Everything on the Washington Nationals Here!

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:52 pm

NATIONALS WIN!!!

YES!!!!!!!!

ejay183 · Post by **ejay183** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:25 pm

They just had too, home opener is a long time. DC would have roited if they lost.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:46 pm

Redskins Rule wrote:
SkinsChic wrote:It's a darn shame the home opener is tonite and we can't even see it on TV - thanks Mr. Angelos....Arggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!

You can see them. I watched them play the Braves a few nights ago. They are on channel 20.

No, we get UPN 24, Baltimore's version. But we do have TBS and WGN so we can watch the Braves and Cubs play the Nats.

Man, I wish I could have been there tonight! I'm psyched we won! :rock:

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:02 am

First Place !!!! Woo Hoo !! Take that Mr. Angelos....and I bet 1/2 the fans there were X- O's fans too....one less hot dog sale in your pocket !!

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:37 am

'Twas a wonderful experience.

1)Didn't have to drive.

2)Metro ride was bearable both to/from Stadium

3)Excited fanbase.

4) Historic Venue (RFK)

5) Vinny Castilla blowing up!!!!!!

I missed the pregame ceremonies, but was part of the in-game fireworks, literally. I loved watching the fireworks when Castilla knocked it out of the park, and at the end of the game. Woohoo!!!

I did notice that a lot of people rolled out before the 7th inning. :hmm:

Hadn't we WAITED 30+ years for a team? Why couldn't we wait another two innings???

Oh well, it was fabulous!!!

Go (Inter)Nationals!!!!!

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:49 am

Jake wrote:
Redskins Rule wrote:
SkinsChic wrote:It's a darn shame the home opener is tonite and we can't even see it on TV - thanks Mr. Angelos....Arggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!

You can see them. I watched them play the Braves a few nights ago. They are on channel 20.

No, we get UPN 24, Baltimore's version. But we do have TBS and WGN so we can watch the Braves and Cubs play the Nats.

That sucks! Stuff like that makes me want to organize a beat down for Angelos. :lol:

He needs to realize that the Orioles just freakin suck. Its time for him to step aside and let a real baseball team show him how its done. :lol:

I really like the way we won. That was just awesome! A one hitter going into the ninth inning and Castilla almost cycling that game. I definetly got to go to a few games this year.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:39 pm

I went to the game last night as well. It was an unreal experience. I'll never forget it. RFK was rockin' like the days of old. If you have time, read Boswell's article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Apr14.html

It describes things pretty well. I've had a extra large grin on my face all day today!

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:31 pm

The game experience was awesome... except for:

1) Under estimating the time it was going to take to get there and missing all the pre ceremonies and the first pitch. :cry:

2) Having to wait in line for security to check you... while 100 hobo's, and 19 year old high school kids are screaming in your ear because they got no nice homes or schools...

3) Running out of all the decent beer in the 3rd inning...

4) Where were the hotdog men in the stands?

5) I might be able to understand no hot dog men.... but where in the hell were the "Popcorn, Peanuts, & Cracker Jacks" Men?

6) I missed the only homerun while going to the john. :cry:

7) Walking around SouthEast DC, in the middle of the night... and getting lost.... because I was too impatient to wait for the two closer Metro Stations....

8. Finally getting on the Metro.... only it being the wrong one... and ending up in Springfield... instead of Vienna (for the non -locals, that's about 30 minute car trip)

9) Catching a cab with Crazy Cabby, who I think was 2 sheets to the wind... and a huge Lynard Skynard Fan.... I thought I was going to die at that point...

10) Finally getting home at 2:00am.... only 4 hours after the game ended.... when DC's only 60 miles away...

But I'd do it all over again because the game and experience was awesome..... plus I got some sweet memorabilia.... and a good story to tell the grandkids..

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:27 am

Castilla is on fire!

Nats, Castilla Stay Perfect At New Home
Nationals 9, Diamondbacks 3

By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2005; Page E01

When the Washington Nationals signed Vinny Castilla to a two-year, $6.2 million contract in the offseason, there were whispers throughout baseball. Forget that he led the National League in RBI just last year. He is 37, and therefore too old. He can't hit outside of Denver's Coors Field, where he played for the Colorado Rockies, and where offensive numbers are immediately inflated. The deal, people said, was bad baseball.

