... I hope it makes more than a 'stir'; I hope it spurs these guys into action: Belliard to take this heightened responsibility in stride, and Lopez to respond to a reduced stress load. I can see it clearly in my mind: Ronnie B. comes thru' proving 2 is where he really ought to be, and Lopie offering a heartfelt 'thank you' under his breath while making his AB's just between him and the ball.

... also Schneider is where he's supposed to be, IMHO. He's a catcher, not a hitter.

Am I first?
I'm not a Nook basher.
See you Saturday and Sunday Barry.

Glad to see Manny is experimenting. He needs to consider doing something similar to lighten up Zim's load a little. Maybe switch Zim and Church.

Doh! Natscan got me.

Still don't know why they're so afraid to take Zimm out of the 3-hole.

ARF ARF ARF ARF BARK GROWL!

Dancer13: That's exactly what I was thinking. Switch the Ryans for a little try.

Hey NatsNut: Have fun and bring us a sweep.

I think having two centerfielders will probably cause the greater stir. :)

Good catch Sam. Barry does this with every lineup. He's testing our attentiveness.

Thanks Dancer13. Go up tomorrow. Can't wait.

NatsNut: If you drive by my house, wave and honk.

NatsNut is right, guys, Barry's only testing to see whether we're heads up. NatsNut and Sam passed with flying colors. I say we start 'em tonite!

Also, nothing against Nook but hounds = funny!

Ya know, this dual-centerfielder thing is starting to grow on me -- maybe you should run this by Manny, as we do seem to have a surfeit of CFs...

NatsNut - switch the Ryans? You'd have Langerhans hitting third?! Oh wait.

Baseball America had a story today about the Latin American and even Korean players getting buzz before the July 2nd beginning of that signing season. They listed the clubs that were known to be interested in each, and THE NATIONALS DID NOT COME UP EVEN ONCE!!!!!! If the Nats made a single attempt to sign Esmailyn Gonzalez, but then fall of the map this year while other clubs spend millions, I will be truly irked!!

Barry asserts: "You gotta admit: It makes sense. Belliard's OBP is .330."

Well, it's more sensible than batting Lopez leadoff, that's for sure.

Here are my full-season projections for the players mentioned. (Which have absolutely nothing to do with trying to catch lightning in a bottle, which is evidently what we're reduced to just now.)

Belliard - .284 / .330 / .397
Lopez - .253 / .314 / .376
Zimmerman - .269 / .325 / .458
Schneider - .250 / .315 / .346

Langerhans projects to .226 / .332 / .379, so batting him in front of Belliard makes sense. (Not as much sense, perhaps, as da Meat, but the McGravians in baseball outnumber propeller-heads like me by about 20 to one.)

Barry, instead of two center fielders, how about putting two Dmitris in the lineup?

I like the move. I guess Manny didn't spend the day off talking about caveman mascots, poutine, escalator etiquette, and butt puns.

I can only imagine what I could accomplish here at work if I could follow his example...

Likewise. Now we have something to strive for...

---

John in Mpls sighed: I can only imagine what I could accomplish here at work if I could follow his example...

THANK YOU MANNY!

It shows some courage on Manny's part. It's the first demotion of a "core" player for lack of productivity.

Embrace the move Felipe - you can do it.

Ryan Zimmerman, you cannot make any more excuses.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070628&content_id=2054448&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

I switched Church to left field. Can't believe I do that as often as I do.

Thanks for the pre-game quotes Barry.

Hasn't Ryan Langerhans already won the centerfield job? There's no comparison between his play and Logan's.

I hope this shakes up not only Felipe, but Kearns and Zimmerman.

Dr. Svrglove, I think 2 CF's, or something quirky like that, should be your Nats Journal calling card.

Is it really a "demotion" to put Lopez down in the order? I don't think the players should think of it that way. Why in the world would you be upset about going to a different spot in the order when you're hitting .230? Batting order is maximizing talents in the best logical spots for getting on base and scoring. Bigger picture here Felipe.

whats the deal with the fan walk out saturday night in pittsburgh?

"Is it really a "demotion" to put Lopez down in the order? I don't think the players should think of it that way."

... I agree with NatsNut. If Flippie has his knickers in a twist because of this, I can only say "Listen bud. You get paid to play the game; I have to fork over a couple hundred bucks every summer to do that in a beer league. Now get down there and quit your belly-aching."

... I could go on (did you guess?) but the game's starting.

Natscan counsels Flip: "Now get down there and quit your belly-aching."

I add: "And be glad you're not riding the pine, bud."

Position numbers, we don't got to show you no stinkin' position numbers!

---

Dr. Svrglove, I think 2 CF's, or something quirky like that, should be your Nats Journal calling card.

Posted by: GP | June 29, 2007 06:40 PM

Barry mentions Toronto ribs to Langerhans in passing before the game. Top of the 3rd, Langy goes deep! ggggrrrrrrrrrOOOOOOWWWWWLLLL!!

Barry,

Have you talked with Ryan Church about his return to PNC Park?

I believe it's his 1st game there since 2005, when he separated his shoulder catching a warning-track fly ball to win the game.

Show of hands...

Who wants Chris Snelling back?

Who'd have thought a .182 hitter would be hitting leadoff?

Wigi asks: "Show of hands... Who wants Chris Snelling back?"

I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a hitter. He's projecting .266 / .367 / .430. I'd stick him in the 2 hole.

His defense is something else again. Not hideous, but adventuresome.

... my oh my oh my, but I like Chico. This game tonight - seventh and still zeroes across the board. Someone today mentioned he was probably a fifth starter and that may well be accurate, but I gotta tell ya: of all the over-achieving starters we have at present, he's the one who gives me the least shivers just reading the probables.

For those of you watching the MASN feed, has there been any news of the walkout? I have to watch the Pittsburgh feed (where that triple was just called as "a trip, trip, triple" - ugh).

Seriously, other than the "What was Nook Logan thinking!?!" Slows call, the best call of the year has to be:

"Ribs in Toronto? Ribs in Toronto?! RIBS in TORONTO?!?! YEARGH!"

-----

Barry mentions Toronto ribs to Langerhans in passing before the game. Top of the 3rd, Langy goes deep! ggggrrrrrrrrrOOOOOOWWWWWLLLL!!

Maybe, John in Mpls. But I gotta also give points to Natscan's food call on the previous post:

"First, I'd take a stroll to a nice restaurant where I'd enjoy a small Teahen for an appetizer. . . . " etc.

i hate walks too

Hendo,

I meant game calls. I know it's a stretch to say a blog comment is a "call," but I counted it.

I agree about Natscan's post. I read it to my wife when I got home. If Barry gave out awards at the end of the year, this comment would be the winner, hands down.

D-f'in-pressing. Danggggg. Chico pitched so well...Rivera and Rauch give it up. That was intense.

Well, dammit anyway. Full marks to Langerhans for the HR and to Flip for the SF.

We'll get 'em tomorrow.

I agree. Ava are you out there? We need you!

---

John in Mpls said: Seriously, other than the "What was Nook Logan thinking!?!" Slows call, the best call of the year has to be:

"Ribs in Toronto? Ribs in Toronto?! RIBS in TORONTO?!?! YEARGH!"

I feel for Chico. He ought to have several more wins than he does. Did he do something to P.O. the bullpen?

It's not the pitching we need to worry about, it's the hitting.

Ed has a good point...you really shouldnt lose if your pitcher gives up 0 runs and your bullpen three...but the Nats did tonight. Thats why there are 162 games, right? Except yeah, there are only like 85 more...

True, the low run support doesn't give the 'pen much margin for error.

Barry,

Did any of you ask Acta specifically and directly why?

1. He took Chico out with under 100 pitches and does Chico not need to learn to go further than the 6th inning to be a major league starter...time to find out no?

2. Why he did he not bring in Chad....He needs the work right or has Acta lost confidence in him?

3. Why did he not move Zimmerman down in the Lineup....He is hurting the team hitting 3rd just as much as Lopez is hitting second.

4. Why did he hit for Langerhans....the only one to show any power at all recently.

I watched the MASN press conference with Acta...just a quick few questions but they were along the lines of...."walks sure hurt tonight right"? Did anyone ask anything deeper than that?
?

Barry,

Did any of you ask Acta specifically and directly why?

1. He took Chico out with under 100 pitches and does Chico not need to learn to go further than the 6th inning to be a major league starter...time to find out no?

2. Why he did he not bring in Chad....He needs the work right or has Acta lost confidence in him?

3. Why did he not move Zimmerman down in the Lineup....He is hurting the team hitting 3rd just as much as Lopez is hitting second.

4. Why did he hit for Langerhans....the only one to show any power at all recently.

I watched the MASN press conference with Acta...just a quick few questions but they were along the lines of...."walks sure hurt tonight right"? Did anyone ask anything deeper than that?

Sorry for the double post....several tiems the Submit screen sends you to a error screen with message about posting rules....I find I can please it by changing the submit name...

I just got home. Bummer we lost. Did we play pretty well despite the loss? I saw the shutout through 6 so good for Chico. Ironic our steadiest guy hasn't a win yet.

So guess Chico's a keeper, huh?

This team is becoming less interesting to watch by the day.

Same old stinky offense.

This season is about tryouts for 2008. The only players remaining to get a look are pitchers (e.g. Lanaan, Claussen).

The position players aren't changing soon. Why would the results change?

This team is becoming less interesting to watch by the day.

Same old stinky offense.

This season is about tryouts for 2008. The only players remaining to get a look are pitchers (e.g. Lanaan, Claussen).

The position players aren't changing soon. Why would the results change?

"[Lopez] basically said he wasn't happy about it, but his only response would be to hit. 'I'm not a .230 hitter,' he said."
As the Jax was heard to ask, "Has that guy seen the back of his baseball card lately?"

just re-experienced Charlie Slowes's call on Entomology Nook. Is it just me, or does Charlie sound a lot like Frasier Crane?

BrianH grouses: "The position players aren't changing soon. Why would the results change?"

Indeed. "Moribund," the word Barry uses in the Notebook, about sums it up.

Well, at least we're not tha Yankees (to quote Nelson Muntz: ha ha).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2007-06-29-yankees-free-fall_N.htm

It's mentioned briefly in today's 35-cent Post. On the radio last night, they said that a sellout was anticipated and that the organizers were expecting 3,000 to take part in the prostest (they are supposed to be wearing green, so if it's a slow game you can spend your time counting them). It sounded as though the sellout was attributed to the bobblehead giveaway.

---

love wondered:

whats the deal with the fan walk out saturday night in pittsburgh?

Hi BrianH,

"This team is becoming less interesting to watch by the day."

... it's easy to get down and feel that way, and I don't find fault with anyone who loses interest right about now. (The team is heading off in the direction all the pundits predicted. Summer's here; weather's great; so many more things to do etc.). But stick with it.

... what I'm looking forward to right now, is to see how much better (or worse??!!??) we'll be after the trade deadline. It'll be a fan's shot-in-the-arm in mid-summer. We can all sharpen our stats pencil, fire up the calculators again and prognosticate till the bovines return to their abode.

Lopresti reports on the moribundity of Pinstriped hitting in USA Today (thanks to natsfan1a for the cite): "Imagine . . . a starry lineup producing 14 runs in its last eight defeats . . ."

Good news, kinda: Our Nats have scored 21 times in their last eight losses.

Bad news, for sure: 16 of those runs were scored with Guzman in the lineup. Without him, this crew has scored just five times in four straight losses.

Time to step up, fellas.

You've got a better chance if it's the other way around -- 3 runs allowed in 6 innings is a "quality start."
------------------------
"you really shouldn't lose if your [starting] pitcher gives up 0 runs and your bullpen three"
Posted by: Andrew S. | June 29, 2007 10:07 PM

Brian H: "This team is becoming less interesting to watch by the day."

Ah, but the Blog has Milton, entomology, nationwide restaurant reviews, lower right extremity jokes, and spirited defenses of John Priorwood, er, Patterson, in multiple languages, even. And the occasional baseball insight, now and then.
So there's that.

I liked Dmitri's quote in one of the OP's gamers: "This is a character-builder right now," Young said. "Our luck's a little down right now, but we just have to leave here, go watch a movie or some TV or whatever, go out, do what you gotta do, and be ready for tomorrow."

I think that's true for fans, too, or at least that's the way I'm trying to look at it. The quote made me think of a March 1989 Boz piece on the Orioles (The Bums of Summer) that is included in the Cracking the Show anthology. The piece deals with how one can enjoy a bad baseball team (well, actually, historically bad, which the Nats won't be, but I digress). Oddly enough, the piece could be applied to today's Orioles in many respects (but I digress again). One of my favorite (of many) passages:

"The worse a team, the more fortitude it demands of us. For example, holding a marriage together might seem easy after rooting for Baltimore to protect a late-inning lead. W. B. Yeats said, 'Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned / by those that are not entirely beautiful.' Or, sometimes, by those, like the Orioles, who're pretty ugly."

I say, Baseball and Yeats, what's not to like?

Character-building -- Yanno, growing up in Chicago, I used to think like that, too. But I don't think adversity builds character, nor that practice makes perfect.
Or, I'll see your Yeats and raise you a Lincoln: "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

That said, yeah, I'm gonna miss Dmitri, too.

Barry, I agree with JayB, espicially points 1, 3, 4. Manny's being pig-headed about pitch counts and costing the Nats wins. And, y o y pull the batter that got you half your runs? Just so he can play Loser Logan? Rivera just is not an improvement over Chico as has been proven every time he takes the mound.

Looks to me like Robinson is back managing the team.

One more thing: the Pirates new look is UGLY, UGLY, UGLY.

Yeah, it would be a challenge to embrace a perennial "lovable loser" role. The Boz piece was written during a team-building period much like the Nats are undergoing, I believe. So I'm hanging on in the bad times and looking forward to the good times (i.e., glass half full).

---

CevansJr sez: Character-building -- Yanno, growing up in Chicago, I used to think like that, too. But I don't think adversity builds character, nor that practice makes perfect.

While the Orioles were setting their world record for season-beginning futility, Bob Edwards one morning interviewed Jon Miller.
"Do you think anyone is still listening to you?" Edwards asked.
"Oh, sure."
"Why?"
"Because baseball is good company," Miller replied.
While it is surely possible to love the game and love winning, if you are far more vested in the latter than in the former you've already deserted the Nationals, or soon will.
I'm still delighted to have a game on local radio most every night because baseball really is good company even if it is, as Bart Giamotti (sp?) said, "designed to break your heart."

CevansJr, just want to say that I mean no offense to the Cubs in my last posting (not sure if that's your "heritage" team). My sister-friend/former sis-in-law Natsfan1b is a big-time Cubbies fan and I have cheered them on with her during her visits to VA or my visits to IL (when they weren't playing the Nats, natch). Okay, I will admit (but not yet to Natsfan1b) that there is a dark little corner of my soul that gloats a bit when the Cubbies do poorly since the $oriano $igning.

At any rate, I feel that there's plenty of room for all of us under the Nats tent, no matter who our "heritage" or "starter" team and no matter whether our glasses are half full or half empty. I'm a fan of all my fellow bloggers (and, of course, Barry, too).

CevansJr opines: "But I don't think adversity builds character, nor that practice makes perfect."

Agreed. Adversity does not build character. Dealing with adversity, working through adversity, builds character. See Kipling ("If") for more on the subject.

And practice does not make perfect. If you do the same idiotic thing a thousand times in methodical succession, you are practicing to be an idiot.

It's a critical time in Natsnation. As June turns to July and the dogdays approach, we'll learn something about the inner soul of this team. Can Manny maintain a positive attitude in these struggling days ahead? Will upper management stay on track with the plan? For sure, attitudes will be tested, and soon. It'll be interesting to read between the lines of quotes to come. We have to just stay tuned as it plays out over the next several weeks.

"If you do the same idiotic thing a thousand times in methodical succession, you are practicing to be an idiot."

... or as I have often heard it said "The definition of insanity is doing something the same way over and over, expecting a different result."

... and oh yeah: very well put, Salty Dog. Baseball IS good company - just ask anyone on this blog who doesn't live in hailing distance of DC.

And I thought Barry quoting T.S. Eliot was impressive. Jeez, Boz.

-----

I say, Baseball and Yeats, what's not to like?

I'm not a .230 hitter" says Lopez.

Uh, I beg to differ based on your, you know, batting average. Not only that, your power has all but disappeared, you don't steal many bases anymore, you still stink as as a fielder and your attitude sucks.

For my money, they could ship you back to the Reds to settle the stupid grievance over what has become a lose-lose trade for both sides.

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