 |
Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Visual evidence of the conditions this morning at Space Coast Stadium. |
The temperature is 41 degrees, but throw in a stiff, northerly breeze and the wind chill factor is 34. (I know, I know. This is falling on absolutely deaf ears back in Washington. Point is, this is quite rare for these parts.)
The show will go on, though, and at the top of the hour the entire Nationals roster will take the practice fields for their first official, full-squad workout of the spring. Everybody is present, accounted for, has passed their physical and is bundled up in October-style gear for today's session.
Before they embark from the clubhouse, manager Davey Johnson is holding his annual spring training meeting, but don't get too excited. Johnson doesn't regale his troops with inspiring stories or Knute Rockne speeches.
"It's not a club that needs to be motivated or rah-rah," he said. "We're kind of all grinders. We're going to put in an honest day's work."
For the most part, Johnson planned only to run through a few procedures and reminders, while also warning his players to be careful what they say or do on social media.
Hopefully, he also warned them to wear layers this morning.
30 comments:
38 degrees in Vero Beach this morning.
For the most part, Johnson planned only to run through a few procedures and reminders, while also warning his players to be careful what they say or do on social media.
Denard Span apparently unintentionally stirred up a 15-minute ****storm a few weeks ago with what I thought was a pretty innocuous tweet.
Assuming I'm not interested in what tune a player is listening to or what college basketball team he's cheering for and stuff like that, who do the NJers here think are the best Nats to follow on twitter?
Candide.. Besides Span, Ian is good (his pronouncement about the Stache staying was pretty funny) and so is Ross. Ross has a good sense of humor. Gonna miss Mikey Mo - he was the best.
Warning a few of them tweet political stuff (not that Span did) but truly stuff that would rile up some fans. Zach Duke did the other day and got some fans upset.
Thanks MicheleS - always good to get advice from a professional, and if getting it from an inmate of twitter jail doesn't qualify...
I already follow Desi. Span seems to have gotten the message that posting ANYTHING about politics, current events, or social issues, no matter how innocuous, will offend someone; most of his posts are about thanking God for just about everything good in his life. Can't go far wrong with that.
I followed Mikey Mo, will miss him. Will add Det. I don't understand how some people can follow literally hundreds of twitterers.
BTW, for my money, @_FloridaMan is the best twitter feed out there, period.
Re-posting from several posts ago. I always feel like the cleanup crew for a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade on this site b/c of my work schedule but:
Sofa--I lhear you on the mindset of thinking we are near-perfect either on paper or on the field--whether Werth said it or not, it is to be curbed at every opportunity. So I did like how Werth inserted a burr under the team's saddle at the end with the quote, "Then you've got guys on that team in '08 that were a little more accomplished than most guys in here: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley. So it is similar, but it's still a little bit different."
Now to me, that's a leader in the Weaver/Davey fashion. Confident, bold, but never missing a chance to motivate.
realdealnats said...Now to me, that's a leader in the Weaver/Davey fashion. Confident, bold, but never missing a chance to motivate.
Werth as a future manager? I'm guessing he would be the hairiest one ever.
And one last vague thought on over-confidence:
I am always nervous with teams that appear perfect. I never mind a setback here or there--like Espi's shoulder (and I'm an Espi supporter)--because it keeps everyone from assuming the next guy is going to get the job done.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have Haren and Span and Soriano, and that everyone else will have grown by a year, but the worry over a lack of left handed relievers, or Mikey being gone, or over Espi's shoulder can actually be a positive thing. This is how we found out just how good Tyler Moore is in the clutch and with power, and this is why we trust in Garcia and Lombo. So, not wishing ill on anyone, when injuries and slumps happen--as they will--we've got a bench to go to that will actually let--in some cases--even more power and energy into the lineup. But most importantly it will help us keep our edge. That edge is what I am most concerned with this year. If we keep that, then let the chips fall where they may, b/c I like our chances as well as anyones.
Candide--I'm actually looking out for the safety of the country here. Better Werth managing than living in a cabin alone in Montana writing manifestos.
But all seriousness aside, I was not proposing he fill in for Davey. Mainly b/c I just haven't thought about it at all.
Boras must be pushing Mr. Lerner hard on Kyle Lohse. We all know what Rizzo said but there is certainly truth in that Boras has been pushing the Nats for weeks on Lohse and maybe his main motivation is to drive up the price if nothing else.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2013/story/_/id/8951609/washington-nationals-need-sign-kyle-lohse-mlb
Ghost, here is my conspiracy theory (AND I AM KIDDING)
Boras needs to find a home for Loshe. Figures, Lerner/Rizzo will bite. How can he get Loshe on the team. Going to have to take out a pitcher. Can't go after Haren and Det (CAA clients- Brodie & Crew would hunt Boras down), JZ is in Wisconsin ice fishing somewhere so he is out of the picture. and can't go after Stras for obvious reasons.
That leaves Gio... suspect Agents that have multiple clients with PED issues, skeezy South Florida connections, BOOOM,, Boras plants/pays to have Gio's name in the books.
Well, it's a conspiracy theory.. Just ask ARod about those (he pointed at his own team)
MicheleS, that's a true scene out of Law & Order!
Here's the only deal that works. Lohse comes on a 2 year deal and accepts his role will be the bullpen to begin the season.
Since Lohse won't agree to that, I don't see it happening.
Boras needs to wait for some team to have a Spring Training injury.
Some time ago when I was in Miami, I think I overheard Boras telling Gio's father he was looking a little heavy these days.
NCNatsie. Boras paid people to tell Gio's dad he was getting heavy. Probably had the local barista at Starbucks recommend Skim Lattes every day. The stock boy at Publix recommending fresh veggies. The waiter/waitress at his favorite Cuban restaurant talking about calorie counts and portion control
Jon Morosi@jonmorosi
Told Dan Haren he could recruit Kyle Lohse to sign w/ Nats. He laughed. “Then I go to the bullpen? I’m not looking to be a long reliever.”
Boras is getting mileage on this but Haren correctly stated the real issue.
Rizzo doesn't want to give up a Draft Pick. Let's be real, the Rafy Soriano signing cost the Nats in the 1st round pick and lots of cash.
I certainly expected Soriano was a possibility but Rizzo didn't get a discount and there were no other takers.
If I believed this was all goodwill building up to make sure Stras & Bryce were lifers with the Nats, I would say "great job" but its Boras that has said numerous times he doesn't give discounts.
Just want to say, I am loving all these videos and stories we are getting from Mark and the other beats. Almost feel like I'm there. Thanks!
Amanda with a good story on JZim's changeup. That's the pitch he really needs to go with his slider, fastball, and curveball.
Does Ghost of Steve M. ever shut up? He writes more here than Mark Zuckerman does. Why doesn't he get his own blog instead of hijacking Mark's?
Maybe the FL weather is karmic payback for NatsJack's bragging about warm weather during our last winter weather event. ;-) Yeah, it's cold here today. I didn't think to take a hat when we started out on a round of errands at 8:30 AM. Sure wish I had, as I'm rather attached to my ears, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Laissez les bons temps rouler, realdeal. :-)
Hey Horsey, just for you:
Enjoyed this from Amanda Comak:
The benefit of diversifying his arsenal is obvious. That was the point of adding the pitch in the first place, to make it so hitters couldn’t only look for offspeed pitches or fastballs from the 26-year-old. Manager Davey Johnson said it’s another example of how the right-hander has an even higher ceiling.
Hey Steve M., you can lead a Horsey to water, but you can't make him drink! LOL
Wad's with this guy? Did you beat him at Stud, in Vegas?
I don't think that's a complete horsey. Only his patootie. :)
If Jordan masters his changeup, he's just going to be awesome.
natsfan1a said...
Maybe the FL weather is karmic payback for NatsJack's bragging about warm weather during our last winter weather event. ;-)
natsfan1a, I was thinking the same thing a half hour ago as I was taking Sophie (my dog) on her walk in my neighborhood. Brought a smile to my face thinking that. :)
Nats classic - starters are, Lombo, Ankiel, Tracy, Flores. We beat Phils. Those guys did the job. We won 98 games. Seeing it 9 months later really brings it home how much the second tier players did to get the Nats to the postseason. With that many injuries it was so improbable. And yet...,, it's more impressive to me now.
Okay, time to subtract a drink for NatsJack. Just kidding. :-)
NatsJack in Florida said...
Hey... check out the pics I've posted on twitter from this morning. It is 55 degrees by now and going to the 60's tomorrow and will be low 80's by next Saturday's opener which I am attending.
February 17, 2013 2:54 PM
Put an assortment of pics on twitter.
djbinFl.
The coldest person in Viera today was Mark, who failed to pack his winter gear. Looked like he would have burned the benches if he had a match.
Reading through the posts today, there was certainly one guy that posted one too many entries and his name wasn't Ghost of Steve M.
Thanks Doc, Sonny and Joe.
Hopefully Horsey isn't counting posts as this outs me past my quota.
Thanks Doc, Sonny and Joe.
Post a Comment