Full Transcript of Today's Press Conference

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Nov 11, 2008 11:35 PM EST

you can go here to read the whole thing. i laboriously transcribed the whole thing.

http://bottomfeederbaseball.blogspot.com/2008/11/meet-press-with-willingham-and-olsen.html

here's my opinion:

There's already a lot that's been written about this deal, and I'm sure that there will be many more volumes as well. The deal makes next year's team better and I don't think they gave up all that much to accomplish that. Bowden's larger message is that the organization realizes that the fan base is going to shrink and that they HAD TO address the talent level on the major league roster, what Nats fans pay to watch.
Are Willingham and Olsen all-stars? Probably not. We pretty much know was Willingham is, barring a Ryan Ludwick-type explosion. Olsen? He's just 24. He's got three full seasons in the bigs. His velocity returned in September. He still hasn't entered his physical prime.
I'm not going to harp on the team for deviating from "The Plan" like some of my brethren. They didn't trade anyone away that was going to be part of the "first great Nats team". They aren't blocking anyone that should be playing. To the contrary, Olsen will allow Martis and Zimmermann to stay in the minors where they belong for another season.
The Nats got two completely average major league players for a utility infielder and two fringy low minors prospects. Love it or leave it.

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Well, if Lovin you is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

Willingham: Love it? No. Like it? You betcha! “Wink” (shudder).

Lastings, Dukes, Willingham in the outfield? I don’t have a problem w/that.
On offense? All of them are capable bats. So I can live with that. As far as stating that Willingham and Olson are not championship-caliber players. Who said anything about the Nationals being champions anytime soon? My o my. This young, gotta have it now generation. As long as Willingham stays healthy. I say: “WELCOME TO D.C. FRIEND”

Olsen? Did anyone read the article in the Washington Post? When he referred to on the field and off the field antics – And I quote: " You just try to keep yourself out of situations where there might be a problem. I think that’s the biggest thing with all this maturing that everybody claims that I’ve done." The last sentence sounds a little bit caustic in nature if you ask me. Translation? “Punk a$$”.

Sure, you’re 24 years old…But you’re in the Major Leagues. You show up to a press conference dressed like that? You have the audacity to be sarcastic when it comes to your maturity. A franchise is taking a risk on you and this is how you show yourself. Look kid, your not Tim Lincecum. You need to change that attitude and quick.

Nothing like Acta having to deal w/hiim AND Dukes in the same dugout.

" Well, ain't it a small world, spiritually speaking. Pete and Delmar just been baptized and saved. I guess I'm the only one that remains unaffiliated. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Nov 13, 2008 3:00 AM EST reply actions