TedE Posted May 14, 2018 Posted May 14, 2018 On 5/6/2018 at 5:26 PM, DaveO said: Saw this on twitter today and got a kick out of it: Braves lose Phillies lose Mets lose Nats win Productive Day Fresh off a 13-2 tear, but now only sitting 3rd (!) in the division behind the best-record-in-the-NL Braves (!!) and still-hanging-in-there Phillies (!!!)
DaveO Posted May 20, 2018 Posted May 20, 2018 On 5/6/2018 at 5:26 PM, DaveO said: Saw this on twitter today and got a kick out of it: Braves lose Phillies lose Mets lose Nats win Productive Day And then there are days like yesterday: Nats lose 2 Caps lose I like the Celtics: losers yesterday Orioles lose. (norm this year) (Oh but there was a lovely fairy tale/the world is changing wedding) Its for days like yesterday that beer was invented
TedE Posted June 11, 2018 Posted June 11, 2018 On 6/10/2018 at 12:24 PM, DaveO said: Lastly I read that over the last decade The Caps have had the cumulative Best regular season record of all teams— with NO Stanley Cups, while the two teams with the closest 10 year record including Pittsburgh each had 3. Damn. I didn’t know that. It magnified the long term frustration of players coaches owner and ardent fans. And the Nats have the best record in baseball over the past 6 (7?) years 🤔 It's DC's time! 1
DonRocks Posted June 14, 2018 Author Posted June 14, 2018 Juan Soto hits multiple Home Run game in his teens. 1
TedE Posted June 25, 2018 Posted June 25, 2018 NL East pecking order is surprisingly still holding true with the Nats clinging to 3rd place. "All Star Break" is a mere mental line in the sand, but it would be nice for them to be at or nearer to the top of the division by then. With the exception of Soto, he of the time-traveling MLB debut, bats have gone pretty cold. Herrera was an important pick up, but a lock down pen does little for you without a lead to protect. A team with this sort of firepower potential is on the wrong side of too many low-scoring games. Perhaps then, unsurprisingly, a stat that was flashed on the (*gag*) ESPN broadcast last night: last year Bryce hit something like .330 in the 7th inning and later. So far this year: .097, dead last in that particular ad hoc category. He's the worst hitter in the major leagues after the 6th inning!!! 1
silentbob Posted June 27, 2018 Posted June 27, 2018 No, that simply means Bryce Harper has a bad BA this year in a low-sample size statistic. He's not the worst hitter in MLB after the 6th inning right now, just like he wasn't a great hitter after the 6th inning last year. The great variance in these numbers, which you'll find to be true for most players from year-to-year, refutes any notion that there's somehow an inherent skill to late-inning hitting. Good hitters are good hitters, bad hitters are bad hitters. Timing is almost always coincidental. Same is true for one-run games. The Braves (12-5) and Phillies (14-7) have run hot while the Nats have run cold (8-12). With regression to the mean, I think the standings will turn around. I also wouldn't be too worried about the Nats offense. Runs will start flowing once the weather gets warmer. And even if they don't, the Diamondbacks (with a team BA of .226, worst in the NL and tied with the Orioles for worst in MLB) have shown that you can be a first-place team anyway with decent pitching and stellar fielding.
TedE Posted July 9, 2018 Posted July 9, 2018 On 6/27/2018 at 11:03 AM, silentbob said: He's not the worst hitter in MLB after the 6th inning right now, The sarcasm didn't come through well enough on that one 🙂 But, seriously, they need to score lots more runs against teams that didn't tank their seasons before Spring Training opened. That or get more than 4 innings out of the non-3x Cy Young winning starters.
DaveO Posted August 21, 2018 Posted August 21, 2018 Oh rats. This looks like a throwing in the towel move during a disappointing season. Murphy and Adams are both gone. That is a lot of offense. 1
DaveO Posted September 1, 2018 Posted September 1, 2018 Oh my! A season to forget: Now it’s Bye bye Gio 1
TedE Posted September 1, 2018 Posted September 1, 2018 1 hour ago, DaveO said: Oh my! A season to forget: Now it’s Bye bye Gio Inevitable. The season was all but done a couple of weeks ago and they weren’t going to re-sign Gio. He was a great addition during the early part of the 201x playoff run, but .... The Madson deal surprised me more. The bullpen continues to be a Rubik’s cube for this franchise, one that never seems to get solved. Hopefully they stick with Doolittle at least. 2019’s team is going to be new and interesting!
DonRocks Posted September 1, 2018 Author Posted September 1, 2018 This season reminds me of the penisaurus in "Flesh Gordon."
Pat Posted September 21, 2018 Posted September 21, 2018 As the season is wrapping up, I went digging for this article I remembered reading earlier in the year [sorry, WaPo paywall]. It was pretty easy to find because I recalled the distinctive phrasing of the headline. Re-reading it at this stage was surreal. I had forgotten the piece was published before spring training even began. So much has changed and/or happened much more rapidly than was expected. Even the author has gone to another team. The article feels like it belongs in a time capsule. ETA: Reading the comments on the article adds a whole 'nother level of surreality.
Al Dente Posted September 21, 2018 Posted September 21, 2018 I'm trying to look at the bright side. I don't have to shell out hundreds of bucks on a Game 5 Division Championship game only to see them lose two years in a row. Perhaps I'll spend the money on dinner at Rose's Luxury or somewhere with similar chops.
DaveO Posted September 21, 2018 Posted September 21, 2018 3 hours ago, Pat said: As the season is wrapping up, I went digging for this article I remembered reading earlier in the year [sorry, WaPo paywall]. It was pretty easy to find because I recalled the distinctive phrasing of the headline. They may still have this deal: WashPo offers a one year subscription for about $50/year at its steepest discount.
Pat Posted November 16, 2018 Posted November 16, 2018 Maybe it's fitting, given the year the Nats had, that they got the runners-up in both ROY and Cy Young and that they only got three first place votes between them. The promise was so much greater than this, but here we are. I had thought both would lose but the voting would be closer. Given how great Soto's and Scherzer's years were, the outcome seems harsh, but they were up against strong competition. It struck me when the MLB guys asked Scherzer last night if this was the best season of his career, and he said that it was. Think about it: He got 3 Cy Youngs in seasons that were not his best season. Soto. Wow. I saw an article about how the media in Japan were calling him Ceiling Man (I'd have to look up the Japanese for that) because he hit the roof of the Tokyo Dome twice. I'm kind of jealous that the Japanese fans got to see extra Soto once he'd had a little rest after our season ended. Hopeful for 2019. 3
MC Horoscope Posted November 16, 2018 Posted November 16, 2018 There's also Arenado getting the Gold Glove for third base over Rendon. Was the voting even close?
Pat Posted November 17, 2018 Posted November 17, 2018 22 hours ago, MC Horoscope said: There's also Arenado getting the Gold Glove for third base over Rendon. Was the voting even close? I haven't been able to find any place that lists the vote breakdown, just that Rendon was second. He had only 6 errors this year, but maybe errors now join pitching wins as being outmoded as indicators of quality.😐. 1
Pat Posted November 17, 2018 Posted November 17, 2018 Rendon did get 11th place for NL MYP. I meant to write that in the last message, but now that I'm thinking of it, that deserves its own post. 1
TedE Posted February 22, 2019 Posted February 22, 2019 Let's get the 2019 Nats going! Bryce is still in the wilderness, the starting rotation could be really exciting (or a couple injuries away from meh), catcher doesn't seem to be a liability position any longer, and there are more puzzle pieces that don't seem to have places yet. They are still the consensus pick for the NL East, but for the first time in a few seasons that doesn't feel right in the gut (but we saw how they fared when they've been runaway favorites, so maybe that's a good thing!). Opening Day falls during our Spring Break this year, so for the first time our whole family will be able to attend together. First Spring Training game is tomorrow and will air on MASN.
Al Dente Posted March 11, 2019 Posted March 11, 2019 Is there still hope after Harper? Bryce Who? The Nationals Are a Prime Ewing Theory Candidate. by Zach Kram of The Ringer What is the Ewing Theory? by Bill Simmons from ESPN
DaveO Posted March 11, 2019 Posted March 11, 2019 2 hours ago, Al Dente said: Is there still hope after Harper? Bryce Who? The Nationals Are a Prime Ewing Theory Candidate. by Zach Kram of The Ringer What is the Ewing Theory? by Bill Simmons from ESPN I happened to attend a home game for Georgetown this year--against St Johns. Ewing, Georgetown's greatest player ever coaching against St John's, coached by its greatest player ever, Chris Mullins, (who played against Ewing in college and with Ewing on the Olympic Dream Team in '92). Here is my version of the "Ewing theory" Better to watch him play than coach!!!!
Pat Posted March 17, 2019 Posted March 17, 2019 The Nats seem to keep ping-ponging between having a glut of outfielders and not having enough. For most of his major league career, MAT has been the one to get playing time when other center fielders get hurt (Span/Revere/Eaton), but now he's the one who's out and, oh my. Things are looking shaky. Robles isn't quite ready for full-time work. Stevenson is the only other real option, and he's already on the 40-man roster. He's been ok or better than ok when he's played, and the Nats think he's promising. He's still only 24, and has room for improvement but also time on his side. (I'll stop the cliches now.) Hunter Jones seems to be the only other serviceable center fielder, but it's unlikely he'll get a spot on the 25-man roster. (The only plausible way he will make the big league team out of camp is if there's a further crisis, so that's not a rosy scenario.) Wilmer Difo played in center yesterday. He couldn't get the first ball hit out his way but did okay overall. I'm unsure of Davey's idea that Difo will make a good super-utility player, but I hope the notion pans out. Given the rise of Kieboom the Younger and Luis Garcia, expanding Difo's range further (OF/C) could work out for both him and the team. I'm starting this season with an open mind about Davey, so I'm rooting for this idea to work. 1
Pat Posted March 27, 2019 Posted March 27, 2019 Infielder Jake Noll, who was a walk-on in college, has made the Nats' 25-man roster for Opening Day. Great story. Plus he looks just like a 10-years-younger Ryan Zimmerman. 1
MC Horoscope Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 I think Turner works out better in the OF than Difo, in a pinch. I never see his name come up anymore. I understand he's our regular SS but he's already proven to be better in the OF than Difo. Hope Kendrick can return soon!
MC Horoscope Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 Whoa, what a walk off knock for T Turner Sunday! Bullpen can't handle inning 8 yet! Gonna be a tense year, I believe!
TedE Posted April 19, 2019 Posted April 19, 2019 On 3/31/2019 at 7:43 PM, MC Horoscope said: Whoa, what a walk off knock for T Turner Sunday! Bullpen can't handle inning 8 yet! Gonna be a tense year, I believe! And they still can't handle the 8th (or 7th, or 9th, or whatever inning they are called on for relief). An 8.00+ ERA for the 'pen so far! That is atrocious. I guess we should be thankful that nobody has an infinite ERA any longer ... Edit: I should note (because I just looked it up and it surprised me) that the Nats relievers have thrown the fewest innings, and by a pretty good margin! Usually when the bullpen is struggling it's because they are overworked night after night (see the O's who sit just above the Nats with the 2nd worst reliever ERA, but have thrown the most innings). The Nats bullpen has just been flat out bad so far. Wonder if there is anybody out there looking for work?
TedE Posted September 4, 2019 Posted September 4, 2019 18 hours ago, DonRocks said: That was incredible! For my money the Dan-Uggla-sending-the-Braves-packing game is still the most entertaining come back in Nats history, but this is close. I had been keeping up with the score on my phone while doing stuff around the house and hadn't even checked in after the Mets scored their third or fourth run in the 9th, when I turned on MASN fully expecting to just watch the post-game coverage. Instead I happened to tune in during the wind up of the final pitch. It took me a few seconds to realize what I was watching was live, and why FP Santangelo was screaming himself hoarse. That was fun. What a turn around since this thread was last active in May. Best record in the game. Almost surely a wild card team. The bullpen is still pins and needles, but the Nats have my ticket money for another round of nail biting playoff baseball. 1
TedE Posted September 9, 2019 Posted September 9, 2019 On 9/4/2019 at 5:09 PM, TedE said: Almost surely a wild card team. *Gulp* Buckle up. 20 games left, of which only 3 are against an opponent who is out of the playoff picture. 8 of those games are against NL teams currently battling for the 2nd WC spot (Phillies and Brewers, both are currently 5 games back of the Nats).
TedE Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 On 9/9/2019 at 11:43 AM, TedE said: *Gulp* Buckle up. 20 games left, of which only 3 are against an opponent who is out of the playoff picture. 8 of those games are against NL teams currently battling for the 2nd WC spot (Phillies and Brewers, both are currently 5 games back of the Nats). Finally, with certainty, a Wild Card team as of Tuesday (was that 5-game sweep satisfying or what?!). There is still a decent chance to take home field for the WC, they are 1 up on Milwaukee but need to keep that margin because MIL owns the head-to-head record. However, MIL is also only one down on the Cards for the division, so they have something more important to fight for. AND Cleveland comes into town still with a razor thin chance to make the AL WC (they would need to sweep the Nats and hope Tampa Bay loses at least 2 out of 3). So, nobody involved in the Nats' fate is coasting to the end of the season. Best case scenario would be for them to hold onto the top WC spot and have MIL and StL end up in a tie for the NL Central. If Sunday's game is meaningful for those teams they will both probably burn a top starter, and then if they end up tied will burn ANOTHER one in the tie breaker game on Monday. That leaves someone middle of the rotation for the Wild Card game. Max is lined up to start on Tuesday no matter what the outcomes are. See you in the post-season! 1
Steve R. Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 For no reason other than general channel surfing last night, I wound up watching them win the Wild Card game and get into the playoffs. Nice clutch hitting but even nicer patience at the plate. Congrats. 2
Pat Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 That was nuts last night. I've never high-fived so many strangers in my life. It was my fifth game in eight days, and I was pretty worn out, especially with the late start time. My legs didn't want to hold me up any more and everyone in front of me was standing the whole game. So I was popping up and down from my seat. I'm thoroughly exhausted and don't have much voice left, but they did it! Funny thing is I like to sit in left, behind where Soto plays, but the tickets I had last night were in right. Sitting out of place, I got quite a view of Soto's game-winning hit. 4
DaveO Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 28 minutes ago, Pat said: That was nuts last night. I've never high-fived so many strangers in my life. It was my fifth game in eight days, and I was pretty worn out, especially with the late start time. My legs didn't want to hold me up any more and everyone in front of me was standing the whole game. So I was popping up and down from my seat. I'm thoroughly exhausted and don't have much voice left, but they did it! Funny thing is I like to sit in left, behind where Soto plays, but the tickets I had last night were in right. Sitting out of place, I got quite a view of Soto's game-winning hit. Good for you. No great for you. There are times when being a fan is FANTASTIC. Last night was one of those nights. 3
DonRocks Posted October 2, 2019 Author Posted October 2, 2019 5 hours ago, Pat said: Funny thing is I like to sit in left, behind where Soto plays, but the tickets I had last night were in right. Sitting out of place, I got quite a view of Soto's game-winning hit. I only saw the replay once - was it a clear error, or something of a bad hop? Should the guy have tried to pull a Ron Swoboda?
