Monday, December 3, 2012

Let the fun begin. Yee-ha...lol

The MLB winter meetings start in Nashville later today (Monday), and there's no telling whether the Nats make any moves...or not.
At any rate, the first step towards defending their NL East title happened the other day. That's when Alex Mayer (who got as high as Potomac this past year) went to Minnesota in the Denard Span trade.
We now have a CF, people. Meaning Bryce Harper now moves over to LF. Fun time.
Now, does this mean Denard Span is the final piece of the puzzle? Shit, no!! Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it's an important one. But enough of that...
I want to take time out and congratulate the guys at Rising Apple Blog for starting a podcast soon. Yes, they're Mets fans...but, still it deserves mention. Find 'em here on Twitter, and tell 'em I sent you...lol
For the rest of you, go to my YouTube channel and look on the right hand side of the top of the page. You'll find a link to this blog (and my WordPress non-baseball one) there. I need followers, plain and simple. Help me out, okay?
That's it for now. Adios.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Nationals Add Tarasco to Coaching Staff

Tony Tarasco gets his chance to continue the Nats' winning ways as the new 1st base coach.
Read about it here: Hagerstown Suns Fan Club: Nationals Add Tarasco to Coaching Staff
Man, I love it when winning breeds success. #2013Natitude

Small compensation for not making a World Series, but...

Now that we're almost two weeks removed from the Giants winning the World Series (which, by all rights, should be the Nats' trophy...but that's another story)...the major awards are being handed out this week.
And so far, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) has gotten it right. Bryce Harper won NL Rookie of the Year, and Davey Johnson took NL Manager of the Year. Mike Trout and Bob Melvin took the AL honors, respectively. (Buck Martinez should've won MOY, in my view.)
So tonight (Wednesday), it's Gio Gonzalez's turn to take the NL Cy Young award. If he doesn't, a Congressional investigation is needed. Seriously. (Yeah, like R.A. Dickey really has a shot...LMAO)
At any rate, that's all I need to talk about right now. Maybe later, I'll get around to what the Nats need to address in the offseason.



Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Next year? We win it ALL

The last shared WordPress blog, all about Friday night's disaster.
The last one
Next time I write here, on Blogger, will be as events warrant. I'm taking a sabbatical from baseball for awhile...lol


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Well, THIS sucked!!

For the benefit of my only subscriber on here...I give you this:
Watch "Next year, we win it all" on YouTube
All by my lonesome...on my phone, yet. Will wonders never cease...LMAO
For anyone else who might start following this blog...next year, people.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Excuse me, there's a WERTHQUAKE in Washington right now

Jayson Werth.
All you need to know about Game 4 in the NLDS with the Nats...summed up here.
Am I still breathing?
I'm still in shock, as I watch the O's try to win their Game 4 against the Yankees. (And condolences to Joe Girardi, btw.)
Game 5 tomorrow night. Natitude, baby!! LMAO



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Bad memories

Only one picture here. The reason, is found here:
Turdpile of a game
It just means that now the Nats have to go balls-out the next two days to move on. At any rate, read at your own risk...LOL


Monday, October 8, 2012

Oy vey, how much MORE?

This entry fills the void from not writing last night after Game 1.
Good thing I waited...
Best I could do under the circumstances. Anyway, read and enjoy.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Load of shit. All there is TO it.

Even though I was rooting for the Cards to win...Chipper's career shouldn't have had to end this way.Wow. Just, wow...
Chickenshit umpiring. Plain and simple.


Monday, October 1, 2012

I can breathe now...

Your 2012 NL East champion Nats.
It's all I need to say for now.
At LAST, it's over!!
(And thanks, Mike, for the congrats tweet. I'll be on Twitter in a moment to answer it...lol)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

As I promised...

The start of the connection between this blog and my WP sports blog.This'll be fun...lol
Enjoy, all one of you who read this Blogger site...LMAO
Oh, and everyone else who finds this place from Google Plus, too...LMAO


Monday, September 24, 2012

Announcements...

Yes, it's been awhile since I've written on here. I've been waiting for the Nats to clinch the NL East. But, since it might be Thursday (at the earliest) before that happens, I have to find something else to write about.
So, here it is.
Beginning next week, and for as long as the Nats progress in the postseason, I'll write on my WordPress sports blog...find it here...and share it here on this blog. This way, those who read the WP blog can catch up on this blog (and vice versa).
Anyway, that's it for now.



Monday, September 3, 2012

So now you KNOW...

Only two more to go.

Two more starts for Stephen Strasburg, and then he gets shut down for the 2012 season. This coming Friday at home against the Marlins, and then a week from Wednesday (9/12)...against, dare I say??...the Mets.
(Oh, get your tickets early for both games, won't you? LMAO)
Look, we've known since the start of the season this was happening. No one had an inkling the Nats would have the season they're having...not even me.
So you'll understand why I'm not sweating this. I have all the confidence in John Lannan to pick up where Strasburg leaves off.
(And if that's not confidence, you tell me what is...lol)
Now if we can have the Braves start losing, so that they're out of the wild card picture...that'll make me so happy.




Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Cheers, Chipper!!

After watching Stephen Strasburg do his shit tonight...all 10 K's of it...we know the Nats have this series with Atlanta won. Only the game tomorrow is left.
Which means it's Chipper Jones' last appearance in Washington. So this is as good a time as any to salute Chipper, before the season (and his career) ends.
You have to understand, 20 years ago he was what Ryan Zimmerman is now...THE man at 3B. (Although my friend Mike just might disagree and put David Wright's name in place of Zim. Why quibble? LMAO)
Which reminds me...how come Fredi Gonzalez didn't have Chipper pinch-hit w/2 out in the 9th? You could've just as easily had him bat instead of Juan Francisco. Wonder if they talked about that during the Braves postgame show?
Anyway, the Nats are now 7 games up on Atlanta for the division lead. First Place Nats...that does have a nice sound to it, don't it?



Friday, August 3, 2012

This is NOT a collapse, I tell you...

Okay, so the Nats salvaged something out of this series with the Phillies. It's not the end of the world, you know.
But what pisses me off, is the absolute arrogance and piety of these so-called Philadelphia sports "fans" on Twitter. So I said last night, "You're in LAST place. STFU." Whereupon...
They come after me with a vengeance. And no originality, either...you know, typical "hey yo, living at home, etc." Trolls.
(Thankfully it didn't show up in my timeline...but it did in a few of my followers' lines. Que sera, sera...)
At any rate, to the game itself last night. Anyone doubt Jayson Werth didn't want payback, after how Phillies fans laughed at his hurting his wrist back in May?
He contributed, as did Adam LaRoche by smacking a homer. And who the fuck was Michael Martinez trying to impress, thinking he could run on Bryce Harper? Bro threw you out, clown!!
Ah, it's great to be in 1st. Yet the front office sticks to the plan to shut  down Stephen Strasburg after 160 IP. I got mixed feelings on this, but...I look at it as being on the safe side.
Still, there's this twinbill today w/the Marlins. Yes kids, a real honest-to-God twi-night doubleheader. Game 1 at 4, Game 2 around 7.
Fire sale Phillies and Marlins. And now Cliff Lee is on waivers. Mike Rizzo, are you listening? Make sure he doesn't go to Atlanta or the Mets...all right? ROFL
OK, done here. God, why aren't people following this blog? Come September this may be the only place to find out about the Nats...lol



Friday, July 6, 2012

Halfway home after tonight

Game #81 starts in a moment...and the Nats sit at 48-32.
Let me say that again. The Nats are 48-32, and atop the NL East. Sinking in yet, America?
This is fun. And oh yes, Strasmas goes against Drew Pomeranz...meaning we get to see two guys from the '09 NCAA tournament go head-to-head as pros (since they didn't in college*).
*Strasburg at San Diego State, Pomeranz at Ole Miss
At any rate, the so-called "experts" can shut up now. This Nats team is for real.
Now if they just get a top notch pitcher by the trade deadline to step in when Strasburg gets shut down in September...



Monday, June 25, 2012

News items?

Now that the Nats and Orioles have wrapped up their annual exercise...with the O's pulling it out yesterday on Brian Roberts' 2-run homer...I guess I can talk about some other things in the baseball world.
If they had told me when the season started Kevin Youkilis would become expendable in late June, I would've told you that you were a candidate for Bellevue. But that's what happened yesterday, as Youk goes to the White Sox for Brent Lillibridge.
I had this feeling when I started reading about Will Middlebrooks, that Youk's days were numbered in Boston. So I can say I got to see him play in person when I was there 2 weeks ago. Anyway...
So happy to see Derek Norris make it to Oakland...and just as overjoyed when he hit a 3-run walkoff jack yesterday to win it for the A's. (To refresh your memory, he went over--along w/Tom Milone, AJ Cole and Brad Peacock--in the Gio Gonzalez deal in the winter.)
They have a new hero in Oakland now, and his name is Derek Norris.
Lastly, Livan Hernandez is in Milwaukee now. Can't fault Livo for wanting to extend his career, but I still wish he were here w/the Nats (even if it meant coming out of the bullpen like he said he wanted to do). Oh well, we can't have everything go our way...lol
At any rate, we're still in first. Now on to Colorado for three...



Saturday, June 16, 2012

A little late, but...

In case some of you may not have read the piece I wrote earlier this week about my trip to Boston--you can find it here, btw--I'll hit the high moments for you.
For starters, the trip up (via Amtrak) was nice for the scenery...though seeing all the boats around CT and MA almost made me want to break out into the "Gilligan's Island" theme. Still, it made the time whizz by...7+ hours worth from DC to Boston.
After taking time out at our hotel room to rest--and by "we", I mean my brother Larry and me--it was time for the game.
(And yes, the seats were uncomfortable...but that didn't matter. Being at Fenway Park made up for it.)
As always, Stephen Strasburg put on a show. But Bryce Harper upstaged everyone by hitting one out to deep center to insure the Nats would win the game. 7-3 was the final.
Next day, back on the train bound for DC. 8 hours later, and after a subway ride to bro's SUV, we made it back to Luray before 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Scratch this off his (and my) "bucket list"...lol
Now, the pictures that accompany this piece:
1) I'm on the right, and Larry in the center, in a pic from July of 2010 @ Nats Park.
2) The skyline of NYC, as we were coming up.
3) Selected pics of Fenway Park...including the Green Monster.
4) Strasburg on the mound. (This was as close as my cell phone camera could get.)
Up until this weekend w/the Yankees, the Nats were 6-0 on their road trip by sweeping the Red Sox and Blue Jays. These last 2 games, however, have been losing efforts. Not the way to show the baseball world you're serious about being a contender...though we're still your first place Nats.
Just so you know...lol






Friday, May 25, 2012

Two weeks (and counting)...

Come June 8th, and I'm pretty sure I'be talked about it, I'll be at Fenway Park to see the Nats take on the Red Sox.
(This is on my brother's "bucket list", BTW.)
What'll happen with this blog, is I hope to write about the experience as the trip develops...40 hours altogether, from leaving here in Luray (around 4 a.m. Friday morning) to coming back close to 7 or 8 p.m. Saturday night.
God, I hope WiFi works along the Amtrak corridor...lol
(Oh, I'm on the right in both pictures.)



Friday, May 18, 2012

And the "Battle Of The Beltways" is underway...

What with the Nats and O's playing above expectations, it looks like this year's installment just might be fun to watch.
O's take it tonight in 11 innings, 2-1. Edwin Jackson gets a no-decision after 8 IP...because Ian Desmond tied it up in the 6th with a jack in the LF seats.
So there's the next 2 games for the Nats to take the series. Natitude lives
here...and everywhere. (Hey, I have to find some way to work this blog's name in...lol)


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mike Rizzo, "junkyard dog"

And now, a few words about the "Take Back Our Park" campaign this past weekend.
SUCCESS!
Okay, so Sunday night was a letdown...even if you do include Jayson Werth's injury. But you have to admit Bryce Harper has become a breath of fresh air for the Nats (and MLB, I might add).
Stealing home will do that for you. Still think it's "old school", Cole Hamels? You fucking pussy. ADMITTING you hit Bryce on purpose? It shouldn't be 5 games, but 5 starts you should be suspended for this.
And Mike Rizzo is right in calling it a "chickenshit move". (Oh, the title? Credit Tracee Hamilton of the Washington Post in today's cover story for Rizzo's secretary referring to him as a "junkyard dog".) I love this man.
Incidentally, for you lowlife Phillies fans taunting J-Dub after his injury...all you've done is prove why you have the (richly deserved, I may add) reputation of being the absolute scum of the sports fan world.
Enjoy last place, suckers...oh, and,also enjoy your 2012 NL East champion Washington Nationals!!
Natitude RULES...



Sunday, April 29, 2012

So, wadda ya think?

Curt Schilling said it himself on ESPN earlier tonight..."The kid can play".
Need I say any more?
Two days of Bryce Harper, and two days of memorable moments. Starting with when he showed up in Dodger Stadium on Saturday...after getting notified of his callup from Syracuse. Bryce in LF, and batting 7th...with Strasburg on the mound.
And for 7 innings, it was memorable. Strasmas striking out Dodgers at will, and Bryce getting his 1st MLB hit...and later his 1st RBI on a sac fly.
(Oh, and about the idiot behind home plate who mooned when Bryce got his hit...dude, you're not in Boston. Have better class, douchebag.)
Unfortunately, on Saturday night, we saw the Henry Rodriguez of 2011 rear his ugly head. It was not pretty...or "Pretty Fricking Bueno", as it were.
No, sad to say, he couldn't find the plate...and got pulled in the 8th. Leave it to Tom Gorzelanny to give up the walkout HR to Matt Kemp in the 10th for the 4-3 loss.
Today (Sunday)? More of the same...though the one bright spot was seeing Tyler Moore make his debut (and get his 1st MLB hit). 2-0 Dodgers win.
But, as I hashtagged on Twitter today, "The Future Is Now And Loving Every Minute of It". Enough said.


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

First-place Nats...SUCH a nice ring to it

At last, there's a cushion between the Nats and Mets. 1 1/2 games separate them...and who figured we have Atlanta to thank for this?
Keep it up, Atlanta...LMAO
Anyway, I think we can now say the NL agrees with Gio Gonzalez. All I wondered was, had he hit it out (instead of Justin Maxwell hauling it in on the warning track)...would the crowd have torn the joint down?
Funtime In Southeast D.C., I call it...although this probably says it better:
Natitude.
Enjoy it, America...it's for real!!



Monday, April 9, 2012

Already, a season-defining series

So here we are 4 (or 5) days into the 2012 MLB season, and for the Nats it's already make-or-break time.
Yes, kids, it's time for "Meet The (2012) Mets". Thought you'd enjoy that one, Mike...lol
At any rate, 1st place in the NL East is at stake these next 3 days. And yes, you have to wait till Wednesday for the main event...Johan Santana facing off against Stephen Strasburg.
Oh, what fun so early in the season...LMAO
Gee, I wonder if it's too early to call in to WFAN and gloat about the Nats. Nah, I'll wait...until we're solidly in 1st later on in the year. (Hint, hint.)
It's wonderful to actually write this entry on the computer instead of using my phone. I'll have to remember this now. LMAO
Have fun, Mike, watching the Nats make a run at the wildcard this year...
Gary

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Surprises abound before Opening Day

Great Steve Lombardozzi made the 25-man roster for the Nats. This, however, is a bit of a surprise to a lot of people...including, it seems, John Lannan.
Lannan to Syracuse, Detwiler is 5th starter
Just read this (from Nats Insider), and judge for yourselves whether the Nats made the right decision(s).
Meanwhile, PLAY BALL!!!


