Good morning! Real baseball is closer to returning and pitchers and catchers are officially reporting in camps all across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. In a more perfect world, I suppose there would be snow on the ground during this day for the total symbolism, but alas, it hasn’t really snowed in the D.C. area in over two years. Then again, baseball fans in New York and Boston may be a bit overwhelmed with that symbolism this year.
Surely, everyone on the Washington Nationals is in “the best shape of their life” as they report to Viera, Fla. #badspringtraining photos are one their way too. Today begins an increase of coverage from the D.C. media and typically they run “spring training storylines” too. I’ve included some below.
Nationals spring training: 13 storylines for 2013 – Nationals Journal, The Post
On Baseball: Nationals still on top, but Braves’ moves garner attention – The Wash. Times
Spring storyline No. 1: Lofty expectations – CSN Washington
Sky’s the limit, and Strasburg has lofty goals – nationals.com
I’ll add my storylines prior to the regular season. Two other things to keep an eye on, for now:
I’m pretty sure Danny Espinosa’s shoulder isn’t in the best shape of its life though. I’m quite concerned.
Wilson Ramos, coming off of an offseason kidnapping after the 2011 season and tearing up his knee early in 2012 isn’t mentally there yet. If we are being honest with ourselves, he wasn’t mentally there behind the plate last year before the injury. Let’s all hope he can put aside all of those traumas and return to form.
Opening Day is 48 days away…
