It has been a LONG day. Up at 5:30, out the door at 6:45 a.m. for Newport News (much cheaper flight), flight delayed, yada yada yada.
Anyway, it's either very late or very early and I want to get to bed. Just got back to the room after a very long night and early morning of baseball. Turner Field still looks great. We had fun. Got a cool picture taken that I will post once I get home and get it scanned. Trip is off to a great start if you can overlook the 6-5 score and 0-4 thing next to Nationals in the standings.
But I'm left with a nagging question and I hope some of you who watched at home can help. Being at the park is terrific, one of the things I enjoy most in life. The views aren't always great and the replays aren't always available.
Seventh inning. Doesn't Milledge at least have to try and throw out McCann at the plate? Late in a tie game? Tough play sure. Don't you have to give it a try?
We're talking about a guy who is, as my son says, slower than I am. The risk is small. Francouer gets second base. I can live with that. The potential reward is high. McCann is out and the Braves don't score the go-ahead run.
It looked like McCann hesitated, too. Again, I saw no replay and my angle on the whole thing wasn't good. I could be way off base.
It also looked like Dukes was in some sort of pain as he left the field.
I'll hang up and listen. We're going to sleep in tomorrow, watch the Masters and head over for another game. I'll be about three rows behind the Nats bench. Maybe I'll just ask Milledge myself.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
How much do you have?
My son and I leave the house at 7 tomorrow morning to catch a flight to Atlanta. His Christmas present. We'll see all three games there, get home Sunday night and then gather up the wife, daughter and boyfriend and head to the home opener. I'll go again on Wednesday, courtesy of MASN's kind offer to all us blogging types (I guess that means I have to be nice to MASN between now and then).
I will also be at the Saturday and Sunday games against the Marlins and the Wednesday game against the Braves. So if my counting is correct, that's five of the next six, seven of the next nine and eight of the next 12. If only the Nats could put up a similar line of victories.
Part of today will be spent preparing for all this travel. I'm digging through all my stuff and my wife is right (for once). I really do have way too much Nationals stuff.
This is not an exact count but it is pretty close. I have:
*Five jerseys (home, road, alternate, two different BP). Need a new road and new home (somehow has a big stain). I'm watching eBay for the new roaders. Not paying stadium prices.
*Four sweatshirts (grey, red, blue hoodie and red zip hoodie)
*Two jackets (one light, one heavy) plus a fleece and a windshirt. PLUS one of those things Frank used to wear. My wife bought it for me. Said she was tired of hearing me bitch about Frank not doing anything. Now I can just wander out and change pitchers myself.
*10 t-shirts (two tie-dyed!)
*One cool-wick type of shirt thing.
*Three golf-style shirts and two "sports" shirts for lack of a better term. Short-sleeved, button-up with collar. Both were Father's Day presents. So were the golf shirts, come to think of it. Being a Nats fan has made me cranky and miserable. At least I'm an easy gift target.
*Eight bobbleheads. Two of them (Zimmerman, Guzman) are still on the team. Plus two President bobbleheads.
*A squishy pillow with the logo on it for my naps. A welcome mat that is inside the front door (one of the dogs naps on it, no further comment). A money clip. Two watches (red for home, blue for the road). A golf ball marker for if I ever start playing golf again. Countless pins and souvenir baseballs. One of them signed by Livan, my man crush.
*A magnificent frame job on the poster the Post put out of last year's opener, a Christmas gift from my wife. But she won't let me put it over the mantel. My son wanted to find a picture of THE home run and frame that. Claims he couldn't. So he framed up Eric Maynor's winning shot against Duke from two years ago.
*About 60 hats. Yeah, I know. Two more due in today. Sue me, I'm bald and I like hats. Half of them are headed for the dumpster soon, I promise. To my credit, I do wear the things (pretty much all the time now that I'm unempl *** self-employed).
Toss in FOUR tickets on one of the 21-game plan and the ridiculous amount dumped on food and drink and I think I can claim I have a significant investment in this team. Enough that they ought to allow me to make one trade per season.
I tried to get a Nationals collar and leash for Ella Pupadupalous but got overruled on that one. Ah, but the season is young and Petco is but a mile away.
How much do you have?
