William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

A license plate that screams WTF

2010-03-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- I saw this and had to photograph. The people parking behind it were laughing as well. I'm sort of surprised Maryland let "WTF2" get through as a vanity plate too.

How long until We Love DC uses this in one of their posts?

Stephen Strasburg makes his Nats spring debut today

2010-03-09T06:14:00.003-05:00

2009 #1 MLB draft pick and the "best pitching prospect ever" Stephen Strasburg makes his first spring start for the Washington Nationals today (Nationals Journal, The Post). It counts as much as any other spring training game and unless something completely amazing or dreadful happens this event will struggle to even be a footnote in the collective (un)conscious of Nats fans. That it comes with the Nats 0-6 in spring training may even add some unnecessary urgency to Strasburg's appearance.

So, with that in mind, does The Post not having a story in the dead tree edition show restraint or a lack of commitment by that sports department? I would have at least expected a Thomas Boswell column, but I guess that will arrive tomorrow morning. At least there is an article about the guy who used to manage in D.C. because that um, matters.

Game is 1 p.m. on MASN (boo!), MLB.tv and Gameday Audio (worth the $19.99 for the season).

Viera: Center of attention? - Nats Insider

Olsen: "This is the best I've felt" - Nats Insider
Wouldn't it be nice if one of these pitchers was saying "this is the best I've felt" after pitching well" sometime soon?

Washington Nationals, Nats

Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler on air today; Strasburg on CBS News

2010-03-08T10:15:00.001-05:00

I've become more of a homer as the years have gone by and find myself preferring the myopia of hometown broadcasters.^* This afternoon, at ~~2:30~~ 1:05 p.m. is the first chance to listen to the Washington Nationals radio team of Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler. Oh, how I have missed their discussions of pancakes. The Nats are playing on the Florida Marlins today. On terrestrial radio, are on WFED 1050 AM, but the preferred way for me to hear them is via Gameday Audio. It is well worth the money for the season.

On Saturday, the CBS Evening News did a profile on Stephen Strasburg. It doesn't share anything new, but the social contract says I have to post it.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

The Nats are 0-5 in Spring Training so far, try not to get concerned.

^*Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble are excluded from this -- not because of any MASN hate (though that'd be a good reason) but because they are not any good.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Nats don't need a captain Zimmerman; Guzman though?

2010-03-05T12:04:00.000-05:00

@washingnats, aka nationals.com beat writer Bill Ladson, asked if the Washington Nationals should name Ryan Zimmerman captain of the team. While Zimmerman seems to be doing quite well as a quiet team leader on and off the field, I don't feel its necessary to make anything official. @dcsportsbog tweeted this by the way:

Yikes, all of those players are not playing in D.C. anymore. Let's definitely not name Zimmerman captain. Actually, I think the Nats would do well to formalize Cristian Guzman's leadership role, don't you?

Captaincy seems to be working out ok for one fellow and his team though.

Washington Nationals, Nats, ,

Nats partnering with Cherry Blossom festival a positive step

2010-03-05T06:16:00.003-05:00

PRESS RELEASE - Washington Nationals partner with National Cherry Blossom Festival - nationals.com
I have been critical about the Nats nearly non-existent marketing from about day one. Back then it was because MLB did not want to spend money or do anything to offend cowardly, coddled Peter Angelos. The Lerner/Kasten regime did not improve matters much after the first weekend of ownership. To say they have had a learning curve would be understating it -- they have a learning sphere (about the size of the baseball that was proposed for behind centerfield). So, when the press release linked above came into my Inbox, I was pleased. I can't say if partnering with the long-running National Cherry Blossom Festival will sell them many tickets in 2010, but it is a step in the right direction.

"The blooming of the cherry blossoms and the crack of the bat have come to signify the start of Spring in Washington," said Nationals President Stan Kasten. "The Nationals are excited to take part in the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a long-standing tradition in the District celebrating the beginning of new seasons - Spring and baseball."

Kasten is exaggerating about the baseball part, but hopefully it won't be an exaggeration much longer. The exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox on April 3 and the second and third games of the season vs. the Philadelphia Phillies are also officially part of the festival.

Good work Nats PR, you are showing signs of improvement.

