the only time I want to see manny go crazy is if the team is mired in a huge slump and he needs to get them pumped up again.

Take this years cubs for instance. I know sweet lou is infamous for his tirades, but looks what happened. He went nuts and the cubs proceeded to win 5 of their next 6. Now however, when the nats are playing far better than anyone expected is not the time to make a fool of yourself.

I love Earl. A quote from him (and the title of one of his books) hangs on my wall: "it's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

I don't want Manny to be Earl. I want Manny to be Manny. But, yes, I'm feeling screwed about that blown call on the caught stealing, and am not sure I'd have hated for Manny to challenge the ump on the field. (Barry, is there a postgame challenge available, like a complaint to Park Avenue -- and if so has Manny availed himself of it? I'd be perplexed if he didn't.)

Sounds like natsinthevalley is on to something there. A burst of fire may be what's called for when the team needs shaking up. To change approach now, when the Nats are showing improvement, could be dangerous.

I agree with Hendo: we need an occasional "burst of fire" to just let the umpires know the Nats won't be placid about lousy calls. Really liked Weaver, but his shtick only works if it's used rationally, not every time you don't agree with the umps.

... I went to the YouTube thing and started to watch. I couldn't get past half way when I was so disgusted I just stopped. If I'm not mistaken the guy was dealt with harshly by his league. My opinion is that he should never be allowed to manage again. It's this kind of disrespect for authority which is ruining a lot of sport (take a look at hockey for one), and I can't stomach what kind of message it sends to the kids who are trying to learn the game.

... sport exists as a union of athletic endeavour and authority (umpring/refereeing). You must respect both parts or get out of the game.

GO NATS; GO MANNY!

I met Atca at Spring Training this year. He came across well and I could tell he will be fan friendly. From what I can tell over the first two plus months of the season, is that he belongs in the majors.
That said, what would he have done this weekend if the Twins hit the HR? Sit there and say calls are never reversed or go out and argue?

Side note: Did anyone else notice how former Twins stars (ring of fame) started in 1961? Nothing went back to the Senators days. We need to do the same thing here. Gary Carter should have nothing to do with the current franchise.

ChairManny is above meritless tantrums with the establishment. He instead utilizes the karmatic implications of terrible calls as positive reinforcement for Felipe Lopez. He is also better than the Pinhellalternative.

Barry:

The Matahari Grill, if you like Indian food, which I do a great deal. It's on Baldwin St. From the SkyDome take the yellow subway line to St. Patrick station (only three stops or so), and walk two blocks west from the station.

"Gary Carter should have nothing to do with the current franchise.
"

... I don't agree with the sentiment, but I agree with the content. Gary Carter should be forcibly removed from Expos history solely on the basis of his overly "I'm high on me" attitude and general insipid-ness.

To argue for the sake of argueing is just foolish. To argue when it is warranted is not. I believe that when and if Manny does explode it will be for good reason. The umpires will take notice then as his reputation as a level headed manager will be locked in. To calmly make your point in a game, may pay off down the road. If this is who Manny is, fine.

SC Nats Fan: bingo.

My favorite Manny moment of the season to date is when he yelled "be professional!" at the ump who punched Zim out on a called third strike that was
a foot off the plate (in the long rain-delayed St. Louis).

No tantrum, no theatrics, just get the message across: "don't widen your strike zone by a foot because you want to get the game over with; we're still trying to win this thing".

So Gardenhire got the call changed, right? Changed the momentum of the game, right?

Frank got the home run call last year, didn't he?

Last time the Braves were in town, I believe Bobby Cox got a questionable call at first base after arguing the call before it (became a run when the next guy hit a home run).

Would Acta have gotten these? Not sure. Does it involve years in the league etc? Can't say, but these arguments did matter and helped their teams.

I would like to see Acta voice his opinion more. Sometimes it fires your team up; sometimes it just shows that you have to be respected too (Frank and Angels Mgr last year).