Try and tell that to anyone who watched the first two games at RFK Stadium, perched on the eastern edge of Capitol Hill, where the air might just be as thin as Denver's. Last night, Castilla helped right-hander John Patterson extend the Nationals' winning streak to four games by staying perfect in the Nationals' new home, smacking a two-run homer and driving in four runs for the second consecutive game, enough for a 9-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of the 34,943 satisfied customers who witnessed the District's second regular season game in 34 years.

"No matter what people say about Coors Field this, Coors Field that," left fielder Brad Wilkerson said, "it's about learning how to hit and knowing how to hit. He's hitting the ball all over the place with runners on base."

Try 3 for 3, for the second straight game. In eight plate appearances at RFK, he is yet to be retired. With two homers, two doubles, a triple and a single, his home slugging percentage is now 2.667.

So drag out those old numbers. Last year, when Castilla drove in 131 runs, he hit .321 at home, .218 on the road. His slugging percentage: .575 at Coors, .493 elsewhere. When Castilla's career took off during an earlier seven-year stint in Colorado, the fact that people would harp on stats like that would get to him.

"I think that's why I don't do too good on the road, because I try to prove people wrong," Castilla said. "But last year -- nobody says this -- I hit 21 home runs on the road, and only 14 at home. . . .

"People are going to talk all the time, but right now, it doesn't bother me. They can say whatever they want. I'm just going to come here, play -- and help this team win."

Which is something the Nationals are doing in unexpected fashion. And as much as Castilla has been the star of the team's first two games, the pitching has been a more than worthy co-star. Patterson, inserted into Zach Day's former spot in the rotation, was sensational, tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing only one runner to second while buckling knee after knee with a nasty curveball. How good was it? All six batters Patterson struck out looked at strike three.

"If he can go out there and give us that kind of performance," Manager Frank Robinson said, "we're going to be all right."

Castilla's two-run shot to left off Arizona righty Russ Ortiz in the fourth staked Patterson to a 2-0 lead, which he never came close to relinquishing. But in the seventh, Robinson made two telling decisions.

With runners on first and third and no one out, shortstop Cristian Guzman was due up. Guzman, though, had managed just two weak grounders earlier in the night, and is hitting .122. So Robinson pinch hit Carlos Baerga.

"I've got to try to get some more runs there," Robinson said.

Baerga popped to short left, and failed to score the run. The other interesting move came next, when Robinson pinch hit Terrmel Sledge for Patterson, who had only thrown 87 pitches. It showed Robinson's confidence in his bullpen, set-up man Luis Ayala and closer Chad Cordero.

And it paid off. Sledge walked with the bases full, and Wilkerson followed with the two-run single that unleashed a seven-run inning, featuring a three-run double from Jose Vidro and -- surprise -- a two-run double from Castilla.

"We don't have an easy out in the lineup," Wilkerson said.

The one glitch in the plan came from the bullpen. With the Nationals up 9-0, Ayala issued a walk to the leadoff man -- which elicited a trip to the mound from Robinson, who was visibly upset. Ayala eventually gave up a three-run homer to Luis Gonzalez, and the Nationals needed three more relievers -- including Cordero -- to finish it off.

"You get a little irritated," Robinson said. "You have two innings to go, and you're up 9-0, and you have to go through pitchers and go to your closer to close out a ballgame. That's not what you want to see."

Everything else, though, is exactly what the Nationals want to see. Home-field advantage? It might be a bit early for that. But for all the "firsts" surrounding Washington baseball this season, there is one that matters, even in April: first place.

"This is a different team," Patterson said. "We're competing really well. Everybody's really happy in this clubhouse right now."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Apr16.html

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:43 pm

Finally! A game I CAN watch!

Tonight's game against Florida is scheduled to be on ESPN and to be shown locally, club officials said. The Nationals face lefty Dontrelle Willis, who tossed a five-hitter against them on April 8.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Apr17.html

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:22 pm

Jake wrote:Finally! A game I CAN watch!

Tonight's game against Florida is scheduled to be on ESPN and to be shown locally, club officials said. The Nationals face lefty Dontrelle Willis, who tossed a five-hitter against them on April 8.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Apr17.html

A game that you can finally watch!?!?!?!!? If it makes you feel any better on May the 2nd you will be able to see them if you get the MLB package. At least thats what the poor lady told me when I expressed some of my frustration on her about not being able to see the first couple of games the Nationals played....Angelos has officially pissed me off!

