelihood of Gio using PEDs, I must call into question your characterization of Gio being "skinny." Detwiler is skinny. Gio has a caboose of substantial proportions!
Moving Day!!!! The trucks are gettin' loaded up and headin' Florida way... And that little bit of snow we got in DC is already melting.
Amanda Comak@acomak
Miami Herald reports UofMiami strength coach Jimmy Goins could be cleared of wrongdoing w/regard to Biogenisis clinic:
http://ht.ly/hkykM
fast eddie, so "The best outfield in the NL," not "the best TEAM in the NL."???? That's not aiming very high.
And, speaking of targets. If the evidence so far made public is all they got, I don't see a suspension for Gio. HOWEVAH--there is going to be max scrutiny on the Nats (and on Texas). As Tim Hudson said, "Do it the right way." Boys, do it the right way!!
When I was about eleven it became clear to me I was not going to the Olympics as a gymnast or a swimmer. There was a better gymnast on my own team--and she wasn't going either; and there was a better swimmer on my team--and we didn't even win our City Finals. If you can't compete at that level, you can't.
I don't know if Harper is miffed that Trout got more publicity. I don't read that. Harper got plenty of publicity--all his life. For him, it was always clear he could "compete at that level." Since he didn't win the World Series as a rookie, he's still gonna be hungry, as are we all. Go Nats.
This will be a breakout year for Harp. The kid is a monster talent who is just going to get better.
I've been following the Gio story, and it doesn't look to me like they really have anything to link him to PEDs. There is nothing in the documented record that has been made public, and nothing in the public statements of Gio, his dad, or Bosch. They all deny that Gio ever had anything to do with Bosch or his clinic. Nada.
The most likely go-between, if any, would have been his strength trainer, Goins, from the U. of Miami, who has denied any illegal activity. It is common practice for guys to use the local university staff for off-season training, like Strasburg does with the staff at San Diego State.
I hope Selig wraps this up soon. Unless the DEA or the MLB investigators come up with something more substantial than the cryptic notes on a scratch pad, or some solid corroborative info, like credit card purchases or phone records of actual contacts, there is mainly innuendo and unsubstantiated allegations.
There has not even been confirmation from Bosch that the notes in question were written by him. Without being able to prove even that, they've got nothing.
I have a question. I see banner ads for testosterone creams all the time, so I assume it's legal to sell them to the "general public." If so, why do the Feds care if such creams are sold to baseball players? Those are MLB rules, not Federal crimes, right?
So I don't see how MLB can expect help or information sharing from the DEA. The two investigations have different goals, and the Feds can get search warrants, they can give immunity, obtain sworn depositions--all methods not available to MLB. Am I missing something?
Sorry for continuing on this issue, but it has become part of our 2013 spring.
LBB-
Not sure of you caught the latest, but now they're saying Goins will be cleared of and connection to PEDs. Supposedly he has proof that he went to that clinic for a medical treatment unrelated to PEDs.
Unless there's some huge smoking gun out there that nobody knows about, I don't see how Gio can possibly be suspended. I doubt they'll even seriously consider it.
bowdenball.. Amanda's got a link to that story.
Could it possibly be shoddy reporting by this newspaper? Just wondering.
sjm308, that is a possibility. Their reputation is that of a tabloid.
sjm308-
From an investigation standpoint it's impressive, but the writeup leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. The most glaring problem from the Gio and Nats fan standpoint is their failure to note that none of "Zinc/MIC/... and Aminorip" are banned by MLB. That's really important and easily researched. They also counted mentions in the notebook of various players but did not disclose that some of those mentions were just scribbles about batting average and ERA and other baseball stats.
It seems like they were on to something big, and they deserve credit for that, but then they decided that being sensationalist was more important than being fair and accurate and giving all the relevant information.
sjm--of course it could. Some people seem impressed by the "thoroughness" of their investigation, but as far as I can see they got a pile of papers from an ex-employee of the now closed clinic and made a bunch of telephone calls, most of which were denials.
What they got would not be admissable in a court of law without some supporting evidence such as telephone records, witness testimony, photgraphs of people actually entering the clinic, credit card records, etc., most of which can only be obtained by subpoena or search warrant.
They've said there were twenty athletes' names on the papers, but they only released seven names--supposedly because they didn't find enough on the other names. This makes them appear "responsible" --supposedly.
They have not released the name of the "ex-employee" so that his or her credibility can be examined. At a bare minimum, this person has no respect for patient privacy. I don't believe (I could be wrong) that they have said whether or not they paid this person for the documents.
