Uggggh... totally disgusting. Worst loss of the year.
Rocketing downhill By Mark Zuckerman THE WASHINGTON TIMES July 23, 2005
Struggling to score runs, losing confidence with each passing day and fighting to keep their season together, the last thing the Washington Nationals needed was a date with the greatest pitcher of this generation. Or, for that matter, their most-lopsided loss of the season. The Nationals suffered that indignity last night during a 14-1 thrashing by Roger Clemens and the Houston Astros, easily the low point of a season that is slowly beginning to slip away. A crowd of 38,019 filed into RFK Stadium on a sweltering night hoping to see the home team snap out of its two-week-long slump at Clemens' expense. They wound up seeing an abysmal performance from the Nationals, who lost for the ninth time in 11 games and left the ballpark needing a loss by the Atlanta Braves to remain tied atop the National League East.
As far as the slump, I think losing Nick Johnson was the key. He may be ready for the series vs. the Braves beginning tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!! His offensive production and leadership have proven larger than expected. We still have lots of time!
As far as fan attendence, I spoke with Colin and Hugh (listed in that Post article that Redeemed listed above) and both feel they were tken out of context to a good degree. I met them prior to the season and have gotten to know them a little bit. This is a new, evolving fan base but I think the majority of fans are into it pretty seriously - at least that's my experience. Like I said before, go to Camden and then go to a game at RFK and you'll know what I'm saying.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
Before it was O's vs Nats, who's the biggest surprise.....now it's O's vs Nats, who can suck more.
I think they both have the same trouble.....all these trade rumors are reeking havoc on two young teams.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
I agree - they both were a surprise because of the great chemistry they had in the locker room, etc. and now trade rumors, injuries, line-up changes, etc. are messing with the chemistry. I think it is also in their heads a bit.
I'm dissing the O's fans b/c I've sat right on the dugout at both stadiums and at Camden I got nothing but crap from the corporate types and the attendence for cheering too loud, etc. One time it was during a Yankee's series when the fans there should have been on their game. When I sat down there at RFK, it was much better. That's all I'm saying! In general though, I like where my seats are in the upper deck...
At RFK, sitting on the home dugout (3rd base line/bouncing bleacher side) is much better though if you sit down low.
I'll add one more thing about that though. Once the new stadium is built, rowdier crowds will become more tame. It happens now adays when all new stadiums are built. Look at the difference between old Memorial Stadium and Camden as far as crowds are concerned.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
I think it's more of a trend in professional sports rather then environment or stadiums. The cool thing to do now is for the "Generican" family to go to a football/baseball/basketball game and buy loads of crap but barely be interested in the game. I'm not a fan of this caliber but hey to each his own.
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
NikiH wrote:I think it's more of a trend in professional sports rather then environment or stadiums. The cool thing to do now is for the "Generican" family to go to a football/baseball/basketball game and buy loads of crap but barely be interested in the game. I'm not a fan of this caliber but hey to each his own.
Very true and actually, I take back one thing I mentioned in my previous post. I said something about dissing O's fans and I do know a lot of good O's fans so take no offense to that comment. So, I didn't mean that as a general statement to clarify.
Don't worry - the O's and Nats will break out of this slump so we can take you guys out in the World Series!!
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK Bowden Says No Big Deals On Horizon
By Les Carpenter Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, July 30, 2005; Page E09
MIAMI, July 29 -- About 1 1/2 hours before last night's game, the door closed on the Nationals' clubhouse, and General Manager Jim Bowden walked in. The players looked up, what did he have? A trade? There are less than two days left before the trading deadline.
Quite the opposite as it turned out.
Rather the general manager wanted to tell his team that a deal will not be coming.
Players said Bowden told them, "Look around this locker room. These are the guys we are going to war with."
He said the big trade had already been made when the team added outfielder Preston Wilson just after the all-star break.
"What's different about the first half?" he asked them. "We've got the same people here. . . . Why can't we do it?"
His words to the team mirrored, in many ways, those uttered by Manager Frank Robinson on Wednesday, when he challenged the players to start playing with more vigor and desire. The biggest difference is Bowden's message carried the extra news that the group will not be broken up.
After he left the clubhouse, Bowden said he has not been able to generate much trade interest because too many teams consider themselves playoff contenders and are reluctant to break up their teams. This means the few who are dealing are asking for a lot, such as the Devil Rays with Danys Baez.
Baseball sources say Bowden does not want to deal the few top prospects that teams have inquired about, such as Harrisburg pitcher Armando Galarraga and Potomac third baseman Kory Casto, because he doesn't want to repeat what the organization did in recent years in sending away players such as Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Chris Young and Jason Bay in deals for major leaguers.
"It's unlikely we're going to do something significant to help this team win," Bowden said after the meeting.
He denied rumors that the team is working on a deal for Yankees infielder Tony Womack. The Tigers (looking to deal pitcher Jason Johnson and outfielder Rondell White) had a scout at yesterday's game.
No deals for big Jim, but I have an excellent idea...
What about Mark Brunell as a left handed reliever?!
I mean think about it, he showed his excellent change up all year long with the Redskins! The Nats can take Mark Brunell and the Redskins can get Preston Wilson to play WR!
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
Ha! Preston's a big dude - He surely can fill that role (of course, I saw him bobble a few pop fly's so on second thought, hmmmmm?). Let's make some calls to Jim and Vinny, lol!
Ok, tonight's the night we're going to start clawing back into this race. I can feel it.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
I've already cut the heads off some chickens and put together some voodoo curses like Joboo in Major League - any more suggestions? lol
Disclaimer: No actual animals were harmed in my voodoo chicken dance.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
NikiH wrote:You have to find out what works. It's different for each person. Lucky socks, lucky ritual, lucky something. Figure out what works and stick with it.
Please, you have to give me more than that. I'm very superstitious with my teams so believe me, I have many "lucky" things and they haven't been too lucky lately (that goes for the 'Skins too!).
Perhaps this should be a separate thread.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
Well that's one thing I'd never do. How do you pay attention to the game while you are on the phone?? It better have been conversation regarding baseball or you're lucky it wasn't a jinx!
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
Well whatever you did worked 1974, they certainly seem to be back on track. I've been paying attention a little bit just because I have a friend at work that's very into them. It's hard to hear it ALLL DAY without getting a little interested in it.
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
Livan is stinking it up tonight... 5 ER, 10 hits, 4 walks.. in 6 innings... Our hope of a playoff spot isn't looking pretty with the shakey pitching of late...
--------
Later:
DAMN THEM TO HELL! tying run at third and the pinch hitter strikes out swinging... oh, the misery
**SPECIAL EDITION**
CurveBall - "It might be YOUR biggest game of the year but it really doesn't seem to be as big a deal for Dallas fans anymore."
sorry... 