The Zimmerman story: Early version
Some of you requested this in the other thread, so I thought I'd post it here. Also: The radio situation. The Nationals broadcasts will remain on 107.7 FM/1500 AM through the rest of the season. The club's deal was with Bonneville, which owns the station, not with the Post, which just provided content (such as this afternoon at 5:50 p.m., when I'll be yapping about the Nationals).
The Nats need another radio deal for next year and beyond, and they may well re-up with Bonneville to be broadcast on the same frequency, which they like because it's so strong. I'll have a more thorough post and/or story -- including the future of the broadcast teams -- in days to come.
Zimmerman story: As I explained in the last post, on the West Coast we frequently write a story before the game so that there's something to go in the paper, but it gets replaced in the $.35 edition (and online) by the gamer when there's a final to report, etc. Those of you who get the $.35 edition and had this rushed-into-the-paper drivel on their doorstep already this morning, move on. Others: There are at least some interesting numbers for Zimmerman over the second half -- and keep in mind this was written before his homer last night.
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27 -- During the all-star break in July, as his teammates scattered about the country to grab three days with family or friends, Ryan Zimmerman remained at his house in Arlington, cleansing his mind. The numbers he toted to the break - a .253 batting average, 45 RBI in 88 games - were less than impressive, and he was reminded of that at nearly every turn.
There were, at that point, two schools of thought. One: Zimmerman's team, the Washington Nationals, was asking too much of him too quickly, stunting his potential. The other: Zimmerman, the runner-up for the National League's rookie of the year award in 2006, was over-valued.
Zimmerman's thought, at the time and now, was that none of that made sense.
"If you think you're good enough," he said Monday, "when you struggle, it's not that you get upset, but you think something's wrong because you know you're better."
Zimmerman does not boast about such things, and he didn't deny that he wanted better numbers. But the thoughts behind his words were fairly straightforward: I am better than this, so my numbers will improve.
Now, with a little more than a month remaining in his second full season, Zimmerman's calm, steady march toward respectability is continuing. He entered the first of three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers here having a fine second half in which he has improved, statistically and practically, in every offensive category.
Since the all-star break, Zimmerman is hitting .314, has a .375 on-base percentage (up from .302 before the break), a .552 slugging percentage (up from .435). At the break, he was on pace to drive in 83 runs, a significant drop-off from his rookie year output of 110. Now, with 26 RBI in his last 26 games, his pace is up to 94 - and a 100-RBI season is within reach.
Coaches and teammates believe that some of Zimmerman's success has stemmed from physical and mental adjustments he has made in the second half. Too often, before the all-star break, he looked at the forbidden fruit - a slider on the outside part of the plate, one that looked sweet and juicy - and swung at it. There are times, still, when he can't resist, because the pitch looks so hittable. But he has significantly decreased those times, and he knows how important that is.
"He's real smart about it," hitting coach Lenny Harris said. "He hears it, and you don't have to keep repeating it. I'm just trying to get him to stay inside the ball, and trying to keep him upright so he doesn't have to feel like he has to reach out there. He'll come back and say, 'Man, I hit that ball good, but I should've hit it better.'"
Those are the rare times Zimmerman becomes publicly frustrated, the times when he swings at a pitch he should have avoided, the times when he pops up a pitch he should have driven.
"I never let other people get me frustrated," he said. "If I get frustrated, it'll be me that does it. But I'll never show anybody else - a pitcher or something - and let them know that they're getting to me."
That points to the asset the Nationals believe might be Zimmerman's best, that nebulous quality baseball people like to call "makeup." As Manny Acta, his manager, said Monday, "I only know that the kid's 22 sometimes when I read it, ... because he doesn't act like a 22-year-old."
But when he was scuffling along in the first half, Acta was quick to remind people that that is, exactly, Zimmerman's age. "I think we take him for granted sometimes," catcher Brian Schneider said.
Zimmerman is diplomatic about what he expects from himself. But he is also well aware that several young players - including other members of his draft class, 2005, such as Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki - are excelling this season as rookies. In some cases, they are outplaying Zimmerman, and he keeps tabs on such players, in part because he played against so many of them in his college days at the University of Virginia. He also is quick to point out that several are playing key roles for contenders.
"It kind of shows how the game has evolved," he said. "They wouldn't throw 22-year-olds into the middle of pennant races if they weren't supposed to succeed. Obviously, there's the athletic part - being stronger, being faster - but that doesn't get you everything. You got to be smart."
Smart enough to, say, lay off that slider off the plate. During that difficult first half, Zimmerman was asked frequently about how pitchers were approaching him.
"They weren't pitching me any different," Zimmerman said. "When I'm going good, I'm obviously not swinging at that slider that goes out of the strike zone. And I don't want to swing at the fastballs that are off the plate inside. They expand the zone both ways, and I can't fall into that plan. [ellipsis] It's just about me being more patient."
At the plate. Not in his career.
"It doesn't matter if you're 22 or 32," he said. "I don't really take the age thing into it as a factor. I mean, I've got two full years, almost. You kind of know what you need to do to get things done."
THE END
I'll get lineups to you from Chavez Ravine, though it won't be till after most of you get home from work.
By Barry Svrluga |
August 28, 2007; 1:00 PM ET
Previous: Don't look now ... |
Next: Lineups from Chavez Ravine
Posted by: Barry's mom | August 28, 2007 1:28 PM
"... they may well re-up with Bonneville to be broadcast on the same frequency, which they like because it's so strong."
... I for one, hope this will be the case, since up here in New Brunswick, I can get a very good signal of Charlie and Dave on my car radio for night games.
Posted by: natscan reduxit | August 28, 2007 1:30 PM
Thanks for the post Barry.
I have to constantly remind myself that Ryan is only 22. I think what he's doing at his age is remarkable. They other guys mentioned in his draft class "Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki" had the benefit of a year in the minors to get acclimated to life in professional baseball. Not only was Ryan put in the everyday line up the first year after he was drafted, but he was called up only months after finishing his college career and did nothing but hit doubles and bat .400. I think he was gypped out of the ROTY last year and look forward to his long career in DC. I only hope he one day goes into the HOF as one of those guys like Cal, Gwynn, and eventually Biggio who play for one team their entire career.
If I think back to what I was doing when I was 22... jeezus I couldn't balance a bank account, pay rent on time, keep my power on, or remember most Fri/Sat nights without someone else's assistance.
Posted by: MKevin | August 28, 2007 1:35 PM
Barry, thanks for posting. Your mom and I agree - this is far from drivel.
MKevin, as someone just two years removed from 22, I feel your pain on the rent and utilities front... especially in the obnoxiously expensive DC area. Let's just say Zimmerman's time at UVa was a lot more lucrative than mine at this point [mine only got me into law school, which I can thank for a massive amount of student loan debt].
In all seriousness though, I also think he was robbed in the Rookie of the Year race [not to detract from Hanley Ramirez's season, but Zimmerman was SO money]. I'm definitely also pulling for him to be a lifelong National. Hopefully, the front office will continue to agree with us for a long time into the future.
Posted by: faNATic | August 28, 2007 1:47 PM
Oleanders did a great blog on Zim, here is the stats, the blog is at
http://mvn.com/mlb-nationals/
.315/.375/.552 since the All-Star break
2007 Splits;
Home: .290/.336/.498
Away: .257/.318/.449
2006 Splits;
Home: .327/.384/.516
Away: .245/.318/.424
2007 Splits;
v RHP: .235/.287/.400
v LHP: .407/.462/.729
v LHP (post-All Star): .474/.524/.895
Jesus. It's a lefty massacre.
v RHP (post All-Star): .270/.338/.474
Posted by: estuartj | August 28, 2007 2:01 PM
Mr. S, that piece of writing is far from drivel. It's a nice and content-laden feature on a key player of the Nationals.
Posted by: Section 502 (disagrees with Barry Svrluga) | August 28, 2007 3:00 PM
Barry, when you say your going to do stories about the future of the broadcast teams, does that mean that change is likely (pleaaaaaase tell us Carpenter will not be returning).
Posted by: Andrew Stebbins | August 28, 2007 4:04 PM
I have this vision of natscan sitting out in his car (in the driveway) all night listening to the radio..... like the kid with the lights off, and the transistor radio under the covers.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 28, 2007 4:15 PM
Zimmerman may still finish the season with 100 RBI. That would be a tremendous accomplishment, considering he's playing on the offensively-challenged Nationals. He no longer has the benefit of a speedy Soriano on base, either (although Logan and Lopez aren't exactly Daryle Ward).
And remember, Bowden said Zimmerman was drafted for his glove, and that everything he did with the bat was gravy.
Posted by: John in Mpls | August 28, 2007 4:23 PM
And PLEASE tell us Charlie and Dave will be signed for next year and many years into the future! I enjoy listening to them as much as I like seeing the games live.
Posted by: samantha7 | August 28, 2007 4:24 PM
Great comment from Dave's chat:
Washington, D.C.: Every time the Nats this season have won three games in a series on the road, the opposing team's manager got the boot. Gardner of the Astros was the latest casualty of this quirky fact, proceded earlier in the year by Perlozzi of the O's and Narron of the Reds. At this late date of the season the only teams that can potentially lose three games in a home series to the Nats are in the NL east. Do you think Gonzalez of the Marlins should be quaking in his boots when Manny and the gang visit Florida next month?
Dave Sheinin: Wow. Great observation. I hadn't noticed that, but it's true.
Posted by: Section 506 (After moving) | August 28, 2007 4:49 PM
Aren't the play-by-play folks paid by or chosen by the team FO, not the broadcast companies? If not, how come they're included in all the Nats' team promotional books?
Posted by: Juan-John | August 28, 2007 4:51 PM
Everyone napping in preparation for tonight's 10pm start?
Do we have any work on WMP's foot?
Today's entry in Guess the Line-up;
1. Logan (CF)
2. Belliard (2B)
3. Zimmerman (3B)
4. Young (1B)
5. Kearns (RF)
6. Church (LF)
7. Jimenez (SS)
8. Schneider (C)
9. Bergmann (P)
FLop needs rest and I'm guessing Pena will be off for a couple days.
Posted by: estuartj | August 28, 2007 4:59 PM
I guess it depends on what play-by-play team you're talking about right? Wouldn't the TV broadcast team be employees of MASN and thus up to their discretion? Kind of stinks if it's true considering the deal with the Nats and their not-so-controlling interest in MASN.
Posted by: MKevin | August 28, 2007 5:00 PM
My favorite sentence:
"...he looked at the forbidden fruit - a slider on the outside part of the plate, one that looked sweet and juicy - and swung at it."
Posted by: NatsNut | August 28, 2007 5:03 PM
That was sa-weet, NatsNut!
My favorite sentence:
"...he looked at the forbidden fruit - a slider on the outside part of the plate, one that looked sweet and juicy - and swung at it."
Posted by: natsfan1a | August 28, 2007 5:05 PM
Y'all quit teasing Barry or he won't post his "drivel" here anymore.
Posted by: Barry's mom | August 28, 2007 5:15 PM
Not teasing. It WAS my favorite sentence.
Posted by: NatsNut | August 28, 2007 5:40 PM
Oh, then that's all right, dearie!
Posted by: Barry's mom | August 28, 2007 5:43 PM
... I for one, hope this will be the case, since up here in New Brunswick, I can get a very good signal of Charlie and Dave on my car radio for night games.
Posted by: natscan reduxit | August 28, 2007 01:30 PM
This is really strange, NatsCan -- 'cause I have trouble picking up the FM part and sometimes the AM inside the Beltway in Annandale. Maybe they are beaming more East and North and not due West(?)
Posted by: nats fan in annandale | August 28, 2007 6:21 PM
Nats Fan Annandale:
It's funny about 1500 AM. It's been that way for years. You can't hear it within the beltway at night in places, but they get it in Canada. That used to happen to me when I was traveling. I'm no scientist, but I think it has to do with the way the radio waves bounce.
Posted by: #4 | August 28, 2007 6:41 PM
#4: I'm no scientist either but I think it has a lot to do with the saturation of airwaves in this area. Ever try to use a wireless FM tuner for an iPod or XM reciever? You can't get from Fairfax to the Beltway on 66 without changing the FM frequency three times - not to mention the strange DEAD spot off rte 50 in Arlington. I know AM and FM are different modulations but I have to believe that the saturation of radio airwaves and the high concentration of RF signals and wireless data in the area interferes with the much weaker AM bandwidth.
Posted by: MKevin | August 28, 2007 6:57 PM
BTW, Natscan, I can relate. After the Senators left, my dad and I used to drive around suburban Maryland looking for the best place to pick up WJR - the spirt of 76 - out of Detroit. Pops was a big Tiger fan, so I grew up listening to Ernie Harwell. Those are some of the fondest memories of my youth. I still get goosebumps anytime I hear his (Harwell's)voice during a guest appearance on ESPN.
Posted by: #4 | August 28, 2007 7:01 PM
I am only able to pick up the games in southern Frederick Co, MD on 820AM. Hope they keep broadcasting on that frequency.
Posted by: HALjr | August 28, 2007 7:01 PM
mkevin:
Could be. The only thing is that the condition has existed since the 70's - well before any of those problems.
Posted by: #4 | August 28, 2007 7:03 PM
#4: Well that I can't explain :-) Like I said I'm no scientist so my theory could be completely without merit. I wouldn't bet the house on any of it.
Posted by: MKevin | August 28, 2007 7:09 PM
What has anyone got against Bob Carpenter? Are you a big fan of Larry Michaels, who stole the great Frank Herzog's job on the Redskins broadcast? Bob Carpenter increases the baseball IQ of anyone who listens. He is no homer, either, and calls 'em as they are without the relentless negativity of a Milo Hamilton. I feel happy whenever I hear him begin the broadcast, and look forward to an informative two or three hours with Bob - a guy with a great voice who wrote a book on how to keep score, and is just excellent. Pleeaaaase tell me that he is returning!
Posted by: flynnie | August 28, 2007 7:17 PM
Here's what I've got against Bob Carpenter: he roots for the other team, no matter who the Nats are playing. Its one thing to be a mindless homer like the Cubs broadcast team is, but Carpenter clearly wants the other team to win, no matter who they are. Since it is a Nats broadcast I would like the announcer to actually LIKE the team. He constantly brags on the other team. He gets excited when the other teams score (and even when they close out a win against us.) His Cardinals obsession gets in the way of the team that he's covering -- the Nats. Just ask him to compare Scott Rolen with Zim. Or you won't have to ask...he will bring it up at least twice a week during the telecast. He's humorless. His attempts to pretend to be a Nats supporter are shallow and unconvincing. He seemingly has no idea who his audience is, talking about the exploits of old Expos like it meant something to the fans listening to him now. He lacks knowledge given the amount of time he spends around the game. Don Sutton has to correct him about facts often (for instance, Carpenter went on and on about how tough it was going to be for the Nats to beat Oswalt last week before Sutton finally had to correct him that Oswalt was out with an injury).
I cannot imagine why anyone who actually likes the Nats would want Bob Carpenter calling these games.
Posted by: Ray | August 28, 2007 8:06 PM
My techie husband says that stations are allowed to broadcast at higher power at night. But that wouldn't explain why some people here can't pick up the signal while others who are farther away can. He wasn't sure what the explanation might be for that.
I agree re. Charlie and Dave. Hope that they'll be back next year!
Posted by: natsfan1a | August 28, 2007 10:43 PM
I completely disagree with you Ray. Carpenter is an excellent announcer. There are several bloggers here who have criticized him for being too much of a homer. I think he's just right. I very much appreciate his easy manner and baseball IQ. An excellent announcer, I wish he could broadcast more than 162 games per year!!
Posted by: NatBisquit | August 28, 2007 10:44 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Drivel = not!!