tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post6396378647236718250..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Kasten leaving after season [updated]Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-14687977918910999392010-09-24T12:37:04.540-04:002010-09-24T12:37:04.540-04:00Stan was gone in 5 years the day he started. The ...Stan was gone in 5 years the day he started. The only reason he was here, Bud would not give the Lerners the team without Stan. Now the true Washington Nationals franchise starts. Good or bad, it starts now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74951978442274812672010-09-23T23:17:56.544-04:002010-09-23T23:17:56.544-04:00BinM, if you're old enough you might remember ...BinM, if you're old enough you might remember when Jack Kent Cooke - who had been in the shadows even though he was principal owner of the Redskins while Edward Bennett Williams ran the team as a minority owner - came back and took over the team, pushing EBW out. Ultimately both the Redskins and EBW came out winners on that exchange. EBW was freed up to buy the Orioles, and the Redskins thrived under the Squire's ownership style, which was basically to sign the checks while his professionals Gibbs and Beathard ran the team.<br /><br />Mark Lerner shows no signs of becoming a meddling owner, so this Kasten-Lerner exchange in Nationals power could have many parallels to that EBW-JKC exchange in Redskins power. In other words, it could be a very good thing.Feel Woodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-28653492175026848672010-09-23T21:19:39.933-04:002010-09-23T21:19:39.933-04:00@FeelWood:
Mark Lerner is just another fanboy wit...@FeelWood: <br />Mark Lerner is just another fanboy with $$$, imo. He's now an owner, so he believes it's his right to go onto the field & get smacked in the head by fly balls. If / when he takes over the team from his father, he'll be no better than 'the Danny' was with the Redskins for the last 10 years. <br /><br />With Kasten leaving, there is no longer a check / balance left in the FO to lift this franchise out of the crapper; Rizzo is a step removed, and needs an advocate in the executive suite.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-81921217595271686122010-09-23T21:01:42.500-04:002010-09-23T21:01:42.500-04:00Has anybody bothered to read the statement purport...Has anybody bothered to read the statement purportedly from T. Lerner on Nats320? Jeez, what a pile of crap. <br /><br />My personal interpretation - 'We want to thank Stan Kasten for joining our ownership group, which ultimately helped us in acquiring the franchise. We wish him the best in his future endevours, but now have one less roadblock in our effort to emulate Jeffrey Loria's franchise model, only at higher consumer prices; BB-WW-HHH-AAAAA-HAAAA-AAAA'. <br />signed, Theodore Lerner.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58397792994093924962010-09-23T21:00:00.838-04:002010-09-23T21:00:00.838-04:00To all those who are crucifying StanK as being awf...To all those who are crucifying StanK as being awful with people:<br /><br />I met Stan at Fan Fest this year. He was nothing but cordial and open. We had a nice little chat which he could have easily told me he was busy and took off. I told him I heard his phenomenal interview with Tom Glavine while guest hosting Mike Wise's show on JFK in the winter and asked him if he would do it again. He said he'd love to do it again if he was offered the opportunity. Then Mrs. Kasten told me I looked a lot like a young Tommy Glavine. It's not every day someone tells you that you look like a future HOF pitcher and one of the sport's best players. I was smitten. One of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.<br /><br />Stan Kasten is a winner. The Lerners are losers. End of story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37130182019460827442010-09-23T20:52:28.616-04:002010-09-23T20:52:28.616-04:00Feelwood - Very interesting observation.
Souldrumm...Feelwood - Very interesting observation.<br />Souldrummer - Good questions for sure.<br /><br />I think kasten wants to be the boss, and he can not be the boss here. Recall, he was competing with the Lerners with a different ownership group. So he see the Rangers get sold and he couldn't bid, he see the Dodgers and others might be sold over the coming years, he wants to own and run a team. That's why he left.Sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-70379355396988760352010-09-23T20:47:27.515-04:002010-09-23T20:47:27.515-04:00Baseball book suggestion.
The Game from Where I S...Baseball book suggestion.<br /><br />The Game from Where I Stand - Doug Glanville<br />http://www.dougglanville.com/sports-seasons<br /><br /> <br />An insider's revealing look at the hidden world of major league baseball.<br /><br />Doug Glanville, a former major league outfielder and Ivy League graduate, draws on his nine seasons in the big leagues to reveal the human side of the game and of the men who play it.<br /><br />In The Game from Where I Stand, Glanville shows us how players prepare for games, deal with race and family issues, cope with streaks and slumps, respond to trades and injuries, and learn the joyful and painful lessons the game imparts. We see the flashpoints that cause misunderstandings and friction between players, and the imaginative ways they work to find common ground. And Glanville tells us with insight and humor what he learned from Jimmy Rollins, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling, and other legendary and controversial stars.<br /><br />In his professional career, Glanville experienced every aspect of being a player—the first-round pick, the prospect, the disappointment, the can't-miss, the cornerstone, the veteran, the traded, the injured, the comeback kid. His eye-opening book gives fans a new level of understanding of day-to-day life in the big leagues.Sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88842165131038516922010-09-23T20:23:02.767-04:002010-09-23T20:23:02.767-04:00Stan was asked about his ownership interest and sa...Stan was asked about his ownership interest and said...<i>"Is that really something you guys need to know? I don't know yet. I do know if the day ever comes that I am involved with another baseball team, I couldn't do that. So its a little early, but I also don't know why you need to know that."</i><br /><br />I love how Stan has a way of making the journalists feel like idiots. I always said he ran a better proganda machine than the Russians in the 1970's.<br /><br />The Manny Acta mis-fire, the Rizzo mis-hire, and the Strasburg non-signing were some of his best work. Every time a journalist had an inside scoop he would make them look like idiots.<br /><br />That is why we learned this year not to go to StanK. We all knew they would sign Bryce Harper and afterwards we would hear how tough the last few minutes of negotiations were.Anonymous8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5281763041184201322010-09-23T18:00:10.368-04:002010-09-23T18:00:10.368-04:00The plan is in place and the 90's and 2000'...The plan is in place and the 90's and 2000's Braves and now Tampa Bay show that it works with great pitching and a good balance of offense and defense. Yes, StanK knows how to win but doesn't know squat about people.<br /><br />Patience is tough in sports. We all want an overnight success. <br /><br />The Lerner's need to find someone that will work well as Rizzo's boss without being a "yes" man to the Lerners.<br /><br />Personally, the more time you spend around StanK the more you realize his personal skills are akin to that of a salesman who ONLY cares about making the sale while smiling at you. When you buy his product, he is done with you. That is StanK. I have been ready for a change!Anonymous8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-31371669516355297332010-09-23T17:38:42.600-04:002010-09-23T17:38:42.600-04:00HAH!! I just love it ... Rizzo again contradicts G...HAH!! I just love it ... Rizzo again contradicts Giggleman. "I like competition, I like guys fighting over things. Nothing is set in stone."<br /><br />Giggleman: "no chance Espinosa competes for shortstop"<br /><br />And the FO wants the Nats to return to Giggleman's Island? Isn't it time to switch the channel?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38456534836008822952010-09-23T17:17:15.742-04:002010-09-23T17:17:15.742-04:00Morse crushes his 13th putting him 3 down from the...Morse crushes his 13th putting him 3 down from the Hammer in the #4 spot. Its not all bad Dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-3815919460656154692010-09-23T16:58:21.876-04:002010-09-23T16:58:21.876-04:00Instability is never a good thing, and a vacuum of...Instability is never a good thing, and a vacuum of leadership is a real problem.<br /><br />I will never forgive Kasten for cravenly throwing his own fan base under the bus on Opening Day 2010, but I'm not sure things will better soon after his departure.<br /><br />It may be true that the Lerners are cheap--a phrase I have avoided using for 4 1/2 years. But if they are cheap, and if they don't know anything about baseball (if Mark Lerner continues to think it's appropriate for a team owner to shag fly balls during batting practice), then who is in charge? Who represents the game of baseball in the front office? Will Rizzo have Mark's and/or Ted's ear? Will they EVER spend money to field a winning team?<br /><br />I had a sinking feeling after Monday's miserable loss to Houston. Then Tuesday and Wednesday happened and I felt a bit better.<br /><br />That sinking feeling is back now.<br /><br />(PS: As I type this, the Nats are trailing Houston 1-0 in the top of the 2nd with a Houston runner on first base.)Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56378591187813862452010-09-23T16:34:38.798-04:002010-09-23T16:34:38.798-04:00Kasten's main asset is credibility within base...Kasten's main asset is credibility within baseball circles. With fans, he's been clunky and he hasn't figured out a way to market the team that connects to DC. I do believe that it's been easier to poach some of the scouts guys for Rizzo with Kasten's credibility within baseball circles. <br /><br />The problem is that we have no idea how much of the Nats problems are Kasten messing up or how much are the Lerners not providing him with the resources to proceed. Likewise, many would argue that the Lerners kept Bowden around past his shelf life. There are a lot of unanswered questions as we do the autopsy of the Nats but bottom line there are a couple big questions for me:<br /><br />1) Who should be public enemy number 2? (Assume Bowden is no. 1). Is it the Lerners for being cheap or is it Kasten for failing to show much progress on the field with in the parameters he agreed to with the Lerners?<br /><br />2) How much have we benefitted from Kasten's credibility within baseball circles? Have we gotten some more professional people from scouting and front office circles under Rizzo based on this?<br /><br />3) Who was calling the shots with Bowden?Souldrummerhttp://www.federalbaseball.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46214103395110354032010-09-23T16:19:56.484-04:002010-09-23T16:19:56.484-04:00My prediction is that the next President of the Na...My prediction is that the next President of the Nationals will be Mark Lerner. Indeed, if Kasten informed the Lerners a year ago that he would be leaving now then the transition has already begun. Notice how Mark Lerner has taken on a much more visible public profile over the past year, including appearing and interacting with Rizzo in situations where Kasten formerly would have. Also, the Lerners are well known for being hands-on in all their business interests, so if Mark Lerner has had the time to do things like shag flies during BP even on road trips, it's clear that he's not heavily involved in managing any of their other family businesses - which of course creates the opening for him to take over direct management of the baseball team. Kasten being a professional would not leave the team without mentoring his successor, so in the absence of a presumed successor having already been brought on board, that would indicate that he's been mentoring Mark Lerner.<br /><br />Given what Boswell wrote today about how big a fan Mark Lerner is and how having an owner who is at his heart a fan is often a good thing, I'm of the opinion that having Mark Lerner in direct charge will be a positive move for the team. He's had five years now to learn the baseball business. He's ready.Feel Woodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71311248311061211152010-09-23T16:14:25.393-04:002010-09-23T16:14:25.393-04:00Wally;
85 mil is reasonable if it makes a tangib...Wally;<br /><br /> 85 mil is reasonable if it makes a tangible difference; I propose that in the Nats case it won't. Baltimore went that route several times signing: Tejada, Millwood and many others never coming close to contending. You can't ignore the 20 mil the Nats poured into draftees each of the past 2 years; most other teams spent less than half that.<br /><br />You can't over emphasize the mess Bowden left behind for Rizzo; you can see that no one is rushing to employ him. I get really impatient with suggestions to trade JZim and Desmond.This is great; fill one hole by creating 2 others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-50193435175936054972010-09-23T15:56:25.281-04:002010-09-23T15:56:25.281-04:00I hope someone will explain the division of labor ...I hope someone will explain the division of labor in the front office and how it all works. There's a GM, a president, and isn't there also a VP of baseball operations? what are the differences?U-Hoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57766500075873927332010-09-23T15:53:40.237-04:002010-09-23T15:53:40.237-04:00Even if Kasten didn't initiate the Boswell sto...Even if Kasten didn't initiate the Boswell story, he could have killed it if he had wanted to.<br /><br />Instead, he used the opportunity to clean up his resume--he'll soon be looking for a new job (or already has been, for all we know), and needs to make clear to prospective employers why they shouldn't be scared off by a guy who presided over 300 loses in 3 seasons.HHovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-72829057286907910522010-09-23T15:48:19.518-04:002010-09-23T15:48:19.518-04:00We got rid of Bowden and that was a big plus. Kas...We got rid of Bowden and that was a big plus. Kasten leaving is another plus. Now we have to get rid of the Lerners. Then I will become bullish on this franchise.phil dunnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-39181396851690607262010-09-23T15:46:53.692-04:002010-09-23T15:46:53.692-04:00If he did not initiate the Boswell story.If he did not initiate the Boswell story.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-18082723989791468892010-09-23T15:43:16.909-04:002010-09-23T15:43:16.909-04:00It's more likely he announced his resignation ...It's more likely he announced his resignation now because of the Boswell story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-4314647001456800502010-09-23T15:39:11.197-04:002010-09-23T15:39:11.197-04:00So he decided some time ago, but announced it ten ...So he decided some time ago, but announced it ten days before the end of the season? Still seems like odd timing. Will be interested to hear more as things develop.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47948464211537006692010-09-23T15:26:58.441-04:002010-09-23T15:26:58.441-04:00Which is not necessarily to say that Kasten was in...Which is not necessarily to say that Kasten was involved in deception in that case, but it did happen on his watch. Also hope that his wife's health is not a factor, as someone speculated above.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88482727934780082882010-09-23T15:22:45.565-04:002010-09-23T15:22:45.565-04:00I wondered about that, too, Anon, especially in li...I wondered about that, too, Anon, especially in light of the recent SI piece on new developments in the case. I still wonder why the announcement couldn't wait until the end of the season. Sure is a lot of turmoil in this organization. Will be interesting to hear what else comes out (if anything, considering how tight-lipped the organization is).<br /><br />---<br /><br />Just a thought... news broke the other day out of the DR about the trial related to nats operations down there, and Kasten was quoted as saying there was more to come. Could this be related?natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67970539656271533912010-09-23T15:21:32.943-04:002010-09-23T15:21:32.943-04:00I appreciate that update there, Mark, but it's...I appreciate that update there, Mark, but it's useless and it ain't your fault because Mister Kasten didn't do nothing but string together words so that all you reporter types'd have something to say. And to all you people saying that Kasten never did nothing anyway, I say maybe so, but I'd still rather eat a plate of Arby's than trust them Lerners without somebody grown-up like Kasten before. Fair's fair. Admit it that none of you know really what Stan did behind closed doors.Rose Fortuzananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36138202497225836972010-09-23T15:15:56.228-04:002010-09-23T15:15:56.228-04:00Kasten's departure has me concerned about the ...Kasten's departure has me concerned about the professionalism of the remaining Nats staff. Say what you will about Stan's relations with the owners but at least he knows how a stadium should operate. Didn't always succeed in the fan experience stuff but he took complaints seriously, or at least answered emails quickly.Pedrohttp://twitter.com/Pedronoreply@blogger.com