Transcript
Major League Baseball
Tuesday, April 11, 2006; 2:00 PM
Washington Post staff writer Dave Sheinin was online Tuesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the latest major league baseball news.
The transcript follows.
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washingtonpost.com: Dave Sheinin will be online momentarily. Thanks for staying tuned ...
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Dave Sheinin: Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late. This is a weird deal today, since we're in the middle of the ballgame here at RFK Stadium. As we speak, it's 2-0, Mets, as the top of the fifth gets underway. Apologies in advance if I don't get to as many questions as normal.
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Burke, Va.: Good afternoon Dave,
I am posting this early. Will be watching the Nats at RFK when you start this chat. Go Nats - Beat the Mets! Great article on the Zephyrs. Baseball can be such a wonderful respite and brief diversion from the trials and tribulations of life such as recovering from a devastating natural disaster. What is the most lasting impression you have from your time down in New Orleans when researching the article?
washingtonpost.com:
Dave Sheinin: Hi Burke. Thanks for the kind words. The thing I was struck by in my time in New Orleans was how overwhelming the devastation still is, and how the rest of the country really has no idea. It's been seven months now since Katrina hit, and the news media, in many cases, has moved on to other stories. But for the people in New Orleans, things are not much better now than they were last fall.
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Metro Center: So, Dave, are you at RFK? What was Cheney's reception like?
Dave Sheinin: Cheney got some of the loudest boos I've heard in this stadium -- even worse than Pedro Martinez during pregame introductions.
By the way, the Mets have tacked on a couple more runs here in the fifth, on a Jose Reyes RBI single and a double by Paul Lo Duca. 4-0, Mets.
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Alexandria, Va.: How many wins will the Nats have this year?
Dave Sheinin: 71.5.
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Washington, D.C.: If only Minaya stayed with the Expos when they moved to Washington. Not knocking the Nats, but it seems like he has done an incredible job with the Mets. Mixing veterans (Delgado) with young talent (Reyes, Wright), their big contracts are no longer "Mo Vaghn" type, but rather quality players. Not to mention, Bannister (todays starter), coming from Double A, has been a wonderful surprise for the pitching staff. Can you give me some of your opinion of how the Mets will do this year, and what they to happen for them to make a legitimate run. Many thanks.
Dave Sheinin: I hear what you're saying, but don't forget as well that the Mets have spent gobs of money in each of the last two winters, netting them -- among others -- Pedro Martinez, Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Billy Wagner. That kind of spending can make any GM look smart. Let's see what they do on the field. The Mets still have major holes. I'm not convinced their starting rotation can hold up.
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Washington, D.C.: Dave,
Any word on how Church is doing in New Orleans? I've got to think that Watson is not long for the majors.
Also, can you confirm that Thursday's game is still a 1:05 start? The Post is listing it as 7:05.
Thanks.
Dave Sheinin: First of all, the game Thursday is definitely at 1:05 p.m. Our apologies for the misprint in the paper.
As for Church, he's only hitting .200 at New Orleans, but I still think he will be up here very, very soon, once the Nationals realize that Watson simply is not an everyday leadoff hitter in the majors.
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Alexandria, Va.: If the Nats can't put together a winning streak will the eight owners back out of buying the team. You don't think that this owner will be like Peter Angelos do you?
Dave Sheinin: No, I don't think a few losses -- or even a really terrible season -- is going to scare off the ownership groups. Everyone could see last year that this market is a potential gold mine, if marketed and operated correctly.
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Bethesda, Md.: What's your over/under on the date Mr. Soriano is mercifully traded?
Dave Sheinin: July 15.
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Bethesda, Md.: So no surprise announcement of an owner at today's home opener. Guess that would've made too much sense, because MLB could've repaired, in a flash, all the damage they have done to the Nats fan base. Dave, why oh why do Selig and company continue to torment us?
Dave Sheinin: Take this for what it's worth, but MLB President Bob DuPuy just stopped by the press box and predicted the sale would occur by the end of next week. Again, take it for what it's worth.
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Washington, D.C.: How is that "pitching, pitching, pitching" philosophy working for Jim Bowden? How soon before Randy St. Claire has to throw a cople innings?
Dave Sheinin: Well said.
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Washington, D.C.: Dave,
I am a huge nats fun and your 71.5 wins is a stretch. Their pitching last september was terrible. They had no 5th starter and they lost two of their four starters. After the first week, we might be really in trouble. Last year the nats had solid pitching and no hitting. This year, they have ok pitching and a bit more hitting.
I hope I'm wrong . . .
Thanks for taking the time.
Dave Sheinin: I cannot disagree with you.
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Richmond, Va.: I know its early in the season, but do you still think the Yankees will take first in the AL EAST?
Dave Sheinin: Yes, I do. The Yankees are capable of pummelling teams to death, even if they get mediocre pitching. And if they get good pitching, they should win 100 games. Boston looks a lot better, now that Schilling is back in his 2004 form, and with Papelbon destroying hitters in the ninth. But I still think that, over 162 games, the Yankees are better than anyone else in the league. Now, the postseason is another matter entirely...
