On February 24, our very own Dmitri Young will be featured in a segment on dLifeTV, a program that offers tips, insights and stories for those that suffer from diabetes.

Dmitri was baseball’s feel good story last summer. Young managed to rebound from a near death experience in the ICU to win the Players’ Association and MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year Award. He hit .320 in 2007 and became an important leader in the Nationals clubhouse.

Young has Type 2 diabetes.

dLifeTV airs every Sunday evening on CNBC at 7:00pm ET.

With the opening of the new stadium just months away, its still kind of hard for us to believe that there is not going to be a FanFest or any caravan type events. It seems like the perfect time to get creative and really get fans excited about the upcoming season. Instead, fans are given a handful of autograph sessions over the next two weeks.

There is some good news however, Charlie Slowes seems to be on board for next season as he is moderating some of the events. We couldn’t be happier about this and can’t wait to hear Charlie and Dave on the radio in 2008!

2008 Winter Tour Events -

Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13
9:00am – 5:00pm
NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo, Washington, DC

Noon – 3:00pm
Players Skills Demonstration, Q&A and Autograph Session (Jason Bergmann, Aaron Boone, and Stan Kasten)

Monday, January 14
9:00am – 11:00am
Food & Friends, Washington, DC
Manny, Jason Bergmann, and John Lannan will help prepare the food for that days delivery.

Tuesday, January 15
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC
The team (Acta, Bergmann and Lannan) will donate toys to the hospital and visit with patients.

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Autograph Session at Washington Capitals Game, Washington, DC.

Thursday, January 17
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Smart CEO Future 50, Washington, DC
Manny Acta will serve as keynote speaker.

Thursday, January 24
11:00am – 1:30pm
National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

5:00pm – 7:00pm
Gifford’s Ice Cream and Candy Co. Washington, DC
Players (Mike Bacsik) will serve ice cream to customers.

Friday, January 25
10:00am – 11:30am
William Wirt School Assembly, Riverdale, MD
School assembly and book donation to school library.

Saturday, January 26
11:30am – 2:00pm
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Prince William County, VA
Youth Clinic

Sunday, January 27
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Autograph Session at Washington Auto Show, Washington DC

Monday, January 28
10:00am – 11:30am
Arlington County Public School Visit
School assembly and book donation to school library.
*There may be no students there!

Reading Barry Svrluga’s Nationals Journal this afternoon is sure to depress any Nationals fan.

Bad: Luis Ayala was recently shot in the left arm on a hunting/fishing trip. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training. *Here’s the AP story.

Worse: The winter caravan begins next weekend, but the Nats aren’t expected to make an announcement till Wednesday. That’s two days to plan for a few events that feature Aaron Boone and Manny Acta (so far). Let’s hope they schedule some more stuff and find a few more players. As it stands, it’s pretty pathetic.

Awful: No FanFest. A few months ago, it was reportedly going to be held in Bethesda.

Don’t feel that jipped? You should!

Here’s what the Braves are doing.

Even the miserable Pirates have this fan appreciation thing down pat.

New park, lots of new faces on the team, lots of excitment building around the team — and no FanFest.

*note* My apology for far too many typos in the initial post. It has since been fixed and marks the last time I rush to get something up before heading out the door.