Whew, sorry! Home’s been busy, work’s been busy, ’tis the season and all that! I was planning on doing more (including a That’s Chat’s Nats episode) about the holiday lighting, but I guess it’s a little late for that now, eh? I didn’t score any interviews (nor did I try), and my pictures pretty much showed what happened. A picture’s worth a thousand words and all that, so you got a book’s worth out of the event. There are more goodies to cover since the event anyway.
Elijah Dukes’ Christmas List: Someone trade that boy’s cell phone in for a life skills workbook. Bob Cohn of the Washington Times wrote a fascinating long profile of Dukes, getting takes from various people who have been in Elijah’s life. Remember when Jim Bowden said he’d trust temperamental Jose Guillen with his kids? He hasn’t stated the same of Dukes, but Pat Russo, Dukes’ high school baseball coach stated he would, “trust Elijah with my kids.” Just hope the poptarts don’t get caught in the toaster or something and set him off. Of course, that piece was written before the latest injunction filed against Dukes by a former girlfriend, claiming he’s sending threatening text messages and calling at “inappropriate hours”. Granted, these incidents occurred before he was acquired by the Nationals.
Update: Barry Svrluga reports that this recent case was dismissed because the ex-girlfriend failed to appear in court.
Report Fallout Continues: The PR nightmare surrounding the newest Nationals players continues following the extensive documentation in the Mitchell Report of Paul Lo Duca’s role in steroids/HGH use and trafficking. More players have been coming forward admitting truth to the report when it comes to them, such as Oriole Brian Roberts. The blogosphere had gone nuts on the “hearsay” of his inclusion, convinced he was innocent. Turns out not so much, but like Bennett, claims to be a one time user. Stan Kasten finally broke silence on the subject, stating the club did not get a preview before the names were released and he is disappointed that current and former Nationals were included in the report. Kasten did not discuss Lo Duca by name due to legalities, but pretty much said the club is moving forward with business as usual and believes a good drug-testing system is currently in place. For those who have cried for the cancellation of Lo Duca’s contract, it appears that isn’t possible since it’s a guaranteed contract.
Not Nats related, but Report fallout-related — Roger Clemens may be scratched as a speaker for the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association convention. A decision should be made by this afternoon.
2008 Schedule: Yay, some good news! The 2008 Schedule is now available (pdf). The best news is that the first game at the new ballpark against the Braves “will be televised nationally at 8:05 p.m. as part of ESPN√¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s exclusive Sunday Night Baseball package”, so the gorgeous new stadium and the newest players will all be on display for a national audience to kick off the season. Awesome! Apparently waiting for confirmation from ESPN was the hold-up. Schedule is also online now.
