Following a strong start and a 50-31 record halfway through the 2005 season, the Washington Nationals went into a prolonged era of decline.
One of the most notable moments of that fallow period was on June 23, 2007. Against Cleveland in RFK Stadium, the Nats trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Closer Chad Cordero blew the save to the proto-Guardians – Victor Martinez hit a 3-run homer.
The Nats fought back — catcher Brian Schneider singled and after Brandon Watson (#00) foul-ed out, Nook Logan doubled. SS Cristian Guzman (hitting .337!) was intentionally walked to load the bases. It paid off when Felipe Lopez (ah yes, Flop) bounced back to Cleveland pitcher Joe Borowski. A throw home erased Schneider and then something happened that changed us in a deep and profound way front that day forward:
I don’t think you can understate how much this Charlie Slowes call resonated with DC fans. He didn’t hold back that he was as dumb-founded as we were.
“What was Nook Logan thinking?” is still referenced by Nats fans and even Slowes and his radio partner Dave Jageler from time to time. #iykyk
Epilogue
By the way, the Nats won the game the next day to take that series. Logan had the day off. He finished the season and never played in the majors again.
Manager Manny Acta‘s rookie season was his best as the Nats improved to 71-91 in the final year of baseball at RFK Stadium. The Nats lost 100 games the next two seasons and wouldn’t exceed 71 wins until 2011.
Slowes is still the voice of the Washington Nationals and has made a few other memorable calls since then.