TedE Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 18 hours ago, DonRocks said: I only saw the replay once - was it a clear error, or something of a bad hop? Should the guy have tried to pull a Ron Swoboda? According to Grisham it was a little bit of both. Poor guy has been asked the same question in a number of different settings and he owns up to it: he was setting his body up to scoop and throw the ball to maybe get the second runner (it would had to have been maybe the most perfect outfield assist in history, though), and the ball had some topspin and took a weird hop to his right as his momentum was going the other way. No time to change direction. Looking at the replays during the broadcast I said to myself he *may* have been able to just fall down and hope to block it with some part of his body, but he was 100% committed to trying to get that ball to home plate.
MC Horoscope Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 Yes, it looked to me the same way. The ball finally "bounced our way," as the saying goes! 2
Bob Wells Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 3 hours ago, TedE said: According to Grisham it was a little bit of both. Poor guy has been asked the same question in a number of different settings and he owns up to it: he was setting his body up to scoop and throw the ball to maybe get the second runner (it would had to have been maybe the most perfect outfield assist in history, though), and the ball had some topspin and took a weird hop to his right as his momentum was going the other way. No time to change direction. Looking at the replays during the broadcast I said to myself he *may* have been able to just fall down and hope to block it with some part of his body, but he was 100% committed to trying to get that ball to home plate. As soon as the ball got down I said to myself, "OK, tie game!" Grisham's real error was thinking he had a play at the plate. 2
TedE Posted October 9, 2019 Posted October 9, 2019 Hold on to your butts! Yet another NLDS Game 5 to suffer through. I have ticket partners who have refused any and all tickets to NLDS games this year semi-joking that they are the jinxes holding the Nats back (although one of them tempted fate on Monday and was rewarded with his first in person victory in 5 NLDS tries, so maybe this is their year!). If Strasburg can continue his post-season dominance and get through 7 innings the Nats have a good chance, but if their bats can't produce more than 2 runs before we get to the 'pen .... Go Nats!! 2
Steve R. Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I have too many Dodger fan in laws to not appreciate (& chuckle over) this result. 😂 He brought in Kershaw. And the Nats did what they do. Congratulations.
DaveO Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Quote I’m going to subscribe to the @washingtonpost just so I can read @ThomasBoswellWP’s column about this. IMHO subscribing to the Post is a generally good idea. I'm prejudiced pro Post. Their reporting is excellent and they are probably doing the best job in ferreting out some of the crazy ship from the current administration. And as to the game, I fell asleep before the Kendricks Kowabunga grand slam that won the game. Kowabunga--> a memorable shot in Nats history. I did see the "get your hopes up" back to back homers by Rendon and Soto. Way to go Nats!!!!! 1
Steve R. Posted October 13, 2019 Posted October 13, 2019 Are you all avoiding talking about their recent wins (as of this post, they are 2-0 over the Cards) due to superstition about hexing them or is it just indifference? ⚾ I wouldn't be missing a chance to gloat/brag/be happy if I was youse guys. Just sayin'. 🧛♂️ 1
DaveO Posted October 14, 2019 Posted October 14, 2019 16 hours ago, Steve R. said: Are you all avoiding talking about their recent wins (as of this post, they are 2-0 over the Cards) due to superstition about hexing them or is it just indifference? ⚾ I wouldn't be missing a chance to gloat/brag/be happy if I was youse guys. Just sayin'. 🧛♂️ I can't speak for anyone else. In that the Nats have never advanced even one step in the NL playoffs my (big) mouth is shut w/regard to gloating, trash talking etc. I believe in sports hexes. LETS GO NATS!!!!!! 3
TedE Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 5:59 PM, Steve R. said: Are you all avoiding talking about their recent wins (as of this post, they are 2-0 over the Cards) due to superstition about hexing them or is it just indifference? ⚾ I wouldn't be missing a chance to gloat/brag/be happy if I was youse guys. Just sayin'. 🧛♂️ GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!😱😱😱 That's about as coherent my contribution can be right now. 1
DonRocks Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 I'm not sure if anyone is watching the game, but after one inning, the Nationals are ahead 7-0. 😮
TedE Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 GAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I think this thread name needs an edit ;)
Steve R. Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Nice sweep. All the pre-season expectations that folks thought were going unmet are coming forth when it counts. They are a strong force for the upcoming World Series. I can only hope that my Yankees start hitting these Houston pitchers.
