William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Capitals #6 for bang for your buck in ESPN Ultimate Standings, other D.C. teams in 90s

2009-07-02T12:45:00.001-04:00

ESPN The Magazine compiled the "Ultimate Standings" a ranking of all of the teams in the traditional four major sports. "The eight major categories that make up the Ultimate Standings were created based on feedback from fans about what they want most from their favorite teams (click here for a more detailed account of the method to our madness.)"

The Capitals led the way for Washington teams, coming in 6th overall and behind the Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings amongst NHL teams. After that though, it gets really rough for Washington fans as the Redskins, Nationals and Wizards come in 92nd, 97th and 98th respectively in the overall survey. The Nats are 27th in baseball, the Skins 25th in the NFL and the Wiz are 21st in the NBA. The Nats came in higher than I expected and the Skins maybe a little lower than they should be. I think the Wiz got a bum rap in this since they were a perennial playoff team until they had two all-stars miss most of last season.

While far from being scientific, this certainly interesting and ought to be reviewed by the front offices.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Redskins

Boswell: Blow up the Nats

2009-07-02T12:14:00.002-04:00

Thomas Boswell opened his chat with this interesting take on the Nats:

...And I think just figured it out last night at midnight. Don't know why I didn't see it sooner. Sitting here with Barry at Congressional, and he saiud something like, "Yeah, that's it." So here's the midnight musing.

Blow up the Nats.

They're no good together. So why not take them apart?

All season everybody has said that they've seldom seen a team that is so much less than the sum of its parts. Why? Jim Bowden and Stand Kasten built an incoherent team. It had no 'theme' __except 'develop young starting pitching' and make any opportunistic trade that seemed to 'add value.' Beyond that, it was a mess. This week's trade and demotion of Dukes is a first step. More, much more to come, I suspect. The Nats have no bullpen. They have no defense at any position now that Zimmerman seems to be catching a dreaded throwing disease that will, for now, remain nameless here. They had no offensive speed (now they've added Morgan). They have no situational hitters. They have no leaders. One of the reason that Acta appears completely unable to manage __even though he seemed to handle a game perfectly well in '07__ is that he has no Team. He has a monstrosity, a random collection of pieces that don't interconnect and can't, in any normal sense of the word, be 'managed.' The Nats are live driving a car with two steering wheels, three engines, four sets of breaks and NO WHEELS. "Why doesn't it go anywhere?" B-e-c-a-u-s-e i-t i-s n-o-t a c-a-r.

So, keep the starting pitchers, including those in AAA like Balester, Mock and Martis and, for heraven sake, sign Strasburg. Keep Zimmerman, Flores and Dunn, unless you get a huge offer from an A.L. team who wants a DH. And look for ways to trade Nick Johnson, Cristian Guzman, Joe Beimel, Willie Harris and anybody else with value to close out. There will need to be some releases, too, at a later date after you see what you get back in trade.

I'm starting to think the Nats may be ahead of me on this and that the 'breakup' is already on the way. You may see a column on this.

It just sounds too simple and easy -- pitching and defense that helps the young pitchers, right? He is not the first to suggest that they may be doing this either, but who has time to find all the blog posts suggesting this very thing?

Given how bad the Nats are right now, this plan seems sound.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Thomas Boswell, chat

Thomas Boswell chat 07.02.2009

2009-07-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

Ask Boswell: Nats Make Outfield Moves, Tiger and the AT&T National, More
- The Post
"Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell will be online Thursday, July 2, at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions about the Nats trade of Lasting Milledge and demotion of Elijah Dukes, Tiger Woods and AT&T National in town this week at Congressional Country Club, as well as the latest sports news and his columns."