How about if MLB just makes Minnesota put up proper fair/foul poles and eliminate the discussion altogether?

There must be a reason why they haven't though, right?

Acta says "I found out it doesn't matter how much you argue, the call is never changed". Well, that concept was disproven yesterday when Gardenhire went out to argue and got the call changed from a home run to a foul ball. You don't have to be theatrical to make your point, but if you don't EVER go out and argue for your team it has to raise eyebrows after a while. Bobby Cox has been thrown out more then any other manager in history. I can't recall him ever really melting down, but he is quick to run out and speak his mind when he thinks that a call was blown. And he seems to still have an excellent reputation in the clubhouse and as a superb teacher.
I like Manny, I think he is doing a good job handling his team this year, but having a leader with some visible fire in his eye can be something for a team to rally around.

Barry: Haven't dined in T.O. since the turn of the millennium, but Greek Town used to offer some attractive choices.

I prefer a manager with an even keeled approach. I'm sure the players do need a kick once in awhile, but that's what Pat Corrales is for. I don't think we can assume that Acta would not have gone out to ask the umpires for a second opinion yesterday if the roles had been reversed.

Unbelievable. I was pondering the same questions when I turned on the computer and opened your blog, Barry.

My take is: (1) Earl Weaver and Bobby Cox were/are big-league managers, way above average. And they did/do argue, and sometimes (rarely) their arguments actually influence the outcome of a game. (2) Other managers such a Lou Piniella (sp?) are not IMHO anywhere near the Weaver/Cox standard and when they do throw tantrums its more for the benefit of the media, who lap it up and end up adoring the manager because he provides good copy (or video); whether or not the manager is successful does not bother the media. They want controversy.

As for Acta, I think it's well he is controlled as opposed to mercurial, given the abysmal talent he's had to work with and the terrible spate of pitchers' injuries. A more temperamental manager might well have taken to drink by now. But Acta keeps soldiering on, doing his job. What more can anyone ask?

It depends on the personnel to some extent. I don't need to see arguments once a week or even once a month. Odds are that at least once a year there is going to be something worth getting worked up about. Frank was too successful getting his team fired up after an argument to discount it as a strategy. It really can help get the team going in short bursts. On the other hand, it gets old quick and becomes less effective if it is over used. To my eye the Nats were complacent after the homer was taken away Sunday. Had Acta gone Frank on them I think the whole team might have worked a little harder to steal that win back. A little adrenaline is good from time to time. COME ON MANNY GET OFF YOUR A$$. YOU GOT A 1B HITTING .500 FOR YOU AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE HIS BACK!!!! (see now wasn't that better - you paid attention, your pulse might of quickened, you got around on that fastball didn't you.)

As usual, I agree with Natscan. As I was watching the video, I was thinking, "I would fire this guy tomorrow if I was running that organization." Embarassing.

Barry - Hope for your Guzman piece you contact John Bonnes, Aaron Gleeman, or some of the stat heads who blog about the Twins. They have strong opinions about Guzzy's defense, thinking it is more visible than effective. While his O is not as bad as '05, we should not over-rate his D.

As far as Expos history, I could not disagree more. The Twins were able to leave DC history in DC because the Senators continued in Washington as an expansion franchise. Montreal fans were not given the same courtesy.

We need to respect where this team came from, appreciate the history of the franchise and the game, and include the Expos in our legacy. Doing this, mind you, does not preclude us from acknowleding the baseball past of the city of Washingon - from the 1924 World Champion Senators to the Homestead Grays. It's not an either/or scenario.

Our records are Montreal's. Our heritage is DC's.

Also, there is one player hanging from the Metrodome rafters whose legacy is tied to the old Senators - Harmon Killebrew. Killer was signed by the Sens in 1954, and hit 42 home runs for Washington in 1959 (the first of his eight 40+ HR seasons).

