Tag Archives: Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg was the #1 pick of the 2009 MLB draft. He debuted for the Washington Nationals on June 8, 2010 before a sold-out crowd and set the team’s strikeout record. Later in 2010, he needed Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in September 2011.

Nats/MLB 2014, Washington Nationals

Happy Opening Day 2014!

Image March 31, 2014 WFY Leave a comment

Congratulations everyone, we made it! Opening Day is finally here and the Washington Nationals begin their 10th 21st century season at 1:10 in the borough of Queens as they face the New York Mets. Stephen Strasbug gets his third consecutive Opening Day start for DC (The Post), while Nats killer Dillon Gee starts (ESPN) for the Flushing Nine.

Strasburg is the only Nats starter to win an Opening Day game which was last year against the Miami Marlins. Given that fact, the Nats Opening Day record isn’t spectacular, going 3-8 since 2005. They have won their last two though. The Mets boast the best Opening Day record in all of baseball The Times, an impressive feat given their 0-8 start in their early years. They actually won a World Series before they won on Opening Day.

The game should be in our nation’s capital, but MLB commissioner Bud Selig is more worried about coddling his friend Peter Angelos than respecting long-standing traditions.

Okay, enough commentary, let’s focus on the joy that is this national holiday. Sadly, I have to work but I plan to take a late lunch and watch the first part of the game at a pub, then switch to over to the sweet sounds of Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler.

PREVIEWS

My take — the Nats will win the NL East again.

The Post

The Post's 2014 Nats preview section is out. Eight pages of stories & info. All the links: http://t.co/rTOS8lwZEp pic.twitter.com/8YeYGpWcbc

— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) March 30, 2014

The Wash. Times has PDFs for much of their Opening Day coverage. Really. I’m no even going to link to that on account of it being 2014.

CSN Washington doesn’t have a specific section, so here’s their whole coverage.

Okay, time to put up the flag — the rain/sleet/snow over the weekend kept from doing that or putting up the bunting earlier. Have a great Opening Day!

Blogging/WWW, Nats/MLB 2014, Washington Nationals

I remembered to submit my DC-IBWA 2014 Nats predictions

March 27, 2014 WFY 1 Comment

Every year, the DC Internet Baseball Writers Association sends out questionaires for the Natmosphere about the state of the Washington Nationals. Some years I get to them, some years I don’t. This year, I got to it. Fire away:

1) Who will lead the Nats in home runs in 2014? – Bryce Harper
2) Who will lead the Nats in RBI? – Bryce Harper
3) Who will lead the Nats in stolen bases? – Denard Span
4) Who will lead the staff in wins? – Stephen Strasburg
5) How many games will Ryan Zimmerman play first base? – 11
6) Who starts more games: Ross Detwiler, Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark, Ross Ohlendorf? – Taylor Roark
7) Who will get more at bats for the Nats this season: Danny Espinosa or Jamey Carroll? – Danny Espinosa
8) Which minor leaguer are you most interested in keeping tabs on this season? – Lucas Giolito
9) Who will reach majors first: Sammy Solis, A.J. Cole, Lucas Giolito or Matt Purke? – Matt Purke
10) How many all-stars will the Nats have? Who? – 3 – Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Wilson Ramos
11) Total wins and what place in the division? 92, 1st

Essay: What should be the single most important development for the Nats this season?

The Nationals single biggest development should be playing smarter. The talent is there, as we saw in 2012, but last season they had a tendency towards defensive lapses that extended innings and wore down pitchers. Another part of playing smarter is not playing with serious injuries. Harper played hurt for the bulk of the season and Espinosa played his way out of the majors. In the outfield at least, an improved bench should make it easier for manager Matt Williams to give Jayson Werth, Span and Harper some days off with Nate McLouth as the fourth outfielder, so nagging injuries may bee mitigated somewhat. In the infield, Espinosa is a big question mark as the utility man coming off of injuries to both arms.

