4th Annual Christmas In July Drive

Beginning Friday Night, July 17th, when this weekend's series continues between Our Washington Nationals and The Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park, volunteers from both The U.S. Marines Corps and Our Team will be on hand at Center Field Gate to accept donations for The United States Marines Reserve Toys For Tots Program. Cash donations accepted too.

Until the end of the 4th inning tomorrow night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon--you can participate by dropping off any new and unwrapped toy a the entrance gate on N Street, SE.

Complete details in the press release below:

Washington Nationals Host Fourth Annual Christmas in July Toy Drive In Partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

WHAT: The Washington Nationals will host the fourth annual Christmas in July Toy Drive, benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, when they face the Chicago Cubs, Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19. Volunteers from the U.S. Marines and the Nationals will be present at the Nationals Park Center Field Gates to accept donations of new, unwrapped toys from gate opening through the end of the fourth inning. The toys collected will be distributed to needy families in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region. Nationals fans donated more than 2,000 toys and $19,000 in 2008.

WHO: Washington Nationals--U.S. Marine Corps Reserves

WHEN: Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
Friday & Saturday, July 17-18, 2009,
4:30pm – CF Gates Open
7:05pm – First Pitch

Sunday, July 19, 2009
11:00am– CF Gates Open
1:35pm – First Pitch

WHERE: Nationals Park Center Field Gates Half & N Street, SE

A Few Minutes With Charlie Slowes

Before Our Washington Nationals played their final game before The All-Star Break at Houston last Sunday--and one day before Manny Acta was relieved of duty as Manager--Radio Broadcaster Charlie Slowes was kind enough to give me a few minutes of his time to discuss what he's witnessed on the field this first half of 2009. Despite not knowing at the time of this chat that Manny would no longer be in Washington--the interview actually held up well.

So with that--here we go with A Few Minutes With Charlie Slowes.

Has it stunned you that this has been as difficult of a season as it has been? (SBF)

“Oh yeah. No one expected this. No one expected all the strange ways the games have turned. How they lost games. Just bizarre things like (Adam) Dunn missing second (Saturday, July 11th) against Houston on an appeal play. So Josh Bard loses a double because it ends up being a fielder’s choice ground out. We’ve seen stuff in the first half of this year that you don’t see for years.”

Speaking of years, you were with The Tampa Bay Rays for a few years as well. Was it ever this difficult there? (SBF)

“We had one year where we only one 55 games, but we never won more than 70 (at any time Charlie was broadcasting their games). They were all difficult. They (The Rays) were expected to be bad--initially.”

But was the play as erratic as that of the 2009 Nationals? (SBF)

“We had a time where we had (Jose) Canseco and Paul Sorrento in the same outfield. We (at Tampa Bay) had bizarre combinations of players that didn’t fit—like Greg Vaughn and Gerald Williams.”

Wasn’t Vinny Castilla there at one time? (SBF)

“Yes, then he got hurt in Spring Training and never recovered from it and had a terrible year. Then, got off to a terrible start the next year and they told him they would release him if he deferred his money because they were going to call up Aubrey Huff to play 3rd Base. And Vinny said no and they (Tampa Bay) called up Huff anyway and Castilla was benched until they agreed to defer his money to get his release. Then, he (Castilla) signed with Houston and had a very good year and parlayed that into a two-year deal with Atlanta.”

So after seeing The Nationals for 80-some odd games now—where do you see the hope in this team? (SBF)

“The starting pitching—John Lannan, (Jordan) Zimmermann—guys like Craig Stammen, (Ross) Detwiler) and don’t forget about Shairon Martis.”

Has Craig Stammen surprised you? (SBF)

“He’s very good. He keeps the ball down. We (Charlie & Dave Jageler) saw him in a spring training game and we said to each other: ‘who is this guy?’ He’s good. When he can’t keep the ball down—then he gets hit—simple as that. I don’t think he has as much movement and stuff as some of the other guys. Ross Detwiler was getting hit because he was up (in the strike zone). He was up in the zone with everything. He is not mixing up and down. You can be up, if you are only up occasionally. But when you start being up a lot—then you are going to get crushed.”

How much of a difference maker has Nyjer Morgan made this team in the short time he has been here? (SBF)

“In the close games, he can be a big difference. Since we (The Nationals) don’t have any speed in the (outfield) corners right now—it’s huge. There was this ball he got to in Colorado that was almost in leftfield—not like left center. The ball got hit and Dunn started to go back and I was sure it was over his head. But if it’s one of these balls that’s in the air for a long time—Morgan will get there.”

“They have got to continue to improve their defense. I know they went, offense, offense, offense to start the year, but unless you strike everybody out and get ground balls in the infield—you have got to catch the ball in the outfield. We have lost too many games because of that.”

And Nyjer Morgan’s speed at the top of the lineup could really change the batting order. (SBF)

“Well, they really didn’t have a leadoff hitter—or a guy that could steal any bases. When Nick (Johnson) bats second—he (NJ) will take pitches to give him (Morgan) the chance to steal. If (Cristian) Guzman is batting second—not so much.”

Because he swings at everything. (SBF)

“Right.”

What do you think of Alberto Gonzalez? (SBF)

“I think he should play second base. Anderson Hernandez needs to show he's a take charge guy on pop ups. He originally was a shortstop. Gonzalez might have caught that ball last night (Friday, July 10th) that dropped in foul ground (between Hernandez & Johnson) that basically ended up costing them the game.”

“But the defense has been horrendous. There is no way around that. Even guys that you expect to make plays—Nick has a lot of errors. Ryan Zimmerman has a lot of errors. Guzman has a lot of errors. And when you go play some of these other teams their first and third basemen have only two errors. (Casey) Kotchman hasn’t made an error since he joined The Braves (in 2008).”

I remember you mentioning on the radio recently that Washington had just committed its 81st error of the season. And their opponents had only made 37 or 38 against The Nationals. (SBF)

“Yeah, it’s more than two to one. Look at The Nationals in 2005 when they won 81 Games. They were not a good offensive team. They didn’t have enough power. They had to scratch for their runs. They didn’t have a leadoff batter or base stealer—because (Brad) Wilkerson was leading off. But they had starters that gave them innings. Their bullpen was great and they were second in the league in defense. So they had the chance to win every game. And then when the game moved to the late innings, they slammed the door on people. If it was a one run game, Chad Cordero was hotter than a pistol during that stretch.”

“But the starting pitching is the future here now. The fact they are getting innings and getting their feet wet is important. I don’t think you learn a lot from losing. Nothing good comes from losing. You lose a lot—you learn to lose a lot. There is no silver lining—draft picks maybe. But you would rather not do it that way. Drafting is a crapshoot anyway. Look at all the years The Braves were good. They didn’t draft at the top of the draft. They still developed players.”

In the bullpen, other than Sean Burnett, who do you see staying with the team? (SBF)

“We (Charlie & Dave) have said this before. If Steve McCatty (Pitching Coach) can get into Jason Bergmann’s head, he could be very good. He threw two pitches at 96 MPH last night to strike out Carlos Lee (Houston) and I have never seen that from him. He’s the one guy--and he had a long rope when he was a starter last year—before they pulled him from the rotation. He would have those games just blow up all of a sudden. But all these other guys get all these chances to come back in relief. He (Bergmann) would have one bad game and there would be a roster move—because he’s the guy with options—he gets sent out. I would like to see him challenge some people—because he does throw strikes. And he throws 96 MPH. If you thought Jesus Colome was the guy you thought you could bring in to get a strikeout—Bergmann is the guy. He’s the same type guy.”

“We still don’t know about the second half—all these decisions. We don’t know about Mike Rizzo as permanent GM. There are still a lot of things they (management) have to get to. And over the last half, I see the team continuing to develop their pitching and make decisions on where they go forward at second base. There are a lot of decisions to be made. What the outfield is going to be? We do the games and see and hear the same things everybody is asking. We don’t know the answers yet. We are waiting like everybody else.”

With that final answer--A Few Minutes With Charlie Slowes concluded.

A reminder--Charlie will be on hand at The ESPN Zone in Washington, DC at 12 Noon on Tuesday July 21st--along with Pitcher Scott Olsen for the monthly "Meet & Greet" With A Nationals Player. The third such opportunity this season to ask questions, get autographs or a personal photo with Charlie & Scott.

Lot 7 At RFK For Nats Express Each Of The Next Three Nights

Due to events scheduled at RFK Stadium, The Free Nats Express Shuttle will operate out of Lot 7, not Lot 8, for the next three nights when The Chicago Cubs come to Nationals Park to play Our Washington Nationals. Thursday--July 16th, Friday--July 17th and Saturday July 18th are the affected game dates--so plan accordingly if you use the free park and shuttle service.

Here is the complete press release from the team:

Nats Express to Operate Out of RFK Lot 7 During Three of the Four Games vs. the Chicago Cubs

WHAT: Washington Nationals fans choosing to park for free at RFK Stadium and take the Nats Express to Nationals Park may park in Lot 7 on Thursday, July 16, Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. Due to D.C. United games and other events, RFK Stadium Lot 8 will not be available to Nationals fans. Lot 7 may be accessed off the Whitney Young Bridge (East Capitol Street) or off of Oklahoma Avenue. The Nats Express begins 90 minutes prior to each home game and runs through 90 minutes after the final out.

WHO: Washington Nationals Fans choosing to take the free Nats Express

WHEN: Thursday, July 16 , Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18

WHERE: RFK Memorial Stadium, Lot 7, Oklahoma Ave & East Capitol Streets, SE

Map To Locate Lot 7 at RFK Stadium (click to enlarge)

Jim Riggleman Introductory Press Conference

At 5PM this afternoon in the Media Interview Room at Nationals Park, new interim manager Jim Riggleman faced the assembled local reporters for thirty minutes before the very first workout of Our Washington Nationals under his leadership. Here is the complete transcript of that availability.

“I just want to take this opportunity to answer any questions anybody has concerning the ball club and the situation that has brought me to here at this point. But before that, I would like to mention, I think, on behalf of all the ballplayers, the coaches, and so forth, any clubhouse attendants—anybody from parking attendants to any of our personnel—the appreciation we have for the job that Manny (Acta) has done here. The work that Manny has put in here. I have been in the game a long time he was as thorough and complete as you can do. He is an outstanding manager that I know some really good days are ahead for Manny managing in the Major Leagues. Anybody would be fortunate to have him. It’s one of those situations where when you lose ball games—I have been there—with a couple of ball clubs. When you lose enough ball games and you feel like you are doing the right things, but you lose enough games, the manager is the one that usually takes the hit. And that’s what has happened. He and Randy St. Claire are both outstanding baseball people that are not with us anymore. Myself and the coaches (still remaining) feel we let Manny down. And this is the result—Manny is not here now. The players feel that way. And if we make any improvements here, it is going to be due to the hard work that Manny put in. The message that Manny had given that we tried to continue on. So, it’s going to get better. And I just thank Manny for the opportunity in bringing me here (in the first place). But to also thank him for the work he put in. At this time, I would just like to open it up to questions.”

Question: What changes do we expect to see on the field? I guess what I am asking is do you plan to manufacture runs and what are you going to do about the defense to settle things?

“Well, I think everything we have tried to do to this point was all correct. In theory, it’s all-correct. The ideas, and I don’t want to continue to harp on Manny so much, but Manny did all the right things. So there is not a whole lot of change to make. We just got to get some results. And we feel like if we continue with what Manny was trying to do on the field—and his strategy in the dugout—we continue those things—certainly sooner or later this talent that we have is going to surface and we will get the results that we want to produce. We are not going to be re-inventing the game. I don’t think any two people—if you take two great managers—you grab a couple of names out of the hat—(Tony) LaRussa and (Bobby) Cox. They are not going to do everything in the exact same way in any given situation. But they are both great managers. So if one was taking over for the other, he wouldn’t re-invent or change what the other was doing. And we are not going to change a whole lot that Manny was doing. But we have to find a way to get different results.”

Question: What did you learn from a similar experience last year (in Seattle—Interim Manager) and how is that going to affect your outlook in the second half of this year?

“The thing that I take from last year is that again I was working for a great baseball man there in John McLaren. We just tried to continue to implement the message. There wasn’t a whole lot we did different. We just worked. We did improve defensively last year, from last in the league to somewhere in the middle of the pack. We just kept working which was what we had been doing all along. We eventually started to see some results from that hard work. And what I think I draw from that is keep working, keep pushing, don’t let up, just stay on them—stay on the players to not take the losses—agonize over the losses. That was the message we were trying to give them. You know, losing should hurt and winning is hard. It’s hard to win. It’s easy to lose. You can lose and just accept it. But that is unacceptable and that is the message we tried to give them last year and we will continue to try to do it here this year.”

Question: Mike Rizzo said a couple of days ago that sometimes you just need a different voice. The things that Manny may have been doing were fine, but need to be presented in a different way. How will Jim Riggleman’s voice be different from Manny Acta’s?

“I don’t know if it will be much different. But there is something to that. That is the kind of statement I made in Chicago. I was there for five years (as manager for The Cubs) and I was let go there. And I felt like that if I were in the General Manager’s position, I would have done the same thing. I would have let Jim Riggleman out of there because I know he was saying the right things but we need to get someone else to give this message because the players are not getting it done. So that’s basically what it amounts to. I don’t think you can change a lot. I know Manny wouldn’t change anything that he did. And I wouldn’t question anything that he did. I just want to try to continue to pound the message in and maybe coming from someone else maybe they will respond or maybe they won’t—but we have got to try that.”

Question: Jim, your style has been described as fiery. Manny was more laid back. How would you describe your style?

“I have kind of heard that the last two days, but I feel like I am a little bit of a softie. I think I am pretty easy. I think I am easy in the sense if players are not playing well—I understand that. It’s a tough game. But if they are not playing hard, then that irks me. If they are not respectful of the game, respectful of the uniform, respectful of the fans, the organization--if they do that, then I have a problem. And sometimes that has happened and I have had a few instances with the players where I had to address that. And that comes out because the camera doesn’t miss much. Somebody thinks I am fiery, whatever, but if players just play hard—like I said—I have no problem if you miss a ball. But if you don’t chase it after you miss it I have a problem!! So just give me a good effort and there will be no problems. And that might be perceived as if Jim’s not tough enough. I am not getting on them enough. I know they didn’t try to miss the ball. We just keep hitting them balls and they will finally catch them, I guess. Bill (Ladson) asked the question about defense. Well that’s what we have got to do. We just have to just keep hitting ground balls and take fly balls—eventually that work is going to pay off. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.”

Question: Is there a particular stamp that you want to put on this ball club?

“I haven’t thought about that particularly. I think that any ball club you manage you manage to what you have on the team. Recently, Nyjer Morgan's been added to the ball club. That gives us the chance to run a little more and be a little more athletic. Getting guys like (Alberto) Gonzalez and (Willie) Harris involved more—get more athleticism and speed there so you can play the game a little bit more that way. But I managed 10 years in the Minor Leagues and in the Minor Leagues you have a different club every year. Sometimes you have some big sluggers, sometimes you have some smaller athletic guys that can run—and you manage the game accordingly. The players will decide what that stamp is—really—with their abilities.”

Question: From a practical standpoint, are there lineup changes, different guys you want to see in different spots? Any guys that haven’t played as much that you want to see more? What kinds of changes can we expect to see on personnel on the field in this situation?

“As I did when I managed in previous years, as a manager you sit around having coffee somewhere and you are scratching lineups out on napkins. I have been doing a lot of that lately when I was the bench coach. Just seeing what I could suggest to Manny. And it kept coming back to what Manny had aligned as pretty much the best ways. So I really don’t see a lot of change in the lineup. I might tinker with it a little bit, but that is what we did anyway. If you noticed a couple of times (Adam) Dunn hit 5th instead of 4th. Or (Nick) Johnson hit 3rd instead of 2nd. Maybe (Cristian) Guzman 6th instead of 2nd. We get a lot of hits. We hit pretty good but we haven’t scored a lot. So something in that lineup hasn’t produced runs, as it should for as good of hitters as they are. And as I would scratch out lineups—again as the bench coach—some of what Manny & I talked about—some of which we did—and it’s continued to produce hits and not runs. So that is not going to work.”

Question: Jim could you please take us though the hours, days now, that you found out Manny was fired. How you were offered the job and what you have done since?

“We (The Team) came back from Houston Sunday late and I came back here (Nationals Park) and went home. And right before I got home around midnight, I was contacted by Mike Rizzo and Mike said we were going to let Manny go and would I be interested in running the ball club. So Mike & I talked for a little while and he asked me to come in on Monday. So I came in on Monday and talked with him and Stan Kasten. We just basically just talked some baseball, really, for a couple of hours. And yesterday, was pretty much an off day. Again, just a lot of phone calls and that type of stuff—getting ready for today. So that has been about it.”

Question: How do you approach this today when you meet with your team for the first time collectively? What is the message you get out to them?

“I am going to talk to them about, again, let’s refocus. We have a lot of season left. There is a lot of opportunity to make a move in the standings. We are not looking to leap frog three or four clubs. But we can set our sights on just chasing a club—whoever is ahead of us. Let’s get after that club and see if we can close in on them. We can do that with hard work and continue the hard work we have put in. There is no reason to let up. The fans support us—great fans here—for what our record is—these fans have been tremendous. The media has been tremendous to us. If this was Boston or New York or Philadelphia or somewhere—you know—it would get ugly. But we have got to repay that. We’ve been treated very well here and we owe it to them. Let’s get after it and get a better result and show some light at the end of the tunnel for the future. Because I know the future is bright here. The people who are running the organization are passionate about it. They care. We’ve got some good things to look forward to. So let’s build on it and let’s win some ball games and get the enthusiasm of baseball in Washington back.”

Question: In your opinion, how much of an impact does a manager have on winning a ball game for a baseball team?

“That is a great question. I think Billy Martin once said—and I tend to agree—the best managers lose the fewest games a year for their team. What he was saying was that Billy felt if I only lose three games for our team this year by the decisions I make—and somebody else is making enough bad decisions that they lose 10—then we are going to get a little edge. Somebody has got to make the decisions in games. Nobody is going to agree on all of them. But somebody has got to make the decision, the strategy of the game. Most of it, the other dugout knows exactly what you are going to do. You know what they are going to do. There are a couple of things that might happen a night that somebody might do differently than the other. You might get everything wrong tonight. You might manage a bad ball game. And Adam Dunn hits a three run homer and you win and you look pretty smart. But the manager, his impact, I think is more in the clubhouse, behind the scenes, creating an atmosphere where players can succeed. You just get an aura about the club that you are going to win ball games. And sometimes that positive feeling that surrounds the ball club carries. I have seen it happen. I saw the ultimate optimist—Tommy Lasorda—win ball games in Los Angeles (with The Dodgers) with teams that when you looked out onto the field: ‘How are they winning?’ And they go to The World Series. But they believed in themselves and they got it done. You see LaRussa and Bobby Cox and these guys overachieve with ball clubs every year, so the manager can have an impact, but it’s not so much strategy, it’s more the atmosphere they have created.”

Question: To get back to the defense, you said earlier that you would just keep hitting them balls and they eventually will pick them up. What if they don’t? Has there been a Plan B discussed internally the last couple of days?

“Our lineup is pretty much what it is. And are players are actually good players. We know they are going to make plays. They are good players--Ryan Zimmerman, Guzman, Johnson have great hands. They know how to play. They are pros. Our catchers have done a good job. Second base we have had a little bit of a revolving door there. Some of that will continue. Some of it will stabilize. We are catching the ball better. We just miss-communicate on a pop up. Or, we make a very untimely error. The pitcher has thrown some ball to second that we don’t seem to know who is covering. Things like that that everybody in baseball does. You can watch, and I won’t name the team, but I was watching a team that is in first place right now. The rightfielder and second baseman stood there and let a pop up drop in between them. When you are in last place that sticks out. When you are in first place and they won the game anyway—it’s forgotten and not written about. So we are going to make mistakes. But again, they have got to be mistakes of aggression and not be passive. We just have got to continue to work and I don’t think there is a—what if we don’t. I just know that we will.”

Question: You are in your second interim manager job in a row here. At this point in your career is that fun for you?

(Chuckling over the question). “I like to manage. Coaching is great. Coaching jobs are precious. It’s hard to get them. Managing jobs are that much more precious, but it is what I like to do. Nothing compares in the game to playing. Playing in the game is the ultimate. If you have played the game and you can no longer play then the next best thing that excites me is managing. Some people it’s hitting, some people its pitching coach—whatever. But for me—it’s managing. It’s an opportunity to manage. If I am managing in AA, or AAA or A Ball—whatever—when that umpire says play ball your competitive juices are flowing and you like to manage that ball game. But managing at the Major League Level is the ultimate. It’s what I love to do. Would I like to get something more long term? I think all managers would like to have your club in Spring Training and get it started from spring training and run with it. But I would have done that in the year 2000 if I didn’t lose enough in ’99 (with The Chicago Cubs). I didn’t get to take my team back to 2000. Ultimately you have got to win some ball games and create your longevity as some great managers have done. Some names I have already mentioned.”

Question: Jim, could you go over some of your roots around here (DC Native) in town and high school and following The Washington Senators? How long of a stretch of time was that?

“I grew up in Rockville (MD) and went to Richard Montgomery High School. Then from Richard Montgomery, I went out of state one year to Jamestown, North Dakota. I went one year out there, transferred to Frostburg (State University, MD) and finished up there. I got drafted (in 1974 by The Los Angeles Dodgers). And because of baseball, I pretty much left Rockville when I was 18 (years old). I was away playing ball every summer in various leagues. Then when I signed professionally, I was gone and settled into Florida. But growing up here we had The (Washington) Senators and you may have covered The Senators. We loved The Senators, but we didn’t win enough and we lost then. We didn’t support them enough and we lost them. For years, while I have been in baseball, I felt—‘Man, you have got to have baseball in Washington! It’s the Nation’s Capital. It’s America! It’s baseball! We have got to have it in The Nation’s Capital!' So, I was thrilled when the ball club was brought here. And I felt it would be nice to work for the Washington Ball Club because it’s home and it’s who I grew up watching Frank Howard, Fred Valentine—you remember any of those names? Danny O’Connell and those guys. They were in last place but everyone stuck around to see Frank Howard hit in the 8th inning before you went home because he might hit a home run. It was a great thing to have (in DC) and we just lost it—it was terrible. And now we have got to take advantage of this opportunity to have it back here in Washington.”

Question: Was today’s practice regularly scheduled or was it something you felt was necessary?

“No, it was scheduled. The All-Star break—kind of traditionally—you come in Wednesday before the Thursday Games—sometimes you don’t—sometimes teams come in early on Thursday. But rightfully so, Manny scheduled this workout for Wednesday and I agreed with that. I know some players want that extra day off—and I understand that. I don’t blame them. But at 26 & 61, I don’t think that sends a good message to the world that we don’t need that work—that we will be all right. We need to be out here and the players will be here.”

Question: Over the next couple of weeks there will be some focus on some possible moves made. Is it a challenge managing a team that can certainly be active before the end of the trading deadline?

“The only challenging part of it is when you are managing a ball club—you like your players. You get close to them. You empathize with them. You appreciate their efforts. You hate to lose players. But my background—managing 10 years in the minor leagues as I mentioned earlier—your roster is always changing. If you are in AA, and a player is needed in AAA, you lose a player. And another player comes up from A Ball—and you start re-teaching the situation that you have been teaching all along. Now, you have new faces. The draft comes and rosters change. I have always just felt like the players that I am given to manage you best evaluate as to what their best qualities are and take advantage of those qualities. And just manage the ones you have. If people get traded, we don’t like that because—as I said—you get close to players. But we understand you are going to lose some at times, players get hurt, and you get new players. You just have to keep teaching the system and roll with that.”

Question: Do you sense any guys quitting or giving up in the clubhouse?

“No. Quit is a strong word. I don’t see that, but what I think can happen is it just seeps into your psyche that here we go again. And that’s not quitting, you have just been beaten down enough that you find a way to lose a ball game and it can’t help but affect some people. I think these three days off gives us an opportunity to regroup and I hope we can take advantage of it. We are going to play some very tough ball clubs, but this is The Major Leagues and it’s suppose to be tough.”

Question: Could you re-visit the off-season after you took the bench coach job—I believe—while you were still in the running for the Seattle job? What was the thinking there and what was the part of the attraction for this job—returning to your roots?

“When I was managing in Seattle, I was hoping I would be retained there. The General Manager was not retained. The New General Manager came in and that process took a while—interviews taking place. During those interviews for the New General Manager, Manny called me and asked if I would be interested in coming to Washington, if I didn’t go back to Seattle. And I said—absolutely. So that had to run its course and play out. Finally, when the GM was named, some weeks went by and I got a phone call that said I was not going to be retained as the manager. I was disappointed. They kind of cleaned house there and started all over after a disappointing ’08. I got swept up in that and they are doing a great job out there (right now), so I think their decisions have been rewarded with the efforts they have gotten both from their staff and on the field. I would have liked to have been retained, but if I could be anywhere not managing—then Washington was going to be a great situation for me with having grown up here and having family here.”

That final answer concluded the Jim Riggleman Introductory Press Conference.

Nats320 Conversation With Craig Heist (Part Two)

Continuing where we left off yesterday in our mid-season wrap up here on Nats320, Craig Heist from WTOP Radio and I are discussing trade possibilities for Our Washington Nationals leading up to the July 31st Non-Waiver Trade Deadline. With that, here we go with the conclusion.

There are probably a handful of players that Rizzo can say he needs to keep on this roster. Does he need to blow it up? Does it need a complete overhaul? (SBF)

“I don’t know if they have to blow it up. But I would certainly think in my mind that if Jesus Flores is healthy—you have your catcher, your starting catcher. You have your starting 3rd Baseman (Zimmerman). You have your starting centerfielder (Nyjer Morgan). I certainly think Anderson Hernandez has shown me enough that he can play second base, plus you have Alberto Gonzalez. So defensively, up the middle, this team has the potential to be fairly decent. And the one thing about the pitching, even though it’s not been very good—especially from the bullpen—overall during the first half. The one thing I feel the guys do feel they can do (as pitchers) is put the ball in play now knowing Morgan can get to the balls in the gaps. Its only been a couple of weeks (since the trade), but we’ve seen him catch balls that no one else gets to or even comes close to getting to—other than Willie Harris.”

Do you see Harris, as popular as he is, and good all around utility player as he’s been—do you see him being moved soon? (SBF)

“To me, he is one of those guys with value. Any team in contention could all use a guy like Willie Harris, no question in my mind.”

How about Dunn or Willingham? Do you think they both have futures here? (SBF)

“I think Willingham could have a future here without question. I don’t think you would want Adam Dunn as your everyday leftfielder. Let’s face it. Adam Dunn is a DH and belongs in The American League. If I am an American League Team, and I am in contention and my DH situation is mediocre at best, I could go after a Adam Dunn—no question.”

Are you a person that believes Washington should trade some of these guys to get bullpen help—if available? Or should The Nationals wait until the off-season to maybe pick up some reliable arms in free agency? (SBF)

“I think they are going to wait until the off-season. That is the way I think it is going to shake down. I think they are going to wait until the off-season. Again, Bill Ladson and I talk quite a bit—as you know. My way of looking at this is you could get rid of Dunn and expect some pitching in return—which gives Willingham the chance to play everyday. To me it’s absolutely ludicrous—and Nick’s (Johnson) health is always a question—we know that. But you know what, this year he stayed healthy and you can’t argue with his On Base Percentage, can’t argue with his average, can’t argue with what he brings to the table in the two hole. And with an offense that has trouble scoring runs, has trouble hitting with runners in scoring position, letting him get away (via trade or free agency at the end of the year) is kind of ludicrous at this point.”

“Now, having said that, he is in his contract year. What are The Nationals doing in the off-season? Do they want to sign him? In my mind, it’s got to be like a year contract, with a one-year option. And strictly not because of anything he has done on the field, but just because of his history of health.”

I am actually happy to hear you say that. I think they should re-sign him—given an option year in case he stays healthy. I think he helps the team and he plays a position they are not strong at. (SBF)

“I am in total agreement with you there. And I know others that would just like to see the whole thing blown up and start over. You have some core pieces—maybe two or three. If you are not looking at Nick as one of your core pieces—you are certainly looking at Zimmerman, Flores and probably Nyjer Morgan as your core pieces (in the field).”

I want to compare The Nationals to The Orioles. In many respects for the last few years, they have been in the same boat, both rebuilding, both trying to become decent again. You see The Orioles all the time. They have a wonderful and talented young outfield (Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones & Nick Markakis). What have they done differently than The Nationals in restocking? Did they have any advantage? (SBF)

“They have a little bit more depth position wise (Baltimore). Although in their system itself, there is not much there. They did get Nolan Reimold to come up here and he is their everyday leftfielder and he certainly has done far and above what they thought he could do at this level. His numbers were good at AAA, if fact, pretty good. But now when you add him along with Adam Jones & Nick Markakis—that outfield is set for quite a few years to come. But the biggest thing in my mind in The Orioles and their rebuilding—you have to go back to the trades of Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada. The 10 Players they got in return, five each for those two players, last year half of them made contributions to The Big League Club. Some of it has been in the pitching department. But that’s been the biggest thing. They have continued to try to build off that.”

I don’t know the particulars of those two trades, but I know that Adam Jones, George Sherrill and Luke Scott all came over then to Baltimore. Are The Nationals in a similar position to trade big veterans for young talent? (SBF)

“They could be, but it’s going to take some maneuvering and things of that nature. I don’t think The Nationals have anybody to trade that is the caliber of player that Tejada is. Or the caliber of pitcher that everyone thought Bedard was when they traded him. Bedard was kind of in a situation where everyone knew he had broken Mike Mussina’s strikeout record with the club that year. And he wound up not pitching the last four or five weeks of the season because he got hurt. But I think everyone knew what the potential was there. And that’s why Seattle went out to make the trade. Yet, I have been on a couple of Seattle radio shows where people ask me flat out---what is the deal with this Bedard guy? ‘He can’t stay healthy. He's a bad guy (in the clubhouse).’ Yeah, I respond, but we like that Adam Jones Fellow!!” (laughing)

Nationals Fans probably don’t want to hear too much about it, but Adam Jones is going to be a great player!! (SBF)

“Absolutely. Here is a guy that is 23 Years Old and he is a member of The All-Star Team. And George Sherrill, the other main component in that Seattle Deal, was a set-up guy there. And then he comes over here to Baltimore where he was the closer and an All-Star last year. And this past weekend, he just got his 20th Save.”

And The Nationals top saves leader is five (Mike MacDougal/Joe Beimel). But that’s where trading good veteran talent can possibly get you better younger talent. (SBF)

“Yes, and it’s going to take something like that for The Nationals to jump start. But, it takes two to tango. Andy MacPhail (Orioles President/GM) has been doing this for a long time. He made The Twins winners. He wound up making The Cubs winners. He knows what he is doing. And for the first time in a long time in that city (Baltimore), there is actually some hope they could get things righted. And I am here saying that and at The All-Star Break while they are still eight games under .500.”

You just made a good point. Andy MacPhail has been the stabilizing force in that team. Do The Nationals not have that? (SBF)

“Well, I think that stabilizing force in The Nationals Front Office could be Rizzo. There is no question there. Let’s face it. The Nationals want to do whatever they can—and I think that’s a large part of what we saw with Milledge. That’s a large part of what we saw with Dukes. They want to change the culture. And they want to change the way things are done from the way Jim Bowden was doing. And I think it will probably take more tearing down to have that happen. But I think that is the direction they are going to go in.”

Rizzo needs to have the chance to prove his new thought process over the team is worth following. (SBF)

“Yeah. I think you are absolutely right. He has got to be given the chance. You had the situation with Bowden and how all of that unraveled for a lot of different reasons—certainly more that we will find out about later on—I am sure. But to have Rizzo come in here and do what he’s done to stabilize things—he deserves the shot to run this team. And that is just my personal opinion.”

You see all the different reporters and writers for all the teams, while I see things more locally. Are The Nationals really a laughingstock as some proclaim? (SBF)

“You can’t be as far behind as they are in a division that a lot of people felt was the best in baseball—but to this point has been mediocre--and now find themselves not even snipping close the 4th place team. In that regard, yeah they are, but I think that more people will be ready and willing to do some things with Mike Rizzo (in trades) because I think Mike Rizzo is respected throughout the game. A few good moves could change the entire outlook.”

He’s a potential big game changer for this team. (SBF)

“Yes, but they still have a long way to go.”

What do you expect to see from The Nationals in the second half? (SBF)

“I don’t know what I am going to see from them. But I would like to see from them, and I think this is very important, and I mentioned this on the radio and a couple of times on the postgame show on the weekends: I think the second half of this season is big for this club for a number of different reasons. You want to see the young pitching continue to develop. You want to see guys that are obviously fighting for jobs maybe next year too. But they owe it to themselves to look themselves in the mirror and say why are we not more competitive? They beat themselves way too often—it’s their biggest problem. They have got to stop beating themselves. Whether it’s a stupid error on the basepaths, or it’s an error in the field, throwing to the right base—all these things—they have got to stop beating themselves. They have done it way to much this year.”

“And I would say the reason the record is as bad as it is for a last place club—is because they lost too many games they have simply given away that the other team really hasn’t won—just rewarded. At the Major League level that will kill you. You can’t really do it anytime, especially against good clubs—but you can’t do it anytime. You can’t give teams extra outs. You can’t run yourself into outs—things of that nature. And I think they do that quite a bit.”

In all your years covering baseball, have you witnessed a half-season quite like The Nationals played in 2009? (SBF)

“I have seen. I have covered. I was there. My first year covering The Orioles was the 0-21 Season Start (1988). Granted, I only covered the home games at that point. But that team lost 107 games. I think this team is liable to lose more than that. Last year, I thought 100 losses was going to be out of the realm—because you have to try really hard to lose 100 games in Major League Baseball. You really do. You have to do a lot of things wrong. But right now—at 61 losses—with half the year over with –it’s certainly going to happen again in my mind.”

“Now, are they going to lose 120 like the ’62 Mets? I don’t think so.”

Despite all the losses and with the fact you believe a lot of the players need to man up. Do you think there are people still in that clubhouse that can move things forward and in a different direction? (SBF)

“I think so. Adam Dunn is a pretty good dude. I like Adam. And Ryan Zimmerman, they talk about him being “The Face Of The Franchise”—he’s never been a really vocal guy but, trust me, in talking to Ryan—he hates this as much as anybody. And Willie Harris is the same way. Here is a guy that won a World Series Ring in Chicago (White Sox ’05). You think this hasn’t been killing him? Absolutely, especially with how hard he plays this game.”

With that final answer, Nats320's Conversation With Craig Heist concluded. Many thanks to Craig for taking away from his always busy schedule to chat about all things baseball involving Our Washington Nationals. Sohna and I were very pleased that upon first being approached for these posts--Heist willingly agreed. From time to time in the future, Craig Heist might be back here on Nats320 to provide even more insight. He enjoyed the opportunity and Craig Heist said he would like to do more in the future.

That's fine with us.

Nats320 Conversation With Craig Heist

Craig Heist may work more sporting events and press conferences than anybody in the media today--certainly in Washington, DC. Seemingly, he works every single day for WTOP and Bonneville Communications covering Our Washington Nationals, The Baltimore Orioles, The Washington Wizards, The Washington Capitals, The Washington Redskins, DC United, University Of Maryland, Baltimore Ravens--the list goes on and on. I am sure there are more venues I am not aware of. Probably the only person that covers DC Major League Baseball & Baltimore Major League Baseball Full-Time. If Craig is not seen at Nationals Park this summer, you can bet he's over at Camden Yards. This week finds Heist in St.Louis covering both Ryan Zimmerman of Our Washington Nationals and Adam Jones of The Baltimore Orioles in The MLB All-Star Game.

Knowing Washington has struggled all season. Knowing Our Manager Manny Acta was just fired. And wanting to get an inside opinion of what's really going on with Our Washington Nationals--Craig Heist agreed to an indepth conversation about DC Baseball right here on Nats320. We covered most every topic--chatting for a good 40 minutes.

This will be the first of two parts. The conclusion to post up tomorrow. With that, here with go with the Nats320 Conversation With Craig Heist from WTOP Radio.

Let’s start with the big news. Are you surprised Manny Acta was fired? (SBF)

“No, not at all. But, in my way of looking at all this, I don’t know who they can get, even if it’s Jim Riggleman that can change anything that is going on right now. The hand has already been dealt. It is what it is. Now having said that, Ryan Zimmerman—without mentioning names (at The All Star Game Media Availability in St. Louis)—said The Nationals have done a pretty good job trying to change the culture around here. Chemistry is a big part of this sport. Now, he wasn’t saying The Nationals had a bad clubhouse, but there were certain things about it that weren’t right. And that’s important to note.”

“Overall, this decision gives everybody the chance to digest it. Take a couple of days off and come back on Thursday (July 16th) and say to themselves—‘OK, this is new. Let’s see what happens.' But, I just don’t know if Riggleman is going to be that much different than Manny.”

Starting in Spring Training did you or anyone covering this team realize it was going to struggle so badly? (SBF)

“Coming out, I would say absolutely not. Did anyone expect them to win a pennant? Or vie for a division title? No, but at the same time, I saw enough in Spring Training to know they were going to be a competitive baseball team and it just hasn’t happened. Defensively, they are awful. They can’t hit with runners in scoring position. Situationally, they are terrible. If you had told me they were going to be this bad—I would have said No Way!!”

Is this anyone’s fault? (SBF)

“I think that is the problem. Everybody is trying to find out who to blame here. I think its more the players really need to look themselves in the mirror and find out what it is about themselves that is making them play this way. It’s amazing to me. We all know why they got Adam Dunn. He’s a 40 Homer, 100 RBI Guy. And Manny often talked about how you have to take what you get in the field. Well, in leftfield he’s not very good. And if something would happen where they trade Nick Johnson, then you are looking at him playing first base a whole bunch the rest of the year. (Chuckling) And I don’t want to particularly see that!”

“But, that being said, Dunn is exactly what they got him for--his offense. I think his presence in the lineup was one of the reasons Ryan (Zimmerman) had the first half he had. He’s slacked off a little, obviously, no one expected him to hit .380 all year long. But I think having Dunn in that lineup was one of the reasons you saw the 30-Game Hitting Streak.”

Do you think this team needs a player to take charge and say this is my team and follow my lead? (SBF)

“Well, if they are and they call Ryan Zimmerman “The Face Of The Franchise”, Ryan has not shown to be that type of player until really today (At the All-Star Game). If they are looking for someone to kick someone else in the butt, or call someone out in the clubhouse, I don’t think that guy, so far, has been on this team. One who can do it in a constructive way where it’s going to get the attention of the people who you need to get the attention of.”

“But to his credit, Zimmerman did say at The All-Star Game (Media Availability) that this firing could be a wakeup call to a lot of people.”

“Now somebody had asked Manny that exact question the other day. And Manny responded the effort is there. For the most part, I think he was right. I just think collectively, they have just not jelled as a team. They are all Major League Players, but there is certainly youth involved here at times.”

“There are some other guys like Cristian Guzman. When Guzman makes an error, nine times out of ten, it’s a lazy error. And nine times out of ten it’s a throwing error because of his laziness. That doesn’t mean to me that Guzzie is a bad shortstop. It just means that every now and then he losses his focus. I don’t know if that is the same with Ryan’s (Zimmerman) throwing errors, but I see enough of Ryan Zimmerman in the field and the way he goes about his business (preparing) to know that nine times out of 10 when he is making a throwing error, it’s because he is trying--as Cal Ripken, Sr. used to say: Don’t make half a great play! Make the whole play!’--And I think that’s exactly what happens with him. He’s on the backend of trying to make a great play and sometimes he doesn’t make the right throw.”

Is that lack of focus coming from consistent losing? (SBF)

“In Zimm’s case, I don’t think so. In Guzzie’s case, I would say yeah. Sometimes it’s a lack of focus. Understand, there are two different types of players. Everybody has their own style. And Guzzie’s style is to be a little bit cool—that type of thing. You see that when he sometimes backhands balls (in the field instead of getting in front of the hit ball) and I think that sometimes creates a little bit of the laziness. What I like to call a Lazy Error”.

What do you think of Mike Rizzo taking control and seemingly clearing house of most of the Bowden Era Folks? (SBF)

“Well, I wish it would happen. I think there has been enough time go by now. And I know that Stan Kasten went to Florida when they were (playing) Tampa for the inter-league series. And there was talk from a lot of people that he was talking to Gary Hunsicker (Tampa Bay Rays Senior VP—and Former GM of The Houston Astros) about the job. I don’t know how true that was, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me.”

“But here you have a guy (Rizzo) who was very instrumental in building up The Arizona Diamondbacks, very instrumental in the last two drafts for Washington. I would like to see him get a shot running this club and see what he does with it.”

Do you sense that The Nationals signing Stephen Strasburg and Rizzo making some well thought out trades over the next few weeks are important to Rizzo staying on the job? (SBF)

“I think it’s important for the organization to try to improve themselves over the next month by the trade deadline (non-waiver July 31st), no matter how they do that. I think there are some people on this team that could have some value. Certainly, there would be teams interested in Guzman. There would be teams interested in Nick Johnson. I don’t think you are going to find any takers for Austin Kearns because he’s had a terrible year, plus you are looking at $8 Million in salary. In fact, I am kind of surprised in some ways that they (Nationals Management) haven’t just flat out released him at this point.”

You read all the time; they need to trade Johnson for this. Or Dunn for that, or maybe even Josh Willingham because he is a hot bat, but what can Washington really expect to get back? (SBF)

“Well, that is the big question. Syd Thrift (long time Major League GM & Front Office Executive for The Pittsburgh Pirates & Baltimore Orioles among other teams) used to say, no matter what you thought of Syd Thrift as a GM, but Syd used to say ‘some of the best trades you ever make are the ones you don’t make’. And to me, with The Nationals, its got to be a situation where Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten are going to believe that whatever they trade away, they better get somebody back in return that will help this club and is in the best interests of the club—not just presently—but in the future. Now, how many of those guys are out there? It’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”

“The landscape of this is going to change so much between now, when we are talking at The All-Star Break and the time the 31st comes up.”

A few weeks back, I was talking with Phil Wood (MASN Analyst) about all these young pitchers The Nationals believe they have value in this very day. We pondered whether The Nationals should consider unloading some of them, thereby sweetening deals—so they can receive more quality everyday players needed in their system? (SBF)

“That certainly a possibility. The crutch of what they have in their Minor League System is certainly in their pitching and not position player wise. So, again from that standpoint, it boils down to what Rizzo wants to do in terms of what he feels he can afford to lose out of the system—in terms of pitching. Are they dead set with what they have? Their thought process has always been with this young pitching—if you can have two or three stick into the rotation—then you have done yourself a pretty good job.”

“And at this point, you are looking at John Lannan who has been here a little more than a year now. But certainly (Jordan) Zimmermann fits that mold. And I think that if Shairon Martis gets his act together, finds his command again, he can come up here and be a big part of this in the second half as well.”

Despite so much that has gone wrong this season, what has gone right? (SBF)

“Tough question to answer (chuckling). If you look at the record, it’s the worst in baseball at 26 & 61 now. I think what has gone right for them has been—off of a negative. And what I mean by that was when they came out of spring training—Lastings Milledge was going to be the leadoff hitter and play centerfield. Well, he wasn’t a very good centerfielder. And I said from day one—and you can ask Bill Ladson (nationals.com reporter) this. I looked him dead in the eye and said: ‘Bill, this is never going to work out.’ And part of the reason I knew it was never going to work out was because of the way Lastings was talking to us in Spring Training. ‘I am an aggressive guy, teams don’t want to walk me.’ Well, I am sorry. Right off the bat, part of your job as a leadoff hitter is to take pitches, see pitches and get on base anyway you can. So, I knew that wasn’t going to work. And as it turned out, he played seven games and was gone. And personally, I think you have seen the last of Lastings Milledge. So, going back to the original premise—I think that is a positive in the right direction off a negative in terms of where this team wants to go with its outfield. It has nothing to do with Lastings as a person, or anything like that. I am talking strictly from a talent standpoint.”

I see Nyjer Morgan being a pretty good catalyst at the top of the order. In a short period of time, he has completely changed the dynamic of this team. (SBF)

“There is no question there. I have talked to some people, some scouts and some other folks in the game over the past two weeks—and this trade to me (Morgan, Sean Burnett for Milledge & Joel Hanrahan) was a steal. This is another reason why I say—even though it’s just a small trade in this regard—Rizzo needs the shot to prove himself as no longer the “Interim” GM or “Acting” GM, he needs to be The GM of this club. I think they (The Nationals) robbed The Pirates blind on that deal.”

Where do you think Elijah Dukes stands right now? (SBF)

“He’s hitting the ball. He’s only played in seven or eight games down in The Minor Leagues. He’s hitting in the .300’s. Again, but for different reasons than Lastings, I would not be surprised—and I can’t say this for sure, but in my own mind—if we have not seen the last of him as well in this organization. I just think Mike Rizzo wants to make a culture change.”

That sort of pains me because he’s such a good talent. I am certainly not in the clubhouse, but from reading things here and there, bits & pieces, you collect an unease about him—even when he hasn’t been in any trouble publicly since really landing here in DC. (SBF)

“Whether that is the case or not, I don’t know. I don’t go around to individual players and ask them ‘Hey, what’s Elijah like?’ And since he’s been here, yeah—there was that late thing—but overall, with all of the baggage he had coming in here, when Jim Bowden brought him in here—in terms of keeping his nose clean and doing what they wanted him to do—he did that, I think. But from that standpoint, I think we are not in the clubhouse, like you said all the time. We, (the mainstream reporters) only get to be in there before the game, or during the sessions when they are open. And after the game for post game. The Nationals have handled him with kid gloves. If you want to talk to Elijah, someone has to be standing from the PR Department with you.”

“So, it was very hard to get a grasp of what the guy was really like. Obviously, some of the times we talked to him he could be very defensive—a bad play here or there. And I can understand that coming from Elijah’s direction because of all of the negative publicity while he is trying to get his life all turned around. Yet, whenever anything goes wrong, something comes up, he’s going to get asked out it. And he needs to respond. It’s just the nature of the beast (and he needs to adjust).”

With that answer, Part One Of Nats320's Conversation With Craig Heist concludes. Tomorrow, in the finale, Craig will continue to chat about what he feels Our Washington Nationals should do heading toward the July 31st non-waiver trading deadline. We compare The Baltimore Orioles rebuilding efforts to that of Washington. More reasons why Assistant GM Mike Rizzo should lose the "interim" title. And Craig will finish off talking about what he expects out of Our Washington Nationals over the last half of 2009.

More Mike Rizzo Comments After The Presser

Finally late this morning, I again joined with The Federicksburg Free-Lance Star and DC Examiner Reporters for five extra minutes with Asst. GM Mike Rizzo to conclude the media availabilities following the official announcement that Manny Acta was relieved of duty as Manager of Our Washington Nationals.

Here are those questions & answers with Mike Rizzo:

Question: You mentioned that Manny's even keeled approach was an asset. Then mentioned after the slow start, it might have been a liability. Can you elaborate on that? Is that kind of a double-edged sword?

“What I think I said was that I meant to say on certain teams, the attributes of the manager are sometimes positive and sometimes negative. After the slow start, the evenkeelness wore a little thin. We could have used a little more of a disciplinarian type of approach to it. But ultimately, Manny’s demeanor and Manny’s personality fits well into a Major League Clubhouse.”

Question: Is that more specifically a veteran Major League Clubhouse? Is it tougher to match an even keel personality with a younger team?

“I wouldn’t say it’s tough to match it. But, I do think a younger developing ballclub needs a time to be patted on the back and sometimes they need to be disciplined more.”

Question: Mike, given that, you waited until this point to make the change. In those internal discussions, were you weighing Manny's future prospects that he will become a good manager at some point? How did you balance that?

“The internal thought process was we are balancing how to extract and reach the potential of the team we have presently. We were patient with Manny because we felt that we had the personnel in place and Manny was the manager in place to turn this thing around. We kept waiting for it to turn the corner and for us to start playing consistent and better baseball—and it didn’t happen.”

Question: What are your expectations of Jim Riggleman?

“To continue the developmental process of our core young players—specifically our young starting pitching. To get the club to play a good brand of baseball; To play the game the right way; To execute and to play good solid fundamental baseball.”

Question: You mentioned previously today you wanted to see the players get some tough love when you felt they deserved it. Manny was criticized for not doing that publicly. Do you want to see that publicly from Jim Riggleman? Or behind closed doors?

“No, Manny often times showed it behind closed doors. And I think that Jim is not going to call out any players or embarrass any players. I don’t think that is a healthy relationship between a player and a manager. But we do need to be more vocal on players at certain times. Like I’ve said before, some players need to be patted on the back and sometimes they need to be a little bit disciplined.”

Question: Can we expect different lineups that Manny might not have been putting out there?

“We are going to go into that, in depth, this afternoon (Riggleman & Rizzo). This all took place late last night with Jim. So that stuff will all be discussed today.”

Question: Were The Lerner’s present at the meeting last night?

“Last night? No, just Stan and I.”

Question: A lot of fans have said when are The Nationals going to be good—a winning team. What are your expectations?

“That is an almost impossible question because to put a timetable on things is very difficult. There are too many variables that go into it. So it’s a very difficult question to answer.”

Question: Were the players informed as a group or have you called them throughout the day. Or, let them find out on their own?

“I called the core leadership players personally and spoke to them. And it usually filters down from there.”

How long did you wrestle with this decision to let Manny go?

Mike Rizzo: “It was a very difficult decision to finally come to. We wrestled with it for quite a while. And we all ultimately came to this decision, begrudgingly, because of what we think about the man and the baseball man inside.”

Toughest baseball decision you have ever made in your life?

“Yes, without a doubt, it was a very tough night last night.”

With that final answer the availability ended, Interim GM Mike Rizzo headed back upstairs to his office at Nationals Park.

More Stan Kasten Comments After The Presser

After the formal press conference concluded this afternoon, Team President Stan Kasten met individually with each television station reporter on hand, as well as a smaller group of print reporters in the access tunnel of Nationals Park. Here is that availability standing alongside correspondents from The Washington Times, DC Examiner & Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. Most everyone just looking for one more sound byte to add into their stories.

Question: I want to be clear about what Mike (Rizzo) said in there. He said Manny’s even keel nature was a positive. But once the team got in a hole, it was sort of a problem. What’s your opinion on Manny?

“Manny's demeanor is characteristic of many long term managers. I guess I will let others wonder whether that was right for this situation or not. As I said in there and as you all have observed, many, many, many cases in history—there have been guys that have gone on for long and successful managerial careers even though their first opportunity wasn’t a success. If I had to predict, I think Manny would be one of those type of guys.”

Question: Given that, internally you guys must have had that discussion in that meeting. Where is the line that says this guys promise is not there anymore?

“I can’t answer that but to say that we find ourselves at the All-Star Break with a record of 26-61. We kept thinking it was going to turn around. We kept waiting for the next homestand and the next road trip and the next home stand and the next road trip. And it just never seemed to come together. And we were just not willing to just go on like this for the whole year. Did we wait too long? If you want to criticize us for that—go ahead. But, if we did, it’s because we didn’t want to have to do this. We valued Manny and I continue to value him.”

Question: With everything that has gone on with this team this year, is he, Manny, the right guy to take the fall?

“I don’t know. I do know that we are unwilling to simply ride out the rest of the year the way the first half has gone. So, we are trying to look for changes. There has been an awful lot of change on this team since Spring Training. And we are going to continue to make changes until we succeed. That is the only thing we know how to do.”

Question: Did you have an idea going into this past series, that this would be the deciding ground for dismissal?

“No, I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that exactly. I’ve been asked, and it’s the nature of the business, that I have been asked about the manager since the first week of the season—when we got off to that bad start. So, we are always evaluating. We always thought there was more talent here and that things would settle down and we would start to find our level. But all sabermatricians out there will tell you we should have a better record than we have. We thought it would kick in. We thought things would even out. And to the extent we’ve had bad luck, we would have good luck to balance it out. But, it never seemed to happen. It hasn’t happened yet. And we are just not willing to go the whole second half without it working either.”

Question: Generally, what would be the resume of the manager you might be looking for? Experienced? Young?

“For today, all I am willing to talk about is Jim Riggleman because he is the manager right now. I think what you are talking about is a subsequent search that I am just not willing to entertain.”

Question: Housekeeping question. When did that meeting take place with Manny last night?

“About 11PM last night. When the team plane landed, Manny came here and Mike and I met him. And we thought about having a 1AM Press Conference, but that wasn’t the right thing to do.”

Question: You mentioned inside you are uncomfortable with having an interim GM and interim Manager.

“It not my preferred way to go.”

Question: “Where does that leave the fans?”

“I am very uncomfortable with it. I assume they are uncomfortable as well. I think that will be resolved soon enough—and when it is, everything will be fine. But this is not the circumstance I prefer to be in.”

Those were Mr. Kasten's final words before leaving the area.

Manny Acta Relieved Of Duty Press Conference

Here is the complete press conference held today beginning at 11:30AM at Nationals Park, in the media interview room. The announcement where Manny Acta was fired as Manager of Our Washington Nationals--replaced on an interim basis by Jim Riggleman. Senior Director of Baseball Media Relations--John Dever led things off.

With that--here we go--all 25 minutes worth:

John Dever: “Ok folks, thank you for being here. Good Morning to everybody for coming on short notice. We would like to welcome our viewers on our rights holder—MASN—The Mid Atlantic Sports Network. On my right is Nationals Asst. General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations—Mike Rizzo. And of course, Nationals Team President Stan Kasten. Mike is going to make a couple of announcements here in a second. Afterwards, we will open up to everyone for questions. Please identify yourselves and direct your question to one of the two participants.”

Mike Rizzo: “Yes, I would like to take today to make an announcement that The Washington Nationals today have relieved Manny Acta of his duties as Manager of The Washington Nationals and named Jim Riggleman has the Interim Field Manager. And also with that said, we are going to make Pat Corrales the Bench Coach for The Washington Nationals for the remainder of the season. I will be meeting with Jim Riggleman later on this afternoon to discuss a multitude of issues that we have with the ball club and the upcoming calendar. And with that said—we are taking all questions.”

Question: Obviously, when you make a mid-season change the idea is that you can do better for the rest of the season. Can you talk about the timing of this and whether you believe another manager could have gotten more than 26 wins out of the talent?

Mike Rizzo: “As far as timing, this was a decision we finalized over the weekend with the management team here in Washington. We feel that the team has underachieved. We feel we have a better ballclub than shown on the field. 26 & 61 is unacceptable to not only The Lerner Family, but also Stan Kasten and myself and the ballclub. So we feel with a different voice and a possible different feel in the clubhouse that we can have a more successful second half of the season. We think we have pieces in place here to have some type of success. We also acknowledge our flaws as a ballclub. And we are working hard before the trade deadline to address those flaws and to make prudent baseball deals to improve the ballclub for the long term also.”

Question: Mike, why now? And was it a sense that he (Manny) was losing players in the clubhouse?

Mike Rizzo: “I don’t think he was losing players in the clubhouse. I do believe that we kept for a while now—we kept thinking that this was going to turn around. We were going to start playing better. And we have always continued to underachieve in my opinion. So we thought that this was a prudent time to make a move. The All-Star Break gives us the opportunity to get our ducks in a row—to prepare not only the staff for the second half of the season—but the personnel on the ballclub and the players in the clubhouse.”

Question: Mike, you have interim here as the title for Jim Riggleman. Does he have every opportunity to have the job if he has a good second half?

Mike Rizzo: “Jim Riggleman is a terrific baseball guy, baseball person. He’s a baseball guy from the old school. He’s a guy with nine seasons of experience as a Major League Manager. And he is certainly a guy that I respect greatly. I know the organization respects him greatly. And he certainly will be an candidate to be an long-term answer as the manager.”

Question: Does management have any specific expectations of Riggleman moving forward past this second half of the season?

Mike Rizzo: “Yes, we have specific goals and expectations for the second half. They are not predicated on wins and losses. We have a plan in place where we are looking at many objectives. One of them is to play the game the right way, to continue to play hard, as they did under Manny Acta. And we are going to continue to stress the fundamentals. We need each and every player to look at themselves and take accountability for the seasons they are having. And we need the club to stay focused. Those are just a few of the goals and expectations for the second half. And with that said, we are very excited about our prospects going forward into the season. We look at a very good, young starting rotation. We look at a core of several young and exciting players. We are very excited about the trade we already made this season—acquiring Nyjer Morgan & Sean Burnett. We like the dynamic that Nyjer brings us to the outfield and in the lineup. And we like the role that Sean Burnett is playing in the bullpen. When we do become a viable candidate for the championship—he will be a viable candidate in the bullpen. So we are excited about the second half of this season. We are going to get into it starting this Wednesday—on a positive. And like I said, I am going to meet with Jim Riggleman later on this afternoon. On Wednesday, we are going to meet with the club before our mandatory workout on Wednesday evening.”

Question: Mike, what are the differences between Jim Riggleman and Manny Acta that causes you to believe he will do a better job?

Mike Rizzo: “I just believe the team is better than what they have shown. I think something in a different voice; a different way of presenting possibly the same material could have an effect. Jim is known as a player’s manager. He’s also a tough disciplinarian. He’s got intensity to him. And I believe going to show the young players that this is a difficult game to play—but it’s a great way to make a living—and to embrace the opportunity you have here in Washington.”

Question: You included this letter to the fans. Can you talk about what came into that decision?

Stan Kasten: “I will speak to that. We did think about it long and hard, and thought it expressed the sentiments that fans were wondering about. Our season, this season, has been a great disappointment to us—even though those of us on the inside remain very, very optimistic about our ultimate future with all the pieces that are falling in place—starting with the young rotation. We want the fans to know how much we value them. How much we take seriously putting the best product out there. And we thought speaking directly to them would be the best way to communicate that.”

Question: At what point did management begin to review the manager’s position, specifically referring to the Fox Sports Report from nearly a month ago that said that Manny Acta was on his way out?

Mike Rizzo: “The Fox report a month ago was inaccurate. I was asked about this before the announcement (today) was made. And I said it was an inaccurate assessment at that time. We are always being evaluated in this business. Specifically, the manager of a Major League Franchise is being evaluated. Getting off to such a slow start obviously started the rumor mill going. But like I said, we always felt we were going to turn this thing around and get on a roll and start playing baseball the way we thought we were capable of playing. When we found out we just couldn’t put anything together and be consistent, we felt the All-Star Break was a prudent time to make a change.”

Question: Thursday night on MASN, two of your analysts—Rob Dibble and Ray Knight made some very critical comments, unusually critical for team broadcasters about—their words—cleaning house—and about how much effort was, or wasn’t being given. That some players needed to get up in others faces. Manny was notoriously a patient and kind, at least outwardly, person. Was there any credence to the criticisms leveled by Dibble and Knight the other day and was Manny personality either a good match or bad match for what you believe this team needed?

Mike Rizzo: “Well, Manny's personality was one of the strengths as a manager. He’s a very even keel person. And on the majority of ballclubs in The Major Leagues, not getting too high with success and not getting too low with defeat is kind of a good match for the ballclub. To answer your question about the announcing team—that had no credence in my mind about the decision we made with Manny. We don’t take into account what the announcers say what is going on in the clubhouse or in the manager’s office. I am there every day. I see the way Manny directs his troops and the way in which he handles his ballclub—and his evenkeelness and his kindness. Often, behind closed doors, he was able to get into some players faces and to be very stern with them. So, as far as the announcers’ statements having anything to do with this--I would say it had nothing to do with this.”

Question: Stan, you now have an interim GM and an interim Manager--from a stability standpoint that doesn’t speak too highly of the franchise. Would you please address that?

Stan Kasten: “I am very uncomfortable with that—that is a good observation. I have strived my whole career valuing stability and consistency. I want to get to that (point) here. We are not there yet. I think we are working toward that. Sometimes you encounter these unfortunate, unforeseen, bumps in the road. But you are right; we need to bring stability here. And I can assure you that I am doing all I can to get us there.”

Question: Did you ask Manny to be more vocal?

Mike Rizzo: “Manny and I have discussed the handling of the ballclub and the way we do business on a daily basis. We had a great line of communication. Manny is Manny. He has his personality and his way of doing things. It got him from The Dominican Republic to here and being a manager of a Major League Ballclub. He felt that that was him and that was his personality. And it’s very difficult to ask some to change their way of thinking and their personality.”

Question: Whether or not the announcers had anything to do with this decision, do you agree with their assessment as the acting GM that another player needs to take control of the clubhouse, get in players faces and confront them when that player feels not enough effort is being made?

Mike Rizzo: “On a veteran laden ballclub, that’s often the case. It was the case with me in 2001 when we won The World Series at Arizona. We had Matt Williams and Jay Bell and Mark Grace to do most of the disciplining of the younger players. With a younger ballclub, it’s much more difficult for a young player to get in the face of another young player. Although, I think it is needed at times, but it’s often a difficult dynamic in the clubhouse when you have a young core group of players.”

Question: Stan, in the past, Major League Baseball has frowned on major announcements occurring during the All-Star Break, did you have to get any special dispensation from MLB?

Stan Kasten: “I don’t know. I know I didn’t get one. So, I didn’t seek one. I didn’t ask anyone.”

Question: Stan, it’s been almost three years since you and The Lerner Family took over operation of the team. With an interim GM, now with an interim Manager, are you starting over again?

Stan Kasten: “I really don’t think that. I do think we are really close to realizing the fruits of three hard years of effort. When I see people write about our team recently, it’s well they have now amassed a core of young future starters, but then they have all these other problems. Well—Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!—Let’s slow down. Let’s not gloss over it. It’s HARD TO AMASS a core of young future starters—that took us time. I have always believed that was the most important thing that was job one. Once we have a consistent rotation, everything else gets easier. Once we have pitchers giving us seven innings every night, even the bullpen looks better. So, the last three years have not been a waste because it took us that time to assemble the pieces I think now are starting to materialize as big parts of our future. It’s why it has been for me the highlights of our first half of the season. It’s hasn’t been any particular wins or home runs, it has been the maturation of a young starting rotation in addition to the realization that there are more on the way and not yet here in Washington. That’s what will make us ultimately successful. As to that extent, it’s been a very fruitful and productive three years.”

Question: Mike, on the underachieving angle, given what this bullpen was at the start of the year; given the defensive liabilities that are obviously out there; given that you went for a long time with four rookies and a second year pitcher in your starting rotation; when you look at that objectively, there is only so much that a manager can achieve—right?

Mike Rizzo: “There is a certain level of achievement that we felt the roster could get to and we haven’t reached it in my opinion.”

Question: Are you satisfied with the effort given by all the players?

Mike Rizzo: “I am satisfied for the most part with the effort we have given. I am not satisfied with the way we play the game at times. We don’t execute nearly as often as I expect them too. But the effort in respects to the hustle and the preparation I think is there. The consistency of the effort and the hustle needs work. And certainly the way we play the game, the fundamental way we play the game, needs a lot of work.”

Question: Stan, looking at this note you have written to the fans, are you saying losing at this level will not be tolerated and you will be doing everything in your powers to change it?

Stan Kasten: “It should be obvious that is the case. But in case it isn’t, we want to put our beliefs in writing so that everyone knows that no matter how bad our most staunchest fan feels, we feel much worse about it. This is not at all acceptable to us. We are going to keep trying to make moves, both in the front office and on the field to get it right. Having said that, I meant as seriously as I possibly could a moment ago—the pieces are coming together. They are here and that is why I am so disappointed to have to be here today. We kept thinking it was about to turn with the young pitching starting to come. And it really has been great watching—particularly the last month. We thought we should start winning more. It is a very sad day for me personally.”

“And if I can go on a little bit about a question earlier about Manny. People didn’t see those times behind closed doors when he was a very different guy one-on-one or with the team privately, outside the media, when he could be very forceful and direct. I valued Manny’s essential qualities-as a veteran player said to me—the same guy every day. You always know where Manny is. He is the same guy every day. That is an important quality. I value that. I think that is a characteristic of managers that are successful on the long-term. It hasn’t been working here yet and I am very disappointed in that—because I do think—and history is replete with examples of guys who didn’t have success with their first manager job and went on to have great manager careers. I believe that Manny is going to be one of those type of managers.”

Question: When do figure that that you can say you have turned this thing around?

Stan Kasten: “The disappointment for me has been, and we have been criticized because these reports came out months ago—you should have made a change. The reason it took so long is because we didn’t want to do it. We thought it was going to turn. We felt that way every week since April, I guess. And I still believe it now. So I don’t know about leash or length or time. I want to see, as Mike has described, a better brand of play. And the pieces, from any media report I have seen, has said ‘gee, the talent here should have produced a better record here than 26-61.’ I think everyone, all of you here, believe that. So, I don’t know exactly how to answer your question you are asking with numbers, but I do think we should start producing wins very, very soon. Especially now that we seem to be getting consistent starting pitching; as I have said many times, it’s where everything begins.”

Question: Why do you think that the team didn’t respond to Manny’s direction? We know the work went in, so why didn’t they respond to him?

Mike Rizzo: “Each team responds to their manager in a different way. I think the response was from a slow start out of the gates during the regular season. And then getting into a hole that everyone felt they couldn’t get out of. I think that was a big part of it. Sometimes the evenkeelness of the manager plays into that by not being a little bit more vocal, a little bit more hard edged.”

Question: Why is Jim Riggleman not here with you today?

Stan Kasten: “We wanted today to be about change and talk about Manny, and talk about the feeling of the first half. Mike & Jim have meetings this afternoon and we are going to start The Riggleman Era Wednesday. We will provide him to all of you then. We have a lot of mechanics, a lot of things to accomplish overnight since midnight last night—when we had our meeting with Manny. We have been working on that this morning and we will work on it today and tomorrow. He (Riggleman) will be here on Wednesday.”

Question: Stan, I know you are the Team President and one of the owners. Why are not any of The Lerner Family Members here today?

Stan Kasten: “Because I am The Team President and this is my responsibility. And I am ultimately responsible for everything that goes on here. And I accept all the blame.”

Question: How willing and eager is Riggleman to take this position? And how long has he known the job is his?

Mike Rizzo: “Jim is very eager to become a Major League Manager again. That is something he aspires to do. The timing of this thing—we met with Manny after they returned from their road trip. I met with him up in my office late last night. Jim was apprised of Manny being replaced and I, at that time, late last night, asked him to be the interim manager of The Washington Nationals. He was saddened by Manny being let go. He is a very loyal and dedicated coach under Manny. But was excited in his own right, to be given another opportunity to become a Major League Manager once again.”

Question: Mike, you just said you met with Manny, you made the announcement. Was this your call in consultation with Stan?

Stan Kasten: “I was at that meeting. This was an organizational decision. The organization made the decision in just the past few days. And Mike and I both met with Manny last night as soon as he got back.”

With those final words, the official portion of today's press conference ended. Mr. Kasten & Mr. Rizzo were then made available for one-on-one interviews. Transcripts from those two separate five minute chats--to follow soon.

All Photos Copyrighted--Nats320--All Rights Reserved

The Press Conference Scene Today

The scene set at Nationals Park in the interview room next to The Presidents Club late this morning was much like attending a funeral. Sullen faces, some near tears, eyes diverted down. The Staff Of Our Washington Nationals was expressing the unexpected loss of one they cherished so much.

For 25 Minutes, Team President Stan Kasten and Interim GM Mike Rizzo took to the microphones to explain the decision to the assembled media. Sadness was truly all that was communicated. Both Mr. Kasten & Mr. Rizzo stating how wonderful the person Manny Acta is. And that each feels--in the long run--Manny will be a successful field manager in Major League Baseball.

Just not here in Washington, DC. Just not right now. The firing of Manny Acta officially announced. Bench Coach Jim Riggleman to replace him on an interim basis.

A complete transcript coming of all 25 minutes. Individual availabilities with both Mr. Kasten & Mr. Rizzo following the formal news conference as well. But of all the things said this day--what Mike Rizzo stated honestly in response to my last question on the side--resonated the most.

How long did you wrestle with this decision to let Manny go? (SBF)

Mike Rizzo: “It was a very difficult decision to finally come to. We wrestled with it for quite a while. And we all ultimately came to this decision, begrudgingly, because of what we think about the man and the baseball man inside.”

Toughest baseball decision you have ever made in your life? (SBF)

“Yes, without a doubt, it was a very tough night last night.”

Though crying might not be allowed in baseball--Interim GM Mike Rizzo was showing his true heart, fighting back not choking up over a very hard personnel decision made.

Much, much more coming later as I finish transcribing.

But for now--here is the letter written by Our Washington Nationals to Fans, followed by Manny Acta's final written statement. He chose not to attend today's press conference--according to Mr. Kasten.

TO: Fans of the Washington Nationals

No one is more dissatisfied in the first half of the 2009 Washington Nationals season than we are. Like you, we had hoped that some of our younger players would have matured faster and that the addition of some of our new veterans would have significantly improved our record from a season ago. Our hope was that a solid club leadership would emerge on and off the field and that some intangible combinations would begin to click resulting in many winning streaks.

We definitely do see significant pieces materializing for the future, and there have been many close, exciting games and optimistic bright spots: Strong outings by John Lannan, the home run and RBI production of Adam Dunn, the All-Star selection and 30 game hitting streak of Ryan Zimmerman, and the recent addition of speedster Nyjer Morgan. Much of the season, however, has been defined by weak relief pitching, poor defense, and youthful inconsistency. We have tried to work through this period with patience and focus but now we are faced with mounting losses which are beginning to take a toll on our entire roster. Clearly, some changes are required as we prepare for the second half of the 2009 season and, more importantly, build for a competitive future.

Today, we announced that manager Manny Acta is being replaced on an interim basis by Jim Riggleman , veteran manager, and currently the Nats bench coach. Both the Ownership and the entire Washington Nationals organization have the highest respect for Manny Acta and the role he has played in the short history of the Nationals. However, it is our belief that a fresh attitude and approach is necessary as we set out to improve our performance for the remainder of the year. We want to send a strong message to our clubhouse and our fans that the status quo is unacceptable. We believe that more is expected of everyone in the organization.

Baseball operations will be reevaluating all our players and our options for improvement over the next several months. We hope to sign our 2009 draft choices by the August deadline. We hope these new additions will join an already exciting Nationals youth movement headed by the likes of Lannan, Jesus Flores, Alberto Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Craig Stammen on our current roster, and the likes of promising minor league stars like Chris Marrero, Michael Burgess, Danny Espinosa, Derek Norris and Drew Storen, among many others. But, we also will be determining the viability of trades or roster upgrades that can be made without doing damage to the farm system or the developing talent we expect to blossom within the next two years.

When we bought the Washington Nationals in the middle of the 2006 season – just under three years ago – we committed to a patient, long term approach, building a strong farm system and core foundation that would deliver a perennial and consistent contender; to provide a second-to-none family entertainment value at Nationals Park; and to investment and involvement in the metropolitan Washington DC community. Today we remain steadfastly committed to each component of that mission. We are proud to represent the National Pastime in the Nation’s Capital, and we are proud to call the Capital area home.

We know we have a way to go, but the end result will be all the richer for the early days we’ve spent together at Nationals Park. We are getting better. We want you to be with us as the pieces of the puzzle come together. Your support is powerful to the Nationals and baseball in Washington . Thank you for your continuing patience and your commitment to a shared dream.


Sincerely,


Washington Nationals Baseball Club


STATEMENT FROM MANNY ACTA

First, I would like to thank GOD for putting me in this position. I want to thank the Washington Nationals for giving me the opportunity to be a Major League manager. It was a great learning experience, I have no regrets.

As I move forward, I wish the Nationals all the best. I was very fortunate to work with and meet a lot of wonderful people while here.

I’d like to extend a special thank you to the fans for being so patient and supportive over the last two and a half years.

Last but not least, to the media, thank you for being fair and respectful toward my family and I.

The Most Charismatic Of Men

Manny Acta is a very thoughtful person, full of depth and character. Not a one-dimensional baseball man, Manny can hold his own in conversation about news worthy events off the field of play with anyone. A complete person who will now not finish what he was hired for--to make DC Major League Baseball a success.

The "Most Charismatic Of Men" fired today by Our Washington Nationals.

The African Queen and I quite saddened to hear the news. A loss came early this off-day, one greater than the 61 already witnessed so far this year.

You can argue that Manny fielded a team of mismatched parts. You can argue he threw out a defensive lineup that continually couldn't make the routine play. And you can argue that Our Bullpen was harboring on becoming one of the worst relief corps of all time. And you would right on all counts.

But you can't say it's all Manny Acta's fault.

You can question some of his managerial moves. You can question some of his lineups. You can prefer to see a more fiery temper shown out on the field of play by Our Field Manager. You can argue he should have protected his players more in any game. That's all fair game too.

But you could never convince us that Former General Manager Jim Bowden gave Manny the proper tools to work with. Nor that Interim GM Mike Rizzo has had enough time to correct many of those mistakes. A Franchise still in it's infancy, is now rebooting, changing direction, looking for a new compass setting.

Work now commencing without one of the most respected young men in baseball--Manny Acta. From the very first day of his hiring, Manny was a class act. He never put himself above the team, nor even Our Fans. Has there ever been a manager more in tune with listening and getting to know the fan base? We doubt it.

Always friendly, always willing to talk, Manny's profoundness was always refreshing--honesty that will be missed. So will his wonderful smile.

A well-rounded man, Manny always held his head up high and never publicly disparaged anyone. In this day and time--that type of bold restraint should be appreciated--not ridiculed and run out of town. Nasty words written about him just to hurt--"Get lost, Go Away, We Don't Need You Any More" (and that's just the more kind stuff).

Embarrassing is the way Manny Acta has been treated in the public eye of late. Shame brought forth by those that just like to hurt--not realizing, or caring about, the human being behind the uniform.

Our Washington Nationals have let go their manager this day for the second time in the five years since baseball returned to Washington, DC. This firing more heart-wrenching than when Frank Robinson was let go in 2006. Sorrowful, because Manny Acta was brought on board to be The New Face Of Our Fresh Franchise in 2007. He quickly became the Standard Bearer for all that was to be good about Major League Baseball finding it's home in Washington, DC.

Instead, many a moves not of his own doing, has led to his downfall.

Our Washington Nationals are lesser today because a good person was relieved of his job. A dignified man that was deserving of better took the fall. All of Manny's insight and accumulated intelligence could not save him from all that is wrong with Our Washington Nationals. Our Number 14 is no longer our manager, but we would bet, Manny Acta walks away this day a better person than when he arrived--someone whom all of us should learn from.

Classy until the very end--Sohna and I will miss Manny Acta. "The Most Charismatic Of Men" briefly entered our lives these past few years and we are better for it. Sohna and I will always love him for his compassion, his knowledge, his depth of life itself.

Good character means a lot to us. Few we respect more than you--Manny Acta.

Good Luck Manny. Never ones to toss aside friendships lightly, we will always be by your side.

Microcosm

Despite attention being diverted, I was able to watch most of today's game at Minute Maid Park and felt compelled to write something. Thanks to many for their kind words to Sohna and I over the past few days. Your overtures, both private & public, are very much appreciated.

When Tyler Clippard fell off the mound and balked while attempting to intentionally walk Hunter Pence in the bottom of the 8th inning today at Minute Maid Park, the very sight of Lance Berkman trotting home from 3rd base with The Houston Astros 5th and final run this Sunday afternoon was the microcosm of all that has plagued Our Washington Nationals this 2009 Season.

Playing the odds, loading the bases to set up a force out--A Good Baseball Decision--DC's Team could not manage that small feat successfully.

Again today, a bottom of the 1st throwing error by Alberto Gonzalez led directly to The Houston Astros only run--of the unearned variety--until the bottom of the 7th.

Again today, three singles in the 5th by Washington didn't produce a run for Our Team.

Again today, Washington loaded up the bases twice with just one out AND DID NOT SCORE. Gonzalez popping out (ahead in the count 2-0 by the way) with Anderson Hernandez grounding out to second to end the 6th.

Again today, Ryan Zimmerman swinging at ball four--popping out in the 7th--followed by Adam Dunn being thrown out by Miguel Tejada on a hard hit ball up the middle--ending the latest DC & Final Rally this day when Houston overshifted to the right--as most every team in The Majors does--for the usually always pulling the ball Dunn. Even when Adam hit the baseball where they usually ain't playing--an out was recorded.

Again today, a very quality start by Jordan Zimmermann was supplanted by more suspect play.

And when Jordan really needed those runs behind him on the scoreboard--Our Number 27 couldn't hold the one run disadvantage when JZ appeared to lose focus upon hitting Geoff Blum with a looping curveball leading off the bottom of the 7th. Then was tortured by a multiple hop grounder right up the middle that Anderson Hernandez could not knock down. Finally seeing Zimmermann succumbed when, of all hitters for The Astros lineup, Kaz Matsui got around on J-Zimms 92 MPH heater and popped it over the wall in right--one row back--for a three run homer that decided this affair. Houston up 4-0.

Jordan Zimmermann pitched so well today, firing fastball after fastball, but he could not depend on his teammates stationed behind to give him the necessary scores he needed to stay in this game. Too bad because J-Zimm deserved better today--as have many Washington starters before.
It also didn't help when Adam Dunn sort of gave up of a lofting fly ball down the left line in the bottom of the 8th by Carlos Lee--that fell FAIR and good enough for a ground rule double when the baseball bounced over the wall and into the stands. This play coming moments before Clippard fell off the mound with his run scoring balk.

No, Our Bullpen did not blow the game today. They were spared the agony. But Loss Number 61 was like so many that have come beforehand. Mistakes in the field leading to additional opposing batters receiving their extra swings. Poor clutch hitting at the plate leaving runner after runner on base--stranded by Washington.

That microcosm, now known as Loss Number 61 in 87 games played in 2009, was typical of much that has come well before this getaway affair end. The final game competed as The 2009 All-Star Break commences. The disappointing fashion in which Our Washington Nationals tend to lose--needs to be addressed. You can't stroke 11 hits, garner four walks, leave 13 runners in scoring position while batting 1-11 with the game on the line. A tight 1-0 affair which Our Team should have commandeered this hot and humid day in Houston, Texas. Instead, lost 5-0 despite a fine performance on the mound by Jordan Zimmermann.

A three-day break required. The time to clear some heads. And when Our Washington Nationals return to the field on this Thursday Night, July 16th, to face Alfonso Soriano and The Chicago Cubs--they better be more focused, more alert, attentive to the game situation at hand--at all times. You don't need to knock the ball out of the park during every At-Bat. And no one needs to over extend themselves in the field.

Just realize what's developing in front of you.

No doubt, in our minds, The African Queen and I have not given up. Neither we doubt, have our Our Die-Hard Fans. Nor should Our Washington Nationals. There are 75 games still remaining to be played this championship season and DC's Team needs to make the most out of them--giving hope and forward progress to the grueling first half of 2009 just witnessed and, thankfully, completed.

Today's InGame Photos--Pat Sullivan (AP)

Family Calls

This past Thursday evening July 9th, Sohna was informed that her Big Brother, and closest of her siblings, had passed away. So, we hope you understand why we are not posting right now. We've followed what's happened over the past few days on the field with Our Washington Nationals, and even the back-to-back-to-back home runs tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston. But family comes first, so The African Queen and I might be away for a few more days.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dmitri Young & Matt Chico

Not knowing if Dmitri Young will don another uniform for Our Washington Nationals and realizing Matt Chico is now back pitching competitively in professional baseball, my friend Matt & I couldn't resist heading out to Prince Georges County Stadium for today's High Noon Start between The Harrisburg Senators (Washington's AA Affiliate) & The Bowie BaySox (Baltimore's AA Affiliate).


Camp Day at The BaySox Ballpark made for a very cozy turnout. And provided a nice opportunity to chat with some of Our Minor League Players or get autographs. It was good to see some of the regulars from Potomac Nationals & Washington Nationals Games, as well as, ESPN Zone Lunch Time Meet & Greets on hand.

The game itself was the sideshow. Matt & I went to see Young & Chico. Dmitri did start and played six innings. Matt Chico did not play but threw a bullpen session before game start.

In a brief conversation, Dmitri says he's been healthy and ready to go since April, but his bat during this game proved maybe otherwise. In three plate appearances--Young couldn't get around on any fastball from Bowie's Japanese Import Ryohei Tanaka nor from BaySox Reliever Jim Hoey's tosses--striking out twice. Dmitri did ground out to shortstop in the top of the 4th scoring Senators 2nd Baseman Michael Martinez with Harrisburg's first run of this game.


As always-Dmitri Young was nice as could be to Washington's Fan on hand today. Just not sure if he really is in playing shape.

As for Chico--He told me (paraphrasing here) that his arm is healthy and he is fully recovered. He's had no pain whatsoever but his problem has been his control. Having not pitched in many game situations due to surgery, Matt says that his release point for his pitches has been inconsistent. In fact, during his bullpen session before the game, Harrisburg Pitching Coach Randy Tomlin was specifically working with Chico on just this issue.



Attempting to get Matt's hips in line on his windup, throwing with a rag to give resistance while working on motion--Tomlin's instruction and side session was pretty interesting to watch. Chico's goal to make Washington Baseball Operations Staff believe that by the end of September, he can be depended on again. So when Spring Training 2010 begins, Matt can compete for a Major League Job, not leaving folks wondering whether he needs more seasoning.

As for the game itself, Tanaka actually pitched a no-hitter into the 5th until Javy Herrera doubled to left for Harrisburg. Bowie took an early 2-0 lead on a two run homer by Ambiorix Concepcion in the bottom of the second off The Senators' Starter Corey Van Allen. And The BaySox eventually won this afternoon's game by socking another homer--this one by Miguel Abreu--off Jack Spradlin in the bottom of the 8th. Final Score--Bowie 3 & Harrisburg 2.



Having never been to Prince Georges County Stadium--I was pleasantly surprised. Nice facility with plenty of good seats. No ticket more expensive than $14. Matt & I purchased seats in the front row right behind The Visiting Harrisburg Senators Dugout. Got a kick out of The Harrisburg Relievers sitting on top of a grass mound--above the bullpen--in the sun--instead of in the actual shaded and provided dugout there.




As usual--the typical Minor League promotions that play out most every inning. Including Bowie BaySox Staff dancing on the dugout, and various games on the field with children. And of course--The Bowie BaySox Mascot--Louie. We had a good time. A beautiful weekday--most everyone else still at work--baseball in the afternoon. And the chance to see Dmitri Young and Matt Chico in person. What more could you ask for?

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