We seem to be talking about what WE need Manny to do, but are we so sure the players need him to throw fits? Seems to me his demeanor and many statements to the press show enough of his support of his players (and vice versa). Anytime anyone is in a slump, it's All Support All The Time with Manny. I think what he lacks in fiery confrontation (i.e. defending his turf), he must make up for in countless other positive ways, because our team is playing well and seems to be pretty happy with him. At least I'd like to think so. Were he to throw one of those tantrums it might just be so out of line for him, that it would freak everyone out. As a fan at a game, sure I'd get a big kick out of a little red-faced hollering, and if they were making the same bad mistakes regularly like they were the first few games, I'd probably be okay with a big blowout tantrum (in the clubhouse a la Bull Durham). But I respect his even keel and hope he a) doesn't have to keep defending himself and b) doesn't start throwing fits just because someone's reading this blog and telling him we all want it. Besides, I love seeing a young manager take his own course, break from the norm now and then. I'd hate it if he turned into a showboater like Piniella and our boy Wellman.

NatsBisquit - You got ME fired up!

I don't want Manny to act like someone he is not. If he is the cool, calm, and collected type, fine. Let Manny be Manny.

But there is a time to argue a call. It does not have to be a tantrum - just make your point and move on.

On the other hand, sometimes the umpire deserves a good cursing out.

Remember that series against the Mets at RFK in April? That Saturday night, the 1st base umpire blew two calls calling Jose Reyes out. The usually cool Willie Randolph went nuts. That umpire deserved it. The Mets needed to know that Willie had their back.

John in Mpls: Have you read Barry's article regarding the Expos history "vs." Washington history?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/30/AR2006083003310.html

Do you have any other thoughts to add?

How can discussion have gone on this long and no one said -

That's just Manny being Manny.

Hendo almost had it.

I always think of something else to say after I hit the submit button.

The fact that Manny emphasizes *Playing Hard* so much might back up his calm demeanor, i.e. playing hard wins games, not temper tantrums.

http://recoveringjournalist.typepad.com/recovering_journalist/2007/06/the_very_model_.html

I'll post this a few more times to make sure you get to see it Barry. Thanks for all you do!

Hey Praise for Barry. Nicely said. I hope he reads it. I think you're probably speaking for all of us.

BrianH reminded us: "On the other hand, sometimes the umpire deserves a good cursing out. "

... which brings up this question in my mind. I know other sports do this on a regular basis, but does anyone know if MLB reviews the work of the umpiring crew after each game or at least, after each series?

... I would hope that if such a review were to be carried out, it would be particularly intensive on controversial calls and plays. The overall results of an umpiring review would be that a/ the crew would have to explain and answer for its decisions, and b/ the crew would always be aware they are being evaluated by the league.

BrianH,

... re team history, in Barry's piece, the quote from Stan Kasten says it for me: "There's not really a wrong answer."

... for me it's simple.

-/ I believe the record books - those formal sets of facts about a team and its players - belong (in this case) to the Lerners as the team's owners and however they wish to play it out is their decision.

-/ I believe the memories of a team or teams gone by belong to the fans, and in this case Nats fans (as we are) have twice the history to enjoy and encounter. We can revel in the things of the Expos which excite and comfort us; equally we can look back fondly to the days of the Senators and add those memories to who we are today.

... it's not a problem; it's a blessing.

Shawn, re "Manny being Manny": I can be amazingly cheap sometimes, but really...

Not that it didn't cross my mind, y'unnerstand.

it seems like manny has gone from one extreme to another. the guy who always got thrown out to never, he needs to find a middle ground. I definately think he should've argued more on the Zim and Young call. He probably wouldn't have gotten thrown out and he might've turned the game around. Like someone said it's important to show the players you have their. You don't want others to think you won't agrue. I understand Manny attitude though that it does no use to the team when your sittin inthe clubhouse.

BrianH,

Thanks for the link. I remember reading this article last year, but it was good to go back and read it again. Barry really treats the issue objectively and thoroughly.

