Not any of these…

Not Manny Acta…

Not Bang! Zoom! Another Curly W in the Books!

Not either of the Teddy pumpkins…

This one is your winner.  A Nats jersey. 

I’m going to try to be mature about this, but I have to say that I’m a little confused.

Congrats to the winner. 

So we missed this one by a day, and I swear it has nothing to do with still resenting the Ayala - Hernandez trade.  Anderson and the Licey Tigres had yesterday off, so we hope he enjoyed his birthday.

I love getting mail.  Yesterday, I got a package from the Nats about next year’s season tickets.  I ripped it open quickly, excited to see next year’s planning already underway.  I read Mr. Kasten’s thoughtful attempt to say 2008 was a success.  I laughed.  But despite all that, we’re considering an upgrade.  We’re probably crazy.

But then this Cordero thing just simmered all evening.  Up went Nats 320’s interview, one so candid that it’s worth mentioning and encouraging you to read.  Like SBF and many fans, we really wanted Chief to remain with this franchise and we’re really disappointed about how this turned out.

Add to that this story from Thom Loverro reminding us that Pat Gillick wanted to be the general manager of the Nationals and instead…well you know how that turned out.  Gillick’s Phillies win the 2008 World Series.  Bowden’s Nationals are 284-363.

All of that means there’s still plenty to think about before sending our check to Mr. Lerner.

Links:

We all went to college in Erie, PA so this story is particularly funny.

Zimmerman is doing another charity golf tournament this weekend.  “Swing for a Cure”  supports Kevin Eadie, a boy battling Niemann-Pick Type C disease.  MyFox Hampton Roads has a touching story about Kevin you should really read.

Here’s another story about rumors that Stan Kasten might go to Toronto.

The Lerner family helped to host a Green Leadership Gala last night to honor leadership in sustainability.

Happy Halloween!

The Nationals announced today that pitchers Chad Cordero and Ryan Wagner, as well as infielder Pete Orr were outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. All three players declined the assignment and elected to become free agents. After that whole radio station fiasco, we knew it was a long shot for Cordero to be back in 2009, but to outright him and basically just give away his talent seems like such a waste to us. Cordero is young, talented and was a big part of the Nationals, we think this is a move the team is going to regret big time. Kristen has long been a fan of Ryan Wagner, and we are sad to see him let go as well. When healthy he showed some good stuff.

In the same release, the Nats announced that Wily Mo Pena has picked up his $2 million player option for 2009. So we lose Cordero, Wagner, and Orr but get Wily Mo back. Does this seem a bit off to anyone else?

From the Nationals -

The Washington Nationals today announced they have outrighted right-handed pitcher Chad Cordero, right-handed pitcher Ryan Wagner and infielder Pete Orr to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. All three players elected free agency. The Nationals also announced they have rejected a $5 million club option on outfielder Wily Mo Pena, who subsequently exercised a $2 million player option for the 2009 season. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcements.

Pena, 26, has batted .241 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 101 games with the Nationals since being acquired from Boston on August 17, 2007 in exchange for a player to be named (first baseman Chris Carter). He is a .253 hitter with 77 home runs and 225 RBI in 560 big league games spanning seven seasons with Cincinnati, Boston and Washington.

The 26 year-old Cordero pitched in only six games last season and had season-ending right-shoulder surgery on July 8. Cordero’s 128 career saves rank second on the franchise’s all-time list behind only Jeff Reardon (152). He departs having pocketed 113 of the 157 saves recorded by the Nationals since 2005.

Wagner, 26, did not pitch in the big leagues in 2008 while working his way back from June 5, 2007 SLAP repair surgery on his right shoulder. He is 11-9 with 30 holds and a 4.79 ERA in 148 games with Cincinnati and Washington.

We knew Pat Corrales would be returning next season with the Nats, we just didn’t know in what capacity.  This just in from the Nationals -

 The 67-year-old Corrales begins his new appointment after serving as Manny Acta’s bench coach for the past two seasons. The upcoming campaign will be Corrales’ 51st in professional baseball, including 40 seasons as a big league manager, coach or player. Prior to joining the Nationals, he spent 17 seasons as a member of Bobby Cox’s staff in Atlanta, the last eight as bench coach. During his tenure, the Braves won 14-consecutive NL East titles and were crowned World Series Champions in 1995. Corrales went to seven All-Star Games as a coach, and posted a 572-634 (.474) record during nine seasons as a manager with Texas (1978-80), Philadelphia (1982-83) and Cleveland (1983-87).

The Nationals also announced that Devon White has been named Special Assistant, Player Development.  From the Nationals -

White, 45, spent last season as the Nationals’ roving outfield coordinator, his initial assignment in coaching after retiring from his 17-year playing career following the 2001 season. A three-time All-Star outfielder, White earned seven Gold Gloves during his career, a total surpassed by only 11 outfielders in the history of the game. He stole 30 or more bases five times and won three World Series Championships, including two with the Toronto Blue Jays (1992-93) and one with the Florida Marlins (1997). He established career bests with 24 home runs and 87 RBI during his first full campaign in the big leagues with the California Angels in 1987, then stole a season-high 44 bases two years later with the Angels in 1989. White appeared in 1,941 games during his playing career with California, Toronto, Florida, Arizona, Los Angeles-NL and Milwaukee. He hit a combined .263 (1,934-for-7,344) with 208 home runs, 846 RBI and 346 stolen bases over his 17 seasons, and batted .296 (56-for-189) with three homers, 20 RBI and seven stolen bases in 49 post-season contests.

The Toronto Blue Jays are beginning their search for a president.  CEO Paul Beeston refused to comment on Stan Kasten, “whose name has been mentioned most as a successor to Godfrey.”

Ken Davidoff of Newsday mentions signing Chad Cordero as an option for the weak Mets bullpen.

Mike Henderson is out in Arizona, where he can’t find Ross Detwiler.  He also reports on Cory VanAllen’s awful 2.2 inning, 7 earned run appearance yesterday.

In the DR, Bonifacio went 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored.  He played centerfield last night. Anderson Hernandez was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and a triple.  Licey won 9-6.

Today, Washingtonpost.com relaunched their City Guide into a “Going Out Guide,” bringing readers the latest information and expert reviews on area hotspots.

Nats star and DC/VA local Ryan Zimmerman contributed to the “Going Out Guide,” by listing his top 7 places to go out in the area.

Viewers can also check out the 25 “Best Bets” for a variety of categories, make and share their own “go out” lists or used a customized search feature to plan a night out.

To read more about the launch of the Going Out Guide, click here.

So, I need your help.  I spent much of my weekend making a Manny Acta pattern and then carving it out. I turned the World Series off only when I worked on the nose, which I was afraid I’d cut off if something crazy happened. I had guidance and support from Stephanie and my summer baseball family. Without advice from Danielle and Denise, I surely would have detached one of the important parts of Manny’s face. Luckily, it all worked.

Here are all the photos I was able to take.  Which one do you like best? Which one should I submit to the Nationals contest?

You have until tomorrow, October 28 at 5 PM, to submit your pumpkins. And you can download cool Nationals themed patterns here.

Cory VanAllen pitched a scoreless 5th inning Friday night for the American Rising Stars in a loss to the National Rising Stars 6-7.

In Arizona over the weekend, prospect Bill Rhinehart had a huge game.  Playing LF, Rhinehart went 2 for 6 with a double, a homer and 3 RBI.  Leonard Davis was 1 for 4 with 3 RBI and an error.

In Venezuela, Luis Jimenez is back in action after being pulled from a game in the first inning last week.  On Saturday, Roger Bernadina went 2 for 4 in a 0-13 loss for the Bravos.

In the Dominican Republic, Anderson Hernandez and Emilio Bonifacio continue to shine.  After going 0 for 5 on Friday night, Bonifacio had a better game on Saturday, stealing 2 bases, walking twice, and going 1 for 3.  Hernandez went 3 for 4 on Friday with a double and 2 runs scored.

On Sunday, Licey won 11-3.  Bonifacio was 1 for 4 with 3 runs scored, while Hernandez went 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Nationals Pride Blogger Mike Henderson of Hendo’s Hutch is out in Arizona to catch some of the AFL, so be sure to check his blog for updates this week!