My 15 minutes of fame, courtesy of USA Today
I just found out today that USA Today Sports (the weekly sports magazine from USA Today, $1.75 on newsstands) finally ran the questions and answers that they asked me about a month or so ago. It is on page 15 of the June 20-26 issue, but here is a link to read it online.
They edited me for space, so here are the original questions they sent to me and my unedited answers:
1. What made you start blogging about the Nats and how long ago did you start?
I started in March of this year, before the start of the Nationals third season. Not being raised on baseball, I'd never felt that I had anything to say, but after two seasons, including the last as an 81-game ticket holder, I had opinions and experiences that I wanted to share, even if it's just for a few people. I've always enjoyed writing, and this is a subject that I'm deeply passionate about.
2. You've been given control of the team. Who do you fire first? You can release any player on the 25-man roster. Who walks out the door?
Oh, jeez, just torture me now. I'd have to say Tony Batista, because he's had the shortest tenure here, and hasn't contributed as much as the others - sorry, Tony, nothing personal! We can't afford to lose any more pitchers, that's for sure!
3. What's the best move made by management in the recent past?
Hiring Manny Acta as their manager. The man has the patience of Job, is very smart and ideally suited to manage a growing team of young guys. He's so even-tempered that if you watch his post-game news conferences with the sound off, you can't tell if he just won or lost. The fans and, more importantly, the players all seem to respect him and everyone wants him to win so badly because he projects such integrity, dignity and class.
4. What's been the worst move made by management in the recent past?
This will sound incredibly disingenuous, but I honestly can't think of one. Every move they make, I try to see their reasons for it and I have to believe that it's all for the betterment of the club. There have been players that I've hated to see go, but that's typical growing pains.
5. When will the Nationals win 90 games?
2008 or 2009. I believe in "The Plan" as promulgated by team president Stan Kasten. How can I not? For some, it may be difficult to see that far down the road, but it's a proven blueprint for success over the long term.
6. What was the best moment in the Nationals' short history?
VERY tough question. Perhaps Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off home run against the Yankees on Father's Day last season to win that series? Or his next one, July 4th 2006 against
7. Finish the sentence: Jim Bowden is a…
..shrewd gambler, and very smart. I happen to like and admire Jim Bowden, he lives, breathes, eats and sleeps baseball. We're lucky to have him as our GM. I can't wait to see what he can accomplish with the Lerner family's supportive ownership behind him.
8. Did you know that Tony Batista still played baseball?
Yes, and in some sections of R.F.K. when Batista gets to the plate, fans (myself included) have been known to shout, "TAKE A PITCH! TAKE A PITCH!" Lately, he has been doing just that.
9. Finish the sentence: Ryan Zimmerman is the next…A) Scott Rolen, B) Eric Chavez, C) Joe Randa
Oh, obviously the next Scott Rolen, but around the D.C. area fans like to believe that Zimmerman is the next Brooks Robinson. His defense is a joy to observe. I can't wait to see how he bats in the new park next year, which should be more neutral, less pitcher-friendly.
10. Outside of the Orioles, who are the Nationals' biggest rivals?
The Nationals true rivals are anyone in the N.L. East. Given a choice, I'd rather they beat the Mets, Braves, Phillies or Marlins than the Orioles any day of the week. The Mets are the "big market" team, with a large payroll, so it's most satisfying to beat them, and probably hurts the most when they beat the Nationals.
1. What made you start blogging about the Nats and how long ago did you start?
I started in March of this year, before the start of the Nationals third season. Not being raised on baseball, I'd never felt that I had anything to say, but after two seasons, including the last as an 81-game ticket holder, I had opinions and experiences that I wanted to share, even if it's just for a few people. I've always enjoyed writing, and this is a subject that I'm deeply passionate about.
2. You've been given control of the team. Who do you fire first? You can release any player on the 25-man roster. Who walks out the door?
Oh, jeez, just torture me now. I'd have to say Tony Batista, because he's had the shortest tenure here, and hasn't contributed as much as the others - sorry, Tony, nothing personal! We can't afford to lose any more pitchers, that's for sure!
3. What's the best move made by management in the recent past?
Hiring Manny Acta as their manager. The man has the patience of Job, is very smart and ideally suited to manage a growing team of young guys. He's so even-tempered that if you watch his post-game news conferences with the sound off, you can't tell if he just won or lost. The fans and, more importantly, the players all seem to respect him and everyone wants him to win so badly because he projects such integrity, dignity and class.
4. What's been the worst move made by management in the recent past?
This will sound incredibly disingenuous, but I honestly can't think of one. Every move they make, I try to see their reasons for it and I have to believe that it's all for the betterment of the club. There have been players that I've hated to see go, but that's typical growing pains.
5. When will the Nationals win 90 games?
2008 or 2009. I believe in "The Plan" as promulgated by team president Stan Kasten. How can I not? For some, it may be difficult to see that far down the road, but it's a proven blueprint for success over the long term.
6. What was the best moment in the Nationals' short history?
VERY tough question. Perhaps Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off home run against the Yankees on Father's Day last season to win that series? Or his next one, July 4th 2006 against
7. Finish the sentence: Jim Bowden is a…
..shrewd gambler, and very smart. I happen to like and admire Jim Bowden, he lives, breathes, eats and sleeps baseball. We're lucky to have him as our GM. I can't wait to see what he can accomplish with the Lerner family's supportive ownership behind him.
8. Did you know that Tony Batista still played baseball?
Yes, and in some sections of R.F.K. when Batista gets to the plate, fans (myself included) have been known to shout, "TAKE A PITCH! TAKE A PITCH!" Lately, he has been doing just that.
9. Finish the sentence: Ryan Zimmerman is the next…A) Scott Rolen, B) Eric Chavez, C) Joe Randa
Oh, obviously the next Scott Rolen, but around the D.C. area fans like to believe that Zimmerman is the next Brooks Robinson. His defense is a joy to observe. I can't wait to see how he bats in the new park next year, which should be more neutral, less pitcher-friendly.
10. Outside of the Orioles, who are the Nationals' biggest rivals?
The Nationals true rivals are anyone in the N.L. East. Given a choice, I'd rather they beat the Mets, Braves, Phillies or Marlins than the Orioles any day of the week. The Mets are the "big market" team, with a large payroll, so it's most satisfying to beat them, and probably hurts the most when they beat the Nationals.
So there you have it. I'll be signing autographs all weekend during the Cleveland series, and I'd better not see my autograph turn up on eBay, that just wouldn't be right.
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