Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
2:00 PM
Washington Post staff writer Barry Svrluga was online Wednesday, April 26, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the Washington Nationals and the latest major league baseball news.
Full Coverage: Washington Nationals
The transcript follows.
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Barry Svrluga: Hello everyone. Never a quiet day at RFK. (Actually, given the tiny crowd out here today, it is rather quiet, come to think of it.)
First off: Don't believe everything you hear about ownership. Read the reporting by the Post's Thomas Heath for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
Secondly: I'm about to report something I never thought I would. Sit down.
The Nationals have claimed RHP Zach Day off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Day is expected to be activated on Friday in St. Louis. (Yes, it's THAT Zach Day.)
Also: GW product Michael O'Connor has been recalled from Class AAA New Orleans and will start tomorrow in St. Louis. The Nationals sent Billy Traber back to New Orleans and recalled Jason Bergmann. On and on.
Oh, and the Nationals trail the Reds 4-0 in the fourth at RFK. Yikes.
And one more thing: Thanks to everyone who came out to my book signings for "National Pastime" last Friday at Borders and Monday night at Olsson's, both in downtown DC. I appreciate the support, and hope you had fun.
Okay, let's get to chatting. Finally.
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Silver Spring, Md.: Channel 9 is reporting the new owners are the Lerners. Does the Post have anything on this?
Barry Svrluga: Yes. The Post has that that is a premature report. Could the Lerners end up as the owners? Absolutley. That decision has not been made yet.
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Thanks to the Post from Woodely Park: So I'm on the Red Line headed to Saturday's Braves game, dressed in Nats hat and jersey, when a passenger tells me the game has been called off. Not wanting to go all the way to RFK for nothing, I tried calling the Nats ticket office to see if the game had indeed been called off. No luck. No recorded message, no available operators, nothing. In desperation I phoned the Post's sports department where a kind woman confirmed the game had been cancelled and even gave me the date for the make-up game.
My question is, why can't the Nats staff even get the little things right? I try and try to give them the benefit of the doubt on all things, from delays getting my ticket package in the mail to billing problems, you name it. Yet they always find a new way to disappoint me. Can this actually get better with a new owner?
Barry Svrluga: Glad the Post could help. But if you keep reporting things like this, the Nationals might try to hire away some of our best staffers.
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Section 454: Hey Barry, why was Soriano not given an error on one of the two plays he bobbled last night. The first one where he jumped and had the ball bounce in and out of his glove seemed like a sure error (Austin Kearns had the same thing happen to him on Monday night) and the second play where the ball sailed a little over his head and it just seemed like he misjudged the ball. Aren't those both errors or am I missing something?
Barry Svrluga: Well, apparently you're not missing as many things as Soriano. (Kidding.)
I didn't cover the game last night, but was told that the first one would have been a very difficult play. Yes, it hit off his glove, but that's not the only criteria for an error. The second one, I was told, was worse because he turned the wrong way. These are the subtle things that will help tell the whole story of Soriano's adjustment -- not just the errors and assists.
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Fairfax, Va.: Why aren't the Jose's in the lineup today?
Barry Svrluga: The Joses -- Guillen and Vidro -- were both given the day off, which is something most managers will do with some guys when a day game follows a night game. They can both use the rest, but are available to pinch hit (if this game gets any closer).
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Burke, Va.: What's wrong with Jose's right arm (he has yet to dazzle us with one of his throws to home this year), what's wrong with Patterson's right arm (what's causing this tightness?), and when will Astacio's right arm be put to work (any day now would be good)?
Barry Svrluga: I love questions with a theme.
Guillen's right arm is still strong, but he has been a bit wayward thus far this year. Still, most teams won't test it on a shallow sacrifice fly.
Patterson, for now, is scheduled to pitch Sunday in St. Louis. We'll see. He insists he won't go on the disabled list.
Astacio threw off a mound on Monday and everything went well. Still, he'll have a rehab stint in the minors before he comes back.
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Is it a sea of empty seats?: So how many people are out there today? Is another smallest crowd record being set?
Barry Svrluga: I would say that this will set a new record low, somethign we'll be reporting a lot this summer, I'd guess.
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"The decision has not been made": Let's be straight. The Post isn't willing to run with the story because of confimation issues? Or WUSA is making stuff up?
Barry Svrluga: We're being straight. This decision has not been made.
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Barry Svrluga: Finally. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Ryan Zimmerman singled to right, breaking up Bronson Arroyo's no-hitter.
Now, when the Nationals get their next hit, they'll have matched their total of errors for the day.
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Rosslyn, Va.: I understand Wiki Gonzalez was DFA'd to make room for Zach Day. What 40-man move was made to open up a spot for O'Connor?
Barry Svrluga: Wow. DFA'd? For those who don't work in a baseball front office, that's "designated for assignment," which basically means taken off the 40-man roster. Yes, the Nationals will have 10 days to trade or release Gonzalez.
The corresponding move for O'Connor won't be made until after the game today.
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Smallville, USA: So Barry, will the Nats break their 2 day old record for smallest crowd again today? Should we now be getting concerned about attendance?
Barry Svrluga: As I've said before: I think attendance is a big story to follow. Read more about it in tomorrow's Post, hopefully. David Nakamura, our Metro reporter who covers baseball, is at RFK working on a story about attendance as we speak.
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The two errors: Hey Barry-who made the two errors (so far) in today's game?
Barry Svrluga: Ortiz made one on a potential double play ball that might have gotten him out of the fourth without much trouble. Church made the other when he allowed a bloop single to sneak under his glove in center, allowing runners to advance.
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Washington, D.C.: Hi Barry,
I visited some family in upstate NY last weekend where the Yankees are a topic of discussion every day of the year. Nobody in the room had any idea that MLB still owned the Nationals and all the problems with TV, marketing, etc. that are still not worked out. Is there any reason why this is not more of a story outside of this region? Is it because ESPN,FOX and FSN are partners with MLB and don't want to rock the boat?
Barry Svrluga: If you think about it, we don't hear much about the Reds' ownership change here in DC, nor did we hear much about the McCourts' purchase of the Dodgers, etc. This is a huge local story, one that has worried fans here on the edge of their seats. But it simply doesn't capture the imagination of people outside the area, because it's not their team.
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Washington, D.C.: Barry, wouldn't an ownership candidate (Smulyan) being a source for the WUSA story indicate it's fairly likely to be legit?
Barry Svrluga: Again, I can only tell you what our reporting shows. And believe me, as I said before, Thomas Heath works this story through multiple, widespread sources every single day.
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Section 436: Bought and read this book, it was a great work. Thanks.
I'm bored of the owner talk, enough already. IT's between three guys, we all know it, and we all know it will take longer than they say. We all know how badly this team needs an owner, we've been beating this to death. Can we move on and talk baseball until there is actually an annoucement?
Here's a start, just some interesting stats on the Soreano trade:
Stats through last night:
Alfanso Soreano
28 for 85
BA .329
Slg. 635
7 HR 14 Strike outs
Brad Wilkerson (Texas Rangers)
15 for 77
BA .195
SLG .325
2 HR 34 Strike outs
Terrmel Sledge (San Diego Padres)
4 for 25
BA .160
SLG. .200
0 HR 4 Strike Outs
Armando Gallaraga (AA Frisco Roughriders stats, I think a Canadian Football Team)
0-3 7.71 era, 11.2 innings
Barry Svrluga: Thanks, Section 436. Glad you enjoyed the book.
Very interesting stuff. I know Wilkerson's been struggling, and Sledge was sent to the minors. Soriano clearly can have an impact on a lineup, but the whole offense has to be more consistent.
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"That Zach DAY!": Come on Barry, you're kidding, right? I guess the first time he turns his back on Frank when he comes to get the ball he'll be sent back to New Orleans. Jeez!
Barry Svrluga: Pretty amazing, isn't it?
I like Zach. But boy, he didn't pitch well in Colorado to start the season. It'll be interesting to see how he responds -- and whether he's healthy.
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Mudville: Barry - any truth to the rumor that you're about to suit up and report to Frank? If we are in a state of shock about Zach Day, just imagine how he feels. Let's get some runs, Nats.
Barry Svrluga: I'm still working through some tendinitis in my left shoulder, and I've been designated for assignment. A good 10 days at Harrisburg, though, and I'll be ready to go.
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Crowd today: It's a Wednesday afternoon in April. People have to work, kids have to go to school; also, Easter and Passover were last week so a lot of people took off then and would probably have trouble taking off today as well. (Plus, for allergy sufferers like me, the pollen is DEADLY right now...no way could I sit outside for several hours!)
Sorry, I can't get bent out of shape about it.
Barry Svrluga: No one's asking anyone to get bent out of shape about anything. But I think it's worth pointing out that the crowds thus far have been tiny, and with the team playing poorly, they might not be able to get much momentum going.
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DFA-land: Perhaps O'Connor will take Wiki's spot, then been optioned back to N.O. for Day on Friday?
Barry Svrluga: No, Day already took Wiki's spot on the 40-man, but hasn't been placed on the 25-man yet.
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RFK bullpens: Stupid, unimportant question, but, I bought National Pastime, read it, and told my season ticket partners to get it, so you have to answer me.
Why did they change bullpens in RFK? My guess is that it had something to do with the sun and shade at the stadium. Just seems like a schlep to go all the way across the field to the new one before and after games.
Barry Svrluga: Yes. I am required, by my publisher (Doubleday) to answer any question posed by someone who purchased "National Pastime."
The Nationals changed their bullpen to right field because that one offers shade. They used to bake in the sun in left.
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Errors: Just a quick note regarding the second "error" .... I believe if the fielder (Soriano) doesn't reach the ball it cannot be scored an error. So by misplaying the ball he certainly made a mistake, but by not touching the ball it is not an error. On the first one, it was impressive that he even caught up to the ball and he had leaped to catch it. They seldom score an error on such a play. I was VERY impressed that he subsequently hit a Home Run to try to make up for it ... that is the sign of a great player. He didn't get lost in the moment, he tried and DID do something about it.
Barry Svrluga: Good points. Again, I wasn't here and was going with what people told me.
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Fairfax, Va.: I'm reading that Day was DFA'd by the Rockies because of a minor shoulder injury. If so, why would we claim him to start on Friday?
Barry Svrluga: I didn't say he was starting on Friday. I said he was joining the team on Friday, and could be activated then. And yes: Day complained of a shoulder problem with Colorado. We'll see what the Nationals' doctors say about it.
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Arlington, Va.: Concerning attendance, I thought Dave Sheinin had the right take on it yesterday during
Barry Svrluga: Indeed. This isn't meant to say anything definitive, only to point out that, through eight home games this year, they've already had four crowds smaller than any crowd last year.
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Queens, N.Y.: When is Jose Guillen going to start hitting with runners in scoring position? It seems like he's always trying to do too much when the pressure's really on.
How has he been in the clubhouse this year? Any anti-Guillen factions this year, or did those leave when Wilkerson was traded?
Barry Svrluga: Guillen has been fine. But you're right: He needs to start producing. The lineup can only be consistent when all those major parts are clicking, and he's a major part.
Right now, they have one hit through five. Ouch. Still 4-0 Reds.
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Jordan, 15th and M: Barry,
Last night, with runners on first and second in (I think) the 7th, with Nick Johnson up and nobody out, Frank let him swing away. He flew out, and the next guy hit into a double play to end the inning.
If Johnson bunts there, we'd have had guys on second and third, and that double play ball would have maybe gotten the run in.
This is basic baseball that you bunt in that situation, and not doing it cost them the game.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS MAN?
Barry Svrluga: Interesting take. Usually, people criticize Frank for bunting too much.
Again, I didn't work last night's game. But I think the thought process is clear: Johnson is, right now, the Nationals' best hitter, and asking him to bunt there would be taking a potential three-run homer or two-run double out of play.
I think if he had bunted Johnson there, we'd get lots more, "What was Frank thinking?" questions today.
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Wimpy vs. No. 23: Always love the chats, Barry -- thanks!
Brian Schneider has really struggled at bat this year. Tom Paciorek ("The Ole Wimperoo," to the ChiSox fans) has suggested (repeatedly) that Schneider is holding his hands too close to his body and can't hit inside pitches as a result.
How do tips like this get communicated from the booth to the player? Do players welcome the help? Can you tell Schneider to move his hands out a little, so the rest of us don't have to listen to Paciorek carp on it all year?
Thanks for taking my question!
Barry Svrluga: Believe me, I will never tell a player what he should or shouldn't do. "Hey Brian. When I was hitting .235 as a part-time outfielder-first baseman for Scituate High School in the 80s, I used to get my hands away from my body a little bit more."
Paciorek's word can carry more weight, because he actually played in the majors. But the job of tinkering with Schneider's swing comes down to Schneider, Mitchell Page (hitting coach) and Frank Robinson. That's who gets paid to do that work.
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Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.: I saw one of the Lerners at the game last night. He looked pretty confident that the team would soon be theirs. (Of course, I could have perceived all this wrong, but the way he was walking around, it appeared that way.)
Barry Svrluga: This is the best part about this story. The way people walk can be interpreted as whether they're going to get the team.
My take: I think the Lerners are the favorites. Does that mean it's a done deal? No.
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Section 457: I can't help but second guess Frank R's pitching decisions yesterday during the game? He used up a lot of bullpen muscle. Would there have been any more harm done to Traber if Frank had left him in there a few more innings and saved some of his relief pitchers, instead of going through either 5-6 pitchers - I lost count.
Barry Svrluga: Robinson doesn't like to do that. He'd rather keep the game at 4-0 and give the team a chance to come back rather than being down eight runs or something.
Cruising into the bottom of the sixth at nearly silent RFK. Top of the order (Soriano-Marlon Anderson-Johnson) coming up.
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Alexandria, Va.: Flew to Scotland last week and flew back on Sunday, so I bought a copy of the book before going and finished it on the flight back. Just wanted to say thanks for the good work. The stuff at the beginning about the portable toilets would make me laugh my arse off if it weren't so true.
Barry Svrluga: Thanks, Alexandria. I really enjoyed doing it.
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"As I've said before: I think attendance is a big story to follow.": But why? Is MLB going to decide that the Nats low attendance, combined with the O's low attendance is a sign that the move was a mistake?
Or is it simply a big story in regards to the new owner?
Barry Svrluga: Attendance will go a long way toward determining whether this can be a successful franchise. I think some people believe that when a new ownership group comes in it will automatically expand the payroll. No one will do that unless revenue is coming in just as quickly.
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National Pastime Reader, Va.: Since Bowden has given away a handful of pitchers in his tenure here, are there any minor league prospects that are capable of not giving up 3 or 4 runs in the first inning?
When is the next book signing?
Barry Svrluga: We're going to find out tomorrow, when O'Connor takes the hill in St. Louis.
The one pitcher that really hurts not to have right now is Tomo Ohka. The others Bowden let go (Vargas, Sunny Kim, etc.) have been spotty at best.
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Gaithersburg, Md.: If and when a new owner is named in the next week, do they immediately clean house and hire their own people for President, GM, and manager, or will they stick with the MLB-hired folks through the rest of the season?
Barry Svrluga: Hard to say. The group that takes over will make its own decisions on every single employee. If, indeed, the Lerners are the choice, they have teamed with Stan Kasten, the longtime president of the Atlanta Braves, and that would mean that Tony Tavares would be out as team president. The fates of Jim Bowden and Frank Robinson would be up in the air.
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Section M35: Do you sit close enough to the RFK scoreboard operator to see if it's a difficult job? I'm continually amazed at how ineptly the scoreboard is handled.
Also - LOVED the not-too-subtle slam at the PA announcer at the end of the book. Worth the price of the book alone.
Barry Svrluga: Yes, I do sit close enough. No, I have never operated it. Yes, they do seem to struggle. And yes, I thought it was worth pointing out the, uh, deficiencies of the P.A. announcer.
Thanks.
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Low Attendance?: I think there are multiple reasons for low attendance beyond the team's lousy start.
1. A home schedule that has not yet had a weekend afternoon game (when families could attend easier). And rainy weather on their only home Friday night date so far along with a Saturday evening rainout. Weekend day games did well last season.
2. Inept (in not non-existent) marketing. Radio and tv ads only on Nats broadcasts. A few signs on the side of Metro buses that say something like "Come smell ou hot dogs." That's not going to do it. The friggin Orioles have a store in downtown DC that sells their tickets while the Nats don't. Why won't the people managing this team do some aggressive marketing? "Penny wise, pound foolish" I think they say.
3. Add to this no off-season fan events or promotions or marketing at all -- all aimed at turning up the heat on the DC Council I guess. The Nats lost valuable time when the franchise could have been promoting itself (and ticket sales) throughout the area.
4. That tv deal that does nothing to help promote the team and help it gain fans.
5. Fan anger over MLB's continued ownership and the perception that this kept the Nats from making personnel moves that could have improved the team.
There are, I'm sure, other reasons but that's probably enough for now.
Barry Svrluga: I think these all add up to something. Great points.
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Needham, Va.: I read that Robert Fick was called back from Harrisburg with soreness in his shoulder. How long does this push back his chance at a return?
Barry Svrluga: They are describing it as a "minor" setback. But he's a ways off anyway.
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Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Re: RFK Attendance
Hi Barry:
I consider myself a Nats fan, but I'm one of those who did not renew season tickets this year. Only having 20-game plan seats, I felt like a second class citizen only being able to purchase seats in the 500 deck. And I've found that I can buy better seats individually. When the deadline for season ticket renewals approached, I expected somesort of call from a ticket rep looking for my reply, but nothing. I'm sure that I'm not alone.
Keep up the good work!
Barry Svrluga: Thanks, Capitol Hill. Glad to hear about the specific gripes of people.
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Fans?: Care to estimate today's attendance? Sounds very quiet on the radio.
Where did all of the fans go? Baltimore?
Barry Svrluga: Hard to say. To go to the O's, they'd have to be in Toronto today.
I'd say they'll announce about 18,500-19,000 today.
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They should be the Senators!: While watching the Nationals game last evening, I was struck by the trade off that occurred with Soriano playing left field. His two misplays during the 5th inning led to two Cincinnati runs (granted, Frank Robinson had Rodriguez throw an intentional 4th ball to Dunn on a 3-2 pitch). He then hits a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning. His bat is great, but if the net gain of his fielding is that the opposing team gets 50% more runs than he accounts for, should he be in Left Field? Please remind me again why they do no simply play him at Shortstop. Wouldn't that be an easier transition for a second baseman? (I realize Guzman's salary comes into play, but he was not there last night. . .).
Barry Svrluga: I don't think it'll be even close: Soriano will be worth more runs than he costs the team.
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Barry Svrluga: All right, I gotta say: It is silent out here. Beautiful day. Nice and crisp. Lovely time to be at the ballpark. But it's like a library, not a baseball game, at RFK. Shhh. You might disturb someone.
Nationals, through the bottom of the sixth, have exactly one hit off Arroyo. Trail 4-0. Looking very much like they'll head on this road trip on a four-game losing streak.
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Rockford Peaches: Bunt with your best hitter? Hasn't this poster seen "A League of Their Own"? You don't bunt there, and there's no crying.
Barry Svrluga: Thank you, Geena Davis.
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Wink, Tex.: Are there any clubhouse leaders left on this team? Seems to me Guillen is the only one willing to get worked up and with him, the issue and timing might be all wrong. What about Vidro? Ward? Do GM's ever look for leadership skills when considering trades?
Barry Svrluga: I think this will turn out to be a significant storyline during the year. Vidro is much more the quiet type, even though his voice would be listened to. Other than that, it's tough to pick out a true team leader, someone that will pull everyone together.
(Of course, they appear to need that in between innings today.)
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RE: Minor league pitchers: Short answer, in the near term, no. The guys in AAA who aren't hurt (Steve Watkins) are honestly no better than Traber (Kip Bouknight and Andrew Good).
In AA, there are a couple of guys (Shawn Hill and David Maust) but I doubt either are ready.
After that, you have injury rehab guys and long term prospects
Barry Svrluga: Correct.
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Nats Question: I heard (maybe you wrote it?) that the team has "pre-negotiated" an extension for Guillen, but that they won't finalize it before the new owner takes over. Can you confirm this and/or elaborate?
Barry Svrluga: Negotiations with Guillen broke off because the team wants the new owner to make that decision. There were some numbers exchanged, but that's it.
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Alexandria, Va.: Barry,
I wish I were at the game today but the reason I am not there is because of the ticket distribution problem early in the season with not being able to print the ticket at my computer and the long lines at the ticket booth. I want to give the Nationals time to straighten out their ticket problems. Next home game is in May, I will show up then.
Barry Svrluga: Thanks for weighing in, Alexandria.
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RFK: I know it isn't the most pressing need of the Nationals right now, but I was at the game last night and noticed that the graphic that runs on the out-of-town scoreboards in between innings still says, "Inaugural Season 2005" with the DC patch/logo running over it. Really? They had enough time to change the race around town from cars on a fictional (yet, intriguing) highway to the equivalent of a nursing home dash for the prune pudding, but couldn't change that one simple thing? And how long before Bud says he'll name an owner by the All Star break so that he'll have another deadline to ignore?
Thanks
Barry Svrluga: It's a good point about that ribbon thing on the scoreboard. Inaugural season ended in October, last I checked.
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Left field: It's not just channel 9...your radio station, washington post radio is also reporting the lerner deal. what's up with that?
Barry Svrluga: Again, I can only tell you what we are reporting. Tom Heath has been on top of this story the entire way, and has not been wrong about any of it. He has told you about the new partners in the ownership groups, etc.
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Barry Svrluga: That would be it for Ramon Ortiz. Austin Kearns just hit a grounder that looked like it would be an inning-ending double play, but Marlon Anderson couldn't get it out of his glove, and a run scored on the play to make it 5-0. Here comes Mike Stanton to face Scott Hatteberg with two outs in the top of the seventh.
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Silver Spring, Md.: Do you think gas prices are affecting attendance with both the Nats and the O's? People drive a fair distance to see both these teams. Gas really does cost an awful lot.
Barry Svrluga: Metro, baby.
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Ft. Washington, MD (Section 212) - PLEASE HELP: What was UP with the Nationals suddenly playing Sweet Caroline during the 7th inning like the Red Sox have done the last few seasons. Is nothing sacred anymore, or has the Nats front office decided to just plagerize different "new ideas" from around the league until they find some that work. Hey, I hear Enter Sandman is a great song, they should make it Chad Corderos entrance song, no one's thought of that I'm sure...
Barry Svrluga: They played "Sweet Caroline" last season, too. I thought it was a strange rip-off then, and I think it's a strange rip-off now.
Hatteberg hits a double to right off Stanton. Man, is it quiet in here.
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Atlanta, Ga.: Don't even get me started on the lack of updates/information that the Nationals offered prior to Saturday's rainout. I was visiting my family in Virginia and looking forward to the game, sat in traffic on 395, and the only way we knew it was rained out was due to the police blocking the parking lot entrance. You think one of these days they could get it right.
My question is - Is getting rid of Wiki Gonzalez really the right idea at this point? A couple nights back with Schneider being pinch-hit for, if LeCroy had gotten hurt the replacement was Marlon Anderson? Who admitted to not having caught since HS. Is Zach Day with a weak shoulder really worth that risk?
Barry Svrluga: They still have Alberto Castillo in the minors with New Orleans, so if they got into an emergency situation, they could recall him. Brendan Harris has also been working behind the plate prior to games, and when Robert Fick returns, they'll have another backup catcher.
The team needs more pitching, that's for sure. Whether Zach Day is the answer, I can't say, but boy, they need some pitching.
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Rockville, Md.: Would you rather have this team or the Marlins roster? I say the Marlins because there is some talent there in a year or two. This team, sans Zimmerman, really doesn't offer the fans any real hope for the future. Funny how Jeffery Loria has been involved with the development and destruction of both!
Barry Svrluga: I agree, Rockville. If you take Migeul Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, you have two of the best players in the National League. Throw in Jeremy Hermeida, Mike Jacobs and Hanley Ramirez, and that's a nice little group, not to mention some of the young arms.
Keep in mind: The Marlins did this once before, and they won another World Series.
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Binghamton, N.Y.: Barry,
I plan on attending my first game on September 30th against the Mets. I figure all the kinks with tickets and food will be worked out by then, yes?
Barry Svrluga: Really? You think it'll be smooth by then?
I have June 2009 in the pool.
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McLean, Va.: The Nats are paying Livan Hernandez big bucks. Why don't they get tough with him about his conditioning? He must be fifty pounds overweight and, because of his age, it is now taking its toll. He needs to back away from the dinner table.
Barry Svrluga: My theory is that Hernandez's conditioning doesn't have much to do with his performance. He's one of those guys who pitches well when he's fat. Yes, as Boz suggested the other day, he might want to "mix in a salad" once in a while.
And his age? He's only 31.
I would say that, after the knee surgery in the offseason, he couldn't work out much over the winter. That, in general, might be having an impact.
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Barry Svrluga: Okay, folks, that's all the time I have today. Nationals trail 5-0 with two outs in bottom of the seventh. Still have only one hit. Announced crowd of 19,380 on hand to see it (second smallest ever).
And, for what it's worth: MLB President Bob DuPuy issued a statement saying the rumors about ownership are "baseless."
Channel 9, for what it's worth, is now backing off its original report.
Keep up with Thomas Heath's stories in the Post for the latest on ownership, and I'll follow this group to St. Louis and New York to see if they can turn around this losing skid.
Thanks for logging on! Talk to you next week.
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