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Alexandria, Va.: Why has MLB overestimated interest in baseball in this region?
The Orioles drew their lowest attendance in Oriole Park history last week, and the Nats can't even sell out opening day. It seems like the region that everyone thought could easily support two teams barely has enough interest to fill one stadium. A new stadium will obviously help the Nats when it's done, but the O's may lose attendance because of that. DC and Baltimore are quickly mirroring San Francisco and Oakland with team support that ebbs and flows with on-field success, but not the New York or Chicago model that MLB was projecting. In the end, I think the Nats may be hurting baseball and the region more than anyone thinks.
Dave Sheinin: I disagree. I think the Orioles have shown that, as long as they put a good product on the field, they will draw big crowds. They drew 3.5 million consistently in the mid-1990s, and even if the Nationals diminish that somewhat, they would still draw fans if they gave fans a reason to come to the park. As for the Nationals, I think there is huge potential there, too, with a real owner, a new stadium and a few years to build up a fan base beyond the hardcore fans.
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Arlington, Va.: Let me get this straight - - - after Guillen was hit by Pedro Martinez last Thursday, both benches were warned. Then Sanchez hits Nick Johnson (who had previously homered) with a pitch and nothing happens. Felix Rodriguez then gets ejected for hitting Paul Lo Duca. Now Rodriguez, Guillen and Frank get fines and/or suspensions? This is the same officiating crew that blew the Lo Duca/Soriano dropped ball play at the plate on opening day, right? Is it too early to talk about conspiracty theories or am I just being paranoid?
Dave Sheinin: It's not a conspiracy. But it is worth questioning. The umpires' rationale for doing nothing after Sanchez hit Johnson was that Sanchez did not intend to hit Johnson. However, Johnson had homered in his previous at-bat. Seems to me, there might have been some intent behind the pitch.
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Manassas, Va.: I'm a Barry Bond's hater, but I'm not taking too much hope from his slow start. I was at RFK when he played his first game there, and the HR he hit to the upper deck got out so quick that I never saw it. Unfortunately he won't lose his hitting ability in one off-season.
I am hoping that the knee will hold him back. I don't see how he can play the outfield for a whole season. He has said in the past that he wants to end his career as a Giant, but he has lied before. Do you see him going to the AL to DH for a contender? Do you think he might retire after passing Babe Ruth?
Dave Sheinin: Scouts are buzzing about how Bonds doesn't have the same powerful leg drive he has had in years past. It seems to be greatly affecting his performance at the plate. Scouts say his swing is more arm-generated now, which is not a good sign. With that in mind, I think it is doubtful he can catch Aaron this year. (It might have been doubtful all along, for that matter.) But he should still pass Ruth. I think there is a very good chance he will retire after the season. And don't forget he could still be suspended by MLB in its investigation, or be charged with a crime in the grand jury investigation.
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Washington, D.C.: Are you at the game? What was the fan reaction to Dick Cheney?
Dave Sheinin: Lots of boos.
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Washington, D.C.: Dave:
What does the attendance look like today? 9,000 empty seats?
And who do you think the new owners fire first -- Tavares or Bowden?
Dave Sheinin: Looks like the crowd will be around 40,000.
I think Tavares will be the first to go, because most of these ownership groups have their designated Team President figure already in place.
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A frustrated/angryNats fan in D.C.: If there are empty seats at the opener at RFK today, MLB has only itself to blame. MLB has not kept up its end of the bargain re: the Nats. They've not named an owner in a timely manner (missing each of their announced deadlines). They've saddled the franchise with the worse tv deal in professional sports. They've not had the people running the franchise do any kind of aggressive marketing campaign that would sell tickets and also help really establish the team in the region. (I know people who had season tickets last year who got no renewal notice at all in the off-season.) And with no owners and a limited budget, free agents stayed away and most of the Nats free agents left. So, this year's team doesn't look to be as strong as the 2005 Nats. As awful as the DC City Council was during the stadium debate, MLB has been worse and has not treated this franchise or its fans fairly. Bud Selig's inaction and MLB's treatment of the Nats has weakened the franchise and discouraged many fans. Baseball can and will succeed in DC but only if Bud gets off his duff and sells the team -- now!
Dave Sheinin: There you have it...
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Washington, D.C.: Would umpires automatically eject Pedro Martinez if he were to hit a batter based on the new, low-tolerance levels requested of the umpires? Or would he just face a warning? In my mind umpires should have the autority to take into consideration the history of recent series in making such decisions, but I'm not sure whether they can or do.
Dave Sheinin: The umpires would not eject Martinez automatically if he hits someone. (For instance, let's say it was a curveball.) However, if the umps believe Martinez hits someone intentionally, they can eject him right away -- even without issuing a warning.
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Arlington, Va.: RE: Alexandria and 2 teams in DC Area
I think the only reason DC/Baltimore is struggling to maintain fan interest in 2 teams is due to Peter Angelos. First he ruined the Orioles by failing to shell out cash to any top notch players (Tejada being the lone exception) and now he is doing everything in his power to sabotage the Nationals. If he would just worry about putting a better team on the field up in Baltimore and forget about destroying the Nats television deal then both franchises would be in better shape.
Dave - what do you think the Nats will get for Soriano? Will there be a huge market or have the Nats lose their leverage after all the shenanigans that went on in Spring Training?
Dave Sheinin: Actually, all the "shenanigans" that went on in spring training will benefit the Nationals in the end, because they ultimately prevailed and got Soriano to play left field. It heightens his trade value -- because few teams viewed him as a viable option for second base, but plenty of teams that covet his bat will be able to live with him as a left fielder, as long as he shows some effort.
Still 4-0 Mets, by the way. Bottom of the sixth. The Nats have only two hits off Brian Bannister.
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Nats season tix: This year we ordered a mini-plan to take our 10-year-old adoring fan to RFK. It may be hard for some of the lawyers and lobbyists to believe, but $660 bucks on baseball tickets is a big deal for us. As season ticket holders know, the tickets FINALLY came this past Friday. I know the Nats are short-staffed and ownerless, but when I opened the Fedex, there they were -- just a bundle of tickets. No Nats folder, no letter thanking us for our order or telling us we're special. Just the tix, ma'am. I suppose I should be grateful that they came before the first game, but geez! My concert mini-plan at Strathmore Hall (which is also going into its second year of operation) cost a fraction of the Nats tickets, but they're a whole lot more appreciative of my business.
Dave Sheinin: We can only hope that the new owners, whomever they are, show a little more understanding of the concepts of marketing, community relations, etc.
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Washington, D.C.: I can't believe I'm asking but when is Guzman going to be back? Royce doesn't look much like a Rolls right now and maybe Guz has a little more fire in his belly with some competition.
Dave Sheinin: Guzman might still be out for a few more months, so get used to Mr. Clayton. The team is still waiting to see whether Guzman will be able to avoid surgery, and that decision could be made next week. If he has the surgery, he will be out several months.
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Hear hear: Dave,
I've been sitting here trying to put my thoughts and feelings into words, and FRUSTRATED ANGRY NATS FAN did it for me.
I live near Philly, and it's been irritating the last few days to read the "interest in the Nationals not the same as it was at this time last year" stories on the wire. Don't any of these writers know what the team has been up against the last 12 months?
About the only improvement I can see, aside from the lease being approved (and granted, that IS a biggie), is that WTWP is broadcasting the games, so I can at least HEAR the games. Everything else just feels like the team is in limbo. They might as well still be playing at the Big O.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Dave Sheinin: Well said.
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Los Angeles, Calif.: I'm not a betting man, but if I was -- I'd say the Cubs are on their way to a World Series Championship. What do you think?
Dave Sheinin: I don't even see the Cubs winning their division. They can be a very good team, no doubt -- especially when Wood and Prior return. But the Cardinals are better, in my opinion.
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Alexandria,Va: If the Nats lose their home opener which they might what's your estimate on their wins for this year?
Dave Sheinin: 70.5.
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Arlington, Va.: Dave,
I was at Sunday's O's-Sox game and couldn't help but notice the thousands of empty seats in the upper deck at Camden Yards. Sox fans outnumbered O's fans in an announced crowd of 37,998. First time I've ever experienced that up in Baltimore.
With the Nats here to stay, shouldn't the O's rip out the upper deck and club seats in LF, push the LF and RF fences back to a reasonable distance so that Camden Yards is no longer a bandbox and that it holds 45,000 seats max, instead of 49,000-plus?
Dave Sheinin: Actually, that phenomenon (Red Sox fans outnumbering Orioles fans) has been going on for a few years at Camden Yards -- it also happens when the Yankees are in town.
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Washington, D.C.: Okay, I'm a little confused. The team has a surplus of outfielders, an injured starting shortstop, a mediocre, but happier, shortstop in Soriano, and a guy at short right now who's not wowing anyone with his defense, nor with his offense. So ... is it just pride that's causing Frank et al. to keep Mr. Soriano at left field?
Dave Sheinin: That's not an outrageous thought, but Soriano hasn't played shortstop since he was a minor leaguer in the Yankees' system.
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Another angry/frustrated fan: Dave,
Why in the world would Bud and MLB work so hard to poison the well in DC for baseball after such a successful season last year? All of this nonsense about needing more time for due diligence before an owner is named, blah blah blah has done nothing but add to the level of cynicsm of fans after a winter of nothing but cynicsm. Why do everything to turn the fan base off when you could have had an owner and knowledgeable, professional staff working their butts off to succeed in the market? This year was going to be tough enough on the field. Like so much that baseball does, it makes no sense.
Dave Sheinin: It's just a hunch, but having covered MLB for awhile now, I've noticed that they simply cannot handle more than one major issue at one time. So while they worked on the World Baseball Classic, and then while they put together the investigation into steroids, the Nationals were pushed aside. Again, just a hunch.
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Dave Sheinin: Sorry, folks, but I have to run now. One last update: It's 5-0 Mets in the bottom of the seventh. See you all next time.
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