tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post8874820619248431116..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Momentum killerMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30761086890027188162011-09-17T16:21:25.308-04:002011-09-17T16:21:25.308-04:00@4:10: Then do it in July, for God's sake! The...@4:10: Then do it in July, for God's sake! They did that the first couple years and it worked. Or don't even do it at all. <br /><br />Today had to be a deep embarrassment for everyone involved.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-61548577286404490722011-09-17T16:14:09.911-04:002011-09-17T16:14:09.911-04:00I'll mount my soapbox once more in my personal...<i>I'll mount my soapbox once more in my personal quest to see Desmond moved to CF for the Nationals, with a keystone combo of Espinosa at SS & Lombardozzi at 2B for 2012. Each player would be a solid fit on defense</i><br /><br />Remember when Riggleman put Desmond in left field? How'd that one work out? As I recall, only slightly better than when he put Guzman in left.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-45361663389900702962011-09-17T16:10:54.460-04:002011-09-17T16:10:54.460-04:00They scheduled it in mid-September. It's cool ...<i>They scheduled it in mid-September. It's cool and drizzly, and school activities have started up again. It used to be in August. Why the change?</i><br /><br />Perhaps because there was only one weekend home series in August and it was against the Phillies?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22626467741205337632011-09-17T16:03:05.362-04:002011-09-17T16:03:05.362-04:00This was such a wad of failure that it was a bumme...This was such a wad of failure that it was a bummer. <br /><br />Y'all know what I mean.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64547426420259577472011-09-17T16:00:29.139-04:002011-09-17T16:00:29.139-04:00@dryw, @Andrew, I think you hit the nail on the he...@dryw, @Andrew, I think you hit the nail on the head. I didn't have tonight's game in my ticket-plan share (I'm going tomorrow), so I had to buy a $10 cheapie to get in. I'm a bit resentful of that, but as I was leaving, I realized that a ticket-holder was actually expected to come at 12:00 noon and stay inside the ballpark all day long to attend a 7:05 game against the Marlins. Sheer insanity!<br /><br />In my opinion, the logistical planning of this event almost guaranteed that hardly anybody would show up. And that's what happened. <br /><br />I arrived in time for the q&a with "upcoming stars"--Lombo, Peacock, and Milone, hosted by Ray Knight. When the event started, there were FOUR people there, me and a party of three in front of me. I made up a question to ask, just so there wouldn't be an awkward silence at the start. <br /><br />I have cut the Nats a lot of slack over the past seven years, but this wad such an epic fail that I actually felt insulted.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-12427783796922108932011-09-17T15:10:59.204-04:002011-09-17T15:10:59.204-04:00dryw, I am with you. I will be at the game tonight...dryw, I am with you. I will be at the game tonight and didn't want to be there all day and night.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-20669828371842495932011-09-17T14:49:39.284-04:002011-09-17T14:49:39.284-04:00Dave,
I really wanted to go to Picnic and I did h...Dave, <br />I really wanted to go to Picnic and I did have tickets for the game. If they'd allowed me to flash my ticket, go in for the event, go home for a while, and come back for the game, I would've been there. But on a cold September day with my non-fan brother in for the weekend, I couldn't see hanging around from 4-7 doing nothing. (And I don't like beer, so the Nats wouldn't even have made any money off of me...) Very, very poor decision on the Nats' part, as I know that I'm not the only one who stayed away because of this.drywnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5253516768130132492011-09-17T14:37:20.534-04:002011-09-17T14:37:20.534-04:00CBinDC: I'm also irratated that the likes of L...CBinDC: I'm also irratated that the likes of Lavar & Dukes gets PM drive priority over the Nationals broadcast on the FM side, but let's face facts - Snyder's NFL franchise is the 1200lb gorilla in this market, regardless of the radio/TV station or news outlet, based on history alone. MLB was missing in action in DC from 1971-2005, and has become a tertiary selling point for listeners, in the programmer's / station GM's minds at least. After 30+ years in the wilderness, any mention, however snarky it might be is still news. Be glad this wasn't the Boston/NY media when the Bowden/Dominican problems came to light. <br /><br />They'll all jump onto the Nationals' bandwagon at some point; It's simply a question of when.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-77998417555117256202011-09-17T14:25:33.353-04:002011-09-17T14:25:33.353-04:00And in an aside, your Johnny Damon update:
He tie...And in an aside, your Johnny Damon update:<br /><br />He ties Dave Parker for 60th with 2,712 hits.<br /><br />He passes 400 stolen bases and is tied at 67th with Frank Chance at 403.<br /><br />He ties Edgar for 44th all time with 514 doubles. How many is that? Well here's who's on the horizon: Mays at 523; Junior at 524; T. Ballgame at 525...<br /><br />Just sayin' he's amassing a serious body of work.Drew8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71713374518277667932011-09-17T14:03:23.680-04:002011-09-17T14:03:23.680-04:00swammi: MLB is littered with players who started a...swammi: MLB is littered with players who started at one position & moved to another for continued success. All the Nationals need to do is have the stones to try it out in Viera; Re-sign Ankiel as a 4th OF, but make an initial committment to Desmond in CF, Espinosa at SS & Lombardozzi at 2B early in Spring Training & see how it plays. If somebody stumbles, make the adjustment. That's all I'm asking for.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46122111036168245332011-09-17T14:02:13.829-04:002011-09-17T14:02:13.829-04:00I am racking them because it is so simple yet they...I am racking them because it is so simple yet they miss these time and time again .....their radio station refuses to cover them outside the game broadcasts and when they do it is in a snarky and bile manner .....this is fact ..and any organization would be all over these measures and others to address them ...NOT THIS GROUP .....more often they dismiss the complaints or ignore them ...but when they get more coverage on the other station that Mark does great job BTW .....you have a problem that needs to be addressed or the world will still slur you and dismiss you and the team will be seen as the Strasburg All-Stars instead of the Nationals .....this picnic is again another example ....it is a Losing Organization that can not get their own fans up for free food.CBinDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57782575664290946702011-09-17T13:51:13.435-04:002011-09-17T13:51:13.435-04:00Picnic in the Park is a joke. Only maybe 150 or 20...Picnic in the Park is a joke. Only maybe 150 or 200 people here. Why did the Nationals schedule this event in September??????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83433988586972143682011-09-17T13:47:49.806-04:002011-09-17T13:47:49.806-04:00I'm at Picnic in the Park. Attendance is embar...I'm at Picnic in the Park. Attendance is embarrassingly sparse. I've been to this before, and it had some buzz. This one has very little buzz. <br /><br />Two basic mistakes the Nats made, in my opinion:<br /><br />1. They required a game ticket to get in this afternoon. Believe me, they would've had no trouble at all clearing the park before the game. There's only several hundred people here. Maybe a couple hundred. <br /><br />2. They scheduled it in mid-September. It's cool and drizzly, and school activities have started up again. It used to be in August. Why the change?<br /><br />Bummer.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71762847819383222982011-09-17T13:45:31.808-04:002011-09-17T13:45:31.808-04:00CBinDC: You're raking the organization based o...CBinDC: You're raking the organization based on who they signup to throw the 1st pitch? Really?? That's some incredibly weak sauce to bring to the table, imo.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56460805077746115942011-09-17T13:40:32.664-04:002011-09-17T13:40:32.664-04:00It seems that we have been bitten before by playin...It seems that we have been bitten before by playing people where they don't have experience and it's not natural to them. Even though they are professional baseball players, they can't just excel at a new position immediately ( Morse did the best I have ever seen at first). Staying in the infield, like Danny did was better - but moving infield/outfield, etc. just is going to take a while and maybe never be all that good. It takes years of reps to be good at a position. Ankiel is still learning to play the outfield and hit - his arm is what has kept him in line-ups -- and that arm strength came from being a pitcher for years.baseballswaminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66141021543058665732011-09-17T13:28:16.849-04:002011-09-17T13:28:16.849-04:00Get Some @12.38: Moving Lombardozzi to CF would be...Get Some @12.38: Moving Lombardozzi to CF would be counter to the individual player's strengths, imo. A CF should ideally have defensive range / speed, and a dominant voice (controls the OF verbally). Lombardozzi posseses neither of those particular traits, but Desmond has both in spades. <br /><br />I'll mount my soapbox once more in my personal quest to see Desmond moved to CF for the Nationals, with a keystone combo of Espinosa at SS & Lombardozzi at 2B for 2012. Each player would be a solid fit on defense, and possibly cover some weaknesses on offense as well (Desmond / Lombardozzi at either leadoff or 8th, depending on SP, w/Espinosa 6th regardless). <br /><br />Espinosa & Lombardozzi are both more sure-handed on ground balls & DP's than Desmond will ever be, but Desmond has the best quickness/range of the three. Play to your strengths.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32908405450594863802011-09-17T13:22:44.953-04:002011-09-17T13:22:44.953-04:00If this Organization is really trying to end the t...If this Organization is really trying to end the the Culture of Losing ...THEN WHY WAS THE GREAT 8 IN BALTIMORE LAST NIGHT ......the only true superstar around here and the only team that wins year in and year out (if only the Nats could have the problem of PLAYOFF DISAPPOINTMENTS) ...So he is in Baltimore throwing out the first pitch and no one with the Nationals is not angry at Ted for allowing that to happen ....why was he not doing it here last night.....really you not get the best player in your city to come to your games !!!!!!!CBinDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56412473660342118902011-09-17T13:18:35.412-04:002011-09-17T13:18:35.412-04:00Didn't HRod get a "hold" the other d...Didn't HRod get a "hold" the other day when he came in and walked 3 guys?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-78014437198247368062011-09-17T12:56:55.918-04:002011-09-17T12:56:55.918-04:00swammi: Just based on the quality start count for ...swammi: Just based on the quality start count for SP's this season (68), the team would actually lose a bit of ground (71 actual wins). <br /><br />Drilling down to the individual games to sort out QS losses would be a little more navel-gazing than I'd like to do personally, but could be interesting. I'd imagine a majority of them would be shutouts from the opposition. <br /><br />As always, it boils down to the fact that good pitching keeps you in games, but good hitting wins them.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54996778747405228752011-09-17T12:39:05.101-04:002011-09-17T12:39:05.101-04:00NatsJack: That's why the Marlins picked up Vas...NatsJack: That's why the Marlins picked up Vasquez last year - to be the solid, inning-eating SP down the stretch. He's doing his part, but things didn't quite work out the way Loria wanted this year (chuckle). <br /><br />Here's hoping that Loria turns into the equivalent to Marge Schott with CIN; A tight-fisted, ham-handed owner that interferes with the running of the team to a point where they become an afterthought in the NL East.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59416609171693080702011-09-17T12:38:57.531-04:002011-09-17T12:38:57.531-04:00Someone called in to Nats Talk this morning and su...Someone called in to Nats Talk this morning and suggested moving Lombardozzi to CF. Sounded interesting to both hosts. Comments?Get Some Playersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84675467563189305272011-09-17T12:38:42.706-04:002011-09-17T12:38:42.706-04:00Swammi.. at the game last night, my group was spec...Swammi.. at the game last night, my group was speculating on what our record would be if the team BA was at .250 - we figured we would finish at around .500 or a little higher.. maybe in contention for WC...<br />SighMicheleSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-26511260909199151272011-09-17T12:22:56.508-04:002011-09-17T12:22:56.508-04:00Kind of sad that we've gotten to the point whe...Kind of sad that we've gotten to the point where we flog the pitchers for not being perfect. On any give night the offense should be able to handle a 3 spot. It's the hitting - the pitchers have been pretty darn good this year. If I had the time, which I don't - I would love to see what our record would be if every game where our pitching staff only gave up 3 or less was a win. I am guessing it would be better? Last night it would not have mattered how many he gave up.baseballswaminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-75125485379430783132011-09-17T11:41:01.236-04:002011-09-17T11:41:01.236-04:00I have now officially switched if from "Quali...I have now officially switched if from "Quality" Start to "Decent" Start..<br /><br />He only gave up 3 runs- which was my point. The position players offered zero support - our continuing complaint about the lack of offense.<br /><br />Can we please get a win tonight! I am sure the crowd will be into it, since they will be lubed up on "Halfway to St.Patty's day" promotions.MicheleSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55293865531916111122011-09-17T11:28:28.411-04:002011-09-17T11:28:28.411-04:00Grandstander - Exactly right about the 'qualit...Grandstander - Exactly right about the 'quality start'. Any outing where the starting pitcher can go 6 (or more) innings while allowing three runs has thrown a game which gives his team at least a 50% chance of winning. That's worth some kind of mention. <br /><br />Calling it a 'Quality' start might be a misnomer, but it does give the pitcher a statistical marker for keeping the opponent close, and serves much the same purpose as the 'hold' does for relievers.BinMnoreply@blogger.com