DaveO Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 5:59 PM, Steve R. said: Are you all avoiding talking about their recent wins (as of this post, they are 2-0 over the Cards) due to superstition about hexing them or is it just indifference? ⚾ I wouldn't be missing a chance to gloat/brag/be happy if I was youse guys. Just sayin'. 🧛♂️ KABOOM!!!!!! bring on dem Yankees or Astro's or whomever the sissy American league gets to play vs the NATS
DonRocks Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 13 hours ago, TedE said: GAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I think this thread name needs an edit Ask and ye shall receive. I know that Houston is supposed to be the better team, but for the Nats' very first World Series, doesn't playing the "New York Yankees" have a nice ring to it? I mean, you think 'Houston Astros,' you think Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, maybe Nolan Ryan; you think 'New York Yankees,' you think Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle. People know those names in, like, Burkina Faso. 1
MC Horoscope Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 You gotta have heart? No! You gotta have shark! ha! 1
Pat Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 That was nuts again last night. I was a couple sections over from where I was for the wild card. Monday night I was in the seats behind Soto, where I prefer to sit. The thing that struck me last night is that the concrete was rocking the way it did at RFK. That was an interesting kind of nostalgia (except I didn't have concern that parts of the stadium would fall apart, the way I did at RFK.) It was just stunning to be there, like did this actually happen? I was texting friends at various points, including one I used to go to games with who moved back to the PNW a couple years ago and another who was going to use my extra ticket if there was a Wednesday game. The whole thing was surreal. It was also great for Ted Lerner to get this on his 94th birthday, and their longest serving usher (from day 1) turned 82 at midnight. 2
DonRocks Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 17 minutes ago, Pat said: That was nuts again last night. I was a couple sections over from where I was for the wild card. Monday night I was in the seats behind Soto, where I prefer to sit. The thing that struck me last night is that the concrete was rocking the way it did at RFK. That was an interesting kind of nostalgia (except I didn't have concern that parts of the stadium would fall apart, the way I did at RFK.) It was just stunning to be there, like did this actually happen? I was texting friends at various points, including one I used to go to games with who moved back to the PNW a couple years ago and another who was going to use my extra ticket if there was a Wednesday game. The whole thing was surreal. It was also great for Ted Lerner to get this on his 94th birthday, and their longest serving usher (from day 1) turned 82 at midnight. Unless you go to the World Series (and I hope you do, and *even* if you do), this was probably the "best" baseball game you'll ever see in your life, in terms of importance and satisfaction - I mean, you were *there* when the Nats won the pennant! Curious, who else was there? I don't want you making this claim ten-years from now, so speak up and get on-record! I was at the 1969 All-Star game - that's the best I can do. (It was 50-years ago - I was 7-years old!) 1
DaveO Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 37 minutes ago, Pat said: That was nuts again last night. I was a couple sections over from where I was for the wild card. Monday night I was in the seats behind Soto, where I prefer to sit. The thing that struck me last night is that the concrete was rocking the way it did at RFK. That was an interesting kind of nostalgia (except I didn't have concern that parts of the stadium would fall apart, the way I did at RFK.) It was just stunning to be there, like did this actually happen? I was texting friends at various points, including one I used to go to games with who moved back to the PNW a couple years ago and another who was going to use my extra ticket if there was a Wednesday game. The whole thing was surreal. It was also great for Ted Lerner to get this on his 94th birthday, and their longest serving usher (from day 1) turned 82 at midnight. Great for you as a true blue fan. Simply a killer exciting exhilarating evening. All these years. Then all these years of playoff losses. So exciting to know the stands were rocking. So much like old RFK. Extra exciting. Hope you get to the Series and witness Nats' wins. BTW: Winning four straight against ST Louis was out of a dream. 2
Bob Wells Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Great stat that Don and the other seamheads will appreciate. The Nats held St Louis, a solid offensive team, to a .130 batting average, which is about what an average-hitting pitcher hits. For comparison, when the Orioles swept the Dodgers in the WS in 1966, in a pitching-dominated era, the Dodgers hit .142. 1
saf Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 20 hours ago, DonRocks said: I'm not sure if anyone is watching the game, but after one inning, the Nationals are ahead 7-0. 😮 I watched it from section 302. Oh my lord.
saf Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 3 hours ago, DonRocks said: I know that Houston is supposed to be the better team, but for the Nats' very first World Series, doesn't playing the "New York Yankees" have a nice ring to it? No. Then there would be Yankees fans at the park. That would be bad. 3
DonRocks Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Bob Wells said: Great stat that Don and the other seamheads will appreciate. The Nats held St Louis, a solid offensive team, to a .130 batting average, which is about what an average-hitting pitcher hits. For comparison, when the Orioles swept the Dodgers in the WS in 1966, in a pitching-dominated era, the Dodgers hit .142. 😯
Pat Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 2 hours ago, saf said: No. Then there would be Yankees fans at the park. That would be bad. Yeah, I know. I'm torn between I don't want to deal with the Astros rotation and I don't want to deal with Yankees fans. MLB controls the tickets for these games, and you know that means a lot of them are going to go to NY fans. The ticket guy I've been dealing with said that MLB releases blocks back to the teams to sell.
saf Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 34 minutes ago, Pat said: Yeah, I know. I'm torn between I don't want to deal with the Astros rotation and I don't want to deal with Yankees fans. MLB controls the tickets for these games, and you know that means a lot of them are going to go to NY fans. The ticket guy I've been dealing with said that MLB releases blocks back to the teams to sell. Yeah. Hence, go Astros. After a LONG ALCS, with every game going to extras please. Exhaust them!
