Thanks to Mark Zuckerman for pointing this tidbit out. The Nationals are now the butt of jokes across the league. Today in Texas the Nationals were the butt of a trade deadline practical joke. Rangers reliever Eddie Guardado was sitting in the steam room before the game and the trade deadline this afternoon, when manager Ron Washington told him the news. Guardado, he said, had been traded to the Washington Nationals, and sadly the Rangers got nothing in return. Guardado was so angry with the news, he stormed to the front office, wearing his warm up clothes and shower shoes and demanded an explanation.

“There’s Jay Robertson, John Hart, Thad Levine, all those guys,” Guardado said. “They’re all sitting around and nobody is smiling. I go, ‘Washington Nationals? You’ve got to be kidding.’”

The execs couldn’t keep a straight face for long though, and eventually Guardado discovered he had been the victim of a classic trade deadline practical joke.

Guess no one wants to come to DC. After losing nine in a row, who can blame them. However, we are excited to see the new guys in action hopefully this weekend.

Felipe Lopez and Paul Lo Duca were released tonight to make room for newly acquired Alberto Gonzalez, rehabbing Elijah Dukes and Emilio Bonifacio.

Lopez made 4.9 million this year.  He hit .233 in 99 games with 25 RBI.  Everyone saw this coming.  He’s talented and it just didn’t work here.  We do wish him the best.

Lo Duca made 5 million this season.  He hit .230 in 46 games with the Nationals.  This was long overdue.  He should have never been signed in the first place.

Rumors were flying all afternoon about Ayala, Lannan and Hanrahan.  Zuckerman shot down the Lannan and Hanrahan rumors, but Minaya’s interest in Ayala was still out there as of the 4 pm deadline. 

The one trade that was announced was with the Yankees for Short Stop Alberto Gonzalez, in exchange for Jhonny Nunez.  From the Nats:

Gonzalez, 25, is a plus defensive shortstop who last season was rated as the top defensive infielder in the Yankees’ minor-league system. Gonzalez, who played in 28 games during a pair of stints with the Yankees this season, batted .250 (47-for-188) with eight doubles, four home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games with Scranton/W-B of the Triple-A International League in 2008.
 
Gonzalez was acquired by the Yankees as part of the January 2007 five-player trade that brought Randy Johnson to New York. In 2005, he was rated by Baseball America as the top defensive infielder in Arizona’s minor-league system. At the minor-league level, Gonzalez tallied at least 20 doubles each of the last three seasons and has fanned just once every 8.6 at-bats in five-plus seasons.

There hasn’t been much of it to go around this season.  But young catcher Jesus Flores certainly has shown that he belongs.  Flores was presented with the Heart and Hustle Award yesterday, an honor given by The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.  “The esteemed award honors an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit, and tradition of the game.”  The final winner will be announced on November 7, 2008 in New York City.

Jim Hannan talked about Flores before the game and described why he was a deserving nominee:

Well, basically, it’s pretty simple.  He was the starting catcher near the end of last year, they made a trade, they sent him to the minors, he came back up, he didn’t complain about it, he got his chance and he capitalized and he’s performed extremely well.

Here’s the list of the 2008 winners from each club.

Here’s the video of Jim Hannan talking about why Jesus deserved the honor.

Congrats to Jesus!  At least somebody has heart in 2008.  We’re glad Flores is being recognized for what we, as fans, saw all along.

It doesn’t seem like the Nationals will get all the elements of the game on the same page this season.  If the pitching is there, the offense sleeps - take last week’s starts from Bergmann and Lannan as an example.  Last night, the guys belted out some big hits, but the pitching and defense couldn’t hold a lead.  It’s a sad state of affairs indeed.  With a current record of 38-69 and last night’s loss meaning eight in a row, losing 100 games is all but certain. Injuries, poor trades, and shotty management have combined to make the 2008 Nationals a difficult team to cheer for. 

Admittedly, I might be a little naive and I do tend to hope for the best in almost all situations.  What can I say, I’m a glass half full kind of girl, but when it comes to the Nationals I’m becoming more and more jaded.  Regardless, walking into the stadium a little late last night, but just in time to see the fireworks for Willie Harris’ eighth home run, I held out the slight hope that the Nationals might find a spark and win the game.  When Jesus Flores followed up with another home run in the first inning, a two run shot to put the Nats ahead by one, I was even more hopeful for a win.  Alas, it wasn’t meant to be as Redding struggled through most the game and the boys couldn’t pile on enough run support.  When the Phillies scored five runs in the fifth inning a victory seemed certainly out of reach for the Nats and they went on to lose 8-5.  While it wasn’t the outcome I was hoping for, I know I’ll be back for more this weekend, still holding out the slightest hope that my team might sneak by with a couple wins. 

