During yesterday’s opening ceremonies you may have noticed the second player announced has not been in the press much, in fact many Phillies fans sitting near me had no idea Chris Coste was on the Nationals. While this signing is no blockbuster event, it is still noteworthy to mention it.

Coste, 37, was put on waivers by the Mets late in spring training; last year he appeared in 88 games last season for the Phillies and Astros, hitting .224. Coste, a talented catcher, is also an author. Last year I read his entire book in a couple of days and it was probably one of the best I have read.

The 33 Year Old Rookie is Chris’ story of making it to the big leagues, from childhood to his breakout season with the Phillies in 2006. If I remember the book correctly, Chris can play all 9 positions but the position that would give him the greatest chance of making a career out of baseball was catcher. He learned baseball from his grandfather, but there was always a strong female presence in his childhood, living with a single mother and his two aunts. This book is a must read story about perseverance and what it takes to make it to the major leagues if you are not Stephen Strasburg.

Coste was put on the 15-day disabled list prior to Opening Day but I hope to see him play at some point this year.

I don’t want to give all of the funny, sad, and heartwarming stories away, so you will have to read the book yourself.

Buy Chris Coste’s book here.

From Ken Rosenthal:

One team that could emerge as a player for Martinez — if he is indeed willing to pitch for a lesser club — is Washington.

Martinez would be a draw for the Nats, who are 3-11 and struggling to build a fan base. He is well-acquainted with Nationals manager Manny Acta, who managed the Dominican Republic in the first WBC. He also could help the Nationals restore their image in the Dominican.

The Nationals have said that former general manager Jim Bowden and special assistant Jose Rijo are subjects of a baseball investigation in the Dominican regarding the skimming of bonus money from amateur signees.

The Nats also were involved in an age- and name-changing scandal involving a Dominican prospect, and shut down their academy in the Dominican while restructuring their Latin American operations, according to ESPN.com.

I know, I know — youth, youth, youth, but could Martinez help teach these young guys how to pitch?  Could he draw any fans?  Could he eat innings? Could he, would he close if needed?  What do you guys think?

Adam Dunn called into the MLB Network’s Hot Stove show this evening to talk about his two year signing with the Nationals today.  His picture was up, and he was already sporting a Nats curly W.  Dunn sounded relieved to know where he will be playing next year.  He admitted that his goal was to play for a contending team, but that this offseason’s free agency didn’t go the way he thought it would. However, Dunn did say that he really is excited to play in Washington and to be reunited with Jim Bowden and Austin Kearns.  Adam also said he is excited to help the Nationals turn things around this season. 

It was a pretty funny interview.  Dunn called in with his cell phone and hearing him was a little fuzzy.  The Hot Stove panel suggested he use some of his $10 million this year to get a landline phone.  I for one am excited to see what Dunn can bring to the team.  Today’s signing seemed like a little breath of fresh air.

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!

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.

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!”

Mark Teixeira!  Please, please, please Mark say yes to the Nats offer and make our Christmas wishes come true.   Even if you only say yes to shut them up, it would be enough.  You’d be a star in DC!