|
 |
My newborn son: WILL! What are you doing here?!
Nats come back, win me bourbon - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Nats come back, win me bourbon
Victory is mine! The Nats comeback from a 4-1 deficit clinched the season series with the Pirates. The Nats did it the hard/fun way too -- coming back with five home runs! Ronnie Belliard hit two of them while Dmitri Young, Jesus Flores and Lastings Milledge each hit one. Milledge's was a two-run shot in the ninth that won the game for Washington.
The Nats clinched the best-of-seven season series with Pittsburgh with tonight's victory. The Maryland Bureau Chief, a Pittsburgh-area native now owes me a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Years Old. Last year, he won a bottle of Gentleman Jack. Hopefully, next year, we'll be able to do a food bet -- Half-Smoke vs. Primanti sammich.
ESPN BoxscoreLabels: Nats/MLB 2008, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 10:05 PM |
|
 
Oh, it's on - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, March 31, 2008
Oh, it's on
Don't let the lack of logo (I'm nearly finished) fool you, the 3rd Annual Cheesesteak/Half-Smoke Challenge is on! Cliff and I are continuing our annual "mayors bet" on the Nationals vs. Phillies series this season. Since his Fleas won last year, the foodstuff he is defending gets top billing. Right now, the series is tied 1-1. My 2006 victory was acquired in dramatic late-night fashion. It was a tasty cheesesteak. We are trying to come up with a tie-breaker. Something like total runs or overall record will not do either. Labels: Nats/MLB 2008, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 12:56 PM |
|
Phillies fandom finally pays off for Cliff - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Phillies fandom finally pays off for Cliff
 WASHINGTON D.C. -- Everybody knows that it isn't easy being a Phillies fan, especially my friend Cliff who is loyal to that team. The Phillies have more losses than any other franchise, over 10,000 in fact. They only won it all once, back in 1980. The feat was so rare that someone I knew said it was the happiest day of her life. She was 10 at the time, so draw your own conclusions about what has happened to her since. Cliff probably doesn't remember that '80 victory too well, given how young he was at the time. What I'm trying to say is being a Phillies fan rarely pays off; just ask Joe Queenan. This year it finally did off for Cliff. Not only did his team win the division, he won our annual Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge which is determined by head-to-head records between the two clubs. Last year, I won a cheesesteak. Cliff was in town last week, so I finally got to make good on our bet. This was his first trip to Ben's, so I wondered how he would enjoy a chili half smoke.  It turns out I didn't need to wonder much, he even bought himself another. We had cheese fries too. Next year, a cheesesteak will be won again, I assure you. Labels: Family and Friends, Food and Drink, Nats/MLB 2007, The District, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 5:45 AM |
|
Cheesy victory - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, October 22, 2007
Cheesy victory
 Not that Penn State football needs anything else to make it interesting, but the occasional friendly wager sure is fun. Recently, for the second year in a row, dl004d and I bet foodstuffs on the outcome of the game. Last year he won a box of grilled stickies, but this year I got my revenge and was rewarded mild cheddar cheese shaped like the state of Wisconsin. Thank you dl004d and Grand Mariner (his wife, who actually bought the cheese in Wisconsin and brought it back), we enjoyed it during the first half of Penn State's victory over Indiana.  Labels: Best of WWN, Food and Drink, PSU Football 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 12:32 PM |
|
Just back from Jersey - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Just back from Jersey
A whirlwind 34.5 hours trip to the Garden State has just ended. We did an awful lot while we were up there, but only saw a few minutes of the Penn State victory during the second half. Hopefully, we successfully programmed the VCR so that we can watch the blowout that we missed. I can't wait to collect my cheese! Labels: New Jersey, PSU Football 2007, Travel, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 9:43 PM |
|
Congratulations Cliff; now come get your half-smoke - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Congratulations Cliff; now come get your half-smoke
Philadelpia 4 WASHINGTON 1 (10 innings) ( CBS Sports Boxscore)  Last night, Cliff's Phillies beat my Nationals for the tenth time to clinch the season series. He avenges last year's defeat and wins a half-smoke from Ben's Chili Bowl for his victory. Phillies Make Manager Sweat Out Win Over Nats - The PostNats waste chances in defeat - The Wash. TimesNot a good day for my teams yesterday. Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 7:04 AM |
|
Why I'll be gone, what I'll miss when I'm away - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, August 10, 2007
Why I'll be gone, what I'll miss when I'm away
I know that I have been alluding to an impending absence for a while now. It may appear that I am just going down the Shore, but the truth is that this will be a working vacation. I've recently signed with a major publisher to write a series of books. You'll be able to find them in the self-help isle of your local bookseller. I can't disclose the publisher yet, but I can release the of my series which is called You are all Stupid, You are all Wrong: Why Do You Make Me Hit You?
This is Why I Can't Have Nice Things
I Didn't Ask to be Born
This Will Hurt You More Than It Hurts Me
Daddy Drinks Because You CryI've got a lot of work ahead of me, but I can't wait for the book tour! There are two things I wish I was around for next week: Nats vs. Fleas - a crucial series in the 2nd Annual Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge. Philadelphia leads the season series 5-3, but the Nats can pull ahead with a sweep. I may be able to catch it on TV though.  Leskathon! - ?????? Late-night FREE MONEY guru Matthew Lesko will be answering questions on Capitol Hill for 72 consecutive hours, August 14-16. How many different ?????? suits do you think he'll go through? h/t CityDesk - CityPaperIn my absence, the Pentagon City bureau chief will be filling in. Have a great week! Labels: BeltwayLand, Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot
posted by WFY @ 12:46 PM |
|
Bergmann hurt: Nats fall to Fleas 4-3 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Bergmann hurt: Nats fall to Fleas 4-3
PHILADELPHIA 4 Washington 3 ( CBS Sportsline Boxscore) Jason Bergmann is the latest starting pitcher to get hurt...again. He hurt his hamstring running the basses in the second inning and had to leave in the third after pitching 2 1/3 innings. Nationals Journal has the sequence of events here. Bergmann had given up two runs in his brief outing. Billy Traber, who is scheduled to start one of Saturday's doubleheader games against the Mets, pitched three innings, giving up one run. Luis Ayala faltered in hte eighth and allowed a Aaron Rowland home run that won the game. Prior to that, Chris Schroeder had let Rowland advance to third on a wild pitch in the sixth. Pat Burrell sacrificed Rowland home. Brian Schneider drove in all three Nats runs in the third with a bases clearing double. Kyle Kendrick got the win for Philly. Another Pitcher Hurt, And Nats Feel the Pain - The PostBergmann injured as Nats fall to Phillies - The Wash. TimesManager Manny Acta is preparing for the post-Dimitri Young era ( The Wash. Times). Young is willing to talk about a contract extension ( nationals.com) too, but I wouldn't get too excited about that happening. In pitching, pitching, pitching news, Shawn Hill threw batting practice in Potomac on Monday and is on track to return to the rotation on August 9...Ross Detwiler threw three innings of shutout baseball for the GCL Nats yesterday. He is among several pitchers who are showing promise ( The Post) in the minors...either RHP Joel Hanrahan or LHP John Lannan or both will likely be called up to pitch on Saturday. Acta expected more from Ryan Church ( The Post) this year. Who didn't? Cliff is now up 4-2 in the 2nd Annual Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge. Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 6:05 AM |
|
La Coupe Hauxer wrap-up - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, July 02, 2007
La Coupe Hauxer wrap-up
 We had our annual La Coupe Hauxer ceremony at the Vienna Inn yesterday. Read about it here. Labels: Family and Friends, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 12:49 PM |
|
Hill pitches 8+, Nats win - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, April 27, 2007
Hill pitches 8+, Nats win
Shawn Hill pitched really well yesterday ( The Post): ...where Hill became the first Nationals pitcher to complete eight innings, where he allowed three singles and Aaron Rowand's solo homer, where he faced 29 men and went to a 2-0 count on only three of them. The Nationals beamed about Hill's performance in beating a more highly touted prospect, Phillies lefty Cole Hamels. but he was stilll made he started the ninth with a walk to Shane Victorino. Chad Cordero came in and allowed Victorino to score, but still got the save. He want back to pitching his way ( The Wash. Times) with greater success that he had been haivng.Bang! Zoom! A curly W is in the book. More from The Wash. Times: Hill gives Nationals long-awaited victoryKearns Shows Promise After Power Outage - The PostRF Austin Kearns has a good average, but no pop in his bat. That may be changing...3B Ryan Zimmerman loves the extreme shift that puts him near shortstop... Manny Acta says Brian Schneider isn't a platoon guy, but Capitol Punishment says " maybe he should be." The catcher stinks at the plate right now. Half-smoke/Cheesesteak ChallengePhiladelphia 3-2 Washington 2-3 Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 5:17 AM |
|
Another loss in Philly - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Another loss in Philly
PHILADELPHIA 9 Washington 3 ( ESPN Boxscore) Just to be different, John Patterson pitched better than he had been, but poor fielding by Felipe Lopez and LF Robert Fick (Fick in left field -- why?!) doomed him. For the night, Patterson gave up six runs in 5 1/3 innings. Ouch. Patterson Doomed By Nats' Defense - The PostStruggles continue for Patterson, Nats - The Wash. TimesJIM BOWDEN - Nats wear hearts on hats - The Wash. ExaminerBowden talks about the team's decision to wear Virginia Tech caps last week.
For Lopez, Patience Is a Virtue - The PostLopez has improved his OBP by 22 points.
In left field, job remains wide open - The Wash. TimesFick hopes to play left field more often. I hope not. Won't Ryan Church move over there when Nook Logan returns from the DL?
Last night's victory put the Fleas up 3-1 in the Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge. I am not getting too concerned yet because if there is one thing Philly teams know how to do is choke. Today's game is at 3:05 p.m. Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 5:31 AM |
|
Nats blow lead, game - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Nats blow lead, game
PHILADELPHIA 6 Washington 3 ( ESPN Boxscore) The Nats blew a 3-1 sixth inning lead and solid Jason Bergmann pitching to lose to the Fleas. The bullpen had to falter at some point. Bergmann will get a win, someday. Micah Bowie (0-1) gets tagged with the loss while Antonio Alfonseca (1-0) gets the win. Nationals' Bullpen Lets One Slip Away - The PostBullpen blows win for Nats - The Wash. TimesCould the return of Ray King ( The Post) on Friday mean an eight man bullpen for that Nats? It is crazy idea, but it just might work. Actually, it probably wouldn't work, but then again, given the amount of work the bullpen gets, it really might work. Am I clear about being unclear? "New stadiums, in and of themselves, are not a panacea"The Wash. Times compares the Indians and Pirates and what moving to a new ballpark meant to each franchise. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum. Ryan Zimmerman and his slow start get more ink today, this time in The Free Lance-Star. Although it is early in the year, Cliff gets a big win to claim the lead in the 2nd Annual Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge. The Nats have to win the next two to pull back ahead in the challenge. Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 5:34 AM |
|
Nats head to Philly - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Nats head to Philly
After a travel day, the Nats take on the Phillies tonight at Citizens Bank Park to resume the 2nd Annual Half-smoke/Cheesesteak Challenge. Each year I have a "mayor's bet" with my friend Cliff (aka The Ombudsman*) on the Nats vs. Fleas series. I put up a half-smoke from Ben's Chili Bowl and he puts up a cheesesteak from Jim's Steaks. Our representatives are working on the final details, such as tiebreakers (the teams have an even number of games this season) and to determine if a concession speech shall be made privately or publicly. So far, the challenge is deadlocked with the teams splitting their first two meetings. Today's headlines: Slow Start Doesn't Concern Big Man - The Post3B Ryan Zimmerman is not terribly concerned about his poor start. He has been improving of late as well.
For stoic Cordero, a case of lost control - The Wash. TimesChad Cordero is having trouble closing games this year, having more blown saves than saves. He tendency to go off speed with his first pitch may be part of the problem, since he has typically gone with his fastball.
Injured Logan, Guzman May Return Soon - The PostCristian Guzman and Nook Logan are going to be playing in extended spring training games any day now. Logan is expected to take back the centerfield job when he returns, but with Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez entrenched in the middle infield spots, Guzman may be on the outside looking in.
Speigner settles in with Nationals - Thomasville (Georgia) Times-EnterpriseLevale Speigner gets some ink in his hometown paper. *For matters relating to the Nats vs. Phillies, Cliff will not perform his Ombudsman duties. Logo by Destin Frasier Labels: Food and Drink, Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 7:01 AM |
|
Old man pushes Nats around for 8 innings - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, April 20, 2007
Old man pushes Nats around for 8 innings
Philadelphia 4 WASHINGTON 2 ( ESPN Boxscore) The 2nd Annual Half-smoke Cheesesteak Challenge is tied. The Fleas tagged "ace" John Patterson for three runs in four innings before manager Manny Acta had enough. On the radio, Charlie Slowes and Dave Shea noted that Patterson was not using his lower body well in his pitches and that Patterson pitches poorly when it is "cold." Perhaps Acta could have used the Sunday postponement to juggle the rotation a little to ensure Patterson pitched in Florida tonight instead, but I can understand some reluctance on his part. That Philly only got three runs off of Paterson is more a reflection on their ability to strand runners than Paterson's pitching. Eighty year old Jamie Moyer shut the Nats down through eight innings. In the ninth, he finally faltered giving up doubles to 3B Ryan Zimmerman and 1B Dimitri Young. Tom Gordon appeared in relief and loaded the bases with no outs. PH Robert Fick sacrificed Young home, but that would do it for the Nats scoring. The game ended with LF Chris Snelling watching strike three go right past him. At least it was an exciting loss. It's Still Slow Going For Nats' Patterson - The PostPatterson still isn't up to speed - The Wash. TimesMore storiesNATIONALS NOTEBOOK: Church Gets Credit for His Work in Center - The PostRyan Church is playing well in centrfield despite his antipathy for RFK.
Record aside, Bergmann shows quality - The Wash. TimesJason Bergmann may not have any wins, but he has half the staff's quality starts. Also, Jesus Colome learned he doesn't have to throw 100 MPH to get the job done out of the bullpen.
Freddie Mac, Washington Nationals team up to encourage area adoption - The Wash. Examiner
THOMAS BOSWELL - Mind Over Matter - The PostHappy Bos is back! He lucks the attitude of the Nats right now and doesn't think they'll be historically bad.
The Business of Baseball - Forbes The Nats are worth $447 million, making them the 10th most valuable franchise in baseball. That puts them at 4th in the NL East though, $10 million back of the Phillies, but with the new ballpark coming, that may change. Also noted: 1.) Yankees - $1.2 billion 2.) Mets - $736 million 14.) Balmer - $395 million 30.) Marlins - $244 million By the way, didn't the Nats sell for $450 million? I wouldn't put too much in this though, since there are factual errors like "Lerner owns the Capitals." Labels: Nats/MLB 2007, Wagers
posted by WFY @ 5:57 AM |
| |
Facebook | 
Del.icio.us | 
Digg | 
Technorati | 
Blinklist | 
Furl | 
Newsvine | 
Reddit it!
