Returning for a moment to the story about the pile of manure, the little boy, and the pony.  Boy-oh-boy, the shit is on fire isn’t it!  I expect that nearly everyone has seen the comments on what Stan and the Nationals may or may not have done to facilitate (even encourage?) the invasion by Phillies fans.  Read about it everywhere: from a source that tends to be a little snarky, in the Washington Post, in a fan blog, and in a virtual therapy session (130 comments and counting) over at Mark Zuckerman’s Nats Insider.

Yesterday, I decided to focus on the pony, but I’d be lying if I said all the rage didn’t resonate with me.  So why do I feel so angry?

This might sound like a chick comment, but I think it’s about feelings.  Nationals fans love their team, often despite the baseball.  A lot of us spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on tickets, while feeling like the organization doesn’t care, or probably more accurately, doesn’t care enough about us.  It’s a little bit like a bad relationship where she’s totally obsessed, and he’s just not that into her.

If this fangirl’s instinct is to look for a pony, the organization’s instinct should be to look for shovels.  Some of the shovels are about scouting and development and everything else, including spending, to improve the baseball.

But there’s another shovel out there, just waiting for someone to pick it up.  This shovel deals with feelings and requires the Nationals organization to reach out to fans to say, “Yikes! We didn’t want that to happen.  Beginning today, we’ll work harder to show you how much we care about Nationals fans and how we’re working to build a bigger fan base.” The Nationals organization could be all wrong, or it could be more complicated than it appears, but it doesn’t really matter.  What matters is what every smart husband or boyfriend or significant other knows, the path to reconciliation starts not with being defensive, but rather with saying, “I’m sorry.”

STATEMENT FROM JIM BOWDEN

I am today resigning my position as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals. It is an emotional decision that saddens me, but one that I feel is in the best interests of two of the things I love most - baseball and the Washington Nationals.

My resignation is based upon my realization that my ability to properly represent the Washington Nationals has been compromised because of false allegations contained in the press. I am disappointed by the media reports regarding investigations into any of my professional activities. There have been no charges made, and there has been no indication that parties have found any wrongdoing on my part.

At the same time, while I have done nothing wrong, I place a greater value on the love, respect, and best interests of my family, friends, the game of baseball — that I’ve served lovingly and faithfully for close to 25 years — and, the reputation and future of the Washington Nationals, which I’m proud to have been a part of since its inception in 2004.

I believe I have had one of the great challenges afforded to any general manager in baseball. I was hired in November 2004 to make day-to-day baseball decisions on an interim basis with no ownership group, no permanent place to play and no legitimate minor league system. There was little to no budget for a major league roster. But, with the help of some very special assistants, we persevered. Today, we have some of the best owners in the game. We have one of the finest new ballparks, with a beautiful view of the Nation’s Capitol. And, we are headed in the right direction with the nucleus of a young, competitive and interesting major league baseball team that is capable of turning into a contender in a short period of time.

I’m proud to have had the opportunity to be part of such a special organization with so many tremendous people who will always be my friends, and am also proud of my contributions to Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals and the game.

I wish nothing but success to the Lerner Family, Stan Kasten and the Washington Nationals organization, and to the very special players and front office personnel with whom I’ve built strong and meaningful relationships. I also want to thank all of the players, managers, coaches, front office staff and ownership for treating my family members like their own.

In closing, let me state this is a bittersweet moment for me. While I will always have the experiences and fond memories of my relationships with the Nationals, Stan Kasten and the Lerner family, who have always been gracious and fair in their dealings with me, I will also carry with me the cold hard realization that my life has been turned upside down by a news media that prints entire stories attributed solely to anonymous sources who refuse to be identified and who are free to allege anything they choose for any purpose without fear of retribution. One can only understand the impact of false allegations, insinuations and innuendos by the press if they themselves been the subject of those false allegations. However, I also want to thank the many media members, who have dealt with me with fairness and professionalism, and they far outweigh the others.

Like anyone else, I have made mistakes in all areas of my personal and professional life, but I leave here with the true belief that I have done nothing intentionally to harm the Washington Nationals or Major League Baseball. The team, the fans and media can now turn all of their attention from the distractions off-the-field to where it belongs, on the baseball field for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season.

Jeremy Sandler of the National Post in Toronto also shoots down the rumors, but offers this tidbit:

LaCava is a long-time scout who has connections to the Nationals front office. He worked under Washington president Stan Kasten when he ran the dominant Atlanta Braves teams of the 1990s. Though not under the direct control of Kasten as a national cross-checker, LaCava worked closely with his good friend and former Braves assistant general manager Dayton Moore.

Moore, the current GM in Kansas City, would be someone Kasten could speak with in broad terms about possible candidates to replace Bowden.

Jose Rijo is done, along with nine other members of the Dominican staff via Bill Ladson’s blog.

Mark Zuckerman also has a good update on where everything stands, including a tidbit about the ownership group being divided on what to do with Bowden and when.

Yeah, we’re all looking at you…

Lastly, I don’t even know where to start with this, without swearing, yelling and hurting someone’s hyper-sensitive feelings.  For now, I’ll just contemplate whether I’m a shark, a vulture or a just plain hater…or maybe all three.  That could be fun.

How about I close with a quote from everyone’s favorite Racing President instead of getting into what I really think.

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

T. Roosevelt, 1918

Marty York of Metro News in Canada reports that:

Stan Kasten, who also has presided over the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers, is atop the list to replace the Jays’ interim prez, Paul Beeston. Sources spotted Jays lawyer Gord Kirke meeting with Kasten in New Orleans on the weekend.

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!

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.

This is a good Associated Press story on naming rights to sports stadiums.  Kasten says the Nationals are still in discussions on a number of things, but the reporters talk to lots of different teams about how naming rights deals worked out.  It’s an interesting read.

Here’s Chico Harlan’s story on Jim Bowden’s cancer. We wish Bowden the best with his recovery.

After all the talk last week about Willie Randolph coming to DC, the NY Daily News says that Randolph is also high on the Brewers’ managerial list.

From the Nationals:

NATIONALS HIRE DERIC LADNIER AS NATIONAL CROSSCHECKER

AND SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO GENERAL MANAGER

The Washington Nationals today announced the hiring of Deric Ladnier as a National Crosschecker and Special Assistant to the General Manager. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

“Deric is among the elite talent evaluators in baseball and we are excited to add him to our staff,” Bowden said. “Deric has a proven track record in the industry, encompassing both scouting and player development.”

An 18-year veteran in scouting and player development, Ladnier joins the Nationals after serving the last nine seasons as Senior Director of Scouting with the Kansas City Royals. During his tenure with the Royals, he oversaw eight drafts while restructuring and stocking the organization’s player development system with prospects such as 24-year-old Alex Gordon (Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year and named J.G. Spink Award winner as the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year in 2006), 25-year-old Zack Greinke (Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 2003), 25-year-old Luke Hochevar (first-overall selection in 2006 First-Year Player Draft), 22-year-old Billy Butler (named best power hitter and second-best prospect in Royals organization by Baseball America entering 2006), 27-year-old Mike Aviles (seventh-round selection in 2003 First-Year Player Draft, hit .325 in 102 games this season and is candidate for American League Rookie of the Year), 20-year-old Mike Moustakas (second-overall selection in 2007 First-Year Player Draft, hit 22 home runs in first full professional season), and 18-year-old Eric Hosmer (third-overall selection in 2008 First-Year Player Draft).

Ladnier began his scouting career as an Area Supervisor with the Atlanta Braves in 1991 and advanced within the organization until he was named Director of Minor League Operations in 1996, serving as a Regional Supervisor and Assistant Director of Scouting and Player Development along the way. During each of his eight seasons with the Braves, they were recognized as having one of the top six player development systems in baseball as ranked by industry-expert Baseball America. They were credited with the top minor league talent pool in four of those seasons.

The 44-year-old began his career in baseball as an infielder in the Royals organization. He was selected in the eighth round of the 1985 First-Year Player Draft and remained with the Royals until his seven-year playing career was cut short by a shoulder injury in 1991. Ladnier played collegiately at the University of Mississippi.

Yikes.  Lots of interesting stuff in this Newsday story.  Make of it what you will.

Midweek Insider has learned that the Nationals, who fired five coaches upon the conclusion of the 2008 season, are interested in hiring Randolph as either Acta’s bench coach or third-base coach.

Also in the story…

As for Acta, friends of his believe he’d be fine with Randolph joining his staff, because Acta has his eyes set on the Mets’ job, anyway. And it’s clearly a mutual affection.

“Why do you think the Mets gave Manuel only two years?” one official from an American League club queried. “Because they want Manny.”

And one more thing:

With Acta clearly in trouble, and five jobs available on the Nats’ coaching staff, Bowden will get to pick a manager-in-waiting or two. In addition to Randolph, former Dodgers and Pirates manager Jim Tracy is on Washington’s radar.

It’s something to think about.  It’s probably too much to think about.  We want Manny to stay here in Washington for a long time.