Nationals News, 0-1 Edition

by John Quinn on Jul 17, 2009 9:29 AM EDT

Because the all-star break is seen as the halfway point in the season, I'm going to give the Nationals the benefit of the doubt and just forget about the first half. The Nats benefited from a few days of rest (because they aren't all-stars), a new manager, and hopefully a new attitude, so now is as good a time as any to start over. They may have gone 26-61 in 2009.1, but I have high hopes for 2009.2! Now, on to the news:

Quote of the day, from catcher Josh Bard via Nationals Journal: "We're making stinkin' boatloads of money to go out there and win baseball games." Unfortunately, he didn't continue on to say "but we aren't winning baseball games, so we shouldn't be getting paid stinkin' boatloads of money."

Scott Olsen, originally scheduled to start tonight, has been scratched with arm tightness, so Craig Stammen gets the call. Saturday is still Jordan Zimmerman, and Garrett Mock will be making his first start in the majors on Sunday, after being called up from Syracuse.

Over at FJB, fan confidence is UP! Unbelievable!

Emilie Cole at Nationals Pride has put together a nice retrospective of players' opinions of Manny Acta. Players supported him through his entire tenure here, and, based on what they said, they knew he was doing things right and they were doing things wrong. They just couldn't get it together for him.

Record breaking news after the jump!

Ryan Howard became the fastest player to 200 home runs last night with a solo shot against the Marlins. It took him just 658 games, shattering Ralph Kiner's record of 706 games.

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Glad the Nats could help Ryan Howard with his record...

…also…Buster Olney apparently said on the radio this morning. “Olney: Nats are looking to trade Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham.”

My view, I don’t want Hammer to go, but he’s valuable to a contender. And Dukes would fit nicely in RF. Let’s hope all the overpaid babies can get along in the clubhouse.

If you can’t convince them, confuse them. - President Harry S Truman

by RoscoeNats on Jul 17, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

don't ever listen to anything buster olney says

by Parks Smith on Jul 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

It's really earth-shattering news. Thanks for the warning.

FYI – none of the talking heads are worth a crap. They are all just entertainers for hungry fans with free time.

If you can’t convince them, confuse them. - President Harry S Truman

by RoscoeNats on Jul 17, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, as you pointed out last night, Roscoe (I think), the time is nigh for Johnson, anyway.

I’d be happy if Nick and Harris were gone, Nick is 30 and Harris is 31, so while neither of them are approaching the end of their careers, 28-29 seems old on a team like the Nationals.

by John Quinn on Jul 17, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

TNJ --- Sorry, Ed.....

Reality check we need to trade him and everyone else…cause “they got they got what we need…”

Rumors are out there for Johnson, Dunn, Willingham, Harris, Beimel, Guzman and a bag of balls…

Predictions by Berndaddy™

Johnson = C+ level prospect – $$$ relief
Dunn = 2 C+ or 1B level prospects – possible $$$ relief
Willingham = C+ level prospect
Harris = 2 C level prospects
Beimel = 1 C level prospect
Guzman = 1 B- or 1 C+ & 1 C level prospects – Whole bunches of $$$ relief
Ron Villone =Bag of Balls – New Bag of Balls – 2nd yr / 23yr old short season hopeful

by Berndaddy on Jul 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions