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...

Does this ROCK, or what?

http://t.co/1GFcPekK
Just HAD to pass this along. It looks SO DAMN COOL!!
No bullshit, either. I should add at this point that Bryce was named top prospect in both the South Atlantic and Eastern League(s) in 2011. Not too shabby, if you ask me...
BTW, I got that last tidbit of info courtesy of the Baseball America 2012 Almanac...which the lovely people @ MLB Insiders Club sent me in the mail today. (One of the perks of having a life membership...lol) Anyway, just finished reading it before I hit the 'puter tonight.
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A short note on Livan Hernandez:
He signed a minor league deal with the Astros yesterday (Tuesday), so his dream of finishing his career in the Nats' bullpen goes bye-bye. But there's always the possibility he could be back in D.C. in time for Opening Day...who knows?
At any rate, since I tried to post this last night (via my cell phone, using Bloggeroid)--and failedI'll just say this, and move on.
Adios, Livo. You made it fun (and aggravating) for us Nats fans while you were here...BOTH go-rounds!! I don't know what we'll miss more, the slow deliberate windup or laying down sac bunts.Either way, we'll remember you as...a Nat always!!Gary

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