R.I.P. Capitol Punishment, 2004-08
More than a year ago, I wrote a story about what seemed to me to be the inordinate number of Nationals blogs given the team's profile nationally and even in DC. Anyone who reads this space closely knows that, of all those blogs (and there are several good ones), Chris Needham's "Capitol Punishment" was my favorite.
I say "was," because Chris announced on said blog that he would be putting down the pen (or is it scalpel?) and discontinuing his service. Thus, Capitol Punishment is no more.
This is a sad day. I told Chris that I considered him my ombudsman. If I made some half-arsed analysis, he'd call me on it. Ask mlb.com's Bill Ladson if he's ever been called out by Capitol Punishment. Chris came with the hammer, and it was almost always well-deserved. (And when it wasn't, well, let's just say I emailed him and let him know why I was so grossly inaccurate in my assessments.)
Capitol Punishment was funny, analytical, sarcastic, snarky -- a more irreverant, dare I say better, version of Nationals Journal. It even had Stan Kasten reading and calling Chris from time to time.
Anyway, congrats to Chris on a good run from someone who thinks he has an understanding of why he's giving it up.
Just pulled into the press box at Minute Maid Park. Nationals taking extra hitting: Paul Lo Duca, Ronnie Belliard, Johnny Estradda, Wil Nieves, with Aaron Boone in the field and several pitchers working out in the outfield.
Roy Oswalt against Odalis Perez tonight. Lineups at some point.
By Barry Svrluga |
May 7, 2008; 3:49 PM ET
Previous: The one that got away -- and Where are they now? |
Next: Lineups from Houston
Posted by: John in Mpls | May 7, 2008 4:01 PM
scalpel
Posted by: proofreading gremlins | May 7, 2008 4:05 PM
Are we really all that bad?
Asked and answered.
-----
scalpel
Posted by: proofreading gremlins | May 7, 2008 4:05 PM
Posted by: John in Mpls | May 7, 2008 4:16 PM
ryan church is seriously starting to piss me off. i can barely find a game where the dude doesnt have 1 let alone 2 hits. this is getting ridiculous.
Posted by: dk | May 7, 2008 4:23 PM
that object flying at him from the pitchers hand must look like a beach ball to him right now.
Posted by: dk | May 7, 2008 4:24 PM
Classy move, Barry. This truly is a terrible day for Nats fandom.
Posted by: Steven on Capitol Hill | May 7, 2008 4:24 PM
So, Barry, is this the part where you leave the beat and reveal that you really are Chris Needham? Or where Chris Needham reveals that he is Barry Svrluga?
Just kidding - CP and Chris' particular insights, dedication and snark will be sorely missed (by everybody but Stan, I imagine). Does the StanSpeak translator now head off to the junkyard?
Posted by: Christmas Ape | May 7, 2008 4:27 PM
I have always liked Church and have been on occasion called "Church's mom". As a fan of his I hope eventually he can find his way back to washington, but he is better off other places. He doesnt thrive in our lineup, as i stated in the last post.
Posted by: natsinthevalley | May 7, 2008 4:27 PM
I agree, dk. How many times did I tell him he was a worthless ballplayer? How DARE he defy me?
Posted by: Frank Robinson | May 7, 2008 4:27 PM
Now how about putting in a word with the higher-ups for a Chris Needham column in the Post?
Posted by: Steven on Capitol Hill | May 7, 2008 4:28 PM
Nice post, Barry. If blogs are supplements to the 'mainstream' coverage, then those Nats fans inclined to read those supplements lost a very good one.
Posted by: Basil | May 7, 2008 4:28 PM
You made pretty good time from the Starbuck's to the press box....easy there Barry, speeding tickets are not eligible for reimbursement via espense accounts.
Posted by: Corey | May 7, 2008 4:30 PM
As an expat DC homeboy living in Africa, my main connection with baseball comes through Nairobi's frustratingly slow digital footpath --- the Post online, MLB Gameday, blogs --- and my month home in the summer.
Capital Punishment is (was) the standard by which all other blogs in the Natosphere are judged. Don't say CP is (was) better than NJ. Say it was a great alter ego no-holds-barred sh*t-kicker.
NJ tells the story. When it was active, BallWonk made me laugh out loud. Nationals Enquirer rifles off a headline and photo. Nats320, quaint and chatty, gets out the tea and cakes for Stan, and posts rah-rah pictures. BUT CP... CP digs deep, knuckleballs, prods, curses, winds up, follows through, calculates, rattles and provides background connections. It was my first stop in the morning over coffee.
They say baseball is the literary sport. This is true. And it is fine writers like Chris and Barry that continue this tradition.
On bad days, you make the Nats bearable. On good days, you help us cheer. And, the morning after, you let us savor a curly W.
So guys, from the President-for-Life of Nats FanClub Africa, hats off. May you live long and prosper. Asante sana.
Posted by: Natty Dread | May 7, 2008 4:38 PM
I'm up.
Posted by: Lineups Post | May 7, 2008 4:40 PM
Ah, the nostalgic song of the FRobby hater. The casual Tomo Ohka reference brings them running from miles around. Just as sure as a chirped "Eli Saslow" will rustle up a flock of Lackings from yonder willows...
Posted by: joebleux | May 7, 2008 4:42 PM
I second giving Needham a column at the Post!
Posted by: Patty | May 7, 2008 4:52 PM
Clint outlasts Neeham....
Posted by: life's really not fair | May 7, 2008 6:24 PM
"If you don't get the creeps in here, you don't get The Creeps In Here."
*************
Really, Barry, "from someone who thinks he has an understanding of why he's giving it up?" Are we really all that bad?
Actually, now that I think about it...
Posted by: John in Mpls | May 7, 2008 4:01 PM
Posted by: tell me about it | May 7, 2008 6:51 PM
and so did I.
___________
Clint outlasts Neeham....
Posted by: life's really not fair | May 7, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted by: Screech | May 7, 2008 6:52 PM
Very classy on your part, Barry, to devote a post to Chris. We'll miss him. Definitely put in a good word for him at the Post, we need a guy like him to write columns on the Nats (because Boswell for the most part sucks0
Posted by: Hoagie | May 7, 2008 7:16 PM
I have never been into blogs, but CP has changed me. I loved it, so much so that it was my homepage! This is a truly sad day for online Nats fans. We can only hope that Nationals Enquirer steps up and delivers more comprehensive smack.
Posted by: Gus | May 8, 2008 2:41 AM
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Really, Barry, "from someone who thinks he has an understanding of why he's giving it up?" Are we really all that bad?
Actually, now that I think about it...