Strasburg also faces a big year at the top of the rotation after an “off” year in 2013. A recent Post article suggests he had an epiphany about his approach. Strasburg has always come off as intelligent, but very sensitive at the same time. If he has overcome his perfectionist tendencies and self-flagellation, he could dominate with more regularity. Simply put, a focused Strasburg, more comfortable with being an ace and all that entails could be devastating to NL hitters.

Lastly, I believe that Williams approach to defense and hiring of a “defensive coordinator” could help address defensive lapses. Not necessarily because shifts in and of themselves can anticipate where batted balls are going, but also keeping the fielders a little more focused. The question will be whether this will help overcome the learning curve that Williams will face as a rookie manager. Thus far, the tone he is setting for the team is refreshing after Davey Johnson’s casual approach in 2013.

I’ll be surprised if the Nats win 98 games like they did in 2012 — I think that was the peak year in the regular season at least, but I don’t see the Braves winning 96 again either. I believe the Braves will challenge to for the NL East title and probably make the play-in game. After that, it’s all about matchups in the playoffs, so, who knows?

Alexandria, BeltwayLand, Datelines, Food and Drink, Nats/MLB 2014, Washington Nationals

Cooking with William & Erica: The Strasburg Omelette or close to it

March 20, 2014 WFY Leave a comment

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A while back, I recall reading in Washingtonian magazine that Stephen Strasburg’s wife Rachel made him omelettes with asparagus and onions or something like that and filed it away. Since everybody was home for ErinSnowBraugh on Monday and we had asparagus in the refrigerator I thought I’d try making this “Strasburg omelette” for Erica.

My recollection of the omelette wasn’t perfect, but close – I found the specifics of Strasburg’s omelette which he merely called scrambled eggs only after I had made it.

Here’s what I went with:

2 eggs
1 stalk asparagus
½ small yellow onion
Approximately 1 once ham steak
Fresh grated Extra New York Sharp Cheddar cheese

The big differences between my recipe and Strasburg’s was the ham and no red peppers which we did not have around. I also used New York Sharp instead of Pepper Jack.

First, I seared the ham, sprinkling Lawry’s seasoned pepper on the griddle.

Once the ham was seared, I cut off a small piece, about 3 x 3 inches, and diced it.

Next, I cut up the onion and asparagus, combined it with the ham and put it on medium-low heat in a pan covered in olive oil cooking spray. I slowly sauteed the vegetables.

Once the veggies were sufficiently sauteed (onion is clear) I removed it and added more cooking spray to the pan.

I cracked two eggs, stirred them up and then added the ham and veggies.

Keeping the pan on medium low heat, I added the ingredients. After I flipped the omelette, I shredded the New York Sharp onto the omelette, folded it over until done and then served with a buttered English muffin.

Erica enjoyed it and noted that with the asparagus and ham, a strong cheese was needed. She also thought it would have paired well with rye toast.

Stay tuned for next time when we prepare Grits Lombardozzi RIZZZZZZO-OOOOOOO!

Oh and Strasburg is your Opening Day (Nationals Journal, The Post) starter for the third season in a row which means the #4 man in the rotation gets the home opener. Let’s hope Doug Fister is healthy enough for the honor. By the way, anybody have an extra Home Opener ticket?

Opening Day is 11 days away

BeltwayLand, Datelines, I Was There, Nats/MLB 2013, The District, Washington Nationals

Nats conclude regular home season with split doubleheader

September 23, 2013 WFY 1 Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Game 1 of the Washington Nationals split doubleheader was a disappointment as the Nats fell behind with Dan HaRen giving up two home runs — one to Giancarlo Stanton (with a man on) and another Christian Yelich. Ryan Zimmerman brought the Nats within one with a 2 run homer to centerfield, but the Nats would get no more, falling to the Miami Marlins 4-2 in game 1.

Prior to the game, Davey Johnson was honored for his career with the Nationals and in general. A montage played on the video board, players hugged him, ownership (minus Mark Lerner) shook hands and they gave him a trophy.

The video is now available and it has way too many Baltimore Orioles in it:
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Didn’t one of those guys help run Davey out of Camden Yards?

Teddy won the President’s Race — Bully the Moose tackled Abe.

GAME 2

The night game worked out better for that Nats, though Johnson says that Stephen Strasburg was “awful.” Strasburg gave up 3 runs over six innings in his final home start. Tyler Clippard nearly vultured a win by allowing hte tying run in the 4th, but the Nats scored in the bottom of the ninth when a Wilson Ramos grounder to third was booted.

Yesterday afternoon’s attendance was a healthy 35,501.

Nats draw 2,652,422 in 2013, most at Nats Park. But they drew 2,731,993 in 2005 at RFK. (Senators' final season here, 1971? 655,156.)

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) September 23, 2013

Videos of the Johnson ceremony should be making their way to youtube over the next day or two, there were a lot of people with their phones out recording the HD screen.

Six more games remain in the regular season, all on the road. It starts tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals and nextg weekend with a season finale in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Six games to make up five for the second play-in game spot.

Nats/MLB 2013, Video, Washington Nationals

Nats show that lost seasons still have great memories

August 12, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

Not every baseball season is great, but greatness appears in every baseball season.

Following a sweep by the NL East division leading Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals could no longer deny that the 2013 season had gotten away from them. Nonetheless, this weekend’s series with the Philadelphia Phillies showed that even in underachieving seasons, there are joyful times. For the first time in a long-time, the Nats were exciting and seemed to be having a good time.

SUNDAY

WASHINGTON 6 Philadelphia 0

Stephen Strasburg has been having an “off year” going into Sunday’s game with a 3.01 ERA and a 5-9 record more indicative of his run support than his performance. That being said, it was not as dominant as his first seasons. Sunday evening, he had one of his finest performances and his first complete game and shutout.

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Strasburg threw 99 pitches for 10 strikeouts was his first “Maddux” – a complete game shutout with less than 100 pitches. He pitched with a groin bothering him:

Head trainer Lee Kuntz and pitching coach Steve McCatty emerged from the dugout and walked to the mound with Johnson close behind. Strasburg told Johnson his groin didn’t affect him when he flew open during his delivery. He remained in the game. And after walking Brown, he pitched as if nothing at all had bothered him.

The groin tweak “just helped me kind of take a step back and just go nice and easy and stay on line as long as I can,” Strasburg said

Nationals vs. Phillies: Stephen Strasburg throws first complete game as Washington completes sweep – The Post.

Did he just learn something yesterday?

SATURDAY

WASHINGTON 8 Philadelphia 5

Tanner Roark, acquired for Cristian Guzman in 2010 won his first game with a 2 inning, 12 pitch performance in relief.

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Jayson Werth was the bigger story though, with a 3-hit performance — hits 998, 999 and 1,000th a home run to take a lead the Nats would not relinquish.

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FRIDAY

WASHINGTON 9 Philadelphia 2

Friday night’s game was a laugher with Dan Haren continuing his second half resurgence, going 7 innings and only giving up 2 runs for the third consecutive start.

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Hard Times Cafe is on the hook for free wings (with an additional purchase) for each game of the series since the Nats scored 6 or more runs. In theory, they’ve stockpiled them and are pretty happy to clean out some inventory.

I don’t know what the rest of the week, season and such holds for the 2013 Nats, but I know how much I enjoyed this weekend’s series. I also know that I get to enjoy for an extra day — no Monday game.

Nats/MLB 2013, Video, Washington Nationals

Will we still be happy that the All-Star Break is over during/after Nats game tonight?

July 19, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

A co-worker asked me this morning about the Washington Nationals. He’s a casual fan going to the Sunday game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, whom he expected to be a better opponent. I suggested that the Dodgers were better than their record now that Yasiel Puig was on the team. I also suggested that the Nats were less than the sum of their parts thus far this season. The lineup, incomplete for so long, is finally healthy so perhaps the players can start hitting around their statistical norms. Even Bryce Harper is slumping a little bit, but who knows, maybe finishing 2nd in the Home Run Derby will get him going. The lack of situational hitting is the biggest problem, a relapse to the 2005-2011 Nats that seemed to lead the NL in runners left on base annually. Well, maybe not in 2008 and 2009.

