Monday, June 28, 2010

They played for both the Nats and Yanks

I may start a memorabilia collection featuring guys who have played for both the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees. It's a surprisingly long list. In the age of free agency, though, maybe not.
  • Ivan Rodriguez
  • Wil Nieves
  • Tyler Clippard
  • Alberto Gonzalez
  • Brian Bruney
  • Nick Johnson
  • Aaron Boone
  • Alfonso Soriano
  • Ron Villone
  • Tim Redding
  • D'Angelo Jimenez
  • Billy Traber
  • Jonathan Albaladejo
  • Mike Vento
  • Feliz Rodriguez
  • Mike Stanton
  • Esteban Loaiza
  • Antonio Osuna
  • T.J. Tucker
  • Darrell Rasner

Monday, April 12, 2010

Strasburg slideshow



Photo slideshow from Altoona Curve -- Harrisburg Senators game April 11, 2010

Stephen Strasburg Photo

From the Harrisburg Senators game at Altoona on April 11, 2010

 
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

We're in the New Yorker

The New Yorker magazine sent a writer down to Spring Training, who ended up writing about Mark. I am mentioned, too!

The New Yorker article

Monday, April 5, 2010

In which I compare tutoring to a baseball team

I supervise a tutoring program that is part of a larger program, which has recently been called on the carpet by the state for poor reporting. In an effort to crystallize the problem, I present my extended metaphor for our reporting methods.

We have the best baseball team in the Majors. We've got an All-Star team that is going to win the World Series.
How do you know your team is any good?
Well, we spent a TON of money on player salaries and the players really like playing baseball. Plus, our fans say that they like the team.
What's your record?
Record for what?
Games you've won--what's the team's won-loss record?
Oh, I don't know. We don't keep score. That's not important. But, it's a really great team--very successful.
Well, what's your standing? How does the team rank against other teams?
We don't. We don't keep track of those kind of things.
You don't? Then how do you know it's a good team?
We just do! Baseball is a good game. That means that we must have a good team. People come to games. We have a lot of tickets for sale, so a LOT of people can come see us. Just come see the team, and you'll know they're good.
But you don't have any records.
Why would we need records when we already know we're good? That would just be a waste of time. We couldn't play baseball if we spent all of our time keeping records. What kind of stupid operation do you expect us to run here?

Saturday, April 3, 2010

A Few Good Men, starring Roger Clemens

An oldie, but a goodie

Clemens: You want answers?

Congressman: I think I'm entitled to them.

Clemens: You want answers?

Congressman: I want the truth!

Clemens: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has baseballs. And those balls have to be hit by men with bats. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Congressman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for steroids and you curse HGH. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that HGH, while illegal, probably sells tickets. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, sells tickets...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that mound. You need me on that mound. We use words like fastball,slider, split finger...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent playing a sport. You use 'em as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and falls asleep to the Sportscenter clips I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a bat and dig in. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

Congressman: Did you order the HGH?

Clemens: I did the job you sent me to do.

Congressman: Did you order the HGH?

Clemens: You're godamn right I did!!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Nats' Add-Drop Period

ADDEDDROPPED
C Ivan Rodriguez (free agent)OF Austin Kearns (option not picked up)
RHP Jason Marquis (free agent)1B Dmitri Young (option not picked up)
RHP Matt Capps (free agent)RHP Mike MacDougal (non-tendered)
RHP Tyler Walker (free agent)RHP Saul Rivera (released)
RHP Brian Bruney (trade)RHP Livan Hernandez (free agent)
RHP Miguel Batista (minor-league free agent)C Josh Bard (free agent)
LHP Eddie Guardado (minor-league free agent)LHP Ron Villone (free agent)
IF/OF Eric Bruntlett (minor-league free agent)
OF Chris Duncan (minor-league free agent)
LHP Chuck James (minor-league free agent)
1B Josh Whitesell (minor-league free agent)
LHP Doug Slaten (waiver claim)