Further Thoughts

As a further add-on as to why the Nats made out in this deal: The rumor that Morgan was going to DC has been talked about in Pittsburgh for about a week. The word was that the Bucs wanted to trade Morgan for Milledge AND Craig Stammen. in typical Pirates fashion, they ended up giving up a much better pitcher and accepted a much worse one.

Oh, and in case this matters, they are getting a malcontent (Milledge) in exchange for a really good guy who was active in the community and was basically an honorary captain for the Penguins during their playoff run (Nyjer Morgan dreamed of playing hockey, not baseball.)

Looks like the chances of the Pirates making the Burgh 3 for 3 in championships has taken a small hit today, but in my mind, they will still win the series, just might take more than 4 games .

Trade Analysis

Story: Pirates trade Morgan to Nationals, Hinske to Yankees
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pirates have traded outfielder Nyjer Morgan and reliever Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals

My take as a forever loyal Pirates fan and contributor to this blog:
Bottom line its good for the Nats. But the Nats are acting like a team in contention, not a team rebuilding. Burnett is a good reliever, he is great against lefties, but this year has been good against righties as well. Morgan is a sparkplug, but his average has been dropping as the season goes on and is 29. He's solid defensively and can fly...when he gets on base. He walks way too infrequently for a leadoff man. Adam Dunn will have more walks that Morgan.

The Pirates have been doing this thing lately about taking fliers on top prospects two teams removed. So far it hasn't worked.

Manny is still the man...

As of now, Manny is still managing the Nationals.

"I'm still the manager," Acta said by phone on Monday. "You wouldn't have reached me if I wasn't."

I guess I got my hopes up with all the Fox hype over the weekend. But, I'm starting to agree with one point that Feinstein made in his otherwise useless column: That the Lerners (Kasten?) have to just do it already. Don't let folks languish. Make a decision. Keep him or don't. Just do it. But to have him in limbo doesn't do anyone any good...

Just fire him and let there by rejoicing or say he's the manager and let me complain about that...but make the call.

I know the players say it doesn't affect them...yada...yada...yada...

But I would have to imagine it's like a kid watching his parents fight leading up to a divorce...it must have some impact...

Taking a moment between hitting refresh...

I keep on hitting the REFRESH button to see if Manny's been fired yet. If he has, it hasn't been made public.

So, here's a column by John Feinstein. He loves on Acta and hate on Dibble. It's fun to read the comments - because they love on Dibble and hate on Acta.

Manny must go.

The Manny watch continues...

Will this be the last day of the Acta-era? Management didn't say anything either way over the weekend, although Kasten did voice his frustration...

I would never talk about personnel, because I don't. I've been asked a variation of that question [about Acta's job security] -- from some media outlet -- almost every day since the first week of the season. And if I had a policy to talk about personnel, I'd have to do that story every single day.

Having said that, I can't tell you how perplexed I am by this season and this team and the things that are going on. And our record is, you know, very troubling for me every single day. . . . So yeah, I'm troubled by everything. We continue to look for solutions. Have I thought about every possible recourse? I have. As has [acting general manager] Mike [Rizzo], as have our owners. We're certainly not satisfied with our record; far from it. We're distraught over it and we're going to consider everything we need to do to make it better.

HalfStreetBlues has never been a fan of Manny Acta. We called for his ouster 49 weeks ago - and that's because, publicly, we wanted to give him a chance. Off the blog, we've wanted him gone since the day he was hired.

Today is an off day for the Nationals, so it would make sense for a chance to happen today. If he survives this week, he may be safe for a while...

But, we all know one thing: Manny Must Go.

Nationals v. Tampa Bay...

The Nationals had the lead in all three games this series - and they ended up losing them all.

On Friday night, the Nationals scored three runs in the first inning, but stalled the rest of the way and lost 4-3.

On Saturday night, the Nationals were up 2-0 before allowing a run in the 4th, then seven in the 6th.

And today, well third verse same as the first...Nationals were up 4-0 before allowing two runs in the 4th, two in the 6th, then the game winning run in the bottom of the 8th.

The Nationals fall to 16-45 (.262), on pace for 42-120. They are 3-9 for June and drop to 6-23 (.206) on the road.

The trip to Yankee stadium should be fun after their shellacking of the Mets (and ace Johan Santana) today.

I think Manny must go.

Manny to be fired by Monday?

All signs point to go that Manny will be fired by Monday. And last night's collapse in Tampa Bay couldn't have helped much.

Both Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News are reporting that this all but done.

Acta has been a terrible manager - compiling a 148-234 (or 232 or 235) record over his 2+ seasons running the Nationals. (Interestingly, no one seems to agree on how many losses he has. All from articles published today: the Sporting News says 232; SI says 234; and the Post says 235.)

Frank Robinson - whom we thought should never have been fired for Acta - managed a much worse team with even worse prospects and no money for the franchise's first two seasons here in Washington to a not great - but much more respectable 152-172 record (.469).

Manny must go.

However. We don't know that Riggleman is the man for the job. Hopefully, we can get Ralph Wiggum or our friends at Wrigleyville to write in about the Cubs' experience w/ Riggleman.

Riggleman has managed three teams (Padres, Cubs, Mariners) to a combined record of 522-652 (.445), with only two winning seasons (one was only 2 games over .500). And who knows if he even wants the job - he probably doesn't mind staying out of the limelight and collecting a check.

He even said as much, "what we would all would like to see happen here is for Manny to stick around."

Maybe he's a placeholder and the Lerners get a real manager next season. We'll have to see what the next week brings.

By the way, the Nationals are now 16-44 - on pace for a 43-118 season.

BREAKING: Acta might be gone!

Apparently FOX Sports is reporting that Manny Acta is on the outs, to be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman. I've never heard of Riggleman - but this can't happen soon enough.

Manny must go.

Everything Sucks in NatsTown.

As I drove home last night after another Nationals loss I found myself sort of melancholy. I wasn't really upset about the game. It was like the feeling I have after going to an average movie.

This was an odd feeling I thought to myself - why wasn't I upset or disappointed that the Nationals lost. I've been a loyal fan since the team arrived in Washington. And I guess I've been to.... I don't know 250 games over the past 4+ seasons...

Then I realized, this is what I've come to expect. My standards have actually been lowered.

It reminded me of college life...the point at which we all began to think that Shepherd's Pie tasted pretty good and looked forward to seeing it on the cafeteria menu.

Well...I now expect the Nationals to lose.

I expect them to play badly, make base running mistakes, look at third strikes with the bases loaded, blow leads, hit into double plays, and drop fly balls. I expect every close call to go against us and then watch Manny do nothing about it.

I expect a small crowd at the stadium, but still the service to be sub-par. I expect getting food to be more challenging than it should be and the sausage stand to be closed. I expect the escalator to be out and scowls if I use the elevator. I expect the Big Red F-ing Tent to go unused (or play home to some absurd activity) as it obscures my view of the Capitol Dome. And I expect the viewing area in center field to be blocked off for a Miller Lite party that nobody is going to.

I expect the weather to be crappy, for the game to be delayed, and for the clock on the scoreboard to be wrong. And I expect that the metro will either be too crowded or too slow.

I've sat here for more than a year on this blog lamenting the team, the organization, the management, the stadium, the service - but now - I guess I'm just resigned to the reality that everything sucks.

And it just doesn't bother me that much anymore...

Take for instance, this past Saturday night, I was watching the game with a friend of mine who was in from out of town. We had a good chat about his coming nuptials. Saw the Nationals buzz through the Mets. And after a quick two hours, I found myself standing in support of John Lannan as he was throwing his final out in the 9th inning.

This was a good feeling.

This is why I come to the ballpark day in and day out - for the rare taste of victory...But then the usher came up to me and asked me to sit down.

Apparently I was blocking the view of the person two rows behind me.

WHAT?!?! I thought to myself....It's the FINAL OUT of the game. The Nationals might WIN!!

The same Nationals who I've seen nearly 30 times this season in person and watched on TV another 20. The same Nationals who are on pace to be the worst team in the history of the major leagues.

I reminded the usher (politely, I might add) that I was a FULL season ticket holder and that we don't get to cheer for the last out very often.

He said, "Sorry."

Then, I turned to the people sitting two rows back - who probably go to about one game a year - and they just shrugged their shoulders. Clearly, they had complained to the usher, which led to his admonishing me. And I sat down, in disbelief...

Before, that would've infuriated me...

But not this year.

Because Everything Sucks in NatsTown.

Oh well, see you at the game tonight.

It's Strasburg!

Fooling no one - the Nationals went and got the consensus best player in this year's amateur draft and selected Stephen Strasburg with their first overall pick.


Will it be a new era in Washington? Or will Strasburg go the way of Aaron Crow?


According to MLB Trade Rumors, Crow could become a Pirate.

Nationals Win!

What a nice, refreshing experience last night's game was.

Good weather, a good crowd (31,000+) - surprisingly vocal supporters of the our hometown team - good defense, good offense, great pitching, and in the end...a 7-1 win.

At times during the game, the Nationals looked like a great baseball team, including turning a team record five double-plays. John Lannan also pitched the best game of his career scattering just four hits during his complete game, which finished up in two hours.

Here's hoping we make it a streak today.

A couple other things to wrap-up...MacDougal is in, Hanrahan is out as the Nationals closer.

And, we'll give Acta some credit for putting together (finally) what may be the strongest lineup of the season. I like the Dunn, Harris, Dukes outfield. Dukes has the best arm on the team and Harris has good range to help out Dunn.

But...despite how smart he thinks he is (according to Chico), he still must go...

"It was unbelievable how smart you can get in one night when you get a pitching performance like that and an offense like that and a defense like that," Manager Manny Acta said. "But you're right. We were due for at least good weather. We got it tonight, and then John was just outstanding for us."

Zim isn't an elite player yet...

Since he arrived on the scene, I have been a unabashed fan of Ryan Zimmerman. I think he has the tools to be one of the best players in baseball. This year he has shown that he can be a great player at times...

However, until he gets better at clutch hitting, he will never reach the elite level.

Last night, Zimmerman came up in the fifth inning with bases loaded, one out, and the score tied. All he had to do was hit it into the outfield. Instead he hit into another double play. He's hit into 11 so far this season - second most in the National League.

And so the story goes...

Nationals lose 3-1 in 10 and drop to 0-7 in extra inning games. The loss gets them back on pace to be 43-119...which would tie the 2003 Tigers for the worst record in modern history.

The Nationals have lost nine out of their past 10 games and dropped their record to 14-39. Even worse, Washington is 5-26 against the National League East.

The other play of the game came on a blown call by third base umpire D.J. Reyburn in the second inning, which led to the Mets only run against Nationals' starter Shairon Martis. On a ball hit deep to center field, Mets third baseman David Wright tagged up at second and tried to advance to third, but Elijah Dukes gunned him out by a foot.

However, the ump called him safe and the next batter hit him in.

Frustrating.

Also frustrating was Adam Dunn's defense. But it was good to see Hernandez throw out a couple of people and, of course Elijah's throw was impressive. Even the bullpen looked good until the 10th inning meltdown.

If the Nationals can get the offensive going again maybe they'll start having winning streaks longer than one game...

Maybe it will start tonight.

HSB got Deadspun...sort of...

In what appears to be a regular series on Deadspin called, "Why Your Stadium Sucks". Today's subject...Nationals Park.

HSB got some more love for our award-winning coverage of the Big Red F-ing Tent.

Manny answered our question.

Over at his blog, Manny took a lot of questions about the need to practice. Some of his answers were pretty in depth, so good for him. He even answered ours.

I appreciate that he took the time to reply...

He still needs to go though.

Willie: Did you get mad when Hernandez missed the ball at first? I was watching the clip and you were emotionless. I was up in my seats, enraged, and even more so as I watched him just stand there. I know you're not working with the talent of a contender, but what do you do to get the most out of your players? Just curious.

Manny Acta: Willie, You can't get mad at someone for not seeing the ball. Anderson Hernandez thought the ball was coming from Zimmerman, who was also involved in the play. He had no idea that Colome was the one making the throw; so when his eyes followed Ryan, he never saw the ball coming. Also remember, I can be mad, but I don't have to show it to the whole world. The reason they put the camera on me after something like that happens is to see if I'm going to go crazy and show up my players. And I will not show my players up.

I appreciate that Manny won't show up his players. That's great.

However, he admitted in the postgame press conference that he asked Hernandez on the mound when he was replacing Colome what happened, it was then that he heard his excuse that he didn't see the ball. So, he didn't even know that was the reason until a couple minutes after the play happened.

But that's not the point. The point was he showed no emotion whatsoever. It's as if he didn't care. I wouldn't mind seeing him get upset. He doesn't have to get upset with anyone, just frustrated with the play.

Oh, and, he has shown up a player before...

Manny Must Go.

(Picture taken from Miss Chatter.)

I didn't go to the games last night. I had tickets, but didn't feel like sitting in the rain - even if it was for history's sake. I saw Manny Ramerez's juice-aided 500th HR last season in Baltimore, and I don't think that made me a better person.

But I watched part of Game One while I was in the office, listened to it while driving home, and watched Game Tw0 at the residence.

As a Nationals' fan, it looks like didn't miss much.

Of course, the play of Game One (as far as we're concerned) was Dunn's eigth inning strikeout. To recap, Dunn works the count full, then Giants' reliever Brian Wilson throws a pitch, down the middle of the plate, but low.

Dunn takes off for first - but the homeplate umpire Tim Timmons rings him up.

Had the pitch been (rightfully) called a ball, Dunn goes to first, the tying run comes home, the Nationals are still at bat with a chance to take the lead, and Johnson is no longer the Giants' pitcher of record.

Dunn was exorcised.

Ok, I'll admit - Dunn's been slumping lately. No doubt about. He probably should've been swinging with two strikes. (There's also a case to be made that it was a "make-up" call from an earlier pitch.)

You can judge for yourself here.

But here's my point - and Charlie Slowes even pointed it out - after the call, Dunn goes back to lodge his complaint with the umpire. Eventually Manny comes out - not to stick up for his guy, give Timmons an earful, or even act like it was an important blown call - no he goes out there to get Dunn.

F- Manny. Stick up for your guy.

I hate to keep on going back to the Boston Red Sox, because I know the Nationals aren't the Red Sox, but a team is a team.

Last week Red Sox pitcher, Josh Beckett was getting frustrated with homeplate umpire Todd Tichenor. Varitek knew it, so instead of letting Beckett get fired up and probably tossed from the game - Varitek took the bullet...when Francona saw this going down, he came running out to get in Tichenor's face and protect Varitek.

They both ended up getting tossed, but Beckett was saved to continue.

This is what Terry Francona said after the game:

I know Beckett yelled in but Tek is protecting Beckett and I’m protecting Tek. He got Tek, and that’s what I didn’t want to have happen, but I’m not fast enough to get out there in time.

I’d rather have him throw me out than Tek. Tek’s going to have a hell of a lot more to do with the outcome than I am. Sometimes you have to state your opinion.

Francona gets his role on the team. He's the leader. He sets the line-ups, and makes the pitching changes. He makes sure his coaches are working his players. He keeps the umpires honest. And he sticks up for his guys.

Manny must go.