This has officially been a lousy day. The VCU women's basketball team lost in the semifinals of the CAA tournament today. To James Madison at James Madison. Fair is fair. JMU played better than we did but that doesn't make it any easier to take. Our women are 26-6 and squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Keep your fingers crossed. It would be way cool to have both the men and women in the NCAA fields.
So the loss has me home a day earlier than expected and I'm eager to check the mail after reading my blogging bud Nats320's post the other day about HIS cool ticket package. Sure enough, I have something waiting from the Nationals. But it ain't my tickets. It is this letter, typed in as is so blame them for the grammar stuff:
Dear MIKE (yes it was capitalized),
We want to thank you for your commitment to the 2009 Washington Nationals. We have many reasons to be excited for the 2009 season. Those reasons include the recent acquisition of outfielder Adam Dunn, the introduction of our new concessionaire Levy Restaurants, renovations to the Red Porch Restaurant and the beginning of a new season which will feature a three game series versus the Boston Red Sox.
We look forward to seeing you on April 13th 2009 for Opening Day at Nationals Park. We want to inform you that due to all Season Ticket Holders' having tickets to Opening Day, we needed to relocate your seat location for this game. Your seat location for Opening Day will be in a price category that is less expensive than your partial plan location is for the 2009 season. As a result of this change, a credit of $20 will be applied to your season ticket account which can be used to purchase additional tickets during the 2009 season.
If you have additional questions or would like to know the balance on your account, please call our Season Ticket Services Department at 202.675.6287, Option (1) then Option (1) again.
Sincerely,
Washington Nationals Ticket Services Department
Me again.
OK, it makes sense. Four of us "time share" these seats, so no way all of us can sit there. It probably should have been mentioned when we bought the tickets along with an explanation of how it was decided which of the four of us holders would get the seats for the Opener. They flip a coin for us? Draw straws? Rock, Paper, Scissors? Did I draw to an inside straight and miss? Why does HE get those seats? Why not ME? Huh?
Maybe they could rotate the four of us into the seats? Two innings each with the plan D person (that would be me) getting the extra inning?
But what really chaps my ass is the assumption that I will want to use my "refund" to purchase additional tickets. I live 120 miles away. I can't just up and go whenever I want. So how about a refund to the credit card I used to buy my $1,800 worth of tickets? That way I can put the 20 bucks toward something else, like gas to get to Nationals Park. Or half a t-shirt at the overpriced goods stores. Or a pizza and two coke zeros (one for my man Zuckerman) at the overpriced concession stands (now run by Levy Restaurants).
I will refrain from playing editor and going over the problems with the letter. They're not THAT bad and I probably wouldn't even notice if I wasn't steamed.
Going to the Opener is a production for the whole family. It IS a work day. Everyone has to take off. It costs us to get up there, to park, to eat. And now we find out we're getting shuttled to some as-yet-unnamed seat we don't want to sit in. I paid for section 309. I want section 309.
And I want my cool tickets with pictures on them like 320 got.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
This is relief?
When the Braves signed Julian Tavarez last season, I immediately called my son the Braves fan and gave him massive crap. "How low has your team sunk? This guy has played for every team! Are they that desperate?"
It goes without saying (so why am I saying it?) that I've turned my phones off this morning. I'm sure I'll have a chuckling message waiting for me to delete.
Are the Nats THAT desperate?
Julian Tavarez? Kip Wells? Sure, I know it is cheap and non-guaranteed and what's it hurt to look at them and all that. The question is why waste any money and time? Does anyone really think either one of these castoff types are an answer to anything? Daniel Cabrera they're not - still young with a ton of upside. These guys are what they are and what they are isn't all that good. Why waste time looking at them when you could be looking at somebody who can actually help in the future?
Gustavo Chacin they ain't.
It goes without saying (so why am I saying it?) that I've turned my phones off this morning. I'm sure I'll have a chuckling message waiting for me to delete.
Are the Nats THAT desperate?
Julian Tavarez? Kip Wells? Sure, I know it is cheap and non-guaranteed and what's it hurt to look at them and all that. The question is why waste any money and time? Does anyone really think either one of these castoff types are an answer to anything? Daniel Cabrera they're not - still young with a ton of upside. These guys are what they are and what they are isn't all that good. Why waste time looking at them when you could be looking at somebody who can actually help in the future?