I really think you can be inclusive and not step on any toes. Put statues of Wilson and Johnson outside the new stadium, but keep the Montreal records. Pay tribute to Washington's baseball heritage, but acknowledge the part the Expos play in that history.

After all, this path we're on now - or The Plan, I should say - is inexorably linked to MLB's ownership of the Expos. That team is a part of our team, a part of what we're going through right now.

And finally, to be compassionate, Expos fans have had to put up with losing the 1994 season to the strike when they were the best team in baseball, to having to deal with MLB ownership, to having half their "home" games commuted to San Juan, to ultimately losing the team to relocation. Do we really want to deal the final blow and obliterate them completely?

It may be touristy, but Gretzky's down Blue Jays Way is a pretty decent place to eat.

It may be touristy, but Gretzky's down Blue Jays Way is a pretty decent place to eat.

Barry - I will be in Toronto for the weekend too, and will almost certainly dine at the CN Tower. Im staying in the hotel attached to the park - what about you?? Look for me behind the Nats dugout (a few rows up) Saturday in the Nats Home "W" cap.

Thanks
Andrew

Couple of thoughts... (I missed the game, was out salmon fishing...)

The reason to argue a call is not to get the call changed (as Manny points out, slightly incorrectly, they never get changed) but to redefine the official's perception of the team so that future calls are more... considered. Somebody up the blog pointed out that Willie Randolph got exactly that effect when arguing bad calls against the Mets when playing the Nats.

Second, I've done a lot of coaching (in hockey, but I think it is the same in most sports), and the official's perception of the team (as winners, as losers, as disciplined, as lucky, whatever the perception) affects how the officials call the game. We often hear about how star pitchers get the calls when scrubs don't... same is true with teams. Of course, the upiring crew had just watched the Nats take the first two from the Twins, but the Nats are still cellar dwellers in the eyes of baseball people. Put them in a penant race, and see if the officiating changes.

My overall point here is that we don't know what Manny said in the conference about the home run, but as a manager (or any other type of coach/executive) you have to weigh the costs and benefits. I don't think you can say that Manny doesn't have Dmitri's back just because Manny was not demonstrative.

Also, since there now seems to be some sort of official on-field procedure about appealing calls (ask for the other umpires to be polled), is there not a standard by which the on-field ruling is changed? Not that this is instant replay, but in other sports where there is an instant replay, the replay must be compelling that the on-field call was incorrect. If I read Barry correctly, two of the umpires claimed not to have been able to tell...

Barbequed salmon for dinner tonight...

Wigi:

... ditto, especially the (Atlantic?) salmon. Having lamb myself.

natscan: no, king salmon... Atlantic salmon is not very popular on this coast... I didn't get one, but my friend did...

Also- lots of praise for Barry circulating in the commets on SBF's latest post, "What Will Please You?" over at Nats320.
-HJMcK

Barry reports: "Mike 'You Forgot About Me Didn't You' O'Connor pitched three innings for Harrisburg on Sunday, allowing two hits (including a solo homer) and striking out three. . . ."

Hard to forget about O'Connor; he's the icon for caution in this organization. When the backs of the rotation were to the wall last season, he stepped right up and put forth a yeoman's effort... and suffered travails that could almost have been foreseen for a young arm virtually untested at the MLB level.

Remember, though, that with Sori on board, there were hopes -- however dubiously justified -- that the Nats could contend in '06. No one, save perhaps an exceptionally foresighted orthopedist, could have seen what was to come: the demise of Patty et al. and an inelegant glide path to 71 wins.

Our Nats might not be on track for historic badness in '07, but this is not the season to rush pitchers any more than we must. (One hopes, for instance, that Speigner is being carefully monitored. We've already seen what harsh use can do to a Bergmann.)

Let's root for our regulars to climb back into the saddle soon and for O'Connor to continue on the mend. Mike, we're looking forward to seeing a lot more of you when you and the big club are ready -- and, I hope, not a minute before.

