As the Nationals struggled again to bring runners home in their 2-0 loss in Cleveland on Sunday, their fans must have been fuming. With apologies to Casey Stengel, or whoever initiated the quote that became the title of Jimmy Breslin’s book chronicling the 1962 Mets, the question “Can’t anybody here play this game?” comes to …
Tag: Jayson Werth
Jun 10
Jayson Werth: The straw that stirs the Nats’ drink
The Nationals have been hit hard in recent weeks by injuries to key players like Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos, Ross Detwiler and Stephen Strasburg. But perhaps the most important injury to hit the Nats this season was the hamstring injury that kept Jayson Werth out of the lineup from May 3 until last Tuesday’s game …
Apr 06
This Day in D.C Baseball History – A Brilliant Start to 2012
It’s often said that “it’s better to be lucky than good.” But it’s what you do with that luck that counts, and by making the most of the breaks that came their way Thursday in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals are 1-0 to start the 2012 season, with plenty of optimism. …
Apr 01
Nationals Preview: The Outfield
The Nationals’ most dramatic upgrade this season is in the outfield. With the addition of Denard Span, the team has defensive skill across the board and speed at the top of the order. While Michael Morse‘s high average and power will be missed, if Span can play to his potential, the rest of the lineup …
Oct 19
The Year I Got to Be 11 Again
I got to be 11, all over again this summer, thanks to the greatest season in Washington Nationals history, and my boy, Mark. Growing up in the suburbs of Washington, baseball was not a huge part of my life. When I was 11, in 1975, I could still remember the Senators and their move to …
Oct 15
Looking back through tear-stained eyes
Let’s face it, for the fans of 29 teams, the end of the baseball season is hard to take. To be sure, it’s harder in some cities than in others. Here in Washington, after watching seven regular seasons mercifully conclude with the reality of a losing team, we got not only our first winning season, …
Oct 12
It’s all Werthwhile now
After Chad Tracy grounded out to end the eighth inning and leave the score tied at 1-1 in Thursday’s National League Division Series Game 4, a friend turned to me and asked, “Deep down, in your heart of hearts, you really wanted a walkoff, didn’t you?” Who would want anything else? Didn’t every one of …
May 08
Nats Move on Without Werth; Zim’s Back; LaRoche a Maybe
After winning an intense showdown with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Nationals will take on yet another new look as they head to Pittsburgh for a three-game series with the Pirates, starting tonight. The three-game set with the Phillies lived up to its billing, as the Nats won a thrilling 11-inning game on Friday, a laugher …
Apr 11
Coming Home on Top
The day Nationals fans have waited for since last September is upon us: The home opener against the Cincinnati Reds. And while many liken the event to Christmas, the analogy is even more appropriate this year. Awaiting the faithful at Nationals Park on Thursday will be one of the best presents they could imagine, one …
Apr 07
LaRoche’s Four Hits Power Nats Over Cubs, 7-4
Another eighth-inning rally, another win for the Washington Nationals. Adam LaRoche banged out four hits, including a two-run homer, and scored the go-ahead run in a five-run eighth inning to power the Nats to a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Danny Espinosa added his first homer of the season for the Nationals (2-0), Chad …