Thanks for the update, Barry. Hope he'll recover fully.

I call bologna! This goes with injuring ribs while sneezing and choking on pretzels as really lame cover ups. Or possibly stories too lame to be lies.

Actually, if you Google hook of hamate fracture, it seems to be specific to athletes who swing a golf club, bat, or other object.

David Wright wins the Gold Glove???!!! Are you freakin kidding me??!! Awful...

On top of that, ESPN seems to have moved the Mets to the AL:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3097037

I was disappointed by Wright winning, too. This means that Zimmerman is going to be hurt by the NY glare as long as he is in DC.

Lousy news about Zim - hope he takes all the time he needs to heal.

I figured the gold glove would elude Zim and Kearns - the Nats have no jump nationally or with any mainstream media, even in DC (it stinks there's no daily sports radio show that has at least a 15 minute Nats segment). That will change with the gorgeous new park AND a team that wins consistently. Also, paradoxically, both guys will have to hit better if they want to win the GG.

On the payroll - I'd like to see the Nats upgrade through free agency at CF. I'd prefer Hunter, with Rowland as a 2nd choice and, maybe Baldelli 3rd.

I'd also like to see them add a veteran pitcher. Glavine would be best, maybe Livan 2nd - I think they need one veteran guy so they don't have to rush some of the best arms they have in the minors. Did someone say a few days ago that Mock looks good (and healthy)?

I'd also like them to add low budget choices for a utility IF (Jamey Carroll? Is he a FA now?) and a power hitting PH who can play the corner positions (or 1B/L/RF).

A FA from Japan would be cool, too. I'd like to see a team with lots of nationalities (if it makes sense talent-wise) since we have such a great cultural mix in and around the city.

If they can get the same talent via trade without decimating the team, that'd be ok by me, too.

Big picture - I like the approach of building from within by the draft and scouting for young talent world-wide.

Payroll - lower than $75M would be a crime...

Natswriter, gold glove is not voted on by the media, it is voted on by managers and coaches. That said, I agree with you in that I think it is going to be very difficult for Zimm to get out of Wright's shadow, especially given the meager coverage that the Nats get both nationally and on the local scene.

In the previous thread, Barry wrote:

"I drove by the ballpark yesterday, and even the facing on the outside looks nice. There's some glassed-in areas on the Potomac Avenue side, and when you swing around up the third base line -- along South Capitol St. -- it's very clear that on the walk to the park you'll have good views of the Capitol Building. I'm told you'll have those from the upper deck on the first base line, too. Maybe even the press box."

From what I understand, you'll have a good view of most astronomical events from the press box.

Re: Zim --

Ryan: drink lots of milk, and hope you heal faster than Nick.

Speaking of Nick, how is Nick? I had a very strange thought the other day... since Torre took Mattingly and Bowa to LA with him... I had this fleeting thought that Nick would get traded to the Dodgers...

I had a dream about Zim last weekend. I was interviewing him for a magazine, but we were friends too, so he was helping me out, giving me better answers than the average journalist.

The only question I remembered asking him in he dream was "I heard you get a little tired of your little brother bringing all his college buddies over to hang out and party at your house." He just chuckled because it was an inside question and there's no way he would answer that in public.

It's the second dream I've had that I'm friends with the guy, so naturally I hope he heals soon.

If Zim's gonna get injured, better to do it really early in the offseason so that he can heal faster.

Ouch. Ugly article today about Nats events in Maryland.

I daresay, the first thing I think is Kasten does not respect DC residents. He doesn't think anyone living in the District is going to make him money so he's wooing the rich white folk outside the borders.

Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Maybe this explains Zimm's sophomore slump. As for events in the suburbs,that's where the fans are coming from; that's where the season tickets will be sold. All the attitude of agita from the D.C. Pols is a choice, and a not very neighborly choice for events that will bring free money to D.C.

The sod is in the park...

NatsNut,

I respectfully disagree. Rich White folks live within the city. Rich Black folks live downtown too. As a poor white boy from SE DC, who now lives in Maryland, as soon as I hit Powerball, I'm moving back downtown. Maybe get one of those nice new rowhouses off M Street, SE.

Never the less, maybe the Nats will come up with an event in DC. Last year they had these functions in SW. Maybe they're trying to woo the close in suburbs of PG and MoCo.

I hadn't been aware of the Nats-related item in Metro this a.m., so thanks for pointing it out, NatsNut. I do take their point about the gala, but it also occurs to me that the Nats have held at least some fan-based events in the suburbs and even farther afield in the past. Also, they do have a number of stadium-based events planned for this year as well, I think.

