Sometimes I don’t send thank you notes out timely. My friends and family are generous and kind, and yet I’m not as dependable as I should be about writing a note, putting a stamp on it, and taking it to the mailbox.
Same goes, it seems, for posting a thank you to recognize MASN for its hospitality. As you may have heard, for the 2nd time in as many years, last week MASN invited a bunch of fan-bloggers to take in a ballgame from a suite at Nationals’ Park.
Our gracious hosts, Todd Webster and Kristen Hudak, set up time to meet with MASN personalities and chat with Nationals’ staff, and they even picked a great game: Livo’s complete-game shutout, instead of one of the, uh, other pitching performances. I was grateful to be included in the activities, given I’ve barely begun to explore this blogging thing.
The spread, complete with beer and food, has been noted elsewhere, so I want to add how I enjoyed meeting new people, seeing ballpark friends, and watching part of the game with Ray Knight.
My fellow bloggers asked some interesting questions, and one that stood out for me regarded the “biggest single difference” between this year and last.
Rob Dibble’s response: Pudge Rodriguez
Knight’s response: Mike Rizzo at the top
Dibble elaborated that Rodriguez’s leadership was in his presence and how he carries himself—leadership by doing. Ray talked a bit more (hard to believe, I know), noting that Rizzo put together a talented group of men whom he listens to, that Mike and Jim Riggleman are on the same page, and that the Nationals’ clubhouse has a “whole different atmosphere” this year—a sort of essay on leadership by developing a compatible team of managers and players.
Hmmm, interesting. Where does leadership start? My inclination is to start with Rizzo, but I’m pretty happy that we also have Pudge (“Who are you calling old?”) on our team.
Thanks again to the MASN team for a great day.