We hope each of you had a happy holiday!  It was nice to take a nice long break post Teixeira and get some sleep.  Here’s a few links and updates for now.  We’re working on having a Women in Baseball interview up any day, so check back soon.

After 84 innings this season and a lot of overuse, Saul Rivera recently started pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues.  In 4 innings, he has 4.50 ERA. 

Saul’s buddy Wil Nieves bounced back from a miserable start in winter ball.  Nieves now carries a .295 average in 78 at bats, hitting .355 over his last 10 games.

And remember Jonathan Albaladejo?  The hefty Yankees reliever who was lights out with the Nationals at the end of ‘07? He has given up no runs in 19 innings in Puerto Rico.

Playoffs began last week in the DR.  The Tigres/Nats/”softball girls” are 2-1 so far, including a 5-2 win on Monday over Nelson Figueroa and the Aguilas.  Anderson Hernandez is 6 for 13 in the playoffs and has collected doubles in each of those games.  New National Jorge Sosa started on Friday; he pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 earned run with six strike outs leading his team to a 14-4 win.

The MLB Network launches on Thursday, January 1st!

Dave Letterman might be a Nationals fan?

The Cabrera deal is official.  $2.6 million for one year.

Opening Day is just 96 days away!

I think I’m one of the only suckers working for part of the day today…well the term “working” is loosely defined, by working I mean I’m present in my cubicle.  I had a chance to read Boswell’s article today about the Nats, Teixeira, and the evil Yankees.  I agreed with pretty much everything he said.  Here are a few of my favorite parts -

When a franchise has the worst record in its sport, but has no financial or operational handicap to excuse it, only one thing matters: Get better.

Why? If the Nats did not know the reason before they sought Teixeira, they certainly should grasp it now. The Nats, by building their major league product too cheaply, did more than shortchange their fans in the inaugural season at Nationals Park. By obsessing exclusively over the long term but neglecting absolutely fundamental improvements to the big club, they made Washington a home that Teixeira could not take seriously.

Instead, the Nationals have wasted two offseasons, neglected two free agent pools of talent and, with injuries last season, dissolved into a 102-loss joke. They didn’t have to be. So, when the Nats might have had their coup, the Yanks swept Teixeira up with ease.

After all, who’d want to play baseball in Washington at any price? That’s what has to change.

Here’s to change in the new year, and fielding a team that can be taken seriously.  We hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

As you quickly descend from the Teixeira clouds, watch out for the pavement below.  The Nats signed Corey Patterson and Jorge Sosa to minor league deals today.  THAT is our big news for the day.

There is no cryin’ in baseball.

So says Thom Loverro…

Stay Tuned.

Update:  Damn Yankees! 

Teixeira signed with the Yankees for perhaps less then we offered.  Enjoy New York, Mark.

There’s no cryin’ in baseball….But there will be a few days off.

For days, this post has been kicking around in my head.  I’ve just been too busy to sit down and write.

This morning, I listened to Baseball This Morning on MLB Home Plate (as I do almost every morning) and observed them poking fun at our organization.  It is beyond comprehension that the top dollar free agent would sign with the worst team in baseball.  They went on to make fun of Collin Balester for his weekend interview predicting a World Series sweep with Teixeira in the Nats lineup.

I love Home Plate and I’m a pretty loyal listener.  But today, they hit every nerve; in a week where I have argued with every baseball person I know about whether or not this Teixeira sweepstakes could be won by the most unthinkable of teams, all this complaining and whining about the Nationals involvement in negotiations with Teix is driving me crazy.  Everyone is so quick to put us down, to predict a few more miserable years, to mock ownership, executives and fans and to say that there is no way Teixeira ends up in Washington.  As if we’re not even allowed to be a factor. 

Why not? If the Lerners are interested and will keep sweetening the offer (as they apparantly did this evening), then why aren’t we being taken seriously?  Why so much disrespect?  Tampa took it (the disrespect), in one of the toughest divisions in baseball and they showed the world that crazy things can happen in this game. (By the way, I’m not suggesting a worst to first storybook season for the Nats).  Will Mark Teixeira carry this team to the World Series on his back?  Probably not.  But he is a huge step in the right direction.

I am so tired of the Teixeira saga.  My blackberry addiction has turned almost clinical throughout the Teix Sweeps and combined with a Christmas panic to find last minute presents (my family insists on must-have-impossible-to-find-gifts like Wii Fit and NHL 2K9), I’m in desperate need of a long, peaceful hibernation when this finally wraps up.

But here’s what I want to say.  I’m proud of the Lerners for doing this, regardless of what happens.  I hope Mark Teixeira is a National very soon and I’m not embarrased to believe that he really might be.  I understand that we still have a lot of work to do, even with Teixeira in the lineup, but I know we’d be worlds better with him than without him.

I’m not big fan of our GM and yes, I wish we could have upgrades in the lineup, in the rotation and in the bullpen, but I think indeed we are the sum of our parts.  I’m feeling hyper defensive these days.  Only we — fans who suffered through the 100+ loss season, in the heat and in the rain…only we can mock our team.  And look around.  Everybody is hopeful and ready to begin a new chapter and put 2008 behind us.  Not naive, just optimistic. Maybe it’s Christmas spirit.  Maybe it’s desperation.  Maybe it’s heart.

Ah, the memories.

At least he’s young.  Maybe Randy St. Claire can work his magic.

Ladson’s piece available here.

Take this quiz to find out how many MLB teams you can name.

It will give you a break from refreshing your google reader or whatever you are using to keep track of Teix rumors.

Aaron signed a one year deal with the Houston Astros today, according to MLB.com.

After hearing this rumor just before going to sleep last night, I actually dreamed about Mark Teixiera playing first base for the Nats.  For a little Christmastime fun, Kristen and I got a little creative this morning.  This is Twas The Night Before Christmas - Nats fan style…   

‘Twas a few nights before Christmas, when all through the park
The Lerners were stirring, to land a deal with Mark
Their offer was submitted to Boras with care,
In hopes that Teixeira soon would play there.

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Mark at first base danced in their heads.
And Nats players in their jerseys, and I in my cap,
Had just settled in for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the sidelines I ran in a flash,
Tore off my sunglasses and watched the ball fly past.

The moon on the breast of the beautiful new field
With Mark there now, the stadium was always filled.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The Nats were actually winning; I shed a quick tear.

With a youthful first baseman, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, that must be the trick.
More rapid than eagles the fans, they came,
They whistled, and shouted, and called him by name;

“Now, Lannan! Now, Elijah! now, Milledge and Guzman!
On, Flores! on Harris! on, Olsen and Z-man!
To the top of the Red Porch! to the National Mall!
Now swing away! swing away! swing away at the ball!

One after one, baseballs would fly,
When a ball left their bats, it headed to the sky.
Manny said go, so on the basepaths they flew,
With a slugger in the lineup, they knew they could win too.

And then, in a cheer, I heard at the plate
The loudest yelling and clapping I’d heard to date.
As I drew back in my seat, and cheered with the crowd,
Up to bat came Teixeira, all Nats fans were proud.

He was dressed all in red, from his cap to his cleats,
And his clothes were all pressed, so clean and so neat.
He stood tall at the plate with a #23 on his back,
He waited for his pitch, then took a big whack.

He made Manny’s eyes twinkle! Winning made us all merry!
His picks at first were like magic, his hits they could carry!
The Lerners thought, “Huh, what do you know?
Spend a little money, and the crowds…Woah!”

With the game on the line, Mark grinded his teeth,
What pitcher could they bring out in relief?
He took to the mound to help stop the rally.
The bullpen stayed silent; they believed in Bally.

He was a leader, a slugger and despite all that wealth
Gracious, hard-working and always in good health
With a wink of my eye, I turned and I said,
I never thought I’d say this, but I love Uncle Ted.

Mark got a big contract, but he did all his work,
And the fans came to see him, even when they were broke.
“Are you happy here?,” asked a reporter he knows.
With a smile, he said, “I’m glad it was DC I chose.”

As he sprang from the plate, his teammates let out a whistle,
And away the ball flew and Tex sure did hustle.
I heard the umpire exclaim, as the ball rolled almost out of sight,
“Mark’s a National now, all the world is right!”

This morning, the Nats announced their schedule for the first NatsFest at new Nationals Park and the Winter Caravan.  There are lots of great events this year, including a celebrity cook-off at ESPN Zone on my birthday (and Wily Mo’s).  Stop by to help me eat my cake.  It should be a great weekend!

 WASHINGTON NATIONALS ANNOUNCE 2009 WINTER CARAVAN AND NATSFEST
 
The Washington Nationals today announced the schedule for their 2009 Winter Caravan, as the team will make several stops throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including visits to Annapolis, MD, Martinsburg, WV, and Richmond, VA. The Winter Caravan will take place Thursday, January 22 through Monday, January 26 and include NatsFest, the first-ever FanFest at Nationals Park, on Sunday, January 25.

The Caravan is an opportunity for the Nationals team members to connect with their fans and the community in the region before they head to Viera, FL for the start of the Spring Training season in mid-February.  Nationals players, coaches, front office executives and broadcasters will take part in appearances throughout the city and surrounding areas during the five-day event. The Caravan will begin with a stop in Martinsburg, WV on Thursday, January 22. Players will compete in a celebrity
cook-off at the ESPN Zone in Washington, DC on Friday, January 23. The team will make an appearance in Richmond, VA on Saturday, January 24 and return to the District for Sunday’s NatsFest. The Caravan will conclude on Monday, January 26 with visits to Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Southwest Washington and Children’s National Medical Center.
 
NatsFest, which will be open to the public, will take place on Sunday, January 25 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Fans will have the opportunity to interact with Nationals players through autograph, photograph and question-and-answer sessions. Nationals executives will also take part in a Q&A with fans. All Nationals Season Ticket Holders are eligible for four complimentary tickets per account.

Information on how to receive these tickets will be sent to Season Ticket Holders via an e-mail on Wednesday, December 17. All Nationals fans may purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, December 17 at 10:00am, online at www.nationals.com/natsfest, by calling 1-888-632-NATS (6287) or at the Nationals Park Main Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm). The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12.  The Nationals Park Box Office will be closed from Tuesday, December 23 through Sunday, January 4 while the Nationals Executive Offices are closed for the holidays.
 
Additional information on the Winter Caravan and NatsFest, including player participation and a full list of Caravan stops, will be released the week of January 12th.
 
Season Ticket packages for the 2009 season may be purchased by calling a Nationals sales representative at 202-675-NATS (6287) – Option #1 Monday through Friday during the regular business hours of 8:30 am and 5:30pm or by visiting nationals.com.
 
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