When you go to your doctor's office, don't you have to sign in? I do. Where are the sign-in documents? Are there security videos? Where are the invoices? Was there a receivables clerk or an outside firm that did their billing? Someone here mentioned the dates--was cross-checking done to see if the athletes could physically have gone to the clinic on the dates listed?
And that's just off the top of my head.
It's one thing to open up a story. It's another to prove it in a court of law, or even for an MLB suspension.
"I hope Selig wraps this up soon."
Selig never wraps anything up soon. He's still working on his Christmas presents for 1998.
Tony!
Love it!!
One thing that always complicates understanding of a sports celebrity investigation is when a family member is involved. In such a case, there may very well be a desire on the part of the athlete to cover for the family member. And remember, the thing being covered may or may not have anything to do with the point of the story. It could be something simply embarrassing, rather than criminal. But who is going to throw his father under the bus?
The Cam Newton situation -- where admittedly the involvement of his father DID have to do with the point of the story -- is instructive, different though the cases may be.
"I have a question. I see banner ads for testosterone creams all the time, so I assume it's legal to sell them to the "general public." If so, why do the Feds care if such creams are sold to baseball players? Those are MLB rules, not Federal crimes, right?"
That's right.
I don't believe the Feds care about that, but there may be other things that have caught their attention. South Florida has long been an entry point for illicit drugs from Latin America.
3on2out - "Skinny" may have been a little aggressive but the point was that he doesnt look like he has bulked up (check out pictures of Clemens during his PED use).
"Not sure of you caught the latest, but now they're saying Goins will be cleared of any connection to PEDs. Supposedly he has proof that he went to that clinic for a medical treatment unrelated to PEDs."
Thanks. I had not heard.
"Amanda's got a link to that story."
Thanks. Will check that out. Amanda was interviewed on MLB the other night and informed the network that Gio has a sterling rep among the other players and that there has been no indication of any hanky lanky on his part, as far as clubhouse chit-chat last year.
"Selig never wraps anything up soon. He's still working on his Christmas presents for 1998."
He got Christmas presents? Who knew?
"sjm308, that is a possibility. Their reputation is that of a tabloid."
The National Enquirer's reputation is that of a tabloid too, but that didn't stop them from bringing down John Edwards.
Forgot to comment on a 'What If' scenario by Kerr:
I would sign Vazquez or Oswalt. Is hoping for another 200 inning season from either a lot to ask for?
Vazquez has not played for a year I believe while Oswalt got bombed last season (but had good underlying numbers).
Besides those two, I can not think of anyone else. I guess Saunders(VA native) can be a candidate but I don't really hold him in high regard.
"The National Enquirer's reputation is that of a tabloid too, but that didn't stop them from bringing down John Edwards."
Yeah, but their evidence was a lot more solid, such as getting pics of Edwards visiting Hunter at a motel and having pics of him with their daughter. If the Miami paper had anything remotely comparable we would have seen it, by now.
Tony said...
"sjm308, that is a possibility. Their reputation is that of a tabloid."
The National Enquirer's reputation is that of a tabloid too, but that didn't stop them from bringing down John Edwards.
February 01, 2013 11:26 AM
The NatsEnquirer.com however is a great place to get your Nats fun news.
there has been no indication of any hanky lanky on his part
Detwiler would be the hanky lanky one. Gio has that caboose.
Joe Saunders has a 2 year offer in hand from a mystery team and is a former top of the rotation pitcher that lost his way and found it at the end of last year. He's a finesse pitcher and probably wouldn't excite many here. I like the guy.
Oswalt looked horrible last year. I don't think he has the passion for baseball any more.
Vazquez would be my choice.
Tim Hudson was on MLB Radio and gave a great interview on PEDs. Its worth a listen to if you are sick & tired of cheaters.
Sofa.. DET still needs to do the Craig Stammen Big Booty work out. Stammen wishes he had Gio's booty.
The National Enquirer's reputation is that of a tabloid too, but that didn't stop them from bringing down John Edwards.
The best investigative reporting on the planet. You can read the New York Times if you want, they get lucky sometimes.
Deadspin nailed the Manti Te'o story, so you never know. Even in the tackiest places of employment you can find someone who knows their job and does it.
A Nats fan asked Ken Rosenthal on Twitter if he expects this PED thing to drag on for a long time and he said, yes.
I'm a believer in how a small guy like Billy Wagner talked about generating power from his glutes and upper legs.
Stammen wishes he had Gio's booty.
No doubt Gio's feeling like way too many people are after his butt. Stammen is the least of his worries right now.
NatsLady said...
A Nats fan asked Ken Rosenthal on Twitter if he expects this PED thing to drag on for a long time and he said, yes.