NatsNut's Zimm dreams reminded me that I'd had a Nats-related dream shortly after the WS ended. In my dream, the Nats were in the WS and had taken the first two games, with the final out of game 2 being the nabbing of a baserunner by Jesus Flores (sorry, Schneid). I *think* that the play was at third, but I can't recall for sure.

Oh yeah, if I recall correctly, the Nats were playing the Red Sox in my dream...

Hamate? Hamate? Zim don't need no stinky Hamate. Lot's of hitters have had this surgery. I think WMP has, and I know Big Papi has, and I don't think it has robbed them of power, long term. However, I did a quick google of "hamate surgery recovery time baseball," and it seems a player can get back on the field fairly quickly but it takes a full year for the power to come all the way back. Here is a link to a John Manuel article on wrist injuries in Baseball America: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/040331wrist.html
The good thing about that article is that it was written in 2004 and it talks about obscure minor leaguers who had the surgery like Adrian Gonzalez and James Loney, so it confirms this is no long term big deal.

Just to clarify, my "their" referred to the DC government. I do seem to recall having read about Nats galas taking place in DC in the past, and such an event would be of interest to the hotel association, whereas a team caravan type of thing would not necessarily involve hotels as a venue.

---

I do take their point about the gala, but it also occurs to me that the Nats have held at least some fan-based events in the suburbs and even farther afield in the past.

damn! botched the line - "stinkin' hamate."

More important than the hamate is signing Zim long term. Show a little faith now in him, once we are sure there is no surgical complication. Signing him long term is probably the most important thing we can due with any increase in payroll above the $50 - $55 million Barry projects.

Thanks for the legwork, jon, and for the Blazing Saddles reference (as opposed to the old school Treasure of Sierra Madre reference). ;-)

Is it just me, or does this seem to be completely wack?

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The Colorado Rockies, who set a major league record for fielding percentage, did not have a winner.

Catching up from L.A.:

1. Thanks to Barry for all the reports, and to WPNI for fixing the problems with the multi-posts.

2. If a CF must be spent for, Torii Hunter is the guy I'm looking at first.

3. Is Felipe Lopez worth $5 million?

4. Deep sigh... is the Chief worth $9 million to a team unlikely to make the playoffs? I'd be talking to the Braves about Kelly Johnson and prospects. And to the Tigers about Polanco. (And, in my dreams, to the Tribe about Sizemore.)

5. Instant replay: I like the NFL model and wonder if it could work in baseball. Think you got cheated on a base call? Toss your cap out there, Skip. If replay shows you're wrong, your team loses an out.

6. Zimm, good luck on the recovery.

Correction: Barry's estimate on the Chief was $6 million, not $9 million.

(Lame excuse: It's still barely 6 a.m. out here.)

Graaaa-dy Siiiize-more
Clap Clap...CLAP CLAP

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(And, in my dreams, to the Tribe about Sizemore.)

Yep, the sod is in the park and they have been laying it down this morning.

And there is a new link on the site to pictures taken by a camera on the helmet of one of the guys that is installing millwork in the luxury boxes.

OK, no, there's not. But if there was one, I would look at the pictures, because I'm an idiot.

You almost got me on that one, Bob L. My fingers were itching to start typing in the stadium-cam URL when I read your last line. Great idea, though... Are you listening, Stan and Clark Construction?

I am tired of hearing the DC Council complain. Stop holding a grudge, and help promote the team if you want it to be successful. And remember, it is in your interest for the team to be successful, no matter whether you liked the shady businesses that were on the site better.

The gala is being held to raise money for children in DC. The team will have events in DC, and hopefully also in VA. But again, the tone set by the DC Council is anything but welcoming, and I can imagine it would be uncomfortable having a gala in DC. The Council would make a point of missing it, or would go so they could complain about the stadium, or the number of jobs, or parking, or whatever. This relationship is touchy in both directions.

BTW, the jumbo scoreboard seems to be taking more shape at the same time the grass is being laid down.

Hey, what do you know, the Post has a page 1A article about the Nats today!!! Oh...it's another slam piece, huh? Clearly, that's about the only type of Nats-related news that Post editors deem worthy of front-page coverage.

Don't get me wrong, this news should be reported, and the fact that the Fan Fest especially (which is much different than one caravan event out of many) is scheduled for the suburbs rather than the District is disappointing. But the fact that the Post news editors have run almost nothing about the Nats on the front page, and then run this piece there, is demonstrative of the paper's editorial views of the team, which run from disdain all the way to indifference.