I agree with ilovzim. Manny readily admitted that he got thrown out every other game while managing in the low minors with the Mets organization. I can understand toning it down in the minors, especially if his bosses said to, but if that's his personality, then I say go for it. Don't stifle it...Let it ride! Major league managers don't necessarily have the same roles as low-A ball ones.

It's clear that the team (for the most part) respects/supports/admires Manny and probably doesn't really NEED him to blow up 2-inches from some poor ump's face (I really don't think I could yell at someone that close; I don't know how some of those managers do that. Eck!)

But it would be nice, once in awhile, to see him really stick up for his players on the field for all to see. I think DYoung's near-homer was a chance to do just that.

Though I'll forgive him for not wanting to get on his belly and launch the rosin bag like a grenade though...especially on the Metrodome fake turf. Ouch! Talk about rug burns.

Barry, you're obviously making an impact, but I don't know if it's a good one. As I was sitting in the middle of the LSAT today a thought popped in my head: I wonder what's being discussed over at Nationals Journal? I surmised (correctly) that it was a lot more interesting than the reading comprehension passage I was reading and longed to be here. I blame you for robbing DC of yet another lawyer.

Manny: Not blowing up is fine, but couldn't you please go out and ask them to reconsider a call (and not just when the other manager has)? On TV it was clear that Schneider threw out that guy who was stealing second. Now from the first base dugout you didn't get a great look, but you must have seen the angry look on Lopez's face and you must have seen that the umpire had practically the same angle you did.

You don't have to shout, but can't you politely ask him to confer with his colleagues? You could have saved a couple of runs for your team that way, or at least let them know you're doing what you can to fight bad calls.

Ummmm...just for the record: I didn't mean it Manny ... just making a point: Sometimes a little excitement can be good for the team.

And as my contribution to the point/counterpoint that will continue with the impending Guzman article: Christian is not a Hall of Fame Shortstop. He is not the best fielding shortstop in MLB and he is not (on average) the best hitting SS in MLB (he is right now). What Christian Guzman is: an average fielding SS (i.e., better than half the MLB SS) an above average baserunner, and a good guy to have on the team. And perhaps this is the best characteristic of all: Christian Guzman is NOT a quitter. It has taken alot of character and hard work to get back to being productive when much of the fans, media, and many baseball people thought he might not have anything left. I'd rather have Jeter, or Ramirez, or Rollins, or even an aging Tejada, or ... but having Guzman is good.

Barry,
What's the deal with the 4 prospects going to Potomac? Where will that leave Marvin Lowrance, Dee Brown, and the recovering Alex Escobar?

Barry just posted his GUUUZ article and, as promised, it's a pretty sweet with some very cool Twins input from Ron Gardenhire and especially Torii Hunter (man, Torii's a likable fella, isn't he?). Let's hope that Guzman (or rather POD GUZMAN, as we're wont to call him these days) can keep it up. After all, Dmitri and Belliard are going to be gone before the trading deadline, but GUUUZ is going to be here.

Much chunky goodness in the paper this morning.

1. Great story about Guzman with all the bases covered.

2. Great notebook items about the Cordero Countdown and about the recovering pitchers. Three starts on Friday... hmm, that's awesome, and it will be a treat to twirl the internet dial back and forth among them.

Oh, except I'll be at the bridge table, and no sneaking away for updates either if I don't want to walk home. Won't it be fun to flick on the PC when I do get home though... it'll kind of be like checking three lottery tickets. (Hope I don't wake the neighbors.)

3. Great notebook update on the promotion of the low-A Suns outfield of Daniel, Marrero, and Maxwell to the high-A P-Nats. BTW, a rationale for the failure of the sizzling Maxwell to be named to the Sally League All-Star team comes in this nugget of wisdom from the Delmarva Daily Times, whose sportswriter Tim Brennan saw fit to omit Maxwell's name from his All-Star ballot. Seems our man Maxwell (.300/.381/.580) strikes out too much to please the good Scribe Brennan.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070522/SPORTS/705220363/1006

Message to our nation's youth, or at least the youth of Salisbury, Md.: If you want to be an All-Star, eat your Wheaties(tm), swing at any damn thing and hit into double plays.