February 01, 2013 12:00 PM
If ARod wasn't involved it wouldn't be a big story. The Yankees must be hoping he is suspended for the 2nd time as they don't have to pay him during his suspension. At $30 million a year, that's incentive for Steinbrenner to call in some favors at DOJ.
I fully expect the Feds pushing forward and focused on ARod behind the scenes.
At $30 million a year, that's incentive for Steinbrenner to call in some favors at DOJ.
He could get somebody to spike ARod's orange juice for a lot less.
I hope Yankees are forced to donate remaining of ARod's contract to a new program (or if they have a program in place already) by MLB that addresses issues related to PED use.
Well played, Agent S. :-)
Agent K said...
The best investigative reporting on the planet. You can read the New York Times if you want, they get lucky sometimes.
February 01, 2013 11:50 AM
Be careful. Some idiot copied Ken Rosenthal's header on Twitter with the blue "verified" check mark and started tweeting fake tweets like Ethier was traded to the Mariners and people were Re-tweeting and it got around quickly.
Sec. 3, My Sofa said...
At $30 million a year, that's incentive for Steinbrenner to call in some favors at DOJ.
He could get somebody to spike ARod's orange juice for a lot less.
February 01, 2013 12:14 PM
____________________________________
Hah! That guy is just a stain on baseball.
I believe it was the past Steinbrenner who did the extending, not the current. Right?
From this ESPN report, ARod is the target:
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8904501/operator-miami-clinic-linked-peds-mlb-treated-yankees-alex-rodriguez-directly
This seems to be the aforementioned link, fwiw.
bowdenball said...
LBB-
Not sure of you caught the latest, but now they're saying Goins will be cleared of and connection to PEDs. Supposedly he has proof that he went to that clinic for a medical treatment unrelated to PEDs.
Unless there's some huge smoking gun out there that nobody knows about, I don't see how Gio can possibly be suspended. I doubt they'll even seriously consider it.
February 01, 2013 10:04 AM
MicheleS said...
bowdenball.. Amanda's got a link to that story.
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8904501/operator-miami-clinic-linked-peds-mlb-treated-yankees-alex-rodriguez-directly
Whoa!
Chris Capuano looks to be a potential option:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-eight-starting-pitchers-20130130,0,2346690.story?track=rss
Gonat.. you owe me...
MicheleS said...
From this ESPN report, ARod is the target
As I wrote at 12:04.
Its the "big fish" and the Yankees wield political power and that's how things get done here.
MicheleS said...
Gonat.. you owe me...
February 01, 2013 12:55 PM
______________________________
Yes, I do. Can you add it to my tab.
This is the kind of "detail" that makes me suspect the story may not be true.
The visits were every few weeks. One night last spring, a source said, Bosch told associates he had been kicked out of Rodriguez' home after he had trouble locating a vein and infuriated the player. The sources did not say why Bosch would have been tapping a vein, as HGH and testosterone do not require intravenous injections. But whatever he was doing, "Tony said A-Rod was pissed at him," a source said. "He said he was bleeding everywhere."
Sounds like amateurs making stuff up to me. But, yes, definitely A-Rod is the target, and possibly the target of blackmailers and other low-lifes (low-lives?).
Here is another story, putting a dollar figure on what A-Rod was paying ($12K per month) and some stuff about Cabrera. Nothing more on Gio or Cruz. This is also from the Miami New Times again. Also more denials.
A-Rod
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/02/01/alex-rodriguez-miami-clinic-performance-enhancing-drugs-mlb/1883861/
Just in case I'm not the only one who wasn't aware of the two new posts, due to it being a new month, y'all may want to check out the February archives for NI. (In other news, I think I just saw my own shadow. Oh, wait. That's on my to-do list for tomorrow. :-))
By the way, there's been two new posts for a while now. Chase is still on the case.
Dang! HOW do you DO that??
hehe, all in a day's work for me. :-)
Sofa, I missed it because I kept refreshing January post and did not saw a new post above this one, without realizing calender had turned to a new month.
1a, if you can provide the NIDO list, I will gladly add one under your name.
That's okay, Faraz. Sofa is covered under the Infinity Clause. :-)
But here's a link to it, since you asked.
(lol at double-secret)
Sofa is covered under the Infinity Clause.
I thought that was the Insanity Clause...
That's in every contract.
Wait, I thought I was covered under that one?
I added two from me; one for the month post and one for the link.
I think we all should add 1 in Mark's column.
Thanks, Faraz.
I'm surprised Harp opted for batting 2nd as opposed to batting 3rd behind Werth, a position he seemed to relish. I think we'll see him 3rd myself.
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