They've Been Doing Their Homework

"It was like they made the schedule for every other team, then threw us in wherever was left over," said Vidro. "I was back home in Puerto Rico and even I didn't like it. My teammates were mad. Baseball talked like they cared about us, but they didn't."

This may be the week when the full contrast in lifestyles finally hits the new Nationals. Between the end of today's afternoon game and the start of the Mets series Friday night, the Nats have about 48 hours between games. All at home.

"By the end of this homestand it's going to feel like we were home for [18] straight days," says Wilkerson. Why? "Those three [weekend] games in New York felt like we never left home. It's the lightest bag I ever packed -- two slacks, three shirts.

"Two years ago, we played 25 games in 27 days: Montreal, Florida, Philly, Puerto Rico for 10, to Seattle with an off day, Oakland, no off day, Pittsburgh and Montreal. We even won four of six on the West Coast. But by Pittsburgh, we were dead."

How can you remember all of that? "How can you forget?" asked Wilkerson.

Those bitter memories burn into the ex-Expos. From the last weekend of spring training through Opening Day, the Nats played five games in five towns in five days. "They don't want us to forget who we are," said pitcher Zach Day.

So, there are scores to be settled in this new home called Washington. "We [carried] that extra weight so long. We know we're better than people think we are -- the so-called experts," Robinson said acerbically. "We have players here who should get some credit when they deserve it. And they haven't."

Instead of starting 5-15, the Nationals began 10-10. But they still sense they're getting shabby Expo Treatment. Vidro, the proudest Expo, the man who could have escaped for huge free agent money but chose to re-sign and stick it out with his teammates, has a lot to get off his chest.

"When do we get an owner? Why does it take so long? They announced 'Washington' before the end of last season. Why is baseball dragging its feet?" Vidro said this week. "Everybody sees how hungry this city is for baseball. This will be a great investment. Get somebody in here who will do what it takes [to win]. Those 45,000 seats will be filled. We need it soon. Get it done before the trade deadline" on July 31.

The trade deadline? That only concerns teams who think they are in the postseason chase. Vidro gets that look he shares with many teammates -- happy about the present, curious about the future but still so angry to square up for the past.

"Get us an owner who can get us a couple more key guys," Vidro said, "and this is going to be a great story."