Monday, April 2, 2012

To "Begin the Beguine" for another year

So now spring training is done for 2012. Good.
Come Thursday, the Nats launch an assault on the wildcard in the NL...which means it's time to give my prediction on how (and where) the Nats will finish.
Last year I said it would be 77-85...and it wound up 80-81. So I'll just reverse those numbers, and say 85-77 (and contend for the wildcard).
Oh, and 2nd or 3rd in the NL East, too. Meaning, ahead of the Mets and Marlins...again!! (Just like last year...lol)
This year I can honestly say the Nats are a playoff-caliber team...provided everything falls in place. And by that I mean Stephen Strasburg fully recovers from Tommy John surgery (just as Jordan Zimmermann did last year).
Now add Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson to this rotation, and there's no telling what'll go down. Plus, I can say I have no reservations about Henry Rodriguez sharing the closer duties w/ Brad Lidge (until Drew Storen comes off the DL) at the start of the season.
All this, and Bryce Harper, too...
What, you didn't think I was leaving him out of this piece? Personally, I'm holding out for seeing him up w/ the big club by the time my brother and me go to Boston on June 8 to watch the Nats take on the Red Sox.
(His "bucket list" deal...before he retires from the government...and truthfully my only chance to see Fenway Park. I may never get this chance again.)
So that's it. Have at me, people...lol


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Bulls in the bullpen

This video should be fun to watch.(And I don't just mean seeing Kelly Johnson of CSN Washington, either...lol)
No, this is Drew Storen/Tyler Clippard/etc.--aka the Nats' bullpen--talking about the upcoming season.Video: The Nats' dominant bullpen
Now I can't wait for Opening Day to get here...


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Start spreading the news...

Maybe this idea of mine...seeing the Nats in a World Series by 2013...ain't so far-fetched after all.
Forever the Face of the Franchise
Anyway, time to GET MY RED ON!!


Saturday, February 25, 2012

Strasmas 2.0 begins now

Sharing is caring...which is why this link from Nats Insider appears here.
Strasburg to start March 4 vs. Astros
At any rate, the Stephen Strasburg "Legion of Doom and Destruction Tour" starts in earnest next week in Viera.
You've been properly warned, MLB Nation...LMAO


Thursday, February 23, 2012

The unthinkable?

Let me state for the record that it's my view the deadline for Ryan Zimmerman's contract extension...is Opening Day. NOT this Saturday.
Having said that...
Here is my message to the Lerners and Mike Rizzo: GET THIS FUCKER DONE, NOW!! Just the thought of trading Zim makes me want to puke.
WHY that is being floated is a mystery to me (not to mention Nats fans altogether). There's no way in hell I picture Zim wearing a Mets uniform...just as Mets fans can't fathom David Wright wearing a curly "W" cap.
(Am I right, Mike?)
And you all thought the Albert Pujols situation last year was a fluke...or Prince Fielder, for that matter. We're about to live it here in Nats Town, so please don't laugh at us.
Now if you'll all excuse me, I need to throw up...


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Find a place...

As long as Anthony Rendon understands he AIN'T replacing Ryan Zimmerman any time soon...I'm cool with him finding some other position to break in once he gets to Washington full-time.
Rendon will work out across infield
Just not 3B...for the time being.


Monday, February 20, 2012

STAY focused, Bryce! We're counting on you!

In the meantime, follow the link and read...
RT @Nationals Harper focused on breaking camp with #Nationals ... http://t.co/0BRYzzRU
Personally, I'm hoping Bryce makes it to the big club by the time I see the Nats at Fenway Park on June 8th.


Hey, Strasburg's ready...lol

As long as he gets the job done this year, who gives a rat's ass how many innings Strasmas puts up?
I just love how the "experts" now start calling the Nats contenders. Really? Where were you bastards LAST year?
At any rate, let spring training commence!!
Strasburg to throw between 150-160 innings - MLB - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy Advice


Sunday, February 19, 2012

One less worry as spring training begins

Well, I don't have Mike Cameron to rip into as the Nats roll into Viera.
Rather than be the brunt of many an insult that would be hurled at him--for taking up (possibly) Bryce Harper's roster spot--Mike Cameron did the honorable thing and announced his retirement today.
Mind you, this doesn't take away from his career achievements. Just that I (and other Nats fans) wondered why he felt coming to the Nats would re-energize his career.
Any way you look at it, he still deserves some respect for his career.
And I'll leave it at that...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

This speaks for itself

No comments from me.
Just my friend Mike's heartfelt statement on Gary Carter's passing.
N.Y. Mets ~ Gary Carter; The Kid
Pass this blog entry around, folks. Okay?

It's a short one

However one chooses to remember Gary Carter--whether as an Expo or a Met--no one ever questioned his heart nor his love of the game.
R.I.P, dude.
That's all I needed to say. Somehow spring training doesn't seem important right now...