Washington Nationals, Nats, Thomas Boswell, chat

Elijah Dukes was late to his own demotion

2009-07-01T12:36:00.004-04:00

Dukes sent to Class AAA [updated] - Chatter, The Wash. Times
Even though Austin Kearns is $8 million of deadwood clogging the outfield, Elijah Dukes, got demoted. Dukes isn't playing too well right now either, hitting something like .244. His reputation in the clubhouse is not the strongest for reasons like this:

There is one other angle to all this, of course, and that is Dukes' non-playing issues. There are still plenty of people in the organization that don't believe he has the right attitude to succeed up here. And that feeling was only strengthened when Dukes reported late to the ballpark this morning. Yep, players were supposed to be dressed by 10 a.m. Dukes didn't arrive until after that, at which point he was told of his demotion.

Who knew he was making paid appearances for little leagues in South Florida too?

Is this the last we will see of Dukes in a Washington uniform? Syracuse is probably nice this time of year though.

Dukes Optioned To Class AAA - Nationals Journal, The Post

Washington Nationals, Nats, Elijah Dukes

Tony's Big Easy not playing by the rules

2009-07-01T12:20:00.003-04:00

Police: Bars ignore court order - CDT
Since I still get a fair number of searches for Tony's Big Easy which was once a great State College bar, I feel like I should post this link about them ignoring court orders:

But now Tony�s Big Easy has again been cited by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

Police said they found on seven different occasions that the bar wasn�t complying with terms Grine put in place in March that allowed the bars to stay open until the appeal is decided.

�It didn�t appear to us that (Sapia) was even making an effort to comply with the provisions of the court order,� said district office commander Sgt. Wayne A. Bush.

I haven't been there in exactly four years, one day and I don't plan on going back. It used to be such a good bar.

Tony's Big Easy, State College, Penn State, liquor control board

Happy Canada Day

2009-07-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

You might want to use headphones, a naughty word might have snuck in there.

Canada, jingoism, scapegoat, hockey free agency

Nats blow 5-1 lead, lose 7-5 before rain ends it

2009-07-01T05:54:00.002-04:00

This quote by Adam Dunn says it all:

"[The rain] couldn't have happened an inning before? It's like, what else can go wrong? I'm beginning to think the baseball gods really do hate us."

"The baseball gods really do hate us" - Chatter, The Wash. Times

Marlins Beat the Rain and Beat the Nationals - The Post
Ramirez, rainstorm doom Nationals - The Wash. Times

I blogged about yesterday's trade, yesterday.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Florida Marlins

Analysis: Nats trade Lastings Milledge & Joel Hanrahan to Pirates for Nyjer Morgan & Sean Burnett

2009-06-30T20:52:00.004-04:00

Milledge, Hanrahan Dealt Away to Pirates - The Post
Nationals trade Hanrahan, Milledge - The Wash. Times
The Nationals experiment with Lastings Milledge has ended. After acquiring him for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider in a trade with the Mets, the team could not get the young outfielder to reach his potential or take the game seriously enough to further that end. Some have said he liked being a major leaguer more than a baseball player. Now, he has to decide if he is willing make the commitment in one of the smallest cities in the majors, once he gets promoted from AAA. Is this going to be his wakeup call or will he just continue his path of underachievement? His attitude will not be missed by the organization. He certainly will not miss them either, especially after they proclaimed him the starting centerfielder and then demoted him after about a week.

Joel Hanrahan has been in a very deep rut in D.C. and moving elsewhere is probably the best thing for him. He can probably be a solid member of a bullpen somewhere but he needs to find the right mentality. I would not be surprised if both the Hanrahan and the Nationals feel that things just didn't work out.

In return for Milledge, we now understand what team officials meant when they said they wanted a player with a "hockey mentality." OF Nyjer Morgan played hockey growing up, so look for ten paragraphs from On Frozen Blog soon :p. His speed and defense are his strongest points--that and apparently not carrying a sense of entitlement with him. His OBP is .351. He is at least diplomatic -- "My thoughts, I'm pretty pumped up, because I'm flattered when you have a team like the Nationals and they really want you," he said. "I'm almost out of words." So at the very least, Morgan knows how to "play the game" outside the lines.

Lefty Sean Burnett comes to the bullpen and should be a major improvement over the player he replaces, though that is not saying much. He has a Tommy John surgery in his past as well.

