THE BELTWAY BOYS: So .... They Lost. Big Deal

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So .... They Lost. Big Deal

OK, what we have been waiting for since September 29th finally came to pass. The Nats lost, and pretty bad. Hernandez looked shaky in the 8-4 loss. What does this all mean? It means we're 0-1 and we play again on Wednesday. Nothing more.

We as Nationals fans should look for hints, not bold statements from our team. When they were behind, did they fight back? Yes. Did the middle relief in the bullpen stop the bleeding? Yes. Offensively, Castilla and Sledge were question marks. They both produced.

Livan will have another three of four games like that this year. He has a history of quality pitching ... one game doesn't change that. Every starter got at least one hit. The only problem was that the Nats hits were particularly timely. That will come.

Seeing them in their blue hats looked very strange; that was the first time I've seen them wear those. They almost looked like a reverse image. Looked very good though.

I cannot describe the joy of having a baseball team represent my hometown of Washington DC again. I don't live there anymore. I am an Idahoan now, and that is a good thing. My politics and values fit much better here. But that takes nothing away for my love for D.C., and the wonderful memories I have of the region. Finally, all the planets seem aligned for the first time in 34 years.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 6:21 PM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?