We are also really overdue for a Ryan Zimmerman walk-off.

On the pitching front, Stephen Strasburg is having an “off year” while sporting an ERA of 2.99. Gio Gonzalez has settled into a groove after a mediocre start while Jordan Zimmermann is an All-Star (and rural American!) who hasn’t been quite as good of late, but clearly the leader on the staff. The backend hasn’t been good with Ross Detwiler on the DL twice and having trouble getting through the order a third time. Dan Haren, on the other hand, has had trouble getting through the order once, though has shown signs of improvement.

The Nats are six games back of the Atlanta Braves and catching them over the next 67 games is certainly possible, some even say probable. But it probably won’t happen all at once if it does — read Nats Pennant Push for more as you watch games while breathing into a paper bab. and September scheduling favors the Braves.

They can win the NL East, but it will likely be a slog. I thought that some of the preseason predictions of greater than 98 wins was wishful thinking, but 48-47 at the break was not something I anticipated. On Opening Day, I predicted 94 wins and I think that’s optimistic at this point.

Of course, if the Nats just wear their red caps and the Braves don’t wear their alternate jerseys, it’ll all work out!

MSM PREVIEWS

Washington Nationals have their work cut out for them – The Post

Washington Nationals storylines to watch in second half – The Wash. Times

2nd half storylines – CSN Washington

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

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They found a few!

It starts up again at 7:05 tonight — 11 game homestand. Time to get going.

Nats/MLB 2013, Washington Nationals

Let’s interupt this Harper coverage (that’s missing the point) to remind you Strasburg is pitching in his hometown tonight

May 16, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

Lost in all the coverage of Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper running into a wall (still a bad route from an inexperience outfielder everybody!) and getting his beard knocked off to remind you that Stephen Strasburg makes his hometown San Diego MLB debut. The Union-Tribune has a story about how he evolved from a lazy, fat kid into a disciplined gym rat: He wasn’t always THIS Stephen Strasburg.

2013 is supposed to be the first full season of Strasburg in the majors after his rookie year, Tommy John surgery and last year’s much discussed shutdown. It hasn’t gone well for him at all – he’s 1-5, despite a respectable 3.10 and averaging over a strike out an inning. He’s had trouble getting out of the first inning cleanly and has collapsed under the weight of defensive errors behind him, last Saturday evening’s 5th inning as the prime example. Eight of his 25 runs allowed have been unearned. Strasburg has looked dominate at times (like the first four innings on Saturday) but the root problem is that he’s regressed emotionally. It seemed last year whenever some misfortune would come the Nats way, he’d get extremely focused and strike hitters out in bunches. He hasn’t been able to flip the switch this year.

Tonight’s game against the Padres presents an interesting challenge for Strasburg. It will be his first start in his hometown since entering the majors. Given his tendency to have rough first innings, how he handles all of this will be quite interesting and I’m surprised there is not much attention out of DC media. Maybe it is just because they are on West Coast time, but perhaps it works out for the best for Strarsburg. While Harper enjoys being the center of attention, Strasburg resents it, perhaps so much that the shutdown and being a #1 pick has hurt his game.

I don’t know if it will be tonight or later in the season, but I think Strasburg figures it out and returns to dominance. It is better for him and the Nats that he get this out of his way in the first half of the season and gets ready for the stretch run. Even with all the misfortune the Nats are dealing with — injuries, some bad series and bad luck, the Nats are still a mere game out of first place. The schedule eases up soon too, so without the emotion tied to all of this, the Nats are doing fine. It may not always feel like it though.

By the way, the Nats lost last night, the second in a row, costing them the series with Los Angeles Dodgers: Zack Greinke latest Dodgers pitcher to quiet Nationals bats in 3-1 loss at Los Angeles (The Post). Wilson Ramos is hurt again too. Remember when the Nats had a surplus of catchers? Ross Dewiler may miss a start or two as well. Remember when the Nats had a surplus of pitchers?

Nats/MLB 2013, Washington Nationals

Where is Miguel Batista? Strasburg has forearm tightness, Nats can’t capitalize early, fall to Braves

April 30, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

Uh oh.

Washington Nationals superstar Stephen Strasburg has forearm tightness (The Post) which explains why he was wild at times last night against the Atlanta Braves. He kept walking the first batter of the inning — two of them scored over six innings of work. #37 struck out the side in the sixth though. Still, Natstown is on edge yet again as another loss (Tyler Clippard gets pegged with it after allowing a run in the 7th – leadoff batter again) and Strasburg being potentially hurt.

Is Miguel Batista available? Can he recapture his Miss Iowa magic? His spot start for Strasburg in 2010 was one of that season’s highlights. Apparently, he’s in the Toronto Blue Jays system with the Buffalo Bisons.

We probably won’t know for a few days whether Strasburg will miss a start – he insists he won’t. Could a Chris Young call up for Saturday’s game in Pittsburgh be on the way? Or will we see Zach Duke get the ball against the Pirates, his old team.

Nats/MLB 2013, Washington Nationals

Lost weekend for Nats as Braves sweep them

April 15, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

Oh man, tough, tough weekend for the Washington Nationals. They got swept by the Atlanta Braves, who are off to a very strong start and already hold a 4 game lead in the division. It is a long season. Especially when you are reminded more of 2008 than 2012. It isn’t time to panic, but the team has some stuff to work through. Also, Danny Espinosa needs to shut up (Hardball Talk). So does Stephen Strasburg. If your team gets swept, you aren’t the better team. It has been proven. Now go, get better (The Post) and return the favor at the end of the month and be the better team again.

Also, can you imagine if Bryce Harper had said what Espinosa said?

The heartbreak of the series though – Wilson Ramos is on the DL with a bad hamstring. Kurt Suzuki will get the bulk of the catching responsibilities for at least 15 days with Jhonatan Solano who had to wait 20 minutes due to the “rule prohibiting teams from having more than 25 active players in the clubhouse at once.” Just what a guy who woke up at 4 a.m. and flew in from Syracuse needs. Hey, I work up at 4 a.m. today! I wasn’t in Syracuse though.

FRIDAY

Stopper Ross Detwiler was done in by the bullpen again. Detwiler left after 7 innings with a 4-1 lead. He’s been the best D.C. starter thus far out of the 5th spot in the rotation. Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Craig Stammen blew it, as did Ryan Zimmerman, who made a critical throwing error in the ninth while playing in his 1000th game.

SATURDAY

Another Zimmerman error proves to be the difference as the third baseman extends the inning for the Braves, who capitalized with a Evan Gattis homer. Strasburg was okay, striking out seven and giving up no earned runs.

SUNDAY

Gio Gonzalez, fresh off of his visit to see D.C. United (2-0 loss to Red Bull NY) stunk up the joint, giving up 7 earned runs.

.@nationals pitcher @giogonzalez47 visited RFK last night to cheer on #DCU: bit.ly/17zELJh #StandUp4DC

— D.C. United (@dcunited) April 14, 2013

Now, the Nats get a little of what they need — a series with the Marlins. They probably don’t need a trip to Miami though, I’d be happier if they were going some place less exciting.

140 CHARACTERS OR LESS

The Braves will choke. This I promise. #nats

— Nats Inquisition (@natsnq) April 15, 2013

Note to the #Nats: New Continuing Resolution gives flexibility to stagger furloughs so offense, pitching, defense not all off at same time.

— BallWonk (@ballwonk) April 14, 2013

Tough series to say the least.. In the words from the famous poet juvenile we gotta “bounce back”

— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) April 14, 2013

Desmond: ‘The division just got tougher. I don’t think there will be any 100-win teams this year.’ #Nats

— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) April 14, 2013

Golfers want silence when hitting stationary balls at their feet. Baseball batters, in screaming crowds, hit 90 mph fastballs

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) April 14, 2013

IN SCORES OF OTHER GAMES

The Nats bullpen nearly did in the Caps, who also had a big lead on Saturday night.