... woke up to another morning after game story ... not! I hate these mornings after off-days. But today it seems as though everyone has a Guzman story. Barry: can you enlighten me about how such coincidences come about? Bill Ladson has one; Mark Zuckerman has one; the AP guy at Washington Examiner has one; you have one. How does it happen that the same player is profiled at the same time? Is it something orchestrated by the team?

... this is not a criticism of your story or any other. I have yet to read them, but I was just wondering.

Agree with Hendo, lots of great Nats news today! Very interesting lead regarding the possible Devil Rays trade, anyone know more about that?

People may gripe about Bowden, but you have to give him credit for being the workaholic that is constantly scheming up some sort of trade. I'm excited to see what we get for Dmitri and Belliard this season. I'll definitely be putting in my 25 votes to up the value of our trade-bait!

Barry,

... do you have any news about Mitchell Page? How is he; how is he doing? Do you think he'll ever return to the Nationals? I realise he had personal problems and had to deal with them; I am willing to look past those. Lenny Harris is doing a good job with the hitters presently, but Mitchell did a great job getting them ready for the show early in the season. I'd hate to think that in spite of that good and hard work, he'd just be tossed aside as unwanted.

Oh man, what a great story on Guz today. I think it's time to resurrect the Guz Crew. Back in 2005, when Guz was struggling mightily and we were reading reports about how depressed he was in the clubhouse, my wife and I went out and bought Guzman t-shirts and started cheering madly every time he stepped to the plate.

I don't think it matters how loudly you cheer from section 549, though.

Barry,

Here's a Toronto suggestion for you and anyone else headed there.

Try a place named Beerbistro (www.beerbistro.com) on King Street near Yonge, less than 2km from the ballpark. You can do pub grub or you can go upscale, and the place treats fine beers the way many restaurants treat wine, with suggested pairings with the menu items.

One of the people behind Beerbistro, Stephen Beaumont, is a Canadian journalist who writes about beer the way Boswell writes about baseball (www.worldofbeer.com).

C'mon, if there were a better beat than baseball, wouldn't it be beer?

Excellent thought, John in Mpls.

Another thought: For a postseason event, why not a Guz Cruise?

Loved the Guz story this morning. All the boo birds of 05 need to give this guy a hug. He put the work in to rebound from injuries we fans didn't realize at that time he had, along with laser eye surgery. All that and perhaps the visit by Manny helped boost his faith in the organization and propelled him forward this season. Whatever it was...we're glad you're back Guz!!

Everybody writing Guzman: I hate when this happens, but sometimes it's inevitable. I actually had another idea I was working on that didn't come through, and I'll save that for another day.

These stories were all generated by one fact: Cristian Guzman is hitting .346. There aren't many more stunning facts in baseball. Do I wish the Post was the only one with this story? Sure. But when this happens, you can only hope to write the best version out there.

natsfan1b and I did this, too, though we also were not close to the action

---

started cheering madly every time he stepped to the plate.

I've been wondering about this as well and share natscan's concerns

---

... do you have any news about Mitchell Page? How is he; how is he doing? Do you think he'll ever return to the Nationals? I realise he had personal problems and had to deal with them; I am willing to look past those. Lenny Harris is doing a good job with the hitters presently, but Mitchell did a great job getting them ready for the show early in the season. I'd hate to think that in spite of that good and hard work, he'd just be tossed aside as unwanted.

On the Guz stories, Barry may have tipped his hand by posting here about his plans to write the story (loved the story, Barry).

re: other Nats writers skulking around Nationals Journal for story ideas--

I'm boycotting all those other stories in protest! So what if I never read their publications anyway? Now I'm going out of my way to not read them.

Also thinking of calling Delegate Holmes Norton to demand a congressional inquiry.

I am the Nats No. 1 fan in Asheville, NC. When I lived in Hagerstown for 11 years prior to moving here last summer,the Orioles were my favorite team until Washington got its franchise in 2005. Prior to that I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and grew up on the Washington Senators - both teams. When Bob Short moved the franchise to Texas (which I knew was going to happen when he bought it, and I think many Senator fans did) it took me quite awhile to become an Oriole fan. When the Expos franchise came to D.C., I found myself jumping up and down and running outside shouting, {"We have a team! We have a team." It took me that long to become a Nats fan, and I have found myself rooting for the Nats in their present series with the Orioles.

I am still trying to learn the National League better and I do have a long ways to go. I can see a lot of Atlanta Braves games because they are televised to the Asheville area. I like the Cubs and the Reds because I can see some of their games here. And I was able to see the Nats on TV against them, as well as when they play the Braves. (I can learn a lot about the Braves, but I can never, never, never turn into a Braves fan because they play in the same division with the Nats!)

And my minor league team here, the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic Leage, have been a long time farm club of the Colorado Rockies. I knew Todd Helton, and I knew that Hall of Famers Willie Stargell and Eddie Murray played for the Tourists and I knew that Cal Ripken, Sr. managed here, but I did not know who Matt Holliday was until I received a bobblehead of him.

Being a former resident of Hagerstown, I was pleased to learn that the Hagerstown Suns became a farm club of the Nats. I am looking forward to the series they will play here in August.(And I will be wearing my Nats cap and tee shirt to those games and sitting at the visitor's dugout.) I was hoping to see some of the Suns stars, like their two sluggers (Mc Cormick Field here is a great hitter's ball park.) but they've been promoted to Potomac. However, I'm hoping that the top two draft choices, when they sign, will be assigned right to Hagerstown rather than a short season club. Then I can see them.

Next posting I will blog more about the team, the game, local and league -wide issues, but I felt some background material might be good.

I am the Nats No. 1 fan in Asheville, NC. When I lived in Hagerstown for 11 years prior to moving here last summer,the Orioles were my favorite team until Washington got its franchise in 2005. Prior to that I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and grew up on the Washington Senators - both teams. When Bob Short moved the franchise to Texas (which I knew was going to happen when he bought it, and I think many Senator fans did) it took me quite awhile to become an Oriole fan. When the Expos franchise came to D.C., I found myself jumping up and down and running outside shouting, {"We have a team! We have a team." It took me that long to become a Nats fan, and I have found myself rooting for the Nats in their present series with the Orioles.

I am still trying to learn the National League better and I do have a long ways to go. I can see a lot of Atlanta Braves games because they are televised to the Asheville area. I like the Cubs and the Reds because I can see some of their games here. And I was able to see the Nats on TV against them, as well as when they play the Braves. (I can learn a lot about the Braves, but I can never, never, never turn into a Braves fan because they play in the same division with the Nats!)

And my minor league team here, the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic Leage, have been a long time farm club of the Colorado Rockies. I knew Todd Helton, and I knew that Hall of Famers Willie Stargell and Eddie Murray played for the Tourists and I knew that Cal Ripken, Sr. managed here, but I did not know who Matt Holliday was until I received a bobblehead of him.

Being a former resident of Hagerstown, I was pleased to learn that the Hagerstown Suns became a farm club of the Nats. I am looking forward to the series they will play here in August.(And I will be wearing my Nats cap and tee shirt to those games and sitting at the visitor's dugout.) I was hoping to see some of the Suns stars, like their two sluggers (Mc Cormick Field here is a great hitter's ball park.) but they've been promoted to Potomac. However, I'm hoping that the top two draft choices, when they sign, will be assigned right to Hagerstown rather than a short season club. Then I can see them.

Next posting I will blog more about the team, the game, local and league -wide issues, but I felt some background material might be good.