Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Bryce Harper's first BP at Nationals Park

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/08/bryce_harper_takes_batting_pra.html]The Early Lead - Bryce Harper takes batting practice at Nationals Park[/url]

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

I'd definitely sit Dunn for a look at someone to replace him, especially in a season like this that doesn't mean anything.

I'd also get rid of Riggleman as well and a couple other players.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Yeah I have no clue why they already named Rigg the mgr next year too.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Don't get me wrong, he doesn't have the best players, but just like Acta, he really isn't doing anything either to attempt things. Switching Zimmerman and Dunn in the batting order doesn't cut it.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Exactly. Was it even halfway into the season when they said he'd be back next year? I mean how do you guarantee that with so many games left?

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

the Nyjer Morgan suspension was dumb too, have a feeling he'll win the appeal

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/phillies_fan_defends_nyjer_mor.html]Nationals Journal - Phillies fan defends Nyjer Morgan[/url]

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

They're saying Strasburg has a serious tear and will need Tommy John surgery. Damn! Damn! Damn! Just as soon as we get Jordan Zimmermann back from Tommy John, we're about to lose Strasburg for a year. Kiss 2011 goodbye for the Nats

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=SmootSmack;724532]They're saying Strasburg has a serious tear and will need Tommy John surgery. Damn! Damn! Damn! Just as soon as we get Jordan Zimmermann back from Tommy John, we're about to lose Strasburg for a year. Kiss 2011 goodbye for the Nats[/quote]AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! [url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/stephen_strasburg_probably_nee.html?wprss=nationalsjournal]Nationals Journal - Stephen Strasburg 'probably' needs Tommy John surgery, will miss 12 to 18 months[/url]

Double kick to the balls for me because I traded a lot to get him in my fantasy keeper league.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

I wonder what Rob Dibble will have to say about Strasburg now. What a tool...

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

it happens. mark prior comes to mind.

but i really thought with strasburgs seemingly effortless and fluid motion he would have a good chance of avoiding major injury. i remember reading about him when he was in college and scouts were opining that he will most likely not have elbow issues b/c he doesnt put alot of strain or torque in his windup.

man that sucks for the nats. there goes half the devoted fan base that is the natinals.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=SmootSmack;724532]They're saying Strasburg has a serious tear and will need Tommy John surgery. Damn! Damn! Damn! Just as soon as we get Jordan Zimmermann back from Tommy John, we're about to lose Strasburg for a year. Kiss 2011 goodbye for the Nats[/quote]I seriously can't stop thinking about how much this sucks. I'm literally sick right now. I know pitchers can come back from this now if they work hard at their rehab and SS strikes (no pun intended) me as the type of guy who will bust his ass but still. I really might throw up.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;724568]I seriously can't stop thinking about how much this sucks. I'm literally sick right now. I know pitchers can come back from this now if they work hard at their rehab and SS strikes (no pun intended) me as the type of guy who will bust his ass but still. I really might throw up.[/quote]


I have that same feeling you have AMD....this really sucks.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;724535]I wonder what Rob Dibble will have to say about Strasburg now. What a tool...[/quote]

To be fair he did say that before the MRI's came out, still stupid though.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=SmootSmack;724532]They're saying Strasburg has a serious tear and will need Tommy John surgery. Damn! Damn! Damn! Just as soon as we get Jordan Zimmermann back from Tommy John, we're about to lose Strasburg for a year. Kiss 2011 goodbye for the Nats[/quote]

If the Nats are smart, I think they should shut him for all of next season. There's no reason to even have him try to target September next year. (I don't like Zimmermann coming back right now either)

Strasburg is a monster, just have him shoot for 2012 and don't worry about getting him any game action next year...that's a shame for Nats fans

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Well at least we have some other pitchers to replace Stras who can win. They might not be as good as him, but they can still get it done.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=over the mountain;724562]it happens. mark prior comes to mind.

but i really thought with strasburgs seemingly effortless and fluid motion he would have a good chance of avoiding major injury. i remember reading about him when he was in college and scouts were opining that he will most likely not have elbow issues b/c he doesnt put alot of strain or torque in his windup.

man that sucks for the nats. there goes half the devoted fan base that is the natinals.[/quote]

Interesting commentary on people who have a similar delivery to Strasburg:
[URL="http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/RethinkingPitching/Essays/DeathToTheInvertedW.html"]Death to the Inverted W[/URL]

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

So apparently his delivery is a shitstorm

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;724568]I seriously can't stop thinking about how much this sucks. I'm literally sick right now. I know pitchers can come back from this now if they work hard at their rehab and SS strikes (no pun intended) me as the type of guy who will bust his ass but still. I really might throw up.[/quote]

They are saying statistically 75% of elite pitchers make a full recovery as far as accuracy and velocity. Chris Carpenter, John Smoltz, Josh Johnson, and Tim Hudson are just a few names who have recovered and pitched at an elite level. No 2011 for Strasburg, but hey, come 2012 the Nats will have a 24 year old Strasburg and 19 year old Harper in the starting lineup.

It's a real bummer though.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=FRPLG;724608]So apparently his delivery is a shitstorm[/quote]

Curt Schilling did a good breakdown this morning on his delivery. I think Stras needs to make some tweaks mechanically to avoid any further problems.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=FRPLG;724608]So apparently his delivery is a shitstorm[/quote]

If he drops the elbow some he might end up being okay. However, a lot of times the Inverted W first shows problems in the elbow, but many times (Wood and Prior) that was more like a symptom of a serious shoulder issue. I wouldn't be shocked if he has a rotator cuff problem in the future.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

uggg...note to self teach my little leaguers to keep their elbows down and in front of shoulder.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=GMScud;724610]They are saying statistically 75% of elite pitchers make a full recovery as far as accuracy and velocity. Chris Carpenter, John Smoltz, Josh Johnson, and Tim Hudson are just a few names who have recovered and pitched at an elite level. No 2011 for Strasburg, but hey, come 2012 the Nats will have a 24 year old Strasburg and 19 year old Harper in the starting lineup.

It's a real bummer though.[/quote]


Some pitchers can actually throw HARDER after TJ surgery. It's not the career-ende like it once was.



So...what to do with him in a keeper league? Ugh.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Damn, Morgan is having quite the week. His latest

[url=http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11615635]Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | WSH@FLA: Tempers flare causing benches to clear - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia[/url]

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

lol to be fair they had already hit him once.. catcher was getting some blows in there.. announcers said one of the coaches jumped the pitcher but he was really just holding him down

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Great game last night. My wife was watching her Yankees game and between innings, I switched over to the Nats game to check the score. The teams were piled up on the mound!

I can't blame Morgan for going after the pitcher. He was already hit once, and I don't blame him for stealing 2 bases after being hit. Make them pay. Then, they threw at him AGAIN...yeah, that's time for a throwdown.

I'm not defending Morgan as a person, he's usually a loose cannon, but I can't blame him for getting pissed last night, he was a target more than once.

Anyone have a video of him running over the catcher the night before? The announcers kept talking about it but I never saw it.

16-10...wild game even aside from the bloodied-up pitcher.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Found it.

[URL="http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11578087"]Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | WSH@FLA: Morgan tries to score, but Hayes hangs on - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia[/URL]

I don't see anything wrong with plowing over a catcher, it's part of baseball. There used to be players like Ty Cobb who would go metal spikes to the face-first. Pete Rose always tried to go through catchers. It's being competitive.

I guess the Marlins were upset because the catcher got hurt, but this isn't softball...you have to try to win.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=tryfuhl;726740]lol to be fair they had already hit him once.. catcher was getting some blows in there.. announcers said one of the coaches jumped the pitcher but he was really just holding him down[/quote]

Pat Listach. :)

From that point on, I watched the rest of the game, hoping for a Nats comeback.

I love Morgan's intensity that he plays with. It's how the game should be played. The Nats announcers were criticizing him for stealing 2 bases after getting hit, saying it's "unprofessional to steal bases when down 11 runs". Are you kidding me? Stealing when UP by 11 would be questionable sportsmanship, but when losing, why would you stop trying to score? After getting beaned, I am all for stealing and making the other team pay.

Now Nyjer does need to work on his attitude and temper and grow up at times...but I love how hard he plays.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

nyjer's got some issues.

that shoulder chip he gave to the card's catcher as he was crossing the plate when the catcher didnt even have the ball was straight garbage bush league crap. the cards catcher wasnt blocking the plate, he lifted his leg up to let nyjer tag home base and the ball wasnt coming to the catcher any time soon.

the collision at the plate with the marlins catcher that ended the catchers season was more iffy than the media seems to view it. the ball was coming to home plate, the catcher had just caught the ball so i can see where that was a potential play-at-the-plate situation but nyjer seemed hell bent on contact with the cather as he rounded third. you can see in his body language he was looking for contact. the fact that he chipped the cards catcher when there was no reason what so ever makes me think he wanted contact on this one even if he could have just easily and safely slid in.

the stealing of the bases would have been bush league imo if it was later in the game but in the 4th inning you still have a chance.

when its a blow out in the 7th inning, then yes, pitchers pitch them in teh strike zone and batters are supposed to swing the bat and not take pitches. but the 4th inning, he should be allowed to maximize eveyr chance at winning.

nyjer's taunts and curses to the crowd is bush league.

he should get a 10-15 game suspension when you add up all of his actions from the cards game to the present.

hitting that cards catcher was evidence he was looking to hit someone. its no coincidence that the next game or so later he takes a guy out and ends his season.

what comes around goes around. ill be happy if someone slams the nats cather on an unnecessary play.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

If Pudge is playing, I doubt other teams would retaliate on him...he's well-respected.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=Buster;726875]If Pudge is playing, I doubt other teams would retaliate on him...he's well-respected.[/quote]

yeah i dont think anyone wants to see pudge get plowed b/c he is a hall of famer who plays hard but the right way.

but i would like to see a nats cather get destroyed unnecessarily like nyjer did to the marlins catcher.

theres a difference btw playign hard and playing dirty. if you can easily slid, your teammate in the batters box is telling you to slide, then slide and not lay your shoulder into a dude who just caught the ball.

he would have easily been safe if he just slid into home like everyone else would have done in that situation. but no, hes got this me against the world attitude. one of his teammates, a catcher, should pay the price and then he will see that there are plenty of opportunities for other teams to injure your catcher but they dont.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=over the mountain;726873]nyjer's got some issues.

that shoulder chip he gave to the card's catcher as he was crossing the plate when the catcher didnt even have the ball was straight garbage bush league crap. the cards catcher wasnt blocking the plate, he lifted his leg up to let nyjer tag home base and the ball wasnt coming to the catcher any time soon.

the collision at the plate with the marlins catcher that ended the catchers season was more iffy than the media seems to view it. the ball was coming to home plate, the catcher had just caught the ball so i can see where that was a potential play-at-the-plate situation but nyjer seemed hell bent on contact with the cather as he rounded third. you can see in his body language he was looking for contact. the fact that he chipped the cards catcher when there was no reason what so ever makes me think he wanted contact on this one even if he could have just easily and safely slid in.

the stealing of the bases would have been bush league imo if it was later in the game but in the 4th inning you still have a chance.

when its a blow out in the 7th inning, then yes, pitchers pitch them in teh strike zone and batters are supposed to swing the bat and not take pitches. but the 4th inning, he should be allowed to maximize eveyr chance at winning.

nyjer's taunts and curses to the crowd is bush league.

he should get a 10-15 game suspension when you add up all of his actions from the cards game to the present.

hitting that cards catcher was evidence he was looking to hit someone. its no coincidence that the next game or so later he takes a guy out and ends his season.

what comes around goes around. ill be happy if someone slams the nats cather on an unnecessary play.[/quote]

Unless I missed it, you didn't even mention when he threw a ball into the stands in Philly when some fans were playfully taunting him or when the threw down his glove while the ball was still in play because he thought it bounced off his glove and went out of the field of play.

I love his energy, but sometimes I worry we've got another Milton Bradley on our hands

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

I agree. I love how he plays...just as Pete Rose and George Brett. Sports are meant to be played with intensity and effort. But, he seems like an immature idiot at times. I'm just waiting for him to pull a Delmon Young or Izzy Alcantara.

[yt]wCX_XlRYYDo[/yt]

[yt]SJvL1dI1Eyc[/yt]



(White Sox, not a Nats fan completely but I suppose they'd be my NL favorite)

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Nyjer has got some issues. The hit on the Cards catcher was uncalled for. He should be hit for that. The hit on the Marlins catcher was uncalled for too, as he wasn't even blocking the plate. He could have done a normal slide and been safe, no issues. I have no problems w/ him being hit there either.

I don't really understand though why stealing 2 bases is a problem though. I know being down 10 runs, you rarely steal, b/c you need as many runs as possible to get back into it. However, you are down and if you can steal go for it. Now, he did slide HARD into both bags.

So to get plunked again, i don't know that i blame him for going out. All of the other taunting afterwards is stupid.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Personally I don't feel what Nyjer did was wrong.

What he did against the St. Louis catcher wasn't even bad. Everyone is talking hit this and that, please, he didn't hit him, he bumped into him. Sure it was stupid and poor on his part and we suspended him one game for it, but lets not hype it up people. We even apologized to the catcher and Tony after the game.

What happened in Florida, I stand by Morgan 110%. He ran the catcher over on Monday, everyone keeps making a big deal over it and I don't know why. The catcher was blocking the plate, their excuse, "he could have slid," yeah he COULD have, but if he felt he had a better chance scoring running the catcher over, he has every right to do it.

They are all complaining because waa waa he's gone for the year, who gives a flying F. The Marlins aren't making the playoffs nor have a chance to.

Then last night. They hit him once, clearly payback for hitting their catcher, whatever, it is what it is. He knew it, I knew it, I'm sure everyone knew it, he let it slide. Of course in return he stole the two bases. Again was "wrong" according the tards on Baseball Tonight. Yet we still almost made the comeback.

Trying to hit him again, that's gloves off and throw down time. You don't do that crap and personally I'm glad Morgan wasn't going to take shit from anyone. I love in the post game how he said he'd do it all over again, except make a better connection on the hit.

Love how Riggleman said he supported him 100% as well, but more so when he said, "The Marlins will not decide when we run, we will decide when we run."

The only thing that I would say was poor on Morgans part was taunting the crowd, definitely stupid, but nonetheless hilarious, I was just laughing.

I still believe if we were the Yankees or Red Sox there wouldn't be any problem over what has happened with the Marlins this series. ESPN seems to ALWAYS have it out for Washington teams, no matter who it is.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=redsk1;726903]Nyjer has got some issues. The hit on the Cards catcher was uncalled for. He should be hit for that. The hit on the Marlins catcher was uncalled for too, as he wasn't even blocking the plate. He could have done a normal slide and been safe, no issues. I have no problems w/ him being hit there either.

I don't really understand though why stealing 2 bases is a problem though. I know being down 10 runs, you rarely steal, b/c you need as many runs as possible to get back into it. However, you are down and if you can steal go for it. Now, he did slide HARD into both bags.

So to get plunked again, i don't know that i blame him for going out. [B]All of the other taunting afterwards is stupid.[/B][/quote]Ironically I actually completely agree with [URL="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/09/rob_dibble_on_the_nyjer_morgan.html?wprss=dcsportsbog"]Dibble on this one.[/URL] As a teenager Morgan was basically on the verge of becoming an NHL defender but he realized he wasn't getting much bigger so he decided to switch to baseball, but I think he still has some of that hockey player mentality.

Like InsaneBoost said, I love Riggleman's comments after the game. He might not be the best manager out there but I feel like you have to respect him. Also, I like that Slaten later popped Gabby Sanchez in retaliation for clothes-lining Morgan. I know Sanchez was standing up for his pitcher but he came in a with a big time sucker punch. Actually, I feel like the umps brought that on themselves by not tossing Sanchez right after the brawl.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Remember, Morgan is also currently set to appeal a pending 7 game suspension on Tuesday. Good luck getting that suspension revoked.

I'm a fan of his and the Nationals, but I'm not going to defend his actions the past week just because I'm a fan.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;726938]Personally I don't feel what Nyjer did was wrong.

What he did against the St. Louis catcher wasn't even bad. Everyone is talking hit this and that, please, he didn't hit him, he bumped into him. Sure it was stupid and poor on his part and we suspended him one game for it, but lets not hype it up people. We even apologized to the catcher and Tony after the game.

What happened in Florida, I stand by Morgan 110%. He ran the catcher over on Monday, everyone keeps making a big deal over it and I don't know why. The catcher was blocking the plate, their excuse, "he could have slid," yeah he COULD have, but if he felt he had a better chance scoring running the catcher over, he has every right to do it.

They are all complaining because waa waa he's gone for the year, who gives a flying F. The Marlins aren't making the playoffs nor have a chance to.

Then last night. They hit him once, clearly payback for hitting their catcher, whatever, it is what it is. He knew it, I knew it, I'm sure everyone knew it, he let it slide. Of course in return he stole the two bases. Again was "wrong" according the tards on Baseball Tonight. Yet we still almost made the comeback.

Trying to hit him again, that's gloves off and throw down time. You don't do that crap and personally I'm glad Morgan wasn't going to take shit from anyone. I love in the post game how he said he'd do it all over again, except make a better connection on the hit.

Love how Riggleman said he supported him 100% as well, but more so when he said, "The Marlins will not decide when we run, we will decide when we run."

The only thing that I would say was poor on Morgans part was taunting the crowd, definitely stupid, but nonetheless hilarious, I was just laughing.

I still believe if we were the Yankees or Red Sox there wouldn't be any problem over what has happened with the Marlins this series. ESPN seems to ALWAYS have it out for Washington teams, no matter who it is.[/quote]

Agree with all of this. :food-smil

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=SmootSmack;726964]Remember, Morgan is also currently set to appeal a pending 7 game suspension on Tuesday. Good luck getting that suspension revoked.

I'm a fan of his and the Nationals, but I'm not going to defend his actions the past week just because I'm a fan.[/quote]I can in no way defend his actions when it comes to throwing the ball into the stands. Yes, he deserves punishment for that and I'm sure the league and the courts will probably both have something in store for him soon.

However, I can defend his actions when it comes to this week. In both cases of plowing over the catcher, yes, he probably could have slid and been called safe but collisions at the plate happen. Hell, if you think you have a chance to knock the ball out of the catchers hand you go for it, just rewatch the end of A League of Their Own (sort of kidding).
When did it become not okay to run over a catcher? Pete Rose did it in a freaking All Star game and that's considered an iconic moment in baseball.

So fine, he hurts the Marlins catcher on Tuesday on a close play (close enough that he was called out) and so they plunk him on Wednesday. He took that one like a man. This stuff about an unwritten rule that says you don't steal when you're down by X amount of runs is complete BS. Okay, maybe if it was like the 8th or 9th inning but it was the 4th!!! If Morgan wants to risk being picked off who cares!
All that throwing behind him is going to do is lead to a fight, which is exactly what happened. Yes, he looked like an idiot leaving the field but whatever.

Like he said after the game, hit him once and that's okay, it's expected even, but to hit him again is just crossing the line.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;726980]I can in no way defend his actions when it comes to throwing the ball into the stands. Yes, he deserves punishment for that and I'm sure the league and the courts will probably both have something in store for him soon.

However, I can defend his actions when it comes to this week. In both cases of plowing over the catcher, yes, he probably could have slid and been called safe but collisions at the plate happen. Hell, if you think you have a chance to knock the ball out of the catchers hand you go for it, just rewatch the end of A League of Their Own (sort of kidding).
When did it become not okay to run over a catcher? Pete Rose did it in a freaking All Star game and that's considered an iconic moment in baseball.

So fine, he hurts the Marlins catcher on Tuesday on a close play (close enough that he was called out) and so they plunk him on Wednesday. He took that one like a man. This stuff about an unwritten rule that says you don't steal when you're down by X amount of runs is complete BS. Okay, maybe if it was like the 8th or 9th inning but it was the 4th!!! If Morgan wants to risk being picked off who cares!
All that throwing behind him is going to do is lead to a fight, which is exactly what happened. Yes, he looked like an idiot leaving the field but whatever.

Like he said after the game, hit him once and that's okay, it's expected even, but to hit him again is just crossing the line.[/quote]

I don't believe his collision with Anderson (the Cards catcher) had anything to do with trying to be safe at the plate. Anderson wasn't covering the plate and didn't have the ball.

Re: Nat's and O's - 2010 MLB Season
 

Assuming the Phillies fan isn't lying, I think it would be pathetic for him to be suspended because he tossed the ball up in the stands for a fan and someone who wasn't paying attention got hit on the arm. Players do that all the time for fans, home and away. If you aren't paying attention, shame on you.

I've NEVER seen Morgan throw it in the stands hard, I have seen him do exactly what the Phillies fan said hundreds of time, rainbow it into the stands.