6th and D, I wasn't saying rich white and black folk don't live in the District. I was saying Kasten acts like HE doesn't think anyone in the District has money.

I think you make good points, Coverage, but not good enough to sustain the allegation about the editorial opinion of the team.

Here's a big question that keeps me from agreeing: what good news story should be run on A1 (or even E1) since the end of the season?

The only one I can think of is the Baseball America draft results article. But that's defensible in that reporting the analysis of another publication might not be something the Post wants to do. I would run it, I think, but I can imagine, with the World Series occurring, a situation where the decision could be made without malice or indifference.

What other articles should the Post have run?

I honestly don't understand why anyone would think Zimmerman deserved to win a Gold Glove this season. Is he a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman? Of course. Did he have a Gold Glove year? Of course not.

Grumbling about Zimmerman not winning Rookie of the Year last year, now that's another story entirely.

And speaking of Gold Gloves, Torii Hunter was also a recipient. Tell me that's not worth a few more bucks this winter. Sheesh.

wapo coverage has picked up recently and i'm happy to see it. i don't expect it all to be good. and yes, the council does seem like a lot of whiners but they are just a product of themselves and all will be fine. hard to find anything in the news nowadays thats not rhetorical grandstanding chestpounding WWIII threatening blah blah blah anyway so i read around all the inflated "news". my take is who cares. they are both here to stay. dc is better off and they know it and MLB is better off and they know it and owners are actually owning and they know it.

hendo, please tell me you are kidding about the NFL version of replay being an example for baseball to follow. I'm fine with replay for fair/foul/interference for over the fence only plays but i don't want any managers getting a say when to use it. that's an ugly path to take with no end. i'd prefer to see umpires meeting and deciding for themselves first. if they can't come to a unanimous decision then go to the recording. i don't want to see some eye in the sky over ruling play on the field whenever it wants. i want as little intrusion as possible. the onfield umpire/manager/player dynamic is essential to the game and we need to protect it.

i can't wait to hear tim mccarvers perspective on this.

salad

506, that is a fair question. I'm not sure I can answer it for you though, because during the offseason, most of the stories that might be worthy of front page coverage would be the product of actual reporting--by either sports reports or metro/business reporters, depending on the subject matter--and not news that makes itself and just needs to be covered (trades and free agent signings being the main exceptions). I don't know what those stories are unless they are written. Barry's long-awaited AFL piece could incorporate the "best draft" angle if it is published, and I submit that would merit E1 placement.

One potential story I think could have merited front-page coverage in at least some section--be it A, Metro, or Sports--is the progress on the stadium construction. Very few people in DC actually have any clue as to the progress of the stadium. The Post ran a picture of the infield with sod last week, why not run a story to accompany it so people know what's going on?

I also think you are being a bit confining with your time frame of "since the end of the season." I think the paper's editorial slant extends way beyond that time. As to the Sports editors, Mr. Garcia-Ruiz's comments about the Nats that were recently conveyed by the Post's Ombudsman shows this. Do you remember the story reporting Manny's hiring last offseason? What page did that run on (I honestly don't know)? I do remember the gratuitous shot in the article stating that "the Nationals' decision to hire Acta, 37, who has no managing experience above Class A and never played in the majors, reflects the Nationals' standing in baseball's hierarchy." I think that line encapsulates the paper's editorial view of the team, and I don't think the non-sports coverage has been any more enthusiastic.

I dont have a problem with the Nats holding an event out in the burbs... And lets not lose site that the event is to raise money for District kids to play ball and such... they are D.C. residents correct? I think its just politico BS that people are complaining... makes them look good.

I love looking at the Ballpark cam too... Make sure to checkout a sunrise on it... very nice! (i have no life) ;p

Most important... GOOD LUCK ZIMM!!! We are praying for you!

There's a new post up. (love the moniker, Joe Hardy)

I wonder if Kasten & Co. follow the same rule regarding doctors and hospitals for surgery that they do for holding events: "It was free."

Would anyone in his right mind consider Sibley Hospital and its staff of doctors for hand surgery unless the services are offered gratis? No, not when you have Union Memorial and Johns Hopkins close by. Union Memorial, incidentally, has a hand clinic and Hopkins was rated #3 for orthopedics nationwide by U.S. News. The nation is full of mediocre medical establishments like Sibley but we also are blessed with a goodly number of truly first-class institutions.

I think the Nats are going the el cheapo route.