Just for the record, I hope they get RFK rockin again tonight. It was a sweet site seeing that stadium rock for the entire 7th inning on Sunday. It would be even sweeter if they rock it in front of a national audience.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:50 pm

Nice - For the opener, Tony Tavares was sitting with President Bush and when the stadium started rocking, a reporter heard him turn to bush and say "Holy S*&#!" Sorry to put the S word in the lounge but it's a quote. Apparently, tavares, Bush and others seriously thought the stadium wouldn't hold. Luckily, someone explained that RFK literally rocks.

The players also couldn't believe it when they were on the field b/c they could feel the ground shaking... awesome sight.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:53 pm

RR, I don't get MLB package, so I'll probably miss out on that one.

R1974, seeing the fans on TV bouncing up and down reminded me of the 1983 Championship game after Daryl Grant sacked Danny White. I sort of got chills seeing RFK bounce like that at the Nationals game even after all of these years.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:19 pm

Jake wrote:RR, I don't get MLB package, so I'll probably miss out on that one.

R1974, seeing the fans on TV bouncing up and down reminded me of the 1983 Championship game after Daryl Grant sacked Danny White. I sort of got chills seeing RFK bounce like that at the Nationals game even after all of these years.

The ESPN News guy after showing the stands bouncing after one of the weekend games started chanting, "We Want Dallas" when he was showing the highlights... truly awesome.

For holding 40,000 + people for baseball, that place gets LOUD. I love that place. Many great Redskins memories came pouring back after going to the Thursday and Saturday games.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 5:03 pm

I will go on the record to say that the home field advantage of playing at RFK will make the Nationals a dangerous team to play for even the best teams in the league when they come for a visit.

Seeing the "bouncing" highlights, it makes me wonder if the Nats should ever move. RFK has got to be one of the best sports stadiums ever made. True fans will enjoy the experience. Those who prefer the corporate luxuries, etc. of the modern venues will probably not enjoy it as much.

Now, how do we get Danny to move the team back? :hmm:

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 2:31 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:

Now, how do we get Danny to move the team back?

30,000 more seats and luxury boxes!

Crap, I'm supposed to go to tonights game but I have to work late. Not happy :evil:

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 2:38 pm

sounds like you're coming down with "something" 1974....you may need to LEAVE work and go get some REST !!!

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 3:04 pm

SkinsChic wrote:sounds like you're coming down with "something" 1974....you may need to LEAVE work and go get some REST !!!

You've got that right Terri (cough, cough)... I'm really not feeling well all of a sudden :-)

!!!

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:36 am

Hell of a win last night. Zach Day and Vidro came through!! I love beating the Braves - Can't stand those guys!!

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:53 am

Well...I'm glad to see YOU'RE not the fan that feel from the upper level at last nite's game 1974.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:53 am

Well...I'm glad to see YOU'RE not the fan that fell from the upper level at last nite's game 1974.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:07 pm

Geez - that's terrible that happened to that guy! Thankfully, it wasn't me!!

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:00 pm

Braves just took a 2-1 lead in the top off the 9th off an errant throw from Christian Guzman to first base. They're playing in the rain. The Braves were down 1-0, with bases loaded. Guzman's second error led to two runs. There were two outs at the time.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:41 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:Braves just took a 2-1 lead in the top off the 9th off an errant throw from Christian Guzman to first base. They're playing in the rain. The Braves were down 1-0, with bases loaded. Guzman's second error led to two runs. There were two outs at the time.

Yeah that was bullcrap. They should have called that game before the inning even started. One piece of detail that you left out is that there were puddles of water ALL OVER the infield. The ball hits the mud and Guzman's hand hits a puddle of water so now he's trying to throw the game winning out with a muddy ball and a wet hand. It just slipped out of his hand.

I feel like we had one stolen from us today. I will be wondering why they didn't call this game all season long.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:59 pm

Guzman actually did an amazing job at fielding that ball in such conditions. It looked nasty in the dirt. Too bad he didn't get the throw in b/c we'd be talking about a W and a sweep right now. It looked like they might call the game before the 9th but they let them play... Booooooooo! Oh well - we'll get 'em next time.