By the way, the cherry blossoms peak bloom is predicted to be April 3 - 8 (The Post)

In other news: I can't get worked up one way or another about spring training games. The Nats went with split squads yesterday and got crushed (Nationals Journal, The Post) by the Houston Astros and Florida Marlins. Maybe I'll listen on Monday when Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler are doing the game.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Cherry Blossoms, dc

1987 Fiesta Bowl - Penn State vs. Miami in 38 parts

2010-03-04T11:45:00.000-05:00

After all of this Olympics hockey talk and fallout, it helps to remember that there is something that bonds us together -- Penn State football. It just so happens that a fanpost on Black Shoe Diaries revealed excellent news -- the 1987 Fiesta Bowl between the #2 Penn State Nittany Lions and the #1 Miami Hurricanes is on youtube, in 38 parts. For a while (it will surely be removed eventually), you won't have to rely on your father's VHS copy to watch the greatest example of bend-but-don't-break in the history of mankind. Oh and the pinnacle (to date) of Penn State football.

Thomas Boswell chat/Adam Kilgore in game chat 03.04.2010

2010-03-04T10:15:00.001-05:00

Ask Boswell: Nats Spring Training, Stephen Strasburg, MLB, Olympics and more - The Post
"Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell will be online Thursday, Feb. 25 at 11:00 a.m. ET to take your questions about the start of Spring Training for the Nationals, Stephen Strasburg's development, Mike Rizzo's additions, the rest of Major League Baseball and his latest columns from Spring Training."

Foam finger time!

Nationals in-game chat - The Post
"Join Post Nationals beat writer Adam Kilgore for a live chat during today's Nationals' split-squad game against the Houston Astros."

I like that Kilgore is doing this, hopefully he'll do it a lot.

Today's earlier post: Nats: Extend Dunn (a little bit); keep Strasburg in the minors, etc.

Nats: Extend Dunn (a little bit); keep Strasburg in the minors, etc.

2010-03-04T05:32:00.003-05:00

Washington Nationals' Adam Dunn focuses on playing the field - The Post
I'd extend Adam Dunn's contract by 2 years with a possible club option for a third. He doesn't want to negoiate during the season, so I expect they come up with something, though it may not be announced until after Opening Day.

Dunn has helped the lineup, particularly Ryan Zimmerman, and is entertaining. If need be, I think Dunn can be flipped to an AL team at the deadline during his contract year. I am skeptical that Chris Marrero is ever going to be an every day first baseman.

Stephen Strasburg's starting point - Nationals Journal, The Post
I am on board with keeping Stephen Strasburg in the minors until June or less he completely overwhelms the minor leagues. I'd rather see him get used to pitching every five days -- remember he only pitched weekly in college, without major league pressure.

Plus there is the whole, let's not start the arbitration clock too.

Maxwell's make-or-break moment - Nats Insider
Can Justin Maxwell be more than a fourth outfielder? At 26, the Olney, Md. native is running out of time to find out. He'd rather be on the bench in the majors than starting in the minors, but since the club still has options on him, he will probably do both.

Oh and I'm still kicking myself for backtracking on my plans to go to the final home game of the season last year and missing Maxwell's walk-off grand slam (video).

One year later, Mike Rizzo reflects - Nationals Journal, The Post
Q&A with Mike Rizzo - nationals.com
Mike Rizzo has been GM for just over a year and because his predecessor set the bar so low, it is hard for me to evaluate the job Rizzo is doing.

He looks like Eddie Guardado too. You have to click on that since it's a rare Nats post on the Bog.

PATRICK HRUBY - Covering the Nationals on behalf of fans - ESPN Page 2
Speaking of Nats Insider, another profile of the Mark Zuckerman experiment. Brian Oliver of Nationals Farm Authority and Steven Biel of Fire Jim Bowden are quoted.

Escape from the press box - The Hardball Times
Sounds like post-Nats beat writer Chico Harlan does not like his job went just about as I predicted.

Yes, I know this horse has been beaten so much he's already in the glue factory, but hey, have you seen the #1 Google result for Chico Harlan? Yay SEO!

While people like Chris Needham will never be happy with the coverage until "truck day" becomes an event, I feel I need to point that Florida Today has a spring training blog.

And of course, SBF is on the ground in Viera asking different questions than the beat writers for Nats320.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Penn State Blue White game set for April 24

2010-03-03T12:08:00.003-05:00

Blue-White Weekend Presented by AAA Set for April 23-24 - Intercollegiate Athletics
The Blue White Game is at 2 p.m. on April 24 this year. Tailgating will start approximately 6 hours earlier.

I don't know if I'm going, it'll probably be a week of the game decision. The last several have been played in uncharacteristically non-"49° and raining" weather.

Oh and there will be a new position battle to keep an eye on -- punter. Ryan Breen is leaving the program (Nittany Lines, The Morning Call).

Good thing I knew a season ticketholder; Nats Opening Day nearly sold out

2010-03-02T20:29:00.004-05:00

Opening Day tix nearly sold out - Nats Insider
I would love to think that the Washington Nationals selling out all but singles to Opening Day by 10:07 a.m. meant a healthy fanbase, but I have a bad feeling it means a lot of seats were sold to Phillies fans already. If that's the case, Stan Kasten is going to be raked over the coals.

Let me publicly thank my friend Joe Riley for ordering me some tickets ahead of the public sale. Not only did he secure me some seats, but he saved me some money.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Boswell is too excited about Nats pitching

2010-03-02T12:38:00.002-05:00

THOMAS BOSWELL - With real pitchers, Washington Nationals inch closer to being a real team - The Post
The headline is more accurate than the column. Boswell is too excited about the fact that Nationals pitchers in spring training this year are not the type that have proven they are no good, just unproven. Calm down Bos. Are things looking better? Maybe. April and May aren't the easiest months and this team could get buried quickly.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Nats single game tickets on sale at 10 a.m.

2010-03-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Washington Nationals single game tickets for the 2010 season finally go on sale today at 10 a.m.

With the possible exception of Opening Day, tickets should be plentiful enough that you can wait to get them at the Nationals Park ticket window day of game most of the time. It sure beats paying all the service fees.

2010 schedule
2010 promotions schedule

Washington Nationals, Nats, tickets

Excellent headline about Canada beating USA in hockey

2010-03-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Canada win marred by Nickelback - The Collegian

I don't think Chico Harlan will be missed on the Nats beat

2010-03-02T05:46:00.000-05:00

A goodbye - Nationals Journal, The Post
WE WON'T HAVE CHICO HARLAN TO KICK AROUND ANY MORE
Friday evening, Chico Harlan said farewell to The Post's Washington Nationals beat:

...if you want to know more about the low point of that tenure, please reference my name in a Google search.

The Web is full of published items headlined like, "Nats beat writer Chico Harlan does not like his job..."

That headline probably looks familiar because it is the one I wrote after I read Harlan's infamous Washingtonian interview, though Harlan didn't include the link to it. It turns out that saying you are embarrassed to cover sports isn't a great idea, but I don't think Harlan had many consequences other than his own regret. His fellow beat writers (Nats Insider) seemed to like him which says a lot.

To his credit, Harlan could overcome hating his job enough to write some pretty good feature stories (like the Jesus Flores story of last week) but his game recaps tended to be mediocre. He feel in love with his own snark sometimes too, using a hammer when a scalpel was more appropriate.

Adam Kilgore has assumed the role of Nats beat writer and so far I'm pleased with what I am seeing. Kilgore has enthusiasm for the beat and has taken to pulling out the flip cam down at spring training. So far, so good, but the real test is how his gamers come out. I'm eager to read them.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Chico Harlan, Adam Kilgore

Sid Vicious: NYC tabs know that Sidney Crosby hates America

2010-03-01T05:56:00.004-05:00

Yes, diver/whiner Sidney Crosby making the winning shot in overtime for Canada to beat the United States for the gold medal is the worst case scenario. The New York tabloids know this to be true. Look at him up there will the poster boy for birth control expression on his face. Ugh. You couldn't have made one more save Ryan Miller?

I wonder how many Yinzers were rooting for Canada yesterday.

Zach Parise though, is an American hero.

Write-in Tony Plush for Nats bobblehead

2010-02-26T00:54:00.000-05:00

The Washington Nationals are holding a contest to pick the 3rd bobblehead giveaway of the 2010 season. Ryan Zimmerman (June 19) and Nyjer Morgan (July 31) are already planned. The choices are catchers Ivan Rodriguez and Jesus Flores, plus manager Jim Riggleman, pitcher John Lannan and Teddy from the Racing Presidents or a write-in. While it would be interesting to see how accurate the reproduction of Lannan's eyebrows would be, the obvious choice is a write-in candidate, none other than Mr. Tony Plush, Morgan's "gentleman name." Make it happen Nats fans.

LHP Scott Olsen has a spot in the rotation if he's healthy enough. I'm concerned he'll have one if he isn't. - All Nats All the Time, nationals.com

RF Elijah Dukes reported to camp , dawg. - Nats Insider

The Nats Dominican Republic situation has improved since the Smiley scandal of a year ago, but the permanent solution is not yet ready. Mike Rizzo is in a Q&A here. - The Post

Craig Stammen might be a part of the bullpen. - The Post

Special advisor to the GM, Davey Johnson says Ian Desmond should be an everyday shortstop. Johnson does not elaborate on where he should be playing SS everyday though. @washingnats

RHP Rafael Martin, 25, has been signed out of the Mexico. Yay international scouting?

Adam Dunn is preparing to play first base in the spring for the first time ever. He's working on his feetwork. He's got a point there.

The Thomas Boswell chat transcript. - The Post

Adam Kilgore introduces himself as the Nats beat writer for The Post and sounds good, though his line "Baseball is woven into the hum and churn of a city, the games playing on bar TVs while the first happy hour bleeds into the next, the second-guessing starting on the walk from the bleachers to the Metro, the aftermath still hovering the next morning" is not as accurate as we'd like. Mark Zuckerman praises Kilgore's predecessor, Chico Harlan and speaks highly of Kilgore. - Nats Insider

Q&A with Derek Norris - Nats Insider

Glorified beer tent The Bullpen returns for a second season in Near SE by Nationals Park. - JD Land

Fire Jim Bowden wonders if the Lerners aren't cheap anymore. Next, he'll scold Dukes for past transgressions.

MLB Network will televise the March 27 game against the Mets. Sorry, no link.

Kerry Wood doesn't think Jim Riggleman used him too much (Chicago Tribune) during his rookie season with the Chicago Cubs.

Some guy named Stephen Strasburg pitched in the bullpen for a while yesterday. Kilgore has video.

Lastly, Nats320 is on the ground in Viera.

Ted Leonsis says he will buy Wizards, Verizon Center; chats at 12:30

2010-02-25T12:03:00.002-05:00

Leonsis: 'We'll End Up Buying' the Wizards - DCist
At a booksigning for the Business of Happiness, Ted Leonsis said "It's my intention and expectation that everything is going to work out fine and that it will be done the right way and that we'll own the Caps and the Wizards and the building." Apparently, he had used the word "definitely" originally. He also praised the Pollin family.

Since the sale did not go through at the first opportunity, the Pollins have increased their media presence and the past history of John Kent Cooke failing to buy the Redskins from his father Jack Kent Cooke's estate, Washingtonians have reason to be wary. I'm trying not to be and hope that Leonsis is correct and gets the Wizards, Verizon Center and the D.C. Ticketmaster franchise.

Leonsis is chatting on The Post Web site at 12:30 p.m.

PREVIOUSLY

Ted Leonsis blogs about Wizards, Verizon Center sale - 01.29.2010

Wizards & Verizon Center sale: No deal yet between Pollins and Leonsis - 01.20.2010

Ted Leonsis has right of first refusal to buy Wizards, Verizon Center - 11.25.2009

Boswell chat, more Nats news

2010-02-25T06:05:00.000-05:00

Ask Boswell: Nats Spring Training, Stephen Strasburg, MLB, Olympics and more - The Post
After outsourcing his feelings about Stephen Strasburg to Davey Johnson and Pudge Rodriguez in yesterday's column, we should find out what Bos really thinks about Stephen Strasburg.

What is this, day 6 of 2010 Washington Nationals spring training?

Boswell pens a love letter to GM Mike Rizzo. He's critical of the Lerners though, so that's something. - The Post

Stan Kasten does a Q&A with Bill Ladson of nationals.com. Capital Punishment translates it.

Last year, Craig Stammen pitched through pain, which turned out to merely be bone chips in his elbow. He got lucky. - Nats Insider

A Florida Today column about Nyjer Morgan and the switch to sliding feet first.

Morgan and Sean Burnett pushed former Pirates teammate Matt Capps to sign with D.C. (AP via USA Today)

P Shawn Estes hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008, but he's had some extreme training in Arizona. He's still a longshot, right?

2010 National Chili Day is today -- free bowl at Hard Times

2010-02-25T05:35:00.001-05:00

National Chili Day means a free bowl of chili tomorrow, February 25, 2010, at Hard Times Cafe with any other purchase for dine-in customers.

They have locations throughout Virginia, Maryland and even one in Raleigh, N.C.

National Chili Day, Hard Times Cafe, Now where are my chili boots?

Of course you care about Penn State getting its football pants clean

2010-02-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

How DO They Get Those Pants So Clean? (VIDEO) - The Penn Stater
A write-up with video about the laundering of Penn State's football pants following the Nittany Lions win over LSU in the epic mud of the Capital One Bowl.

You may have already seen the link on Uniwatch, I forwarded this to it.

Nats: New beat writer interviewed, Livan signs

2010-02-24T12:20:00.005-05:00

First off, Jamie Mottram of Mr. Irrelevant interviews The Post's new Washington Nationals beat writer, Adam Kilgore. You are off to a good start Kilgore.

BREAKING: @washingnats (Bill Ladson) says Livan Hernandez has just signed a minor league deal with the team. I don't think he has anything left, but if the Nats are going to trot out a washed-up pitcher, it might as well be him I guess. One will fall to us.

Barring injuries, the starting 8 positions players seem to be set. When has that ever happened to the Nats? - Nationals Journal, The Post

What does that mean for Ian Desmond? Mike Rizzo wants him playing shortstop daily, but Jim Riggleman might want him off the bench. - Nats Insider

Speaking of old Nats, Brad Wilkerson signed a minor league deal with the Phillies. I'll always have a soft spot for him for getting the Nats first hit on Opening Day and then hitting for the cycle in the second game against the Phillies.

Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to start on March 9 in Viera. He won't travel during spring training and his schedule would have him in position to start Opening Day for the Potomac Nationals. - nationals.com

CF Nyjer Morgan is learning how to slide feet first. We'll see how long that lasts. - nationals.com

@jlannan31 has video of P J.D. Martin making a full court basketball shot. I say he traveled.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Nats: Boswell on Strasburg

2010-02-24T05:45:00.005-05:00

THOMAS BOSWELL - Nats' Rodriguez terms Strasburg 'amazing' - The Post
Uncharacteristically, Boswell lets the hyperbole of others tell us what he is thinking. In this column, Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Stasburg is compared to a young Doc Gooden and an old Nolan Ryan. No pressure kid. I guess Boswell's next column will proclaim Strasburg the next Walter Johnson.

I like the way the team is handling Strasburg this spring by the way.

Washington's top prospect Strasburg is ahead of the curve - USA Today
That byline looks familiar.

Washington Nationals, Nats

2010 National Chili Day is tomorrow -- free bowl at Hard Times

2010-02-24T05:21:00.002-05:00

Nats: [expletive] Eddie Guardado!

2010-02-23T12:51:00.003-05:00

The [expletive] Nationals?!" - Nats Insider
Washed up journeyman Eddie Guardado is at Nationals spring training trying to win a roster spot. Two seasons ago, when he was with Texas and performing fairly well, he flipped out when he was told he was traded to Washington. Now, he's cool with the Nats because nobody else wants him around. If he makes the team, he gets a short-leash as far as I'm concerned. Dude has to be perfect, otherwise merciless heckling should be sent his way.

Nats: What others are saying about Strasburg; Flores frustration

2010-02-23T05:52:00.004-05:00

Phillies' model gives Nationals hope for future - The Inky
Apparently, in the eyes of one beat writer, the current Washington Nationals resemble the Philadelphia Phillies of the past. Let's see if I remember my history properly -- the Phillies were generally inept and in denial of their status as a big market franchise. They were getting better, in part because they were drafting character players (like Brett Myers -- okay bad example) but it wasn't until they got a real GM that they started getting over the hump because that GM brought in complementary players to the young talent. He spent money too. That GM was Pat Gillick who openly campaigned for the Nats job in 2005.

*facepalm*

Nationals� Strasburg Resumes Work of Living Up to Expectations - The Times
TIM KURKJIAN - Stephen Strasburg era has arrived - ESPN The Magazine
More stories about how Stephen Strasburg is scary good, humble, etc. Also, another example of the Kerry Wood saga under manager Jim Riggleman. Apparently, Wood had known elbow problems, but was pitching too well in the minors and Riggleman was criticized for taking the young phenom out too soon. Anybody remember if that was actually the case?

Nationals' Jesus Flores battles shoulder injury that continues to linger -
The battered, bruised and repaired shoulder of Jesus Flores - Nationals Journal, The Post
These stories on Jesus Flores are pretty good -- Chico Harlan can write a feature pretty well (gamers, not so much) when he tries and he's been trying lately. Anyway, Flores injury history and how he is dealing with it is examined. Has the play through pain mentality that seems to permeate the organization proved costly again? Looks like it.