It could be argued that the Nats essentially traded Schneider and Church for Morgan and that is not a trade you'd make any day of the week. Sure, but Milledge had a high upside and Schneider appeared to be on the downslope of his career and not as likely to be a contributor to a winning club as the man behind him, the younger Jesus Flores. Church simply had too much baggage with the team for a variety of reasons, some of which were probably deserved and others undeserved. As for the actual trade that happened today, Pittsburgh got higher upside and Washington got guys who can play right now. I am curious what my friends who follow the Pirates think of the trade. I have a feeling that this will ultimately be a trade that does little to change the fortunes of two struggling franchises and the final conclusion will be something like "meh."

Washington Nationals, Nats, Pittsburgh Pirates, Lastings Milledge, Joel Hanrahan, Nyjer Morgan, Sean Burnett, trade

Warmer water at the Jersey Shore this year

2009-06-30T14:00:00.000-04:00

Great news! After last summer's upwelling kept the Atlantic Ocean tempratures from getting out of the low 60s for most of the summer, the water is already warm.

But the winds have shifted this summer and temps in the 70s were predicted for most South Jersey shores in July and August.

With the sun out for the first time in what seemed like forever, weekend ocean temperatures already rose to the lower 70s, an earlier-than-usual warming.

Now the bad news -- I can't go there for a while :(

NJ, Jersey Shore, New Jersey, beach

Gene Weingarten takes package, will only chat monthly

2009-06-30T12:00:00.003-04:00

Last week, Gene Weingarten announced that he was taking a package from The Post, but would continue to host Chatological Humor monthly and write his "Below the Beltway" column weakly err weekly.

Yes, I took it because I wanted to. Generously, The Post offered to hire me back, on contract, to do the same job I am doing now, whatever that is. But I'm 57, and want to start on some book and movie projects before I get even older and feebler and the DNA in my brain further deteriorates to the point that I can''t even finish my own senten

We should all be so lucky. More details:

I'm not really going anywhere. I accepted a partial contract, and will still be writing my weekly column, which Tom The Butcher, also on contract, will still be editing. Tom and I will still be working on The Post Hunt. Mostly what's different is that after July 1, I'm no longer doing big magazine stories or The Gene Pool, which is the discussion group you all tend to deride because you don't understand that the golden future of journalism is unedited ranting and gnashing by citizen journalists.

So, boo, I like chat on a weekly basis and the long magazine stories tend to be much better than the weekly column. The Gene Pool was stupid. His final weekly chat is going on right now. I'll miss stuff like this on a weekly basis:

Okay, this has been quite a few days for celebrity deaths. First Ed, then Farrah, then Michael. Just when we thought we were done with the mourning ... Billy! Still, that last one felt so ... right, like when they added "Bobby" to "Abraham, Martin and John."

I guess I am the only one who thinks Michael Jackson was essentially a shallow disco phenomenon, generously talented but mostly a product of cynically manipulated personal style and shrewd marketing, personally abhorrent in a number of significant ways related to racial identity and sexual proclivities, and not worthy of all this adulation, particularly by the media, whose hemorrhage of unquestioning accolades is suspiciously self-serving. Okay, just checking.

Hey, man, I'm unmoved by Jacko's demise too, but that's harsh, the guy was scary talented.

PREVIOUSLY

Weingarten is a hack!
Post Pulitzers
Weingarten does it again
Q&A: Gene Weingarten

Washington Post, Gene Weingarten

Music Tuesday: Happy Happy Joy Joy

2009-06-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

It was suggested that the tone of late has been too negative. My rebuttal:

Happy Happy Joy Joy, Stinky Wizzleteats, Ren & Stimpy

Olsen sharp in return, but Nats fall to Marlins

2009-06-30T05:42:00.003-04:00

Nats' Olsen Shines, Bullpen Lets It Slip - The Post
Bullpen wastes Olsen's outing - The Wash. Times
Scott Olsen returned from the DL and pitched 7 innings of one run ball but that went up in smoke when the bullpen, specifically Ron Villone, came in. Marlins 4 Nationals 2.

Harris, Stammen Benefit From Extra Deliberation - The Post
Willie Harris looks to be the leadoff hitter for the foreseeable future, bumping the heart of the order back a spot. Craig Stammen, who was to be sent to the bullpen, will stay in the rotation for now. Shairon Martis is back in AAA -- a good place for him. His early 5-1 record was a soft 5-1.

Kobernus gets birthday gift from the Nats - The Wash. Times
2B Jeff Kobernus, the Nats second round draft choice out of Cal, signed and is on his way to Vermont to play for the Lake Monsters.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Florida Marlins

Of course I didn't go see the Nats in Baltimore

2009-06-29T12:19:00.004-04:00

For the fourth consecutive season, I avoided rewarding Peter Angelos' bad behavior by buying a ticket to see the Nationals up there. Some notes:

They only took 2 out of the six games vs. Baltimore this season, winning on Sundays (The Post). Perhaps this t-shirt would be appropriate.
Stupid Baltimorons -- MASN is still an incompetent, anti-Washington, anti-Nationals organization. (DC Sports Bog)
Adam Dunn hit one onto Eutaw Street, hitting the warehouse on one bounce. MLB Video
John Lannan is a solid pitcher - Nationals Journal
Willie Harris shouldn't be the Nats best player - Lovey Land
We made a cameo at Baseball on the Barn, but had to leave before it even got dark.
Wait, the Nats are playing on a Monday? They are in Florida this week before coming home for the 4th. Hmmm, we don't have a sitter yet.

Washington Nationals, Nats, ,

The death of Leon Kompowsky has been sadly underreported

2009-06-29T08:15:00.007-04:00

Requiescat in pace

Leon Kompowsky, TheSimpsons, Michael Jackson

Jordan Zimmermann, Nats take final game of Red Sox Series

2009-06-26T08:32:00.003-04:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Remember the "Rookie vs All Star" commercial with MissChatter talking about John Lannan, the rookie going up future Hall of Famer John Smoltz? Anyway, that ad was not far from my mind last night as Nationals rookie Jordan Zimmermann faced Red Sox newbie Smoltz last night. This time though, it wasn't close as Smoltz faltered in the first inning of his first 2009 start. The Nats batted around the order, scoring four runs. That proved to be an unsurmountable deficit for Boston as the Nats extended their lead several times before Tyler Clippard gave up a two-run homer late. Final score 9-3.

[flickr : Nats vs. Red Sox, 06.25.2009/slideshow]

Zimmermann pitched well, throwing 109 pitches in total with something like 77 for strikes. He even overcame some shoddy second inning middle infield play without any damage. The offense was powerful with Willie Harris going 3-4 and hitting a homer up into the second deck in right field. Ryan Zimmermann made three highlight reel plays at third as well. Also, Nick Johnson got hit by a pitch in the shin forcing him out of the game.

Other notes:

The park was lively and the Red Sox fans were suprisingly well behaved, pink hats and all.
In the section I wound up sitting in, the ushers would not let people back into the stands with a batter in the box. They're learning in NatsTown!
I heard several Michael Jackson songs, including "Billie Jean" on the organ. Too bad he was probably a pederast, because he was a very talented performer.
I think this was only the second time I have seen the Nats win at Nationals Park, raising my all-time record there to 2-5-1.

Nats Spoil Smoltz's Return - The Post
Zimmermann dominates in meeting with Smoltz - The Wash. Times
Kasten Says His Support Of Acta Hasn't Wavered - The Post
At he National Press Club, Stan Kasten gave the strongest show of support for Manny Acta yet.

Olsen slated to rejoin staff, pitch Monday - The Wash. Times
So, who gets sent down to make way for Scott Olsen? I'm expecting Craig Stammen. Also, I hope Olsen gets a pretty short leash, maybe a couple of starts.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Boston Red Sox

"It's okay, because this is like your World Series"

2009-06-26T08:23:00.004-04:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Late in last night's Nationals/Red Sox game, one New Englander in my row rationalized his team's defeat by saying that this was "like the World Series" for Nats fans.

Au contraire, beaneater!