I will also be at the Saturday and Sunday games against the Marlins and the Wednesday game against the Braves. So if my counting is correct, that's five of the next six, seven of the next nine and eight of the next 12. If only the Nats could put up a similar line of victories.
Part of today will be spent preparing for all this travel. I'm digging through all my stuff and my wife is right (for once). I really do have way too much Nationals stuff.
This is not an exact count but it is pretty close. I have:
*Five jerseys (home, road, alternate, two different BP). Need a new road and new home (somehow has a big stain). I'm watching eBay for the new roaders. Not paying stadium prices.
*Four sweatshirts (grey, red, blue hoodie and red zip hoodie)
*Two jackets (one light, one heavy) plus a fleece and a windshirt. PLUS one of those things Frank used to wear. My wife bought it for me. Said she was tired of hearing me bitch about Frank not doing anything. Now I can just wander out and change pitchers myself.
*10 t-shirts (two tie-dyed!)
*One cool-wick type of shirt thing.
*Three golf-style shirts and two "sports" shirts for lack of a better term. Short-sleeved, button-up with collar. Both were Father's Day presents. So were the golf shirts, come to think of it. Being a Nats fan has made me cranky and miserable. At least I'm an easy gift target.
*Eight bobbleheads. Two of them (Zimmerman, Guzman) are still on the team. Plus two President bobbleheads.
*A squishy pillow with the logo on it for my naps. A welcome mat that is inside the front door (one of the dogs naps on it, no further comment). A money clip. Two watches (red for home, blue for the road). A golf ball marker for if I ever start playing golf again. Countless pins and souvenir baseballs. One of them signed by Livan, my man crush.
*A magnificent frame job on the poster the Post put out of last year's opener, a Christmas gift from my wife. But she won't let me put it over the mantel. My son wanted to find a picture of THE home run and frame that. Claims he couldn't. So he framed up Eric Maynor's winning shot against Duke from two years ago.
*About 60 hats. Yeah, I know. Two more due in today. Sue me, I'm bald and I like hats. Half of them are headed for the dumpster soon, I promise. To my credit, I do wear the things (pretty much all the time now that I'm unempl *** self-employed).
Toss in FOUR tickets on one of the 21-game plan and the ridiculous amount dumped on food and drink and I think I can claim I have a significant investment in this team. Enough that they ought to allow me to make one trade per season.
I tried to get a Nationals collar and leash for Ella Pupadupalous but got overruled on that one. Ah, but the season is young and Petco is but a mile away.
How much do you have?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Well, that answers that
Josh Willingham in the lineup today.
He must have just shown up in Florida.
Is today the day we beleaguered Nats fans see a starter get into the sixth inning? How many HRs will the Marlins hit today? Is Jorge Cantu going to cry when the Nats leave town?
Great thing about noon starts is they get my day ruined earlier and leave my evenings free.
He must have just shown up in Florida.
Is today the day we beleaguered Nats fans see a starter get into the sixth inning? How many HRs will the Marlins hit today? Is Jorge Cantu going to cry when the Nats leave town?
Great thing about noon starts is they get my day ruined earlier and leave my evenings free.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Hey JOSH!
Can anyone confirm that Josh Willingham actually exists? Is he in Florida with the team?
I'm trying to figure out why Josh BARD has been up twice thus far this season and we're still waiting for a look at Willingham.
Two possibilities:
*Manny just yells JOSH and Bard gets there faster.
*The team wants as many looks at Bard as it can get before Zimmermann Day comes on April 19 and a catcher has to go.
Whatever. I daggone sure didn't see Josh Willingham as the 25th player when the team traded for him.
I'm trying to figure out why Josh BARD has been up twice thus far this season and we're still waiting for a look at Willingham.
Two possibilities:
*Manny just yells JOSH and Bard gets there faster.
*The team wants as many looks at Bard as it can get before Zimmermann Day comes on April 19 and a catcher has to go.
Whatever. I daggone sure didn't see Josh Willingham as the 25th player when the team traded for him.
Manny
I hesitate to post this for a variety of reasons. I don't want to sound like I'm going from sunny Opening Day optimist to doomsayer based on one perfectly awful game. I also hate to think about it because I just don't like the subject. I've never been one to suggest a quick trigger for coaches/managers and the like. Plus there's the fact that Manny Acta seems like a perfectly excellent guy and I really, really want him to succeed. Not just because he manages my favorite team.
That said, I must admit: I am starting to wonder if Manny Acta is the right manager for this team. Not if he's a good baseball man. I think it goes without saying that he is indeed. I also realize it is difficult to judge anyone who is being asked to make chicken salad out of chicken, uh, feathers.
But I am starting to wonder. And I bet a bundle I'm not alone.
It was driven home last evening in the middle of the opener. My son is not unemploy *** uh, self-employed. He gets up each morning, goes to work, comes home afterward. He strolled in about 5:30 and sat down on the couch. Took one look at the score and said, "Holy shit." Welcome to my world, I said.
Just then, the TV went to the classic dugout shot of Manny. It's the one we've seen a million times before. Stoic Manny, sitting there taking it all in without a trace of emotion.
"I'm not glued to these guys like you are," my son noted, "but I have never, ever seen a shot of Manny Acta doing anything but that."
He clearly missed the Dukes exchange last season. Even that was mild compared to what it could have been. My brother was quick to ask, "What would Frank have done?" Dukes may have busted the old man up but they would have had to drag Frank off him.
Being stoic, being patient? Great, terrific virtues. I could use a little more of each. For this team, I think maybe it is time to have a guy who is about out of patience and ready to kick some ass. My son said if he was the Nats' manager, he would have found a way to get tossed yesterday. Then he would have told them afterward "I DID IT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF WATCHING THIS CRAP." Maybe Manny is that way behind the closed doors but I sense he is not.
Again, these are fleeting thoughts. I really wanted the former GM out because I didn't think he was doing a good job for this club. I really want Manny to work out. I am not calling for his head. I think he is good for the community. I want him to be the Nationals' manager.
I'm just starting to wonder. Is he the right guy at this time for this team?
That said, I must admit: I am starting to wonder if Manny Acta is the right manager for this team. Not if he's a good baseball man. I think it goes without saying that he is indeed. I also realize it is difficult to judge anyone who is being asked to make chicken salad out of chicken, uh, feathers.
But I am starting to wonder. And I bet a bundle I'm not alone.
It was driven home last evening in the middle of the opener. My son is not unemploy *** uh, self-employed. He gets up each morning, goes to work, comes home afterward. He strolled in about 5:30 and sat down on the couch. Took one look at the score and said, "Holy shit." Welcome to my world, I said.
Just then, the TV went to the classic dugout shot of Manny. It's the one we've seen a million times before. Stoic Manny, sitting there taking it all in without a trace of emotion.
"I'm not glued to these guys like you are," my son noted, "but I have never, ever seen a shot of Manny Acta doing anything but that."
He clearly missed the Dukes exchange last season. Even that was mild compared to what it could have been. My brother was quick to ask, "What would Frank have done?" Dukes may have busted the old man up but they would have had to drag Frank off him.
Being stoic, being patient? Great, terrific virtues. I could use a little more of each. For this team, I think maybe it is time to have a guy who is about out of patience and ready to kick some ass. My son said if he was the Nats' manager, he would have found a way to get tossed yesterday. Then he would have told them afterward "I DID IT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF WATCHING THIS CRAP." Maybe Manny is that way behind the closed doors but I sense he is not.
Again, these are fleeting thoughts. I really wanted the former GM out because I didn't think he was doing a good job for this club. I really want Manny to work out. I am not calling for his head. I think he is good for the community. I want him to be the Nationals' manager.
I'm just starting to wonder. Is he the right guy at this time for this team?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Searching for that bright side
because it is, you know, Opening Day and we're supposed to be all hooo-rah.
Maybe they'll realize that Tavarez is a huge mistake and he won't be around when the team comes to Washington next week. He can hang around the bars at 4 a.m. somewhere else.
Oh, and where was THIS Bonifacio last season? I think he has more hits today than he did as a Nat. Of course, he wasn't facing Nats pitching when he was with the Nats.
Dibble actually cheered when Kearns hit his double. That's OUR job, not his.
I'm smiling. Hey, it's Opening Day!! Nothing but happy here. Nothing at all.
Maybe they'll realize that Tavarez is a huge mistake and he won't be around when the team comes to Washington next week. He can hang around the bars at 4 a.m. somewhere else.
Oh, and where was THIS Bonifacio last season? I think he has more hits today than he did as a Nat. Of course, he wasn't facing Nats pitching when he was with the Nats.
Dibble actually cheered when Kearns hit his double. That's OUR job, not his.
I'm smiling. Hey, it's Opening Day!! Nothing but happy here. Nothing at all.
Opening Day
It's raining like hell here. Hard, hard, noisy, driving, scare-the-dogs-under-the-couch kind of rain. Check for leaks kind of rain. Still dark out kind of rain.
That's quite all right. It's a sunny day through all that water.
Oh how I love Opening Day. Cap O, Cap D. It is a holiday.
Stupid me scheduled Ella Pupadupalous the Famous Lab Pup for her rabies shot today. At 4:15. My bad. Just rescheduled for tomorrow for 4:15. My fat fanny will be resting in my easy chair at 4:15 today. It might be the only day all season that I get to smile when the pregame show starts. 0-0 might be as close as the Nats get to a winning mark.
Spring and the openers are the time for optimism, which I have to a small degree. As I discussed in my previous post, I really think the team can win in the upper 70s this season, maybe even threaten a .500 record. I'm just a little disgusted about that being the best I can hope for going into the fifth year.
I'll probably spend most of the next six months moaning, griping and complaining. That's OK. Baseball season is the best season. Even bad baseball beats no baseball. Remember youngsters, I'm one of the old guard who had baseball snatched away during my developmental years. That may explain why I'm such a crank in my old age.
I want a winner and I want it now. I'm just grateful to have a team.
Barring something unforseen like actual work piling up, I figure I'll get to about 40 games this season. I have my 21-game plan and I plan to add extras (and miss some on the plan). I have "roadies" scheduled to Atlanta and Baltimore and I'm trying to work a quick trip to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in as well.
Most days and nights, though, I'll be right where I am now. Sitting on the duff with clicker, phone and drink within reach. New HiDef TV about 12 feet away.
My son and I watched the Braves last night. He asked, and I think he was serious: On nights when they're both on, how do we decide which team we watch?
When I stopped laughing, I politely explained that he was welcome to stay in my house for as long as he liked. He's my son. I love him. He can stay here forever. But MY TV is tuned into MY team whenever they are on. It is not a subject for debate.
So let's get it started.
That's quite all right. It's a sunny day through all that water.
Oh how I love Opening Day. Cap O, Cap D. It is a holiday.
Stupid me scheduled Ella Pupadupalous the Famous Lab Pup for her rabies shot today. At 4:15. My bad. Just rescheduled for tomorrow for 4:15. My fat fanny will be resting in my easy chair at 4:15 today. It might be the only day all season that I get to smile when the pregame show starts. 0-0 might be as close as the Nats get to a winning mark.
Spring and the openers are the time for optimism, which I have to a small degree. As I discussed in my previous post, I really think the team can win in the upper 70s this season, maybe even threaten a .500 record. I'm just a little disgusted about that being the best I can hope for going into the fifth year.
I'll probably spend most of the next six months moaning, griping and complaining. That's OK. Baseball season is the best season. Even bad baseball beats no baseball. Remember youngsters, I'm one of the old guard who had baseball snatched away during my developmental years. That may explain why I'm such a crank in my old age.
I want a winner and I want it now. I'm just grateful to have a team.
Barring something unforseen like actual work piling up, I figure I'll get to about 40 games this season. I have my 21-game plan and I plan to add extras (and miss some on the plan). I have "roadies" scheduled to Atlanta and Baltimore and I'm trying to work a quick trip to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in as well.
Most days and nights, though, I'll be right where I am now. Sitting on the duff with clicker, phone and drink within reach. New HiDef TV about 12 feet away.
My son and I watched the Braves last night. He asked, and I think he was serious: On nights when they're both on, how do we decide which team we watch?
When I stopped laughing, I politely explained that he was welcome to stay in my house for as long as he liked. He's my son. I love him. He can stay here forever. But MY TV is tuned into MY team whenever they are on. It is not a subject for debate.
So let's get it started.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)