So the #Caps blew a 5-1 lead with #Nats bullpen (Storen, Clippard, Stammen) in attendance. bit.ly/YlP9NS

— Nats Enquirer (@NatsEnquirer) April 14, 2013

Tough series to say the least.. In the words from the famous poet juvenile we gotta “bounce back”

— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) April 14, 2013

GIFs of the Game: Brett Gardner homers off foul pole, Hiroki Kuroda dominates sbn.to/10WpRHA

— The Pinstriped Bible (@pinstripebible) April 15, 2013

Also, the New York Yankees triple play on Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles was sweet. More like OrioLOLes, amirite?

Nats/MLB 2013, Washington Nationals

Nats lose Reds series; 1-2 record against MLB teams so far, 4-2 overall

April 8, 2013 WFY Leave a comment

The Washington Nationals could only win one out of three against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend. The overall record is 4-2, but only 1-2 against MLB teams.

FRIDAY

A 15-0 loss. Dan Haren’s Nats debut was simply Harendous! – (Nats Enquirer)

I’m glad I feel asleep on the couch as it was getting out of hand. Oof.

SATURDAY

A 7-6 extra inning win that didn’t need to be in extras. SS Ian Desmond (he’s got about 4 on the season — we’re a week into it) made two errors. Bryce Harper made one:

Bryce Harper hits homers … not cutoff men #Nats #MLB wapo.st/11Dxm8V

— Post Sports (@PostSports) April 7, 2013

Mike Wise wrote about Harper too: Mike Wise: At 20, Bryce Harper has already earned the respect of baseball greats – The Post

Ross Detwiler pitched well, but the bullpen coughed up his 5-1 lead. Drew Storen gave up two runs (one earned, the other on account of Desmond) and Rafael Soriano blew the save. The Nats were saved by homers – lots of them, including a solo shot in the 11th by Desmond (some redemption) the game-winner by Wilson Ramos (his second of the day, 3 RBI), Harper (two-run shot) and Jayson Werth (solo shot). Werth’s was caught barehanded by a guy holding his toddler in the other arm.

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Oh and there was a little bit of an issue with the Channel 9 (WUSA) broadcast… (Sportsrantz)

SUNDAY

Aside from this amazing change up (Nationals Journal, The Post), Stephen Strasburg didn’t have it. He gave up 3 in the first and 3 in the sixth. He only went 5 1/3 innings. The bright spot – another homer from the 8th spot, C Kurt Suzuki hit a 3-run shot in the 2nd to tie it up. That was the only Nats scoring of the day off of Johhny Cueto or any other Reds pitcher. Final score 6-3.

I only listened on and off on the radio on account of fatherhood. Gravelly Point was awfully crowded yesterday.

THOMAS BOSWELL CHAT

Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports – The Post

OFF DAY

No game on this Monday. That’s okay, sit outside and enjoy a refreshing beverage instead.

IN SCORES OF OTHER GAMES

Ovechkin has scored 16 of the Caps’ 45 goals since March 14. Caps were 10% to make playoffs then. They’re 80% now. OVI FOR HART.

— RMNB (@russianmachine) April 8, 2013

Alex Ovechkin had 5 goals over two nights. The Caps are in first place in the SouthLeast division.

Tweets by @doubleuefwhy

William World News

Tag Archives: Stephen Strasburg

Happy Opening Day 2014!

I remembered to submit my DC-IBWA 2014 Nats predictions

Cooking with William & Erica: The Strasburg Omelette or close to it

Nats conclude regular home season with split doubleheader

Nats show that lost seasons still have great memories

Will we still be happy that the All-Star Break is over during/after Nats game tonight?

Let’s interupt this Harper coverage (that’s missing the point) to remind you Strasburg is pitching in his hometown tonight

Where is Miguel Batista? Strasburg has forearm tightness, Nats can’t capitalize early, fall to Braves

Lost weekend for Nats as Braves sweep them

Nats lose Reds series; 1-2 record against MLB teams so far, 4-2 overall

William F. Yurasko's blog v.15 – Nats, Redskins, Capitals, D.C. life, transportation, not so much Penn State anymore,

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