Keithstg Posted October 17, 2019 Posted October 17, 2019 6 hours ago, DonRocks said: Unless you go to the World Series (and I hope you do, and *even* if you do), this was probably the "best" baseball game you'll ever see in your life, in terms of importance and satisfaction - I mean, you were *there* when the Nats won the pennant! Curious, who else was there? I don't want you making this claim ten-years from now, so speak up and get on-record! I was at the 1969 All-Star game - that's the best I can do. (It was 50-years ago - I was 7-years old!) I was there. Halfway up Section C. Incredible game. Looking forward to the Series, and was very happy to see Mark Lerner acknowledge the DeWitt family from the podium after the game. Very nice to call out one of the best families in baseball. Also interesting that the Nats won the penant right before Bryce's Birthday...
jiveturk21 Posted October 17, 2019 Posted October 17, 2019 I was at games 3 and 4. It was awesome! But, to be clear, I'm a Yankees fan from birth. And, the primary reason why I bought tickets, and went to the games, was so I could more easily buy World Series tickets if the Yankees (hopefully) make it. And, even though I'm a Yankees fan, I love baseball and commonly will find myself watching random Mariners vs. A's games deep into the night for no reason at all. So, being at games 3 and 4 was satisfying for a lot of reasons. 2
TedE Posted October 18, 2019 Posted October 18, 2019 We have a lot of members in my ticket group, and I try to be a fair and benevolent administrator when it comes to making sure everybody gets their share of post-season baseball. I hedged my bets and chose Game 5 for the NLCS; I sent my wife to Game 4 since she hadn't been to a playoff game at all yet. I don't regret it one bit. They are still playing and that is all that matters. But you'd better believe my ass is going to be in our seats for Games 3, 4 and 5 next week. 2
DaveO Posted October 18, 2019 Posted October 18, 2019 33 minutes ago, TedE said: But you'd better believe my ass is going to be in our seats for Games 3, 4 and 5 next week. Ha ha. Great decision making!!!!!! Have fun!!!
DaveO Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 5:59 PM, Steve R. said: Are you all avoiding talking about their recent wins (as of this post, they are 2-0 over the Cards) due to superstition about hexing them or is it just indifference? ⚾ I wouldn't be missing a chance to gloat/brag/be happy if I was youse guys. Just sayin'. 🧛♂️ Astro's. We'll kick their butts!!!!!
DaveO Posted October 22, 2019 Posted October 22, 2019 T - one hour. Let the Washington Nats/World Series Begin and let the Best Team (Washington Nats) win!!!
DaveO Posted October 23, 2019 Posted October 23, 2019 59 minutes ago, MC Horoscope said: Tense til the very last out!! Yes it was --but 1 down, 3 to go. In the early innings I put my head down 3 times and missed the first 4 runs of the game. (pay attention shnook) 1
TedE Posted October 24, 2019 Posted October 24, 2019 This really is quite an incredible ride we're on!!! I'll spare all of the narratives around the Astros being heavily favored and yet in this position down 0-2 and having to go on the road. A couple things I've run across in the past days: - Since the advent of the 7-game LCS format, there have been 8 teams who have swept their pennant series 4-0. Only ONE of those teams went on the win the World Series that year. 3 of these teams were themselves swept out of the WS! - Verlander is likely to win the AL Cy Young this year if his co-ace Cole doesn't. He is now 0-6 as a World Series starter. He is the all-time MLB post-season strikeout leader as of last night, but statistically one of the worst WS starters ever! That puts even Kershaw's post-season woes into perspective. - On paper, when measured by the games following the Nats 19-31 start, the two teams match up very well. The notable exception being the Nats bullpen issues. Ignore that and look at the last 15-20 games leading up this Series including LDS and LCS. Based on that ask yourself who came in with the advantage. This 2-0 start is NOT a surprise. Neither team is playing to their season-long average performance RIGHT NOW. It's obvious when you zoom in and ignore stats which tell you in part how they were playing 5 months ago. Baseball is weird, man. And playoff baseball is the weirdest. My heart may not survive this weekend. 1
DaveO Posted October 24, 2019 Posted October 24, 2019 10 hours ago, TedE said: Baseball is weird, man. And playoff baseball is the weirdest. My heart may not survive this weekend. Its very exciting and the Nats are on a great run. Heard from one of my oldest friends; he lives near Philly and is a Philly fan. He loves this series and wants to jump on the Nats bandwagon. Plenty of room, I responded. When he and I were High School Seniors we played on an intramural basketball team named the Nads. The reason of course was that we could get an attractive blond classmate to come to games and cheer....Let's Go Nads. Unfortunately she is down near New Orleans and will not be traveling North to lead cheers this weekend. Regardless--Lets Go Nats!!!
Bob Wells Posted October 25, 2019 Posted October 25, 2019 On 10/24/2019 at 3:36 PM, DaveO said: Its very exciting and the Nats are on a great run. Heard from one of my oldest friends; he lives near Philly and is a Philly fan. He loves this series and wants to jump on the Nats bandwagon. Plenty of room, I responded. When he and I were High School Seniors we played on an intramural basketball team named the Nads. The reason of course was that we could get an attractive blond classmate to come to games and cheer....Let's Go Nads. Unfortunately she is down near New Orleans and will not be traveling North to lead cheers this weekend. Regardless--Lets Go Nats!!! The Nads was a popular name for intramural teams at my camp in Maine too. Such wit! 1
DonRocks Posted October 26, 2019 Author Posted October 26, 2019 What type of DR representation will we have there Saturday night for Game 4? Let me know your seats, and I'll try to come say hi.
Steve R. Posted October 26, 2019 Posted October 26, 2019 I'll be on the couch in front of my tv. Feel free to try. We have wine (& some beer), maybe some cheese.
Pat Posted October 26, 2019 Posted October 26, 2019 That was a frustrating game. The RISP stranded! The terrible umpiring at home plate. Sanchez wasn't what he's been lately but wasn't horrible. They got hits but couldn't put anything together. They could have come back at any point. Overall, though, they looked discombobulated. I thought Zimmerman was dead when he went down. It took him a long time to get up. Suzuki injured yet another part of his body. And, Trea, ouch. Rendon and Soto picked an odd time to change their approach at the plate and aggressively swing at first pitches. Soto had just an uncharacteristically bad game all in.His fielding was subpar (and right after his Gold Glove nomination). Maybe all the focus on his birthday was a bit too much pressure. The Cordero and Schneider first pitch battery was great, though. And to keep everything in perspective, we were walking out near two guys in Astros jerseys and one was saying to the other: "Even when we were up 4 - 1 in the ninth I was really nervous." Hey, I know that feeling! We walked home, arriving at 1:15 and will be leaving in not too many hours to head back over. Go Nats! (And, Don, we're in the middle of a row a few rows from the top of the stadium, so not prime for visiting. I hope you enjoy.)
DonRocks Posted October 26, 2019 Author Posted October 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Pat said: The terrible umpiring at home plate. You're lucky you didn't have to hear the announcers' incessant babbling.
Shaho Posted October 26, 2019 Posted October 26, 2019 Won't be at the game, but made this for good luck. Let's go Nats! 2
DaveO Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 The only positive outcome of the 3 games was that fans loudly booed tRump on Sunday and followed that with a hearty "Lock him up".
Keithstg Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Great atmosphere over the past three games... the results, not so much. Saw a lot that I've never seen before in my section - two women were removed for flashing Gerritt Cole, some Maga guys got into an argument with veterans on two consecutive nights (different veterans), and few of the usual suspects in my section in attendance. I was really impressed with the Delta Club service for the series - my first beer each night was given in a commemorative cup. They were happy to provide other commemorative cups if asked, as well. Some may figure it's the least they can do given several years with these tickets, but I thought it was a very nice touch. 2 1
Steve R. Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 Nice job tonight. It’s going 7 with every game won by the road team so far. Gonna be exciting. 3
DonRocks Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! 4
Steve R. Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 Well then. Can’t say I saw that coming. Nice job. Congrats. 2
Keithstg Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 Amazing! Absolutely no quit in this team. So happy for all of them, but particularly Ryan Zimmerman and of course the Lerner family. 3
MC Horoscope Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 If I told you I saw it coming it would be the biggest lie of my life! 3
Pat Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 It was quite a ride, on the biggest, most thrilling and terrifying* roller coaster imaginable. I'm really happy for the whole team, especially Zim and MVP Strasburg, the 21st century Walter Johnson. Who'd a thunk it? (Well, I guess Mike Rizzo, and that's why they shut him down in 2012...) And Scherzer and Sanchex, who won as teammates but not as Tigers. And hometown boy Anthony "I want bourbon!" Rendon. And Soto, my heavens, Soto. Bring on the parade! *the bullpen! Eek! Happy Halloween. 2
DonRocks Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 1 hour ago, Pat said: I'm really happy for the whole team, especially Zim and MVP Strasburg, the 21st century Walter Johnson. Who'd a thunk it? (Well, I guess Mike Rizzo, and that's why they shut him down in 2012...) One thing I can't quite get over is how famous Walter Johnson is right now, over 100-years after his prime. I don't recall him being this well-known when I was a childhood baseball fan (and the Senators were still around), and it seems to be mostly a local phenomenon. Christy Mathewson was a peer of Johnson, but he isn't nearly as mentioned right now. Ruth and Cobb, yes, but they were hitters; Rogers Hornsby and Honus Wagner don't have the cult-like following of Johnson, who is known even among casual baseball fans around here. I think it's awesome. We now return you to your regularly scheduled century. 1
DaveO Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 3 hours ago, MC Horoscope said: If I told you I saw it coming it would be the biggest lie of my life! They were a wild card; the third best record in the NL, tied for 9th best record in baseball; started out 19-31; miserable miserable relief pitchers at the start of the year. Lots and lots and lots of reasons to doubt them (as I did). Tremendous last 2/3 of the season. Started faltering in early September then had a magical run at the end of the season and this playoff run of wins and comebacks. Comebacks and comebacks and winning 4 away games in the WS. And all after never progressing in a single playoff before this. LETS GO NATS. WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! Worthy magical victors 2
MC Horoscope Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 When Rendon hit his HR and made it 2-1 last night I was all Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own: "We're gonna win. We're gonna WIN!!" 2
TedE Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 The past week has been a blur of nerves and sleep deprivation that may take a while to break out of, so I'll just say this: Thank you, AJ Hinch. Thank you for making the exact kind of context-free, stat head, match-up obsessed move that has doomed the Nats in the past (Williams pulling an utterly dominant Jordan Zimmermann in Game 2 in 2014, 26 outs into a 1 hit gem, a mere week after he had thrown the first Nats no-hitter; Dusty Baker, in probably the last of his many questionable playoff calls, pulling Scherzer in Wrigley in 2017 to play matchy-matchy with a middling middle reliever; both promptly ended in Nats losses). When it happened last night I said to everybody I was texting "The door is open". Grienke had completely shut the Nats down. They were powerless against him. At some point in the 4th or 5th inning he had over half of the put outs recorded because the only contact the Nats could seemingly make were weak come-backers to the mound. The door was ajar with Harris (their only really reliable option) and blew wide f*cking open when Osuna came in with 7 outs to get; there was no way in hell he was going 2 1/3 himself. I knew after Rendon's homer that it was going to get good, but the Astros panicked and pulled him way too early. And don't think Cole didn't notice: https://twitter.com/HunterAtkins35/status/1189758262133919744 2
DonRocks Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 2 hours ago, TedE said: When it happened last night I said to everybody I was texting "The door is open". Grienke had completely shut the Nats down. They were powerless against him. At some point in the 4th or 5th inning he had over half of the put outs recorded because the only contact the Nats could seemingly make were weak come-backers to the mound. The door was ajar with Harris (their only really reliable option) and blew wide f*cking open when Osuna came in with 7 outs to get; there was no way in hell he was going 2 1/3 himself. I knew after Rendon's homer that it was going to get good, but the Astros panicked and pulled him way too early. When Rendon jacked his gherkin, I screamed, "There's a crack in the armor!" Greinke had been Maddux-like in his precision, and Rendon's homer (with only a 1-run lead) gave Hinch just enough doubt to make that fateful decision. In the 7th inning, the batters had faced him twice, and it would have taken guts to leave him in ... but you never know which relievers are going to be just a little nervous ... just a little tense. It was a gamble based on fear, and it opened the door for sure. Boswell's tweets today are all insightful and accurate. This article really lays out the facts of how improbable this World Series Championship was - it's a fun read: "Nationals' Dream Season Nothing Short of a Miracle" by Tom Verducci on si.com 1
Pat Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 So, um, Don, why has the title of this thread not changed? 😎 1
DaveO Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 The Caps had their annual Halloween party last night at the G.O.A.T. in Arlington last evening and combined it with a watch the Nats event. Ah.... those Caps they know how to celebrate....Link
DaveO Posted November 4, 2019 Posted November 4, 2019 Here is a charming story for Nats fans. It was written by a fourth generation Washingtonian with a child...that makes for 5 generations in the city of immigrants from around the nation and globe. Frank Foer writes about the Nats, the championship, his dad, and his introduction to baseball in the National Capital. Foer is one of 3 very highly regarded literary brothers who grew up in the Maryland suburbs of DC. I know his dad, just a little, from working with him decades ago. Always respected his father, who had a terrific thoughtful demeanor in our interactions. Frank Foer is now a staff writer for the Atlantic and was formerly editor of the New Republic. He is highly regarded among journalists. Its an entertaining story for fans of the Nats. Here is a guy who grew up with the echoes of the Washington Senators conveyed to him via his dad, a fan from his youth. As a youth Frank followed the Orioles and grew to love Cal Ripken. His father took Frank and his brothers to Orioles games while wearing a Senators hat and jacket. Over the recent years Frank and his dad followed the Nats--a love of baseball running through their blood. His long term Washington citizenship connected his grandfather with Ted Lerner, Nats owner. This season he and his dad suffered during the early part of the season....as we all did. Anyway....read his story. As his friend/twitter friend states...it is beautiful and it actually hurts a little.
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