It would've been interesting if Tony LaRussa had thought about it.

     Don Mattingly said "no" (to my dismay, as you all know...lol).

     I wouldn't even have had a problem with Bobby Valentine, really.

     Instead, as the Who famously put it: "Meet the New Boss...Same as the Old Boss".

     That's right, gang. Jim Riggleman got the Nationals gig. No more "interim" to the name.

     And I'm fine with that.

     No, really.

     After all, this team did respond better to him than they did to Manny Acta. And in the long run, I guess a sense of continuity was needed.

     So he'll be managing to start the season. Whether he makes it to the end of the season, depends on what product gets put out on the field.

     That's where the free agent market comes in. Because let's face it, this front office has no alternative but to bring in 1 or 2 big-name free agents to put butts in the seats. (Preferably pitching, IMO.)

     I mean, the outfield's pretty much set. Josh Willingham in LF, Nyjer Morgan in CF, and (it seems) Elijah Dukes goes to RF. (Austin Kearns?? Thank you for playing our game. Unfortunately, we have no parting gifts for you.) And with Justin Maxwell, Willie Harris and (assuming he can come back from his leg injury) Roger Bernadina in the wings, looks like we're set there.

     The only infield spot I see trouble with is 2B. Look, Ian Desmond proved he belongs with the big club--and he gets his chance at SS--so to me, it seems Cristian Guzman doesn't want to have the gun put to his head move to 2B. So what to do?? Also, I should add somebody's got to spell Adam Dunn @ 1B every so often. That's why there's spring training, I guess...lol

     So it looks like Wil Nieves wins the backup role for Jesus Flores catching. (Josh Bard?? See Austin Kearns.) But what I'm waiting on, is Derek Norris...who I'm pretty damn sure will move through the farm system and be in Washington by September. HE'S the heir apparent to Flores. Take my word for it. A power-hitting catcher?? That, and more.

     Yeah, I saved the worst for last. Pitching. Rotation or bullpen, either one bit the big one this season. This man's not available in 2010...

     ...so this one will fill in the rotation just fine.

     (On the roster by Opening Day, NOT necessarily the Opening Day starter. Am I clear on this one, Shelley [Diamond Diva]?? God, I hope so...lol)

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     I promised I wasn't going to write on this, but...oh, screw it, let me gloat!!!

     Congratulations, Zimmy!!! Guess David Wright oughta get bopped upside the head more often!!! (I'm kidding, people!!! LMAO)

     Seriously, it's great that Ryan has his Gold Glove. This should be an annual deal, but who am I kidding?? At least it'll give Nats and Mets fans something to re-enact the Rodney King beating about argue over who the better 3B in the NL is...

     And finally, let me take a moment to thank the Diamond Diva herself, for listing this lil' ol' MLBlog of mine in her list of "Nationals Links". I'm trying not to let my inner Sally Field come out...you know:

"You like me, you really LIKE me!!!"

     I think I'm getting through to these people...lol

     But, no joke...thanks, Shelley. I appreciate it a lot.

     First of all, before I start, let me state I still would've liked for Don Mattingly to be the Nationals' new manager. Why he took his name out of the running, only he knows. But we've been told the decision comes in the next week.

     And Jim Riggleman is still in the hunt. OK, fine. However the Lerners want to handle this...

     Now, to the good stuff.

     Yeah, Scott's happy. (As in I'm Not a Headline Guy, that Scott.) It's 7-3 Yankees, bottom of the 6th of Game 6 of the World Series. So apparently title #27 for the Bombers is in hand. And judging from the MLBlogs list tonight, I seem to be the only non-Yankee MLBlog going right now.

     Hey, look, I'm offering congratulations to the Yanks. I figured it was gonna take 6 games. (At least that's what I told JT the Brick on his Twitter page last week. I said 5, maybe 6; it wasn't going 7.) God, I hope I'm not jinxing this by writing as the 6th inning passes by. You never know...lol

     For those of you who (like me) want to see how your team's prospects are faring in the Arizona Fall League, there's a showcase game this Saturday night @ 8 Eastern on the MLB Network. So I get to see Drew Storen...and this guy:

     The "Aztec Nightmare", Stephen Strasburg. (Soon to be the MLB Nightmare, come Opening Day 2010. So you know...LMAO)

     Now if MLB Net would just kneel before Zod listen to me, and put these AFL games on during the winter, I'd be happy.

     (Note to Scott: enjoy this win while you can. The bulls-eye is squarely on the Bombers now. And I'm pretty sure a certain female Red Sox fan whom we both know--and shall remain nameless--may have a few words to add.)

     When last I joined you, the Nationals' season was at its (abhorrent) end. So apparently, the Drew Harper sweepstakes has been won (???) by my Nats. Wonderful. Oh well, what's to say it couldn't work out??

     Anyway, with the World Series about to take place tonight...and yes Scott, I know you're happy (LMAO)...guess I should catch up on some things that happened while I took this sabbatical of mine. To begin, it's nice the Indians gave Manny Acta a second chance to manage. So for the benefit of those of you in Cleveland, here's what to expect from Manny.

     Even if the situation in the clubhouse gets uncomfortable, Manny won't blow his stack. Even if a beanball war breaks out, Manny won't blow his stack (or give orders to retaliate). Personally, I wish he HAD blown his top a few times while he was here in Washington. God knows he would've been justified...

     Now on to the winner of ESPN's first-ever annual "Web Gem" champion...

     Yeah, this guy. How they figured on this, was that the "Baseball Tonight" crew counted the number of appearances Ryan made in the "Web Gem" countdown over the course of the season. Somebody find the boy a cape...

     Oh, never mind. I see he already has one. My bad. (The picture just keeps giving, thanks to Diamond Diva. I'm glad one of us is getting use out of this, Shelley...LMAO)

     Finally, I'll end with this picture.

     Be VERY afraid, people. This is who the rest of baseball will scream obscenities at, while we Nationals fans will just sit back and applaud...unless he screws up royally. Then we'll scream obscenities at him.

     Seriously, it's looking as though Stephen Strasburg is everything they said he is. I just wish the MLB Network would show us some Arizona Fall League games sometime soon--you know, like after the World Series or something?? We Nats fans (well, this Nats fan, anyway) demand to see this man in action!!!

     Take pity on us, won't you MLB Net??

     Well, it's been a week since the regular season ended. And as I promised, some thoughts on this annus horribus for the Nationals. (OK, it's Latin for "bad year". Satisfied now?? LMAO)

     It all started simply with the Esmailyn Gonzalez story. Real name, Daniel Lugo; lied about his name and age. Told Jim Bowden he was 16 when he signed--true age: 19. Bottom line: Bowden fired, Jose Rijo fired, Nats organization left with black eye.

     And this was all before Opening Day. Moving on...

     Once the season did start, it was like last year. Lose, and keep losing. At the end, 103 losses. And thus, the fourth straight losing season since moving from Montreal. (Remember, '05 was a .500 year--51-30 the first half, then flip the nembers the second half.)

     But there were bright moments for the Nats. Starting with this guy.

     A 30-game hit streak early in the season.

     And, a possible Gold Glove playing the "hot corner". Is it any wonder Ryan Zimmerman is the face of the franchise??

     But let's be honest, shall we?? He's not the only reason 1.8 million people came out to Nationals Park this year. There are a few others, like...this guy:

     Ladies and gentlemen, we solved our problem in center field when Nyjer Morgan (aka Tony Plush, alias T-Plush) came along with Sean Burnett from the Pirates. And up to the point he injured his hand sliding into 3rd, he impacted this team on the basepaths and in the field. Shame he was injured; otherwise we wouldn't have lost 103 games. (It would've been less, honestly.)

     And while we're talking about the outfield...let's mention this guy (although he moved over to 1B when Nick Johnson got traded in July--to the fricking Marlins, yet!!!) and just bask in the warmth of knowing...

     Adam Dunn really is the second coming of this guy...

     Hey, there's only one "Hondo" in baseball. (I had to make sure I clarified that. Otherwise I'd had Julia on my case about John Havlichek. YES, I know I misspelled it. I'm sorry I don't keep a bleeping NBA media guide handy. LMAO)

     Like I was saying, it's only one "Hondo" in baseball. But there's a new "Hammer" in baseball...and his name is Josh Willingham. I mean, two grand slams in one game?? Yeah, that's who did it. Everybody worried so much about Zimmy and "Baby Hondo", they forgot about the new "Hammer" and what he could do. Which leads me to our shortstop of the future.

     Ian Desmond.

     And I can honestly say, I saw this guy play @ Harrisburg in April of last year. I knew then it was only a matter of time before he'd show everyone what he can do. And HOW...so good, in fact, that Cristian Guzman gets moved to 2B come spring training.

     Oh, yeah, I forgot. Something else will be at spring training. This guy.

     Stephen "Down To The Nanosecond" Strasburg.

     (Who, BTW, is having fun down in Florida right now.) Just when Nats fans were convinced that the front office would screw up for a second straight year and not sign the 1st overall pick in the MLB Draft--and if you're interested, Aaron Crow ('08) signed with the Royals--it came down literally to the last minute and 17 seconds before the deal went down.

     Yet, there's a future in the Nats' farm system. Namely, Derek Norris...who sailed from Hagerstown to Potomac to Harrisburg in the course of a season. And yes, he's a catcher. Meaning, the heir apparent to Jesus Flores and/or Wil Nieves.