Our "World Series" is taking 5 of 6 from the Mets every September.

[flickr : Nats vs. Red Sox, 06.25.2009/slideshow]

Washington Nationals, Nats, Red Sox

Thomas Boswell chat 06.25.2009

2009-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Ask Boswell: Nats, Wizards and Orioles - The Post
"Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell will be online Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions about the the Nats, Wizards, Orioles, the latest sports news and his columns."

I am curious what kind of mood he'll be in today with the Nats losing three in a row. I guess he was trying to call out ownership in the column yesterday, but it was a pretty weak attempt.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Thomas Boswell, chat

Nats can't rally from down 6-1 to Red Sox

2009-06-25T05:38:00.005-04:00

Nats Give Up Six to the Sox in Loss - The Post
One mistake spells trouble for Stammen - The Wash. Times
Perhaps it is not wise to taunt David Ortiz. Prior to last night's game, Nationals Journal ran the headline "Big Papi Not So Big and Scary." I think Craig Stammen, who delivered the 3-2 fastball by that wound up in the seats in the fourth inning would beg to differ. Manny Acta said that was the ball game -- C Wil Nieves called for a change-up and Stammen didn't shake him off and go with his fastball. Will Stammen learn from that experience? We'll see but probably not for a while, with Scott Olsen appearing to be healthy after rehabbing with AAA Syracuse, Stammen seems the most likely to be demoted.

The Nats tried to rally, erasing three runs from the 6-1 defecit, but could not get it down. Ryan Zimmerman just missed a game tying homer by a few feet as well.

Clippard Replaces Wells in Struggling Bullpen - The Post
Wells is victim as the bullpen is overhauled - The Wash. Times
Tyler Clippard is called up from Syracuse where he had been pitching well out of the bullpen and Kip Wells is designated for assignment. Also, Adam Dunn's wrist is bothering him, so he sat out last night.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Boston Red Sox

Boswell writes about Nats cashflow

2009-06-24T17:55:00.002-04:00

THOMAS BOSWELL - A Rooting Interest in the Bottom Line - The Post
Bos writes about the Lerners positive cash-flow, but who cares? I tried really hard to find out the point of the column and I could not, can you?

Washington Nationals, Nats

Review: Pepsi Throwback

2009-06-24T14:00:00.004-04:00

A while back my brother told me about a version of Pepsi flavored with sugar instead of corn syrup. Last week, I saw that version, Pepsi Throwback, in the stores for the first time and I picked up several packs. Part of me was hoping it would be better than regular Pepsi, but since it has a limited release, I was worried that if it was I would be spoiled by something that would soon go away. Having now had 3 or 4 cans, I can say that I do taste a bit of a difference. Throwback is not quite as sweet as regular Pepsi -- it is a little more nuanced, if that is even possible in carbonated sugar water. I've gone back and forth between Throwback and the regular stuff and not had a strong reaction either way, so I say the difference is not very significant. That being said, I'll probably stock up on the Throwback just because regular sugar isn't as bad for you as corn syrup.

I think I'm going to have to do the Pepsi Throwback Challenge though and blog the results.

Pepsi, Pepsi Throwback, soda, soft drinks

2009 Penn State football schedule as 06.24.2009 - first three at noon

2009-06-24T12:04:00.002-04:00

KIck Times Set for Nittany Lions' First Three Games - Intercollegiate Athletics
Three more kickoff times announced:

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - Penn State's opening three games of the 2009 season will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET and be televised by the Big Ten Network.

The Nittany Lions are playing their initial four games of the season in Beaver Stadium, starting with the Sept. 5 opener with Akron. One week later, old rival Syracuse will make its first visit to Happy Valley in 19 years, followed by a visit from Temple on Sept. 19. Penn State begins Big Ten play on Sept. 26, hosting Iowa for an 8:00 p.m. kick on ABC or ESPN.

Those alarm clocks are going to need to go off early. I guess I have to upgrade cable and get the sports tier too. I'm surprised the Eastern Illinois game has not been announced as a noon, Big Ten Network kickoff as well.


