LHP:
Matt Chico
Odalis Perez
Ray King

RHP:
Luis Ayala
Jason Bergmann
Jesus Colome
Chad Cordero
Joel Hanrahan
Jon Rauch
Tim Redding
Saul Rivera

Catchers
Paul Lo Duca
Jesus Flores

Infielders
Aaron Boone
Ronnie Belliard
Cristian Guzman
Nick Johnson
Felipe Lopez
Dmitri Young
Ryan Zimmerman

Outfield
Elijah Dukes
Willie Harris
Austin Kearns
Rob Mackowiak
Lastings Milledge

Folks - Today is your last day.  This is it.  If you haven’t already, please make sure to go vote for the music at new Nationals Park today before 5 PM!

Here’s our take on the breakdown.

We’d really like you to vote for Heart to be played after the 7th inning stretch.  Most of these other songs are overplayed at all sporting events and Heart is a tradition all our own. 

Last we knew, Heart was in need of a major surge to win.  

Remember, this is a tradition we’re going to have to live with — so get moving!    

According to the Nationals, fans have one more chance to get tickets for the home opener on Sunday. Grandstand tickets for sections 401 and 402 may be purchased on Sunday at the box office for $5.  Tickets go on sale at 3:30 pm, but fans can’t start lining up to buy them until 3pm, so no camping out for these babies!

More info -

“Grandstand tickets for Opening Night, in Sections 401 and 402, may be purchased for $5 at the Nationals Park Main Box Office, located on Half and N Streets, beginning at 3:30 pm on March 30. Fans may not camp out on Nationals Park grounds or line up for tickets prior to 3:00 pm. Fans may purchase only one ticket per person and must immediately enter the ballpark through the Center Field gates, located next to the Main Box Office. Please note, fans may not re-enter the ballpark once they exit through the gates at any time. The Grandstand seats are available for purchase only on day of game when gates open at Nationals Park, normally two and a half hours prior to first pitch.
 
“The Washington Nationals are excited to offer these affordable seats for the Inaugural Game at Nationals Park,” said Nationals Team President Stan Kasten. “Fans who purchase these tickets will be asked to enter the ballpark immediately to ensure these tickets remain in the hands of the loyal fans who have anxiously awaited the opening of the ballpark.”

The gates to the park open at 3:30 on Sunday, so be sure to get there early to explore. Sounds like there will be a lot to do, and some great entertainment also!  We can’t wait.

“The Washington Nationals will host the Atlanta Braves at 8:15 pm in the Inaugural Game at Nationals Park, their new home on South Capitol Street, SE in the Capitol Riverfront District.  The Nationals open the 2008 Major League Baseball season with this true “home opener”, which will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
 
Nationals Park gates will open four and a half hours prior to the first pitch at 3:30 pm. All guests will receive a red Curly “W” lanyard and a “Welcome Home” rally towel as they enter the ballpark. Fans are encouraged to enter early and enjoy the various amenities and entertainment options available at Major League Baseball’s most spectacular new venue, including the Red Porch Restaurant and Strike Zone kids area, located in the Center Field Plaza.  As spectators exit the Navy Yard Metro Station onto Half Street, they will be greeted by the music of the Sheiks of Dixie, a local Dixieland jazz band. The Ringers, a Washington, DC barbershop quartet, will entertain guests as they make their way to the Center Field Gate. Face painters, balloon artists and stilt walkers will welcome fans at the entrance to the Center Field Plaza. Additional Opening Night entertainment may be found inside the ballpark, including the Mambo Combo, a regional zydeco band, Washington, DC guitarist Brian Gross staged in the Lexus Presidents Club, and face painters, caricaturists and balloon artists throughout the Main Concourse. Fans will have the opportunity to view the both the Braves and the Nationals batting practice as Atlanta takes the field at approximately 4:30 pm followed by Washington at 5:45 pm. The Nats Express, the free shuttle for fans who choose to park for free at RFK Stadium, will depart from RFK beginning at 3:00 pm and run continuously until one and a half hours after the final out. “
 
Pre-game ceremonies, led by Nationals Television Broadcaster and Hall-of-Fame Pitcher Don Sutton, will begin at approximately 7:45 pm with the Nationals “Welcome Home” video, shown on the 102’ X 47’  HDTV scoreboard. Following the video, two giant American Flags will be unfurled in the outfield by the DC National Guard. The American Flag unfurling will be followed by with a flyover by four F-16s from the 121st Fighter Squadron of the DC Air National Guard. The Washington Nationals 2008 roster will then be introduced, followed by the presentation of the colors by the Joint Services Color Guard. The National Anthem will be performed by Denyce Graves, recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars. Denyce is a native Washingtonian and Duke Ellington School for Performing Arts graduate. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, for the first time since 2005, when baseball returned to the District and he held the honor at RFK Stadium. The President will be escorted to the pitchers mound by Nationals Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner, Nationals Manager Manny Acta and Nationals Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Following the ceremonial first pitch, Washington, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will start the game and a new Nationals tradition with “Washington….Let’s Play Ball”.  American Idol finalist Elliot Yamin, a Richmond, Virginia native, will perform “God Bless America” prior to the Seventh Inning Stretch.  

We’re counting down, you’re counting down — and WGN Chicago is counting down to Opening Day.

All week, WGN is showing your favorite classic baseball movies, hosted by Bob Uecker.

The Rookie
Sunday, March 30 2:30p & 7:30p ET

A League of Their Own
Tuesday, March 25 8p & 10:30p ET
Sunday, March 30 12p & 5p ET

Bull Durham
Wednesday, March 26 8p & 11p
Saturday, March 29 11:30p

Field of Dreams
Thursday, March 27 8p & 11p

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Friday, March 28 8p ET
Saturday, March 29 1p ET

Mr. Destiny
Saturday March 29 6p ET

Mr. Baseball
Saturday, March 29 1:30am ET
Sunday, March 30 11p ET

It’s a great way to get in the spirit!

A few weeks ago the Washington Post ran a story about the friendship between Austin Kearns and Nick Johnson. Turns out the two are pretty close. Apparently after talking to Barry for the story, Austin asked him if he could run a poll on Nationals Journal, asking readers how Nick Johnson should wear his hair this season. Johnson’s hair has closely resembled a mullet for a while now, not the most flattering cut. Austin and Paul Lo Duca came up with a few style choices, and Barry put up the poll. 

Some of the choices were - 

In the end, the lightning bolts won. Barry and others were unsure if Nick would comply with the vote and really go for a new hairstyle.  However, it appears that Nick was serious about the poll. Nationals Journal reported today that Nick is sporting a new lightning bolt shaved into the side of his head. He still hasn’t done anything about the back of his hair though. We’d love to see a picture of the new cut!

For those Nats fans who don’t have season tickets, and want to attend the exhibition game this Saturday there is hope for you! Talk Radio 3WT is hosting a “ball walk” event on Friday, March 28th. The first 100 people who sign up to participate and complete the walk from RFK to Nationals Park, will get two tickets to Saturday’s game and a t-shirt. The exhibition game is only open to season ticket holders and invited guests, it’s slated to be a test of the park before Sunday’s home opener. The game should be a good time, and this event sounds like fun.

 More info -

Talk Radio 3WT Hosts Inaugural “Ball”…Walk
Station to Literally walk Nats Ceremonial First Ball to New Home

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 25, 2008 – Washington’s Talk Radio 3WT (1500 AM and 107.7 FM), the flagship station of the Washington Nationals, will be celebrating the debut season in a brand new stadium by inviting fans to take part in a 3 mile walk to deliver the ceremonial first pitch baseball from the Nats old home at RFK Stadium to the new Nationals Park.

The walk will be hosted by air personality Nigel from 3WT’s “The Tony Kornheiser” Show. The walk will begin at 7 a.m. Friday March 28 at RFK Stadium and will continue to the new Nationals Park along the Capital Riverfront. The first 100 fans who sign up to participate and complete the walk will receive a pair of tickets to the Nationals/Orioles Exhibition game at Nationals Park Saturday March 29 and a 3WT/Nationals “Inaugural Ball” T-shirt.

Upon arrival at the new Nationals Park, 3WT’s Nigel will literally be camping out at the new stadium in an effort to be the first fan in the park on Saturday March 29.  He will arrive following the walk, spend the night, and stay at the stadium until game time at 6 pm Saturday where he will turn over the ceremonial baseball to Mayor Adrian Fenty who will throw out the first pitch.
Talk Radio 3WT launched in September of 2007 and features a diverse array of talk personalities.

In addition to Burd, Doyle, Jones, Stephanie Miller and The Tony Kornheiser Show, 3WT also features Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, and is the home to play-by-play action of the Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, Navy Football and George Washington Basketball. It is one of three stations owned in D.C. by Bonneville International. Its sister stations are WTOP Radio and Federal News Radio AM 1050 WFED

Nationals catchers have been a hot topic this weekend. The Nationals just announced that Wil Nieves has been assigned to minor league camp.  We were led to believe that Nieves would back up Lo Duca until Estrada is ready and Flores would start in Harrisburg. With Nieves now in minor league camp and Estrada likely injured, only Lo Duca and Flores are on the roster.  Does this mean Estrada is ready to go?  Sounds like there is still more to be worked out in this position.  

From the press release:

“The Washington Nationals today reassigned catcher Wil Nieves to minor-league camp. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.”

Additionally, Tim Redding suffered a back spasm in today’s loss to the Marlins.  He’s scheduled for a bullpen session on Tuesday and we’re hoping this was just a minor set-back.  If not, we’d all expect Lannan to get the call.

Bill says Felipe has changed his tune and suggested that he’ll have no problem rooting for teammates Guzman and Belliard if he is on the bench.  Now seriously — if he had said, “Bench, Sure. No problem,” wouldn’t everyone be on his case about not caring?  Of course he’s going to pull for his teammates.  Of course he isn’t going to be happy on the bench.  What young guy with his potential would be?  Will it make him work even harder?  Probably, at least we hope so. 

Dave from Bottom Feeder Baseball is in Viera and has some great re-caps and photos.  Check it out.

UPDATE:  Bill Ladson says that indeed Flores will back up Paul Lo Duca if Estrada starts the season on the DL.

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The Nats played a great game against Atlanta today at Space Coast Stadium.  Lannan picked up the win in 6 innings with 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 2 strike-outs.  Two wins and a 2.45 ERA this spring for Lannan.

Austin led the Nats with an RBI double.  The Nats combined to hit 12 hits including contributions from Lopez, Milledge, Zimmerman, Johnson, Kearns, Mackowiak, and Flores.  Lopez had a much better game going 2 for 4 with a steal, but he can’t get a break on the field.  He had an error early in the game and later avoided an error on another infield hit that got by him.  Zimmerman and Johnson both went 2 for 4 and Austin was 2 for 3 with a walk.  Mackowiak was 2 for 2 with a walk and an RBI.

The Nats announced that they returned Matt Whitney to the Indians and sent Mike O’Connor to Minor League camp.  They also put lefty Ray King on the 25 man roster.  Dave says that, unofficially, means that the bullpen looks like this:  Cordero, Rauch, Ayala, Colome, Rivera, Hanrahan and King - with Schroder heading to Columbus.

Alright - Lo Duca thinks he’s better.  He played in one game, went 1 for 3 and actually caught Reyes stealing.  Fine and good.  So, we have a catcher to fill in until Jesus Flores is ready.  Manny suggested today that Estrada will start the season on the DL. The backup will be Wil Nieves.  Flores will still likely start in AA Harrisburg.

So two questions:  Why is Lo Duca talking about his long-term future here? (There isn’t one, is there?) And why is Bill Ladson STILL picking fights with Brian Schneider? (It seems personal and it’s getting old)

Between the underage women, gambling, attitude issues, heavy steroid use (and his inability to face up to it until months later) oh and the recent injury - we’re supposed to cheer for this guy, re-think our real long term plan for catcher and forget that Brian Schneider was a good guy.  Yea, Paul, you can bet we’re skeptical, but at least there’s a beat writer on your side.

Take Bill’s great example of clubhouse leadership:

Early this week, for example, an upset Lo Duca didn’t see his name in the starting lineup against the Mets, so he went into manager Manny Acta’s office for an explanation. Lo Duca calmed down after Acta told him the team wanted Lo Duca to be in a “more controlled environment” and make sure that his left knee was OK when he is hitting and catching behind the plate.

That’s leadership?  Demanding an answer when your name isn’t in the line-up?  Storming into Manny Acta’s office for an explanation? That’s respect?

Are we even in the clear for no suspension or is that yet to be determined?