The yard is dry, the tree is gone, the Nats win

July 2, 2006

Normalcy? Thank you Nick Johnson for ending that continuously tied game with the walk-off homer in the 10th, still keeping the game within normal playing time. Now, maybe I can gather my thoughts on the Bowden employment, the horrible first loss to the Devil Rays, and latest news.

I just have to ask – what is up with that rubber chicken??

Frank Robinson’s lineup last night was closer to resembling the one I drew from the bowl. Jose Vidro took the leadoff hitter’s spot and Marlon Anderson was also on the lineup, although not batting 2nd and playing in CF. Since they were back in a NL park, the designated hitter rule was abolished, but with Livan pitching, he was also batting (and pulled off a good sac bunt). Guillen was bumped down to sixth instead of 9th (with the pitcher) and Fick started instead of Schneider, although he left the game due to “GI distress” (eww) and Schneider took over. Need I point out they won? ;-) Soriano struck out twice.

Back to Friday night’s game… the fans really were great! There were several attempts at the wave from the sparsely populated upper deck. I could hear joyful screams en masse as if a roller coaster was looping by and look up to see a few arms flail up into the air. It never really got enough legs to go beyond a few sections though. In fact, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a successful wave go around RFK. Let’s work on that, okay?

I stopped taking notes on the game after the third inning. There really wasn’t much to note of positive consequence – well, until the bottom of the 8th when the Nats got a couple lucky breaks and did the little things. In fact, the little things made the crowd go wild. Clayton hit a single and then took 2nd on “defensive indifference”. Wooooooooottttt!!! You’d think a National had hit a home run. Vidro drew a walk… and the crowd went wild. An RBI single by Zimmerman for the Nats’ sole score on the board and from the crowd’s hooting, you’d think the Nationals pulled ahead instead of being down 11-1 (where the game ended). Very nice effort on the part of the fans. I was also surprised to see how many kept their bums in their seats through the entire game instead of the mass exodus normally witnessed around the 7th inning (some left, but the majority stayed).

Now back to the Bowden signing. I think CurlyW summed up my feelings best (after getting over my initial shock and disappointment). I have the ultimate respect and faith in Stan Kasten, so I have to assume (and hope) he knows what he’s doing. I just wish Bowden would professionalize up a bit. Did Kasten interview players on how they feel about their boss? I think Bowden has a lot of power to affect the clubhouse chemistry, and it seems clear that clubhouse chemistry can set the tone for a series, road trip, or entire season — if negative and morale is down, then the players show it on the field.

I was also looking forward to having a new personality in the GM slot to study and analyze fresh. To me, it seemed a new face would breathe fresh life into the club. Plus, I hoped a tiny bit that Kim Ng would at least get an interview. Not gonna happen for some time to come. On the other hand, I began trying to see it from Kasten’s perspective. I don’t know how tuned into other clubs’ personnel issues other GMs are. Bowden obviously knows this team inside and out so there is no learning curve. Other GMs would have to learn the personalities, strengths, and weaknesses of all the players, the farm system, the coaches and managers…. and based on new ownership’s agenda, maybe there isn’t time for that. So from here on out, I’m going to pretend Bowden is a new person now that he has the resources he always wished for (let’s call him Bowden 2.0) and will give him a clean slate from here on forward. Well, I’ll try anyway. Results of previous trades and deals still get charged to Bowden 1.0, just like a pitcher who’s pulled yet runs that score from men already on base still get charged to him. Maybe a new stat like a GM ERA would be a fun tracking tool?

Shawn Hill is on the 15 day disabled list, although my guess is he may remain there longer. Pistachio (Pedro Astacio) is slated to start this week for the first time since April. Livan nearly gave me a heart attack last night when he began hopping and limping after trying to run out a bunt to first (and he was pretty close). I was shocked to see him come back in to pitch the next inning, but good for him.

Posted in Front Office, Gameday, Injuries, Washington Nationals