THE BELTWAY BOYS: Happy 4th of July

.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;} >

Happy 4th of July

The Nationals lost 5-2 to the New York Mets, and I'll write about their game tomorrow morning. But tonight is fireworks night, the exclamation point of the 4th of July, and, if only for this one day, baseball must take a back seat.

I am an American by luck, not by birth. My family came to this country from Lebanon in 1959. I often think of what my life might have been like had my parents stayed in Beirut and lived through the civil war that killed more than a million people. I am so very grateful that America embraced me like it has embraced so many other over the past two centuries. I have tried to pay America back. I served my country in the military. I have returned to school to obtain my teaching degree so I can help the next generation appreciate the greatness of this land. No, America isn't perfect, but our system is designed so that those imperfections can be corrected by the will of the people. I have lived in 13 other countries and spent considerable time in another 25 or so. Let's never stop pointing out America's deficincies, but it's important to understand how the rest of the world lives before attacking the United States. And for the most part, the rest of the world would love to have our system of government.

Happy 4th of July to all of you.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 7:12 PM

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

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.

NATIONALS MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS

NATS BLOG-O-SPHERE

Click on the player's photo to access his career stats and biography

First Base

Second Base

Shortstop

Third Base

Left Field

Center Field

Right Field

Catcher

Starting Pitchers

Relief Pitchers

Reserves

Outfield

First Base / Catcher / Outfield

Infield / Outfield

Infield / Outfield

First Base

Nationals Top Prospects

Washington Senators / Nationals Caps

1) 1916-'25, '28-'32, '38-'47 -- 2) 1926-'27 3) 1926 (road) --- 4) 1936-'37, 1948-'51

1) 1952 - '60 --- 2) 1963 - '67 3) 1968 - '71, and 2005 (home) --- 4) 2005 (road)

My Washington Hall Of Fame

Joe Judge --- Goose Goslin Buddy Meyer --- Walter Johnson

Roy Sievers --- Harmon Killebrew Ed Yost --- Muddy Ruel

Ed Delahanty --- Bucky Harris Roger Peckinpaugh --- Joe Cronin

Dick Bosman --- Frank Howard Del Unser --- Darold Knowles

Don Mincher --- Casey Cox Ed Stroud - Mike Epstein

D.C. Uniforms, 1961-1971

1)1961 - '63 -- 2)1964 - '67 3)1968 -- 4)1969 - 1971

Team Stadiums

Swampoodle Grounds (1881-1899)

American League Park (1901-1902)

Griffith Stadium (1905-1961)

D.C. & RFK Stadium (1962-1971, 2005-current

Nationals' Stadium (2008 - ?)

Montreal Ball Parks

Jarry Park (1969 - '75)

Olympic Stadium (1976 - 2004)

About your humble host

CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO SEE OUR HOME

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.

Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.

After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

My wife Tracey and I have been happily married for 26 years. She is more than special; she is that which makes my life worth living. Without her, I'd be nothing.

I am a religious conservative, but I don't believe that my views are absolute or absolutely right. I come from a land where diverse opinions were silenced, so America's diversity of thought makes it a very special place for me.

I am a lucky man. My wife loves and respects me, and all of my children treat their father better than I treated mine.

I couldn't ask for any more.

My home town: Pocatello Idaho

Pocatello is a city of 50,000 nestled in Southeastern Idaho. Home of Idaho State University, Pocatello was founded as a railroad town in the late 1800's. Today, it is an inexpensive, safe, family-friendly place to live.

My Wife Tracey

Tracey & I have been married for 26 years. Her father was in the Air Force, and she spent much of her childhood years in foreign lands around the world. Tracey is a talented artist. She has won several blue ribbons for her porcelain dolls

Kira And Aaron

Kira and Aaron were married in 2003. She recieved her second degree from Idaho State University and works with special needs children. Aaron attends ISU and works at UPS.

Kendi

Kendi was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. Even at the age of 20, she wore a diaper, and had to be fed by her mother or I. She spent her life in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from enjoying every moment she was on the earth. She died in 2003 due to a nurse's mistake during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so much

Kristen And Mark

Kristen & Mark were Married in August, 2005. Kristen will receive her 2nd degree from BYU-Idaho in December in construction management. Mark has recently returned from an LDS church mission and will begin attending college full-time next spring

Kourtney

Kourtney will graduate from high school next spring. She has already taken several college classes. She has wanted to be a mortician since she was 12

Katie

Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood

Korth

Korth loves all sports, but excels in baseball. He has been on post-season all star teams each year he has played. He spends a great deal of time playing with his handicapped sister so that she always has something "fun" to do

Site Archives

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?