09/05/2009    AKRON             12:00 p.m. Big Ten Network
09/12/2009    SYRACUSE          12:00 p.m. Big Ten Network
09/19/2009    TEMPLE            12:00 p.m. Big Ten Network
09/26/2009    IOWA*              8:00 p.m. ESPN or ABC
10/03/2009 at Illinois
10/10/2009    EASTERN ILLINOIS
10/17/2009    MINNESOTA**        3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN/ESPN2
10/24/2009 at Michigan
10/31/2009 at Northwestern       4:30 p.m. ESPN or ESPN2
11/07/2009    OHIO STATE
11/14/2009    INDIANA
11/21/2009 at Michigan State

* All-U/Varsity "S" Day
** Homecoming

Penn State, Nittany Lions, college football 2009 schedule

Nats bullpen gives up eight runs late in 11-3 loss to Red Sox

2009-06-24T05:31:00.004-04:00

Red Sox Feel Right At Home - The Post
Bullpen no match for Boston mashers - The Wash. Times
John Lannan did not have his best stuff, but still gave the Nationals 6 1/3 innings, allowing three Boston runs. The Nats had had matched the Red Sox, so the situation was pretty good in the seventh. By the ninth, the tie score was a distant memory as the Red Sox blasted the Washington bullpen for eight runs to win 11-3. Again, let's thank Jim Bowden for putting this bullpen together. Tyler Clippard, where are you? Syracuse, yes we know, but why?

My friend Tiffany in Western Mass. is no doubt pleased by the results and I am bound to hear about it today.

The new Boston road uniforms are pretty ugly.

Between the gamers and Twitter, I don't have a feel for the crowd breakdown. How was it?

Washington Nationals, Nats, Boston Red Sox

Music Tuesday: Kodachrome

2009-06-23T11:45:00.000-04:00

Mama took his Kodachrome away!

Kodak is ending Kodachrome and legendary photographer Steve McCurry, a fellow graduate of the Penn State College of Communications ('74), is going to shoot one of the last rolls (The Penn Stater).

As for the song, it is probably already in rapid rotation on every oldies and adult contemporary station in the country. Paul Simon wrote it, after he was kicked out of Megadeth for being too wild, but before he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Great song, especially the piano parts.

The song is also amusing if you switch "chromosomes" for "Kodachrome."

Kodachrome, Kodak, Paul Simon

Red Line crash: What the Nats can do

2009-06-23T08:30:00.002-04:00

The Nationals host the first game in D.C. since the terrible Red Line Metro crash and that got me thinking there are some things they may want to do.

A moment of silence before tonight's game.
Put out donation buckets at the gates for victims of the crash during the Red Sox series. After three games, count it all and announce they will also be contributing through the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Dollar for dollar matching by the Nats would be an excellent gesture too, perhaps they ought to say it ahead of time.
Open the gates early so that the crowds coming from a compromised Metro system and crowded parking lots can get in easier.
Remind everyone to be patient coming to the game and link to Metro maps, etc. on nationals.com.
Wear their red jerseys this week, though I can also understand the other side that the last thing people want to see is red.

If they have not already, the Nats ought to get in touch with the Minnesota Twins and discuss with them how they handled the I-35W bridge collapse (Star-Tribune) last year.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Metro, WMATA, REd Line,Mass Transit, crash, dc

Dan Steinberg chat 06.23.2009; Great Acta profile

2009-06-23T08:00:00.003-04:00

D.C. Sports Bog Live - The Post
"D.C. Sports Bogger Dan Steinberg will be online Tuesday, June 23, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the Nats, his Nationals Fail campaign, D.C. United, the Caps, the Redskins and the latest sports news and your questions and comments about his latest bog posts."

Steinz is having "write only nice things about the Nats" week. Suggested question -- has writing only nice things about the Nats altered your alcohol consumption at all?

In all seriousness, his post on Manny Acta, at the Bethesda Big Train Manny Acta Bobblehead Night, was stellar work. You just want so badly for Acta to be able to weather the storm and be in a parade holding a World Series trophy some day.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog