Wire Taps: Washington Nationals In NY Times, Hagerstown Suns, Senators' History.

• Washington Nationals In NY Times: NY Times' baseball writer Tyler Kepner, whose article last winter entitled, "Montreal Expos, Forgotten by Many, Are Reuniting in Cooperstown", undoubtedly played a role in raising awareness about the threat of the 36-year history of the Montreal Expos fading into the history books, took a moment in his Sunday NY Times column "Extra Bases" for a quick look, in a section subtitled, "Honoring Expos at Last" at the Ring of Honor that was added to Nationals Park recently. The memorial, which is located on the facade below the first deck behind home plate, ties the history of the Nats' franchise together with the great baseball past of the nation's capital, whether it's the first Senators, the second Sens or the Homestead Grays who just happened to play a significant number of home games in Washington, D.C., but it also allows for fans from the nation's capital to finally put together an imposing All-Time roster to rival that which just about any city can claim as its own, as Mr. Kepner writes: 

"Josh Gibson could catch for Walter Johnson. The infield could have Harmon Killebrew at first, Bucky Harris at second, Joe Cronin at short and Jud Wilson at third. And Cool Papa Bell, [Andre] Dawson and Sam Rice could roam the outfield — with [Gary] Carter, Goose Goslin, Buck Leonard and others on the bench." 

Now I just have to wonder how many years it will be before another name is added to the ring. Will Vladimir Guerrero go into the Hall as an Expo and will he be honored? Will Tim Raines find the support he needs for election? Or will we have to wait for a Washington National to retire before another name is added to the list?

• Hagerstown Suns, Municipal Stadium: I got an email from the folks who run Stadium Journey.com this weekend, letting me know that one of their writers, Geoff Crawley, had recently visited Municipal Stadium, Home of the Hagerstown Suns in Hagerstown, MD, and written up a review of the ballpark, which is, in case you were unaware, "...the third oldest minor league stadium in the country," and, "...currently home to the Hagerstown Suns, a Single A affiliate of the Washington Nationals." The folks at Stadium Journey provide a pretty thorough look at the parks they examine. They sent a link last April upon first visiting Nationals Park that was fairly well-received, so when they reached out again I figured it might interest some of you, especially considering the interest that's building in following the Nats' farm system. Note: They have vegetarian hot dogs in Hagerstown, that does it, I'm going...

• This Day In DC Baseball History: The Continuing Attempt To Educate A Montreal Expos Fan About D.C. Baseball History. On August 23, 1912, the Washington Senators, who that year featured Chick Gandil (who would go on to earn an infamous role in baseball lore as a member of the 1919 Black Sox), Clark Griffith (the Old Fox, who was at the time a player/Manager, pitching in his 18th major league season) and Walter Johnson (then 24 and in the 6th of his 21 seasons with the Senators) purchased 25-year-old first baseman Joe Agler from the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association. Agler, a 5'11, 165lb left-handed hitter, made his major league debut that August, and appeared in just two games with the Senators. Agler was hitless in his one at bat for the Sens, the only at bat he'd get in his short-lived American League career. Agler would go on to play for the Federal League's Buffalo Buffeds and Baltimore Terrapins, but in two games, he became a small part of D.C. baseball history.