The Nats are better than the record shows for sure.  It’d just be nice if the guys could get all of the elements working together.  Despite the loss, let’s talk about extra base hits.  The Nats had six doubles and two homers last night. Willie Harris alone went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and a home run.  Pinch hitters came through big as well.  Casto and Langerhans both collected hits in their only plate appearances. 

 If this season has taught me anything, it’s that I am fan of the game as a whole.  I can appreciate talented players across the league.  For example, Shane Victorino put on quite the show for his fan club in center-field.  Dressed in grass skirts and lays with Phlyin’ Hawaiian signs, the group was delighted with their center-fielder’s 3 for 5 night, including 3 RBI and a solo homer into the Nats bullpen. Armed with a loaded lineup, the Phils did not let up on defense either.  Pat Burrell gunned down Flores with an outfield assist and Ruiz caught Belliard trying to steal second.

We watched the game in the center-field club seats, and were inches from that Chase Utley home run ball.  I had my fingers on it, but the guy next to me prevailed…bummer!  We really enjoyed the seats and the view from center. 

Upon leaving, we were again treated to what is becoming a dangerous and terrible traffic situation near the home plate entrance.  Ample parking awaits across S. Capitol Street, but crossing after a game is becoming impossible.  Several different security guards and traffic cops have been used to control the situation, but not one has brought any order to the chaos.  To make matters worst, last night the power hungry traffic cops really got out of hand.  First, the officer screamed at a woman who was hesitant to turn right (because of oncoming traffic) even though he was guiding her to do so.  We don’t fault her hesitation because the intersection is totally out of control.  After letting three or four cycles of traffic pass through the intersection, pedestrians waiting to cross starting asking the cop when they might be able to.  It was a legitimate question, given the 10-15 minute wait.  His reply?  “You just sat through 9 innings of a baseball game.  You can keep waiting.”  That was pretty uncalled for.  Sometime soon, something dangerous is going to happen at that out of control intersection and something needs to be done to correct it.

In response to the officer in question, I’ve been waiting all season buddy.  Waiting for my line up to hit, waiting for players to learn in the big leagues, waiting for my team to win, waiting for ownership to take some control of the situation, and now waiting to cross the street.  I’m familiar with waiting and I’ve been doing it patiently.

The Nats got a Lannan-esque quality start from impressive young Collin Balester.  With six innings of work, one costly 2 run mistake to Chase Utley and 5 strike outs, Balester took the lost.  Mock, Manning and Hanrahan were impressive in relief.

The Nats extended their scoreless streak to 26 1/3 innings before Harris grounded out to score Guzman.  The unearned run came thanks to Utley’s error a moment earlier.  The Nats collected just 4 hits for the night, one from their pitcher.

Zimmerman’s baserunning gaffe in the 7th certainly didn’t help.  As Ryan rounded second, he took off for third with the crowd screaming, “NO.”  He dove back into the bag but was easily tagged out.  The improbably rally was cut short.

All in all, another typical Nats game.  Flores had one of the only hits of the night and he nailed down speedy Victorino early in the game.  Yet, to be sure, Lo Duca is complaining that he’s not behind the plate.   Blaming Flores for stealing back a spot he deserved all along sure isn’t going to help him get traded any quicker, nor is it going to win points with any Nats fan.

In other good news, Dukes is making considerable strides with rehab, already appearing with the AAA Clippers. He went 2 for 3 last night with a run scored.  Post writer Zach Berman went to Richmond last night and caught up with rehabbing Ryan Wagner, who offered this frightening gem:

What exactly is, ‘I’m back?’ You know what I’m saying? As long as I’m able to get guys out, whether I’m throwing 84 or 94, who cares?

Matt Swenson writes a quick piece criticizing GM Jim Bowden in today’s Express:  Nats Strike Out with Bowden.

The worst record in baseball is all the evidence needed to demonstrate Bowden’s mismanagement with this rebuilding club.

No one is expecting a playoff team, but there is no excuse for the Nats to keep declining when they started in such a lowly position.

We weren’t able to catch Teddy Roosevelt partying in Georgetown this weekend to promote Miller Lite Party Nights, but we do think the promotion is a great idea.  On Fridays, for the rest of the season, fans can get a special ticket to the Miller Lite Party for just $25.  The ticket includes a seat in the scoreboard pavillion, a voucher for a beer, and a pre-game party at 6 with live music and prizes.  After Friday games, fans are always treated to a fireworks display.  To buy Miller Lite Party Night tickets, click here.  This Friday is also U.S. Coast Guard Appreciation Night.  Discounted tickets for members of the military are available here.

If you’re coming out to watch Ken Griffey Jr. this weekend, you may be interested in the Weekender Promotion.  The ticket package includes 5 weekend home games of your choice with a complimentary Diamond Club ticket for the last home game.

This weekend the Nats will play Rookie of the Year following Saturday’s game against the Reds.  The team will also be collecting Back to School donations at the gates before each game:

On these days, the First Ladies will be present at all gates to collect school supplies and new books from fans. Fans can donate backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, and books as well as other necessary supplies for the classroom, which will then be donated to a school or agency in need.

As always, tomorrow’s game against the Phillies is t-shirt Tuesday.  On Sunday, the Nats will host the first Gospel Fest Celebration Day,

…a family oriented musical event that will showcase song selections performed by Community of Hope A.M.E. Church, St. Marks United Methodist Church, Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, and Ebenezer A.M.E. Church under the direction of Minister of Music, Byron Cage, and other gospel performances! This post-game event is free complimentary to all ticketed fans attending the game and will take place inside Nationals Park immediately following the game.

Additionally, this year’s second Ladies Night is fast approaching.  The next one is August 14 against the Mets.  It will feature Comedienne Erin Jackson, as well as the Savvy Girls of Summer.  Buy your ticket here.

This month’s August issue of Washingtonian includes a nice feature story on Jon Rauch, just days after he put on an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey.  In an interview with Brett Haber, Rauch discusses the Nationals, the Olympics, and the pressures of late inning relief work.  It’s well done and worth checking out.

It’s been yet another frustrating week for Washington Nationals fans.  It’s strange but our GM’s actions this week made getting swept by the Giants seem not that bad.  I really am disgusted with Jim Bowden at this point.  This is going to be a bit of rant, so please bear with me.  I’ve never been a fan of Jim Bowden’s flashy style.  Some of his past decisions have made me question my support of this team. 

The moves he made this past off-season really cemented my feelings on the matter.  First off, the Jesus Flores fiasco.  The Nats wasted $6 million this year on not one but two catchers, when they had one who was young and more than capable.  Instead they signed two “veterans” in hopes of bringing power to the lineup.  Because Jim was so hell bent on keeping Flores in the minors, the youngster never got a real chance to compete with the vets for the starting spot.  Injuries opened the door and Flores seized the opportunity he should have been granted all along.  No Nats fan needs to be told how horribly the catcher plan backfired this season.  At least Estrada is now gone, his season and $1 million of the Nats payroll wasted.  We are left hoping that Lo Duca is next to go.  Finally, the team will be back to where it should have been in April.  With Flores starting and with a capable back up, in this case Nieves.

I can appreciate some of the other off-season moves.  The Lastings Milledge deal will probably pay off in the long run, although I think bringing him to Washington is just another example of Bowden doing whatever needed to get what he covets.  The Dukes gamble seems to have paid off also, his injury is unfortunate, but his numbers this season spell promise.  The test will be him keeping his personal life in check this off-season;  on that front, things have surprisingly seemed okay.  Really though, I think Jim just got lucky with these two moves.

So that brings us to this week.  When Rauch was traded for one prospect, one, I just shook my head.  Then to learn that the one prospect had been scouted by Mike Rizzo, it became clear: there is no thinking outside the box done within the Nats organization.  When Jim will stop at nothing to get THE guy he covets, that player’s price rises, regardless of whether it’s a sure thing.  The players traded for or acquired are the ones Jim and his staff have a history with.  In addition to reassembling his old Reds lineup, Jim makes every effort to go after his guys, no matter what the cost.  It’s personal with Jim Bowden, while on other successful teams, it’s a business. It was personal when Ryan Church was traded.  It was personal when Jim ripped into Jason Bergmann early in the season.  The team is a mess, it has been for months.  The season is a wash and all the promise of a great offensive lineup is basically void. Great job Jim, you’ve had a heck of a season. 

You’d think that anyone with half a brain would tread lightly for awhile after making some questionable trades and signing questionable extensions while being investigated by the FBI, but not Jim Bowden.  In true Bowden fashion, he opened his mouth on a sports talk radio show the other day and announced the team’s plans to non-tender Chad Cordero, before even informing Chad or his agent.  Any class this organization had left disappeared in that moment.  Really, that’s the way you are going to treat a valued member of the ball club, especially a guy who has been an integral part since the beginning of the transition to DC?  A player drafted and developed in this system? Sure Chad probably knew it was coming, but that’s beside the point. He deserved a phone call and an explanation at least, before the news went public.  The disappointing thing is that no one seemed surprised by Jim’s actions.  Who is going to want to play for Washington with a GM who treats players like pawns? It is disrespectful the way Cordero’s situation was handled.  Who would blame him for not coming back next year? 

For me as a fan, this was the last straw.  I’m one step away from sending the rest of my season tickets back to Jim Bowden himself.