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.
Penn State: Blue White Game on ESPN2 - William World News
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Penn State: Blue White Game on ESPN2
ESPN2 To Air Blue-White Game Presented by AAA - Intercollegiate Athletics In a first, the Blue White Game, the Nittany Lions' annual spring scrimmage will be televised nationally. "Kickoff" is 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24.
Frankly, the biggest appeal of the Blue White Game is the tailgating in a more "relaxed" environment, but if I am not up there, I'll probably turn it on.
Minnesota newspaper Nats headline fail - William World News
Minnesota newspaper Nats headline fail
Twin Cities paper goes way back in time for Strasburg headline - Big League Stew The headline writer for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune used "Senators" in a headline about Stephen Strasburg (or as I call him Prometheus). The Senators of course were the name the original Washington MLB franchise was best known as though it was also called the Nationals and Nats; Charlie Brotman made Senators official in the mid-1950s. They moved to Minnesota for the 1961 season. The second D.C. MLB team was called Senators as well.
I mention this happening because somebody in the Star-Tribune newsroom needs to be reminded that if not for the racism of Calvin Griffith, he may not have a home team.
Also, a co-worker asked about the "Senators" recently. He, for what it is worth, is from New York State and used to follow the Binghamton Senators AHL team.
This is what a Frank Herzog Redskins broadcast looked like - William World News
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
This is what a Frank Herzog Redskins broadcast looked like
Every time former Washington Redskins play-by-play man Frank Herzog would say "driving from left to right across your radio dial" this is approximately what I'd see in my mind. Somehow I found an image of an old AC Delco AM radio that looks a lot like the one my dad's 1976 (Super)Nova had. Not pictured -- ambient Camel (unfiltered) cigarette smoke. I can still smell it. Of course, the radio would have been on 630, WMAL, but we can't be too picky.
In 2004, Larry Michaelfired Herzog after 25 years of calling the Redskins and took the play-by-play job for himself. Herzog has been doing spot work for WTOP after he was also let go from WUSA-TV late in 2004. He was one of the many post-Glenn Brenner (retconned from Metroblogging DC) anchors on that station. According to DCRTV, he is retiring from WTOP to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren (do his children feel being left out?). This retirement announcement has brought back some nostalgia for the days when Redskins radio (and the team) was good (DC Sports Bog, The Post). Back then, the Redskins were on WMAL, at the time a juggernaut in the D.C. area with all local programming. Johnny Holiday did pregame, while Ken Beatrice did post-game. Holiday is still doing Maryland Terps sports and Nats studio coverage, but Beatrice is long since retired -- somebody track him down and do a profile of him. Unrepentant homers, Hall of Fame Redskins Sonny Jurgeson and Sam Huff are still doing Redskins radio like a pair of your favorite bickering uncles, but their glory, like the team's is faded. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say sports radio was much better back then. Watching the game with "the sound turned down and the radio turned up" was a big part of the fan culture here as in other cities. I even did it and I was not even a Redskins fan growing up.
Like the team, Herzog's replacement, Michael, have been pretty awful. I'll say the team has been better than Michael though, who is just an shill with a slicky-boy attitude, bad propagandist with an annoying voice. If I have listened to a quarter of a Redskins game since then I'd be surprised.
When the Washington Nationals started up, I was hoping Herzog would be involved in the broadcasting because every D.C. team he had worked for had won a world championship -- the 1978 NBA Champion Bullets had you know who at the microphone. That didn't happen but I'm pretty happy with the radio team of Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler. I'd gladly take Herzog on TV though.
So, good luck and a happy retirement to Herzog, who will live in our memories and even on some of those NFL Films of the Redskins in the 1980s.
A license plate that screams WTF - William World News
A license plate that screams WTF
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- I saw this and had to photograph. The people parking behind it were laughing as well. I'm sort of surprised Maryland let "WTF2" get through as a vanity plate too.
How long until We Love DC uses this in one of their posts?
I used to have "WTF EH." Virginia sent me a letter when I requested it, saying that it potentially had objectionable language, but they eventually approved it.
# posted by DCSportsChick :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:10:00 AM
Do you still roll with "NATS EH"?
# posted by WFY :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1:13:00 PM
Yup!
# posted by DC Sports Chick :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:51:00 PMPost a Comment
Stephen Strasburg makes his Nats spring debut today - William World News
Stephen Strasburg makes his Nats spring debut today
2009 #1 MLB draft pick and the "best pitching prospect ever" Stephen Strasburg makes his first spring start for the Washington Nationals today (Nationals Journal, The Post). It counts as much as any other spring training game and unless something completely amazing or dreadful happens this event will struggle to even be a footnote in the collective (un)conscious of Nats fans. That it comes with the Nats 0-6 in spring training may even add some unnecessary urgency to Strasburg's appearance.
So, with that in mind, does The Post not having a story in the dead tree edition show restraint or a lack of commitment by that sports department? I would have at least expected a Thomas Boswell column, but I guess that will arrive tomorrow morning. At least there is an article about the guy who used to manage in D.C. because that um, matters.
Game is 1 p.m. on MASN (boo!), MLB.tv and Gameday Audio (worth the $19.99 for the season).
Olsen: "This is the best I've felt" - Nats Insider Wouldn't it be nice if one of these pitchers was saying "this is the best I've felt" after pitching well" sometime soon?
For those out of the market I believe the game will be aired on MLB Network as well! I'll be watching!
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 10:12:00 AM
The Post not having a story on this reflects just how awful that paper really is. Imagine all the ink they'd spill if a similarly hyped Redskin draftee was doing a spring workout.
Pathetic.
# posted by bdrube :
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:47:00 AM
Post a CommentCharlie Slowes and Dave Jageler on air today; Strasburg on CBS News - William World News
Monday, March 08, 2010
Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler on air today; Strasburg on CBS News
I've become more of a homer as the years have gone by and find myself preferring the myopia of hometown broadcasters.* This afternoon, at 2:30 1:05 p.m. is the first chance to listen to the Washington Nationals radio team of Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler. Oh, how I have missed their discussions of pancakes. The Nats are playing on the Florida Marlins today. On terrestrial radio, are on WFED 1050 AM, but the preferred way for me to hear them is via Gameday Audio. It is well worth the money for the season.
On Saturday, the CBS Evening News did a profile on Stephen Strasburg. It doesn't share anything new, but the social contract says I have to post it.
The Nats are 0-5 in Spring Training so far, try not to get concerned.
*Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble are excluded from this -- not because of any MASN hate (though that'd be a good reason) but because they are not any good.
Nats don't need a captain Zimmerman; Guzman though? - William World News
Friday, March 05, 2010
Nats don't need a captain Zimmerman; Guzman though?
@washingnats, aka nationals.com beat writer Bill Ladson, asked if the Washington Nationals should name Ryan Zimmerman captain of the team. While Zimmerman seems to be doing quite well as a quiet team leader on and off the field, I don't feel its necessary to make anything official. @dcsportsbog tweeted this by the way: Yikes, all of those players are not playing in D.C. anymore. Let's definitely not name Zimmerman captain. Actually, I think the Nats would do well to formalize Cristian Guzman's leadership role, don't you?
Captaincy seems to be working out ok for one fellow and his team though.
Nats partnering with Cherry Blossom festival a positive step - William World News
Nats partnering with Cherry Blossom festival a positive step
PRESS RELEASE - Washington Nationals partner with National Cherry Blossom Festival - nationals.com I have been critical about the Nats nearly non-existent marketing from about day one. Back then it was because MLB did not want to spend money or do anything to offend cowardly, coddled Peter Angelos. The Lerner/Kasten regime did not improve matters much after the first weekend of ownership. To say they have had a learning curve would be understating it -- they have a learning sphere (about the size of the baseball that was proposed for behind centerfield). So, when the press release linked above came into my Inbox, I was pleased. I can't say if partnering with the long-running National Cherry Blossom Festival will sell them many tickets in 2010, but it is a step in the right direction.
"The blooming of the cherry blossoms and the crack of the bat have come to signify the start of Spring in Washington," said Nationals President Stan Kasten. "The Nationals are excited to take part in the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a long-standing tradition in the District celebrating the beginning of new seasons - Spring and baseball."
Kasten is exaggerating about the baseball part, but hopefully it won't be an exaggeration much longer. The exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox on April 3 and the second and third games of the season vs. the Philadelphia Phillies are also officially part of the festival.
Good work Nats PR, you are showing signs of improvement.
In other news: I can't get worked up one way or another about spring training games. The Nats went with split squads yesterday and got crushed (Nationals Journal, The Post) by the Houston Astros and Florida Marlins. Maybe I'll listen on Monday when Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler are doing the game.
1987 Fiesta Bowl - Penn State vs. Miami in 38 parts - William World News
Thursday, March 04, 2010
1987 Fiesta Bowl - Penn State vs. Miami in 38 parts
After all of this Olympics hockey talk and fallout, it helps to remember that there is something that bonds us together -- Penn State football. It just so happens that a fanpost on Black Shoe Diaries revealed excellent news -- the 1987 Fiesta Bowl between the #2 Penn State Nittany Lions and the #1 Miami Hurricanes is on youtube, in 38 parts. For a while (it will surely be removed eventually), you won't have to rely on your father's VHS copy to watch the greatest example of bend-but-don't-break in the history of mankind. Oh and the pinnacle (to date) of Penn State football.
Thomas Boswell chat/Adam Kilgore in game chat 03.04.2010 - William World News
Thomas Boswell chat/Adam Kilgore in game chat 03.04.2010
Ask Boswell: Nats Spring Training, Stephen Strasburg, MLB, Olympics and more - The Post "Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell will be online Thursday, Feb. 25 at 11:00 a.m. ET to take your questions about the start of Spring Training for the Nationals, Stephen Strasburg's development, Mike Rizzo's additions, the rest of Major League Baseball and his latest columns from Spring Training."
Foam finger time!
Nationals in-game chat - The Post "Join Post Nationals beat writer Adam Kilgore for a live chat during today's Nationals' split-squad game against the Houston Astros."
I like that Kilgore is doing this, hopefully he'll do it a lot.
Nats: Extend Dunn (a little bit); keep Strasburg in the minors, etc. - William World News
Nats: Extend Dunn (a little bit); keep Strasburg in the minors, etc.
Washington Nationals' Adam Dunn focuses on playing the field - The Post I'd extend Adam Dunn's contract by 2 years with a possible club option for a third. He doesn't want to negoiate during the season, so I expect they come up with something, though it may not be announced until after Opening Day.
Dunn has helped the lineup, particularly Ryan Zimmerman, and is entertaining. If need be, I think Dunn can be flipped to an AL team at the deadline during his contract year. I am skeptical that Chris Marrero is ever going to be an every day first baseman.
Stephen Strasburg's starting point - Nationals Journal, The Post I am on board with keeping Stephen Strasburg in the minors until June or less he completely overwhelms the minor leagues. I'd rather see him get used to pitching every five days -- remember he only pitched weekly in college, without major league pressure.
Plus there is the whole, let's not start the arbitration clock too.
Maxwell's make-or-break moment - Nats Insider Can Justin Maxwell be more than a fourth outfielder? At 26, the Olney, Md. native is running out of time to find out. He'd rather be on the bench in the majors than starting in the minors, but since the club still has options on him, he will probably do both.
Oh and I'm still kicking myself for backtracking on my plans to go to the final home game of the season last year and missing Maxwell's walk-off grand slam (video).
One year later, Mike Rizzo reflects - Nationals Journal, The Post Q&A with Mike Rizzo - nationals.com Mike Rizzo has been GM for just over a year and because his predecessor set the bar so low, it is hard for me to evaluate the job Rizzo is doing.
He looks like Eddie Guardado too. You have to click on that since it's a rare Nats post on the Bog.
Yes, I know this horse has been beaten so much he's already in the glue factory, but hey, have you seen the #1 Google result for Chico Harlan? Yay SEO!
While people like Chris Needham will never be happy with the coverage until "truck day" becomes an event, I feel I need to point that Florida Today has a spring training blog.
And of course, SBF is on the ground in Viera asking different questions than the beat writers for Nats320.
I don't know if I'm going, it'll probably be a week of the game decision. The last several have been played in uncharacteristically non-"49° and raining" weather.
Oh and there will be a new position battle to keep an eye on -- punter. Ryan Breen is leaving the program (Nittany Lines, The Morning Call).
Good thing I knew a season ticketholder; Nats Opening Day nearly sold out - William World News
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Good thing I knew a season ticketholder; Nats Opening Day nearly sold out
Opening Day tix nearly sold out - Nats Insider I would love to think that the Washington Nationals selling out all but singles to Opening Day by 10:07 a.m. meant a healthy fanbase, but I have a bad feeling it means a lot of seats were sold to Phillies fans already. If that's the case, Stan Kasten is going to be raked over the coals.
Let me publicly thank my friend Joe Riley for ordering me some tickets ahead of the public sale. Not only did he secure me some seats, but he saved me some money.
If it is the case that the majority of tickets were sold to Phillies fans, that is an atrocity and somebody should rightfully be called out for it!
But, as a Phillies fan, I am grateful for the opportunity to come down and watch my team play in your home stadium on Opening Day. :)
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 7:19:00 AM
There was a presale, so I'm hoping that is when most of the tickets got picked up.
BTW, I'm sitting in section 316.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:03:00 AM
Post a CommentBoswell is too excited about Nats pitching - William World News
Boswell is too excited about Nats pitching
THOMAS BOSWELL - With real pitchers, Washington Nationals inch closer to being a real team - The Post The headline is more accurate than the column. Boswell is too excited about the fact that Nationals pitchers in spring training this year are not the type that have proven they are no good, just unproven. Calm down Bos. Are things looking better? Maybe. April and May aren't the easiest months and this team could get buried quickly.
With the possible exception of Opening Day, tickets should be plentiful enough that you can wait to get them at the Nationals Park ticket window day of game most of the time. It sure beats paying all the service fees.
So they introduced the Olympians on both the Pens and the Sabres before the game in Pittsburgh last night. Think the biggest cheers were for the player who led their beloved Penguins to the Stanley Cup last season? Guess again. Pittsburgh loves Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.
There were even more boos than cheers when video of Crosby's goal medal-clinching goal was shown in the screen.
Meanwhile in San Jose: "The game featured 13 Olympians, including eight who were on the teams that played in Sunday's gold medal game. The fans cheered during a video tribute to all the Olympians during a first-period break, with the loudest cheer coming for the five medalists on the Sharks -- silver medalist Pavelski and Canadians Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle. Devils forward Zach Parise, who scored the tying goal in the final minute of regulation for the U.S. in the loss to Canada, also got a nice ovation from the visiting crowd."
Sleep tight Pittsburgh; you're more patriotic than those bums in San Jose. Even if it comes at the expense of your franchise's savior.
# posted by Brad :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 2:34:00 PM
The fact that Crosby got so many cheers as he did is a testament to what he means to the city. There is a certain segment of "yinzers" who hate anyone who goes against the home team, whether it be the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, or in this case, Team USA.
And Brad, your facts are incorrect. Crosby got many more cheers than boos during the FIRST time the goal was shown on the screen. If you would have talked to someone at the game (as I did), then you would know that.
# posted by TMBC :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:31:00 PM
And an additional point that you somehow overlooked. The franchise's savior is Mario Lemieux. Crosby played a huge role in getting the team a new arena, but Mario is, and will always be, the franchise's savior.
Next time, get your facts straight please.
# posted by TMBC :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:37:00 PM
When I saw that Crosby was booed and Ryan Miller was cheered, I thought "good for them, there's hope!"
For the record, the Capitals savior is Rod Langway.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 9:03:00 PM
No, the boos came from the ignorant, know-nothing bandwagon fans who only became fans of the Pens when they got good.
Let it go fellas, as you both are out of your league here.
# posted by TMBC :
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 9:29:00 PM
Bandwagon fans in Pittsburgh?!
Glad to see you acknowledge that they exist there as they do in every sports city.
Zach Parise is still an American hero too.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, March 04, 2010 8:16:00 AM
Of course they do! Every team, every city, like you said. I've never disputed that fact.
# posted by TMBC :
Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:28:00 AM
I think we need to remember the bond the three of us share -- contempt for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Oh and something else, look for a post around lunchtime.
I don't think Chico Harlan will be missed on the Nats beat - William World News
I don't think Chico Harlan will be missed on the Nats beat
A goodbye - Nationals Journal, The Post WE WON'T HAVE CHICO HARLAN TO KICK AROUND ANY MORE Friday evening, Chico Harlan said farewell to The Post's Washington Nationals beat:
...if you want to know more about the low point of that tenure, please reference my name in a Google search.
That headline probably looks familiar because it is the one I wrote after I read Harlan's infamous Washingtonian interview, though Harlan didn't include the link to it. It turns out that saying you are embarrassed to cover sports isn't a great idea, but I don't think Harlan had many consequences other than his own regret. His fellow beat writers (Nats Insider) seemed to like him which says a lot.
To his credit, Harlan could overcome hating his job enough to write some pretty good feature stories (like the Jesus Flores story of last week) but his game recaps tended to be mediocre. He feel in love with his own snark sometimes too, using a hammer when a scalpel was more appropriate.
Adam Kilgore has assumed the role of Nats beat writer and so far I'm pleased with what I am seeing. Kilgore has enthusiasm for the beat and has taken to pulling out the flip cam down at spring training. So far, so good, but the real test is how his gamers come out. I'm eager to read them.
Sid Vicious: NYC tabs know that Sidney Crosby hates America - William World News
Monday, March 01, 2010
Sid Vicious: NYC tabs know that Sidney Crosby hates America
Yes, diver/whiner Sidney Crosby making the winning shot in overtime for Canada to beat the United States for the gold medal is the worst case scenario. The New York tabloids know this to be true. Look at him up there will the poster boy for birth control expression on his face. Ugh. You couldn't have made one more save Ryan Miller?
I wonder how many Yinzers were rooting for Canada yesterday.
I rooted for the US. However, if Canada had to win, I wanted him to score the goal.
# posted by TMBC :
Monday, March 01, 2010 9:42:00 AM
I am a Pens fan so I know why you do not like Crosby. That is o.k., I despise Ovechkin.
As a Pens fan, I was happy that it was Crosby instead of someone else on Canada's team. However, I was strongly (strongly) rooting for the U.S. Having grown up in Pittsburgh, I would be shocked if many (any?) people were rooting for Canada. Like me, glad it was Crosby, sorry the U.S. did not win.
# posted by Anonymous :
Monday, March 01, 2010 10:28:00 AM
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