     So let's see. Strasburg, Norris, Drew Storen (the 2nd pick the Nats made in the '09 MLB Draft), Chris Marrero (now @ Harrisburg) and Danny Espinoza (our SS @ Potomac, who got to play in the Futures Game during the All-Star break)...all 5 are off to the Arizona Fall League in a few weeks. Now if the MLB Network would just let me know if they're going to show these AFL games this winter...lol

     I could go on and on about the pitching (rotation and bullpen) betrayed us fans...and Manny Acta, who got fired 2 months later than he really should have been...but I don't have the energy to go on. So I'll leave you all with this little tidbit I saw last Sunday:

     Albert Pujols hit 49 HR during the regular season. Adam Dunn hit 38. Yet, they each hit 32 of their homers off fastballs. Meaning that Adam Dunn hit a greater percentage of fastball HRs than Pujols. (If you're interested, it translates to 65% for Pujols, and 84% for Adam. I had to figure this out longhand...no calculators!!! LMAO)

     At any rate, this is the last MLBlog for awhile from me. I'll check in every so often if news warrants it. Meantime, here's to whoever wins the World Series...

     Well, it's been a week since the regular season ended. And as I promised, some thoughts on this annus horribus for the Nationals. (OK, it's Latin for "bad year". Satisfied now?? LMAO)

     It all started simply with the Esmailyn Gonzalez story. Real name, Daniel Lugo; lied about his name and age. Told Jim Bowden he was 16 when he signed--true age: 19. Bottom line: Bowden fired, Jose Rijo fired, Nats organization left with black eye.

     And this was all before Opening Day. Moving on...

     Once the season did start, it was like last year. Lose, and keep losing. At the end, 103 losses. And thus, the fourth straight losing season since moving from Montreal. (Remember, '05 was a .500 year--51-30 the first half, then flip the nembers the second half.)

     But there were bright moments for the Nats. Starting with this guy.

     A 30-game hit streak early in the season.

     And, a possible Gold Glove playing the "hot corner". Is it any wonder Ryan Zimmerman is the face of the franchise??

     But let's be honest, shall we?? He's not the only reason 1.8 million people came out to Nationals Park this year. There are a few others, like...this guy:

     Ladies and gentlemen, we solved our problem in center field when Nyjer Morgan (aka Tony Plush, alias T-Plush) came along with Sean Burnett from the Pirates. And up to the point he injured his hand sliding into 3rd, he impacted this team on the basepaths and in the field. Shame he was injured; otherwise we wouldn't have lost 103 games. (It would've been less, honestly.)

     And while we're talking about the outfield...let's mention this guy (although he moved over to 1B when Nick Johnson got traded in July--to the fricking Marlins, yet!!!) and just bask in the warmth of knowing...

     Adam Dunn really is the second coming of this guy...

     Hey, there's only one "Hondo" in baseball. (I had to make sure I clarified that. Otherwise I'd had Julia on my case about John Havlichek. YES, I know I misspelled it. I'm sorry I don't keep a bleeping NBA media guide handy. LMAO)

     Like I was saying, it's only one "Hondo" in baseball. But there's a new "Hammer" in baseball...and his name is Josh Willingham. I mean, two grand slams in one game?? Yeah, that's who did it. Everybody worried so much about Zimmy and "Baby Hondo", they forgot about the new "Hammer" and what he could do. Which leads me to our shortstop of the future.

     Ian Desmond.

     And I can honestly say, I saw this guy play @ Harrisburg in April of last year. I knew then it was only a matter of time before he'd show everyone what he can do. And HOW...so good, in fact, that Cristian Guzman gets moved to 2B come spring training.

     Oh, yeah, I forgot. Something else will be at spring training. This guy.

     Stephen "Down To The Nanosecond" Strasburg.

     (Who, BTW, is having fun down in Florida right now.) Just when Nats fans were convinced that the front office would screw up for a second straight year and not sign the 1st overall pick in the MLB Draft--and if you're interested, Aaron Crow ('08) signed with the Royals--it came down literally to the last minute and 17 seconds before the deal went down.

     Yet, there's a future in the Nats' farm system. Namely, Derek Norris...who sailed from Hagerstown to Potomac to Harrisburg in the course of a season. And yes, he's a catcher. Meaning, the heir apparent to Jesus Flores and/or Wil Nieves.

     So let's see. Strasburg, Norris, Drew Storen (the 2nd pick the Nats made in the '09 MLB Draft), Chris Marrero (now @ Harrisburg) and Danny Espinoza (our SS @ Potomac, who got to play in the Futures Game during the All-Star break)...all 5 are off to the Arizona Fall League in a few weeks. Now if the MLB Network would just let me know if they're going to show these AFL games this winter...lol

     I could go on and on about the pitching (rotation and bullpen) betrayed us fans...and Manny Acta, who got fired 2 months later than he really should have been...but I don't have the energy to go on. So I'll leave you all with this little tidbit I saw last Sunday:

     Albert Pujols hit 49 HR during the regular season. Adam Dunn hit 38. Yet, they each hit 32 of their homers off fastballs. Meaning that Adam Dunn hit a greater percentage of fastball HRs than Pujols. (If you're interested, it translates to 65% for Pujols, and 84% for Adam. I had