Nationals fans get me up to speed...

by rwells87 on Nov 11, 2011 12:46 PM EST

Ok so around this time last year mlb.tv prompted me to get into baseball for the very first time. I had 2 teams I thought about following The Houston Astros and The Washington Nationals. Astros becuase i live in San Antonio and I could go to there games and The Nationals because I am a huge Redskins fan so it made sense. I ended up picking the Astros and boy that ship really sunk, i tend to get really invested in my teams and did so with the Astros. Trading away our star players, move to the AL and the new owner has made it clear to me that they wont be decent for a long time. I already have the Redskins as a mismanaged continually losing team to follow and I would like to have some bright spot in my sports teams. Anyway this lead me here, I am planning to use mlb.tv and catch some nats games from this year but this is the best place to get a rundown on the team, who to watch, who to follow on twitter etc. Give me the run down Nats fans. (ps before I hear "your not a true fan" because i didnt stick with a team please know i have loved and followed the skins my whole life and even thought they suck I love them), i just realize the Stros were a bad decision for my first year watching baseball.)

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I'm sure I speak for everyone here...

Wait until all of this Ramos Kidnapping stuff has resolved and then we will be more than happy to help you with your new fandom.

by RossingtonCollins on Nov 11, 2011 1:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, this

The community is pretty much on hold at the moment, we’re too busy fervently hoping. We’re friendly, really – but right now it’s hard to write a long post about baseball or the organization.

by d_c_guy on Nov 11, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Agree 100%

I have little interest in baeball right now, just want Ramos to be returned safley, so this will just be oneof thoes stories we occasionaly look back on, not one we remeber forever

Liberen a Wilson!

by jeff550 on Nov 11, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

probably bad timing

dont need answers right away realize that Ramos being safe is more important right now that most other things Nats related.

by rwells87 on Nov 11, 2011 2:21 PM EST reply actions

Ramos is safe.

I have been praying all day.

http://unklewheezdcsportsfan.blogspot.com/2011/11/living-on-edge-nationals-starting.html

by Danyon Rome on Nov 11, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

So you want to be a Nationals fan

Well here are some basics. The owners (the Lerner group) are well-funded, and don’t meddle with what the GM (Rizzo) is trying to do; They just cut the checks to acquire talent.
After hitting rock bottom, the team has put together three nice drafts to put players into the development pipeline, which is beginning to pay off. The big club still has some weak spots, but the minors show depth at C, 1B, 2B, OF, SP & RP.

The NL East could be a division in flux over the next year or two, as PHI is getting older everywhere, ATL has some holes developing (LF, 3B), FLA has a notoriously cheap owner moving into a new stadium, and the Mets are cutting salary at every turn. The Nationals have youth moving into the roster, and current payroll flexability to extend existing players or add other pieces. There is a fair bit to like about this team going forward.

by BinM on Nov 12, 2011 3:47 PM EST reply actions

Here's what is most important and really the only thing that needs to be said,

The owners (the Lerner group) are well-funded, and don’t meddle with what the GM (Rizzo) is trying to do

I’ll never get tired of saying/hearing that.

Skins rule

by Horcasitas4 on Nov 12, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

LERNER'S R TEH CHEEP!!11!(ONE)!

Sorry, I thought this was the WaPo site. Welcome to the support ground, rwells (although you picked a better time to join it than I did..).

"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)

by Doghouse on Nov 12, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Not just well-funded, but the richest owners in baseball

Also, the Nats should be getting a huge bump in their TV fees this offseason, so I think they will continue their march to a $100m payroll team, in conjunction with the wave of young players (especially arms) coming up through 2014.

"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant

by The Herndon Kid on Nov 13, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

And the one think to remember about Lance Berkman and the Astros ...

HE WENT!!!!

by d_c_guy on Nov 12, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions

+1

[shakes fist]

You probably already know some of this, but:
1. Ryan Zimmerman is an exceptional young player. Great defense, great bat, and apparently a great guy.
2. Stephen Strasburg is a fireballing wunderkind young starter, but Jordan Zimmermann is probably just as good (they’re a formidable 1-2 at the top of the rotation no matter which one’s first).
3. Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are fantastic late-inning relievers. They are also unfailingly hilarious in YouTube clips.
4. Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa are a young, promising combo up the middle (SS and 2B, respectively). The jury’s still out whether they’ll turn into solid everyday starters (keeping down their errors and hitting consistently over a season), but they both show flashes of greatness.
5. Michael Morse will eventually get exposed and stop hitting so well. Real soon now. In the meantime, enjoy Beast Mode.
6. Jayson Werth seems to be a great clubhouse guy who was terrible at the plate all season. Given we have time until the next millennium, we hope he gets back around his career average numbers soon.

I’m sure people will come along and add more now that Wilson is safe. (Also: Wilson Ramos! Acquired for half-a-year of Matt Capps, and one of the best young catchers in the game.)

"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)

by Doghouse on Nov 12, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

I mildly disagree with the Jzimm is just as good line, Jzimm is good line. JZimm is good, but Stras is just a freak. J zim struggled coming back from TJ, Strasburg mostly dominated with a few setbacks.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Nov 12, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

We're here to sell rwells on the Nationals, not to quibble over who's the best SP...

so lighten up, Francis.

by BinM on Nov 12, 2011 5:36 PM EST reply actions

Oh I know, also, learn to use the reply button.

I know you are new here but I have read your work elsewhere, if you don’t post in proper format it makes you look bad.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Nov 12, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

To be fair

He did “mildly disagree.” :-)

by d_c_guy on Nov 13, 2011 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

Game Threads

are entertaining and at times hilarious. Members are welcomed whether stat heads or old school “just hustle” types (raises hand). Frustrations are vented, and JOY is shared…woo wee Ramos is rescued, and hugging and smiling and ready to rawkkKK. Can’t wait for moar baseball!! You’ll just have to catch up on the players’ nicknames…….

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 13, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

And why didn't that post as a new comment? Oh well, still practicing........

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 13, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

I'll say this DC and Atlanta have the two filthiest 8th and 9th inning combo's in the Majors.

Philly should have a pretty good bullpen next season, but they (he) are enormously overpaid.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Nov 13, 2011 9:30 AM EST reply actions

Overpaid is fine, and I'm sure we'll all have a big laugh at the Phillies' overpaid roster sooner rather than later,

but what I’m more concerned about is the amount of wins the Nationals will have to garner to make the playoffs next year. It doesn’t seem to me that the Phillies are going to add players that will increase their win total, but they did win over 100 games last year.

What excites me is the record the Nationals had after Livan Hernandez and Tom Gorzelanny were replaced in the starting lineup. As ineffectively as Livan pitched in many of his starts, and as many starts of his that you would be effectively replacing with Stephen Strasburg, you have to like the Nationals’ chances next year from a runs prevention standpoint.

If the Nationals can improve their run production, they can contend. Are they willing to lay out the money for the contract it would take (i.e. one of Pujols or Fielder)? All indications point towards ‘no’. If not, you would have to rely on the hope of Bryce Harper being the savior for 2012.

Personally, I think he will be. If he is, and this team can contend as currently constructed, they will be able to contend for a long time just by extending their own players. rwells87 could be making a wise decision if he starts following the Nationals. I know I have.

by Joey Fox on Nov 13, 2011 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

It's not the salary, it's the position.

The Nationals (Rizzo / Johnson) seem to be comfortable with the LaRoche / Morse / Marrero possibilities at 1B for 2012. That is a position I won’t argue against at this point, even though Pujols & Fielder (both 1B) are clearly the two best FA bats available this year.

Harper may not be a ‘savior’ for the 2012 team, but will be an integral part of the team once he is called up. The keys to an improved offense in 2012 should come from RZim & LaRoche being healthy, and a starting CF with the ability to get on base in front of the heart of the order.

The starting pitching could take care of itself – JZimm> Livo, Strasburg+Peacock> Marquis+Detwiler, Lannan> Gorzelanny+Maya+Wang, etc.

"Things are going great, and they're only gettin' better..." Timbuk3

by BinM on Nov 14, 2011 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

Fixed

JZim>Livo, Strasburg + Peacock>Marquis+Detwiler, Lannan>Gorzelanny~~+May+Wang~~, Wang>Maya.

by d_c_guy on Nov 14, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

mlb.tv

any good games to watch from this past year to get a feel for the team? i was gonna watch opening day, last game of the year looking for other good games to watch, also who do you guys follow on twitter?

by rwells87 on Nov 15, 2011 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Tuesday, June 21st vs. Seattle.

A dramatic comeback topped off by Wilson Ramos’ 9th inning walk-off blast. That was a good one. (There are others…)

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 15, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Zimmermann starts...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 15, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

A few exciting gems...

Tommy Milone’s debut vs the Mets on 9/3/11 illustrates things we both love and hate and the team.
The bookends of the last home series with Philly both went the wire: 8/21/11, 8/19/11

"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)

by Doghouse on Nov 15, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

I saw Milone's debut at the Park.

That was a fun game.

by chubias on Nov 15, 2011 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Yup, from Milone's homer through the bloop dropping in to end the game

although it was also the game I realized I’d really screwed up my shoulder; best not to shoot one’s arms up in the air with a damaged rotator cuff …

but, to quote John Astin in Night Court, I’m muuch better now …

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"

by jbg2772 on Nov 15, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely the last Phillies series at home

I’d also look at several of the mid-June games, capped off by the Ramos walk-off against Seattle as mentioned below. And the final home game of the year (against Atlanta) was just a lot of fun and gave a really good sense of the promise this team has.

by Angela on Nov 17, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions