Well now that i have a life again and am not running from one task to the next from 6 AM until 11:30 PM I can get back to writing about baseball instead of just watching it and preparing for games. I have a new found respect for the people that clean Nationals Park after games; it really is terrible especially after an entire game on a humid day. I have been volunteering for the Bethesda Big Train, part of the Cal Ripken Sr, Collegiate Baseball League, and that in addition to Nats games, P-nats games, and a class I took has left me away from the computer but now that the 2009 CRSCBL champs have finished their season, I have more time to fill my baseball life with writing instead of cleaning. Now to move on to the Nationals…

Having just returned from Pittsburgh, I have discovered that I only root for Nationals, but with a few caveats. If a player I happen to be a of fan is playing for the other team, they must succeed in their play but the rest of the team has to crumble. With the Pirates, for example, Joel Hanrahan need to dominate, (that didn’t really work out on Friday night, but I did let out a sigh of relief when he was pulled before they could put on enough runners to get the loss), and Ryan Doumit also needed to go at least 2-4 (again, didn’t happen, but my fantasy team needs help so I had to root for him). Other than those two exceptions I really did want that Nationals to be perfect… for the two games I did see (Fri and Sat) they were not perfect.

By the way, if you have never been to Pittsburgh, I highly suggest visiting. PNC Park may be my new favorite away ballpark. It is so intimate and pleasant, and easy to get around and not too expensive.

My friend Dave from Nats News Network also informed me that as of the Aug. 2nd win we only need 8 more wins to not have the most losses in the modern era, which begs the question, were the ‘62 Mets really THAT bad?

Also a moment of silence for all of the good Nats that have left us over the years. The recent trade deadline has led me to remember past Nats, and after seeing the sea of McLouth, Sanchez, and Wilson jerseys and t-shirts in Pittsburgh I really do feel for Pirates fans. Not all of the former Nats were perfect, or even good, but I can find something good to say about all of them and I truly do miss them. Some have moved on to bigger and better things and some never made it, but baseball is a business and stuff happens. I have tried to update what they are doing for you all. This list is not complete but they are the guys that I miss the most.

Robert Fick- now kicking independent league butt for the Orange County Flyers.

Tim Redding- Not doing too hot for the New York Mets

Joel Hanrahan- the veteran on the Pirates

Brian Schneider- NYM catcher

Ryan Church- A member of the Braves

Jonathan Albaladejo- not doing great for the Yankees, but has the most big league IP of his career

Ray King- as far as i know, out of baseball

Jon Rauch- we will see the big man in a few days on the D-backs

Chris Snelling- After leaving the Nats on May 2nd, 2007 he had major league moments on the A’s, Devil Rays, Phillies and minor league moments with the Padres and Pirates and is now a free agent, he did do well in the WBC for Australia.

Bill Bray- out for the season with a tear in left elbow, on the Reds

Brad Wilkerson- retired after getting minor league deal with the Red Sox this year

Brendan Harris- fair enough for the twins

Rick Short- as far as i know, after 2 seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, he is out of baseball

Vinny Castilla- coached for Mexico in WBC

Luis Ayala- doing the same thing for the Marlins

Johnny Estrada- not in baseball

Josh Wilson- spent time in Arizona and Seattle’s AAA this year along with big league action with the Dbacks, padres, and Mariners

Felipe Lopez- traded to the brewers, we saw him a little while ago

Charlie Manning- not really that great in St. Louis AAA

Ryan Wagner- retired because of injury

Jesus Colome- signed a minor league deal with Brewers

And a few coaches…

Manny Acta- in FLA, with the family

Tim Tolman- signed as an instructor with the Mariners in Jan 2009

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