Gustavo Chacin they ain't.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Go Rams!
Baseball was far from my mind last night. A great show against a program I really respect. I covered Mason many years ago and think the world of Jim Larranaga. But one thing that's been terrific about my current job is getting to know coaches and players from a different side. Seeing the work this crew put in pay off is as rewarding as anything I've ever experienced.
If winning a World Series excites me as much, well, let's get it done soon.
VCU (12) vs. Clemson (5) in Portland, Oregon. You read it here first. Book it. And pick the Rams in your pools. As a good friend told me last night, pack two suits.
If winning a World Series excites me as much, well, let's get it done soon.
VCU (12) vs. Clemson (5) in Portland, Oregon. You read it here first. Book it. And pick the Rams in your pools. As a good friend told me last night, pack two suits.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Did I miss anything?
The CAA men's tournament is this weekend, the CAA women's tournament is next weekend and there's some prep work in between. Going to be a busy stretch and I'm doing my best to keep up with what's going on baseball wise. I feel out of touch but also feel like I haven't missed anything.
Maybe the JimBow "distraction" was a good thing because it gave us something to talk about while nothing happened.
I'm not certain, barring injury or trade, anything will happen. Does anyone have any doubt the final roster will look something like this?
C - Flores, Nieves
IF - Johnson, Hernandez, Guzman, Zimmerman, Belliard, Harris
OF - Dunn, Milledge, Dukes, Willingham, Kearns
P - Lannan, Olsen, Cabrera, Zimmermann, Hill, Hanrahan, Colome, Rivera, Shell, Bergmann, Hinckley, Young
Maybe Leonard Davis or Bernadina in that last outfield spot if they can find a taker for Kearns? Martis in Hill's spot if health continues to be an issue? Anything else?
D. Young? No way. Can't get in shape.
Langerhans? Hate to see him go but where does he fit?
Wily Mo? As I've said before, I really wish he was good. Seems like a fine guy. Can he go to AAA? Does he have options left?
Is Colome a serious contender to close? I can't believe I just typed that.
I guess the bombshell of the spring will be a Johnson trade if one happens. At this point, I'm sort of switching gears on my thoughts about him. I'd like to see them keep him and hope this is the magic year where he actually stays healthy. Seeing Zimmerman, Dunn, Johnson and Dukes come to the plate in succession (but maybe not in that order) could be a lot of fun.
Maybe the JimBow "distraction" was a good thing because it gave us something to talk about while nothing happened.
I'm not certain, barring injury or trade, anything will happen. Does anyone have any doubt the final roster will look something like this?
C - Flores, Nieves
IF - Johnson, Hernandez, Guzman, Zimmerman, Belliard, Harris
OF - Dunn, Milledge, Dukes, Willingham, Kearns
P - Lannan, Olsen, Cabrera, Zimmermann, Hill, Hanrahan, Colome, Rivera, Shell, Bergmann, Hinckley, Young
Maybe Leonard Davis or Bernadina in that last outfield spot if they can find a taker for Kearns? Martis in Hill's spot if health continues to be an issue? Anything else?
D. Young? No way. Can't get in shape.
Langerhans? Hate to see him go but where does he fit?
Wily Mo? As I've said before, I really wish he was good. Seems like a fine guy. Can he go to AAA? Does he have options left?
Is Colome a serious contender to close? I can't believe I just typed that.
I guess the bombshell of the spring will be a Johnson trade if one happens. At this point, I'm sort of switching gears on my thoughts about him. I'd like to see them keep him and hope this is the magic year where he actually stays healthy. Seeing Zimmerman, Dunn, Johnson and Dukes come to the plate in succession (but maybe not in that order) could be a lot of fun.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Dr. Andrews - never a good sign
So my mood, so fine the past few days, has soured some with the news that Shawn Hill is scheduled to see (or has seen, I'm losing track of time) Dr. James Andrews.
Manny sez he hopes Hill gets some good news. Hey, don't we all? But let me ask this. How often does anyone go see Dr. Andrews and come back with good news? You don't go see Dr. Jim just for the hell of it.
It pains me to say it but I really believe we'll never see a healthy Shawn Hill. It's another John Patterson situation, sadly. What a damn shame. Talent out the wazoo and for reasons I can't explain, I've always been left with the impression that Hill has a better head than Patterson.
Like many things in my life, I hope I'm wrong.
On the subject of pitchers, I had high hopes today for Gustavo Chacin - so much for that. In 2005, a group of us Loosers from SportsJournalists.com went to see a Nats-Toronto series as part of our annual outing (Nats-Baltimore this year, Nats-Seattle last year. Guess who picks the sites?). Anyway, the Nats won the first two and Chacin pitched the third for the Jays. I left there really impressed. Talked to an SJ.com bud from Toronto who was not on the trip and he said the Jays were really high on him. Seems that 2005 was his high-water mark.
Too bad. I'd really like it to work out. Courtesy of Wikipedia (always so reliable), here are some fun facts on Gustavo:
*Chacín cannot grow hair because of alopecia areata.
*A joke on Toronto sports radio station Fan 590 that the name Chacín sounds like it should be the name of a cologne led the Blue Jays to do a Chacín Cologne night on June 27, 2006.
*Wears sunglasses while pitching regardless of whether he is in an indoor or outdoor stadium and weather conditions. Many have said he looks somewhat like a supervillain when wearing the glasses.
I can't grow hair either but I can't blame it on alopecia areata. And, c'mon. Gustavo Chacin is a great, great name.
I really want him to be a star. I also want Shawn Hill to be a star. I'm pretty sure neither will happen.
Manny sez he hopes Hill gets some good news. Hey, don't we all? But let me ask this. How often does anyone go see Dr. Andrews and come back with good news? You don't go see Dr. Jim just for the hell of it.
It pains me to say it but I really believe we'll never see a healthy Shawn Hill. It's another John Patterson situation, sadly. What a damn shame. Talent out the wazoo and for reasons I can't explain, I've always been left with the impression that Hill has a better head than Patterson.
Like many things in my life, I hope I'm wrong.
On the subject of pitchers, I had high hopes today for Gustavo Chacin - so much for that. In 2005, a group of us Loosers from SportsJournalists.com went to see a Nats-Toronto series as part of our annual outing (Nats-Baltimore this year, Nats-Seattle last year. Guess who picks the sites?). Anyway, the Nats won the first two and Chacin pitched the third for the Jays. I left there really impressed. Talked to an SJ.com bud from Toronto who was not on the trip and he said the Jays were really high on him. Seems that 2005 was his high-water mark.
Too bad. I'd really like it to work out. Courtesy of Wikipedia (always so reliable), here are some fun facts on Gustavo:
*Chacín cannot grow hair because of alopecia areata.
*A joke on Toronto sports radio station Fan 590 that the name Chacín sounds like it should be the name of a cologne led the Blue Jays to do a Chacín Cologne night on June 27, 2006.
*Wears sunglasses while pitching regardless of whether he is in an indoor or outdoor stadium and weather conditions. Many have said he looks somewhat like a supervillain when wearing the glasses.
I can't grow hair either but I can't blame it on alopecia areata. And, c'mon. Gustavo Chacin is a great, great name.
I really want him to be a star. I also want Shawn Hill to be a star. I'm pretty sure neither will happen.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The WBC
Today is the first day of the rest of our lives and I woke up to - snow up to my fat arse. I hate snow, if I haven't mentioned that before on here. Hate it with a passion. Hate it more than all other things combined. I don't ski so it serves no useful purpose. I do get to work from the ranch today but I'd rather be in the office and have NO show nearby. None.
Ah, but after yesterday? Seems like a brilliant, sunny day. No clouds on the horizon.
My concern today is the WBC. Like snow, I see no useful purpose served. Yes, I'm still clouded by the elbow injury suffered by Luis Ayala when we all still loved him as a pitcher. Even without that, I don't see the point.
I want Adam Dunn with the Nats. He doesn't need competition. He's had that. I want him to get to know his new teammates, on and off the field. I want the brass to see if he's equipped to handle himself at first or in left. I want Joel Hanrahan with the Nats. He's going to be called on to save many of the 130 or so games they'll win this season. I want him with the Nats, gearing up for that role on that team.
I'll hang up now and listen.
Also, many thanks to my man FireJimBowden and the SportsBog (see cool links to the right) for the shoutout in the interview Dan Steinberg did with my blogging colleague. I don't know if I've ever said this here. I've said it on some other sites I pollute with my drivel. Dan Steinberg is the best blogger out there, all due respect to my Natsmosphere friends (and myself). Guy is terrific and the "bog" is not only a great name, it is what a newspaper's primary blog should be. It is what I wanted, but never quite got, out of the blogs we did when I was still at the paper here. Only downside is his stuff doesn't get in the paper. His coverage of George Mason's run to the Final Four in 2006 was exceptional. The best anywhere.
Ah, but after yesterday? Seems like a brilliant, sunny day. No clouds on the horizon.
My concern today is the WBC. Like snow, I see no useful purpose served. Yes, I'm still clouded by the elbow injury suffered by Luis Ayala when we all still loved him as a pitcher. Even without that, I don't see the point.
I want Adam Dunn with the Nats. He doesn't need competition. He's had that. I want him to get to know his new teammates, on and off the field. I want the brass to see if he's equipped to handle himself at first or in left. I want Joel Hanrahan with the Nats. He's going to be called on to save many of the 130 or so games they'll win this season. I want him with the Nats, gearing up for that role on that team.
I'll hang up now and listen.
Also, many thanks to my man FireJimBowden and the SportsBog (see cool links to the right) for the shoutout in the interview Dan Steinberg did with my blogging colleague. I don't know if I've ever said this here. I've said it on some other sites I pollute with my drivel. Dan Steinberg is the best blogger out there, all due respect to my Natsmosphere friends (and myself). Guy is terrific and the "bog" is not only a great name, it is what a newspaper's primary blog should be. It is what I wanted, but never quite got, out of the blogs we did when I was still at the paper here. Only downside is his stuff doesn't get in the paper. His coverage of George Mason's run to the Final Four in 2006 was exceptional. The best anywhere.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
AMF Jim
My original thought was to post something a little classy because I truly wish the guy no ill will. I just wanted him out as GM.
But after reading his statement?
AMF, Jim.
Blaming the media? Yeah, I'm not media anymore but I was for a long time and I know horsecrap when I see or hear horsecrap. Jim's statement is horsecrap.
The media did nothing wrong. He IS being investigated. No one has said he's been charged with anything. If he truly did nothing wrong, he'd ride it out. Saying well, I'm innocent but the media has done gone and chased me out of here *** words can't describe the level of horsecrap involved there.
While we're on the subject of horsecrap, who gave him the word he was "resigning?" Uncle Stan or El Jefe? I will never, ever be convinced he made the decision himself. Someone said to him, "JimBow, good news! We are not firing you *** you are resigning. Piss on the media if you want, just GTFO."
Someone check the airlines. Is LaCava on the way in yet?
The real news - The Times wins my pool so I owe Zuckerman a beer. Except my snoops tell me he doesn't drink (guy must be very young and very new to newspapers). So I'm going to buy everyone who entered a beer at my first Nats game this season. Right now, that's scheduled to be the opener. I'll have a Coke Zero with Zuckerman's name on it. I wish I could start celebrating today but, alas, I have to work. I'll work with a smile on my face.
But after reading his statement?
AMF, Jim.
Blaming the media? Yeah, I'm not media anymore but I was for a long time and I know horsecrap when I see or hear horsecrap. Jim's statement is horsecrap.
The media did nothing wrong. He IS being investigated. No one has said he's been charged with anything. If he truly did nothing wrong, he'd ride it out. Saying well, I'm innocent but the media has done gone and chased me out of here *** words can't describe the level of horsecrap involved there.
While we're on the subject of horsecrap, who gave him the word he was "resigning?" Uncle Stan or El Jefe? I will never, ever be convinced he made the decision himself. Someone said to him, "JimBow, good news! We are not firing you *** you are resigning. Piss on the media if you want, just GTFO."
Someone check the airlines. Is LaCava on the way in yet?
The real news - The Times wins my pool so I owe Zuckerman a beer. Except my snoops tell me he doesn't drink (guy must be very young and very new to newspapers). So I'm going to buy everyone who entered a beer at my first Nats game this season. Right now, that's scheduled to be the opener. I'll have a Coke Zero with Zuckerman's name on it. I wish I could start celebrating today but, alas, I have to work. I'll work with a smile on my face.
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