Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Farewell Olie - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, May 09, 2008
Farewell Olie
Olie Kolzig at work, January 6, 2004
A Net Loss For Washington - The Post Yetserday, over lunch beat writer Tarik El-Bashir learned that Olaf "Olie the Goalie" Kolzig will not be returning to the Capitals. Kolzig, who has been part of the organization since 1989 has decided to move on, either to a contending team or retirement, the latter of which strikes me as more likely. While it would have served the Capitals well for Kolzig to tell them directly, this decision is hardly surprising, so I won't get on his case too much about how he announced it.
The acquisition of Cristobal Huet from Montréal made Kolzig coming back increasingly unlikely. Kolzig kept quiet to the media since the Huet trade, but was seen removing his nameplate following the Caps elimination last month. On Wednesday, On Frozen Blog reported that Kolzig's Potomac, Md. home was on the market, so this announcement seemed inevitable
Kolzig is easily the most storied goaltender, if not player, in Capitals lore. For one thing, he is the only Cap to wear every sweater the team has worn. His 1998 Stanley Cup Finals run, 2000 Veinza Trophy and 300 wins were the big highlights on the ice and Kolzig was the face of the Caps and a champion in the community. It is unfortunate that he just didn't have it this year as the Caps began their climb back to the contention, but that is the way it goes sometimes. Hopefully, in a few years #37 heads to the rafters and everyone will put how his Washington career ended behind him.
Road Trip Ends Up All Right For Nats - The Post Lannan, subs key victory for Nats - The Wash. Times Streak ends with a thud - The Houston Chronicle The Nats ended their two game losing streak last night. American Hero John Lannan gave up one run over six innings, despite yielding six Astros hits. Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak both hit their first home runs of the season and the 2-5 slots in the batting order went 10 for 19. Minute Maid Park is a goofy diamond, but if it helps get everybody hitting again so be it.
Lo Duca, Estrada to Be Placed on DL - The Post Flores to start with Lo Duca, Estrada on DL - The Wash. Times The orgainizatin's top two catchers, Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada, are on the DL. No worries though, the peoples' champions, Jesus Flores and Wil Nieves, get to play. Lo Duca, who broke his hand, may not return until July and Estrada, who is suffering from ulnar neuritis to his right arm, has no timetable to return.
Earworms on Radio Lab - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Earworms on Radio Lab
The latest edition of Radio Lab, a public radio program from WNYC featured locally on WAMU at 6 p.m. on Saturday, focused on pop music. Of particular interest is the segment about earworms -- songs that get stuck in your head. I have not listened to it yet, but look forward to when I get a little downtime.
My current earworm is "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I love the rhythm guitar.
Nats' Slip-Ups Lead to A Fall - The Post Astros hand Nats second tight loss - The Wash. Times Oh, that magic feeling - The Houston Chronicle Bad fundamentals and worse pitching led to another one-run loss. Carlos Lee won it with a single off of Lastings Milledge glove in the ninth. Reliever Joel Hanrahan gets tagged with the loss after giving up five walks in 2 1/3 innings, though Jesus Colome was on the mound when Lee won the game.
The good news? Ryan Zimmerman hit two homer, accounting for all three Washington runs.
Also, Paul Lo Duca hurt his hand again. He got into an argument with some Astros fan on his way back to the dugout. Two of them were ejected. The upside of this is more Ice Cream (Wil Nieves)!
For Starters, O'Connor In, Chico Out - The Post O'Connor replaces Chico in rotation - The Wash. Times Mike O'Connor and Matt Chico are switching places with the former headed to the rotation after a strong start in AAA and the latter to the bullpen after a terrible start in the majors.
Capital Punishment DFA'ed - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Capital Punishment DFA'ed
This morning, Stan Kasten was probably lighting a cigar with a $100 bill. Jim Bowden probably tricked out his Segway a little more and rode it to the leather pants store. Frank Robinson probably slept in. Mike Bascik probably watched a video of him giving up 756 to Barry Bonds. Why are they celebrating? Chris Needhamis shutting down Capitol Punishment, one of the longest-running and the best Nats blog. Between this and Barry Svrluga moving to the Redskins beat (hopefully just a formality before getting a columnist position) coverage of the Nats is taking a hit.
While I appreciate Needham's 3.5 years, I can't help but think he's letting all those guys off the hook. At least he is doing it on his own terms and not because he fell off a concourse on Opening Night 2005 like the Nationals Pastime guy.*
*Just a theory, it did happen to someone that night though.
Details on what is keeping the Icers from being D-I - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Details on what is keeping the Icers from being D-I
Money blocking Icers' D-I prospects - The Collegian A rundown of the issues preventing Penn State from having varsity hockey. Some of this information contradicts what I had heard last year. According to a source with direct knowledge of the hockey program and university fund raising, a lead donor for a new hockey arena had been identified, but the university had put a moratorium on construction projects for a while. This article seems to indicate that situation is not the current problem holding back a promotion to varsity status.
I think that Penn State will eventually get hockey up to D-I and when it does, it will be the most popular winter sport at Penn State most years.
Nats chats for May 7 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Nats chats for May 7
Live Chat with Mark Zuckerman -- May 7, 2008 - washtimes.com "Mark Zuckerman will be here at 1 p.m. Wednesday to answer your questions about the Nats. Click the above link to submit your question, or email Mark directly at natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com."
Washington Nationals - washingtonpost.com "Washington Post writer Barry Svrluga will be online Wednesday, May 7 at 2 p.m. ET to take your questions and comments about the Washington Nationals."
Nats lose lead four times, fall to Astros - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Nats lose lead four times, fall to Astros
For Nats, Victory Just Out Of Reach - The Post Bullpen falters against Astros - The Wash. Times Another snappy comeback - The Houston Chronicle The Nats had three home runs (Aaron Boone, Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns -- Ryan Zimmerman nearly had one too), but couldn't hold a lead. Houston came from behind four times to beat Washington on a night when the bullpen faltered and starter RHP Shawn Hill only go through 5 1/3 innings. The winning run came on a double past a diving Kearns in the eighth inning.
Pitching coach Randy St. Claire does not like to use relievers after they have pitched 40 pitches over a two day period.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - A Painful Trip to Nationals Park - The Post The accommodations for disabled fans are strongly criticized. The team better reach out to that fan and figure out how to serve her and people in her situation well.
The earthquake measured 1.8 on the Richter scale and the epicenter was 1 mile west southwest of Annandale (38.828°N, 77.234°W), the U.S. Geological Survey says.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck at 1:30 p.m.
In an advisory to federal agencies, FEMA's Operations says that the National Earthquake Information Center is reporting the D.C. area experienced rumblings equivalent to a magnitude 2 to 3 earthquake.
The rumblings rattled parts of Northern Virginia - including Vienna, Falls Church, Annandale and Baileys Crossroads - around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Nats: Which is more annoying? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Nats: Which is more annoying?
In the last week it has been a cause célèbre in the blogosphere and elsewhere to dump on the song "Nuts About the Nats", (courtesy of Eliot In the Morning) created by p.a. announcer emeritus Charlie Brotman. A few blogs, which I won't bother to link to because I'm busy and don't want to reward bad behavior, have really gone off on it. The song, which strikes me as bland and seemingly inoffensive, has been called a train wreck and abortion; some have said they'll boycott Nats games over it. They also a lot of f-bombs flying around to make the point. OMG. You. Guys. Are. So. Baaaaad. Do you wear baseball caps sideways and use only one backpack strap too?
Anyway, I may be a little biased because Brotman is such a good guy. I profiled him back in 2005 and during my interview with him, he told me about a song that he was coming up with over 50 years ago when he was trying to figure what the first AL team's official nickname should be; it had lyrics similar to the ones in "Nuts About the Nats." I also met Brotman at the press conference announcing the Lerner group as the new owners.
As for the song, I kind of want it to stay since I have to listen to "In Da Club," "Twilight Zone," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Livin' On a Prayer," "Bring 'em Out, Bring 'em Out" I figure others should have to deal with something they don't like.
The other annoying thing is the constant articles about attendance. The team averaged over 29,000 for the month of April. That isn't great, but given the miscalculation by the Nats on getting to the ballpark and ticket prices, it isn't bad. It is all going to work out and they will have a solid total overall.
So, which is more annoying to you, the whining about "Nuts About the Nats" or the whining about the attendance?
Music Tuesday: Buddy Holly - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Music Tuesday: Buddy Holly
Can you believe this song came out 14 years ago?
This song just reminds me of summertime, driving around with windows down. Weezer has done nerd-rock as well as anyone ever did. Now, find me my copy of Windows95 so I can install this on my hard-drive.
If you were hoping for the real Buddy Holly, here he is:
Off day yesterday, so ballpark and minors stories today - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Off day yesterday, so ballpark and minors stories today
For hitters, Nationals Park is more fair - The Wash. Times Long-Range Plans May Carry Into the Summer - The Post One month into its inaugural season, Nationals Park is playing fair for hitters and pitchers, a drastic change from RFK Stadium. The gaps favor home runs more than down the lines too. In all, it seems to be a slight pitchers park.
Strong-Arm Tactics - The Post After many years of neglect, the Nationals farm system was in shambles just a couple of years ago. However, that has changed with young arms like Jordan Zimmermann, Cory VanAllen, Zech Zinicola and Collin Balester working their ways up through system. John Lannan has already "graduated" to the big leagues and has become an American hero, last Friday's start nothwithstanding.
THOMAS BOSWELL - Identifying The Core - The Post Bos says this season is all about identifying the core of the team and if not enough existing players are part of that, ownership needs to start bringing in free agents.
Nationals Park Opens for Community Use, in Different Ways - The Post High school baseball comes to Nationals Park tonight with Montgomery County schools Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Whitman playing each other. There is some controversy about the two schools being required to sell 250 Nationals tickets each for using the facility, especially since the D.C. high school championship will place no requirements on participating schools. This is not sitting well with some and I'm sure a few people will call the Lerner's cheap.
Eagles eyed for concert at new Nationals Park - The Wash. Times So, the first concert, one of 18 non-Nationals uses of the ballpark (like the D.C. high school championship) appears to be the Eagles. The Dude would not abide, nor would Mojo Nixon or well, me.
A three game series in Houston starts tonight at 8:05 p.m.
New Nats reporter for Post announced - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, May 05, 2008
New Nats reporter for Post announced
Prepare to welcome a new beat writer - Nationals Journal, washingtonpost.com Chico Harlan, previously the Penn State football reporter for the Post-Gazette, will be succeeding Barry Svrluga on The Post's Nats beat. Those are very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, Svrluga's departure from the beat means he is on the fast-track to columnist status.
Flyers vs. Pens: Hockey blogger looking for correspondent - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Flyers vs. Pens: Hockey blogger looking for correspondent
A noted hockey blogger I know may be looking for a correspondent to collect video, photos and observations of the Happy Valley scene during the Flyers vs. Pengyunz series. Apparently, it was quite something the last time these two teams met in the playoffs; I had already graduated, so I missed it. Actually, I may not have missed it. I do remember what the town was like when the Eagles and Steelers met in the regular season a few years ago though and that was pretty intense. Drop me a line (e-mail link below) if you are interested.
As for the series, I won't be watching it, but I hope that Pittsburgh loses.
Washington Capitals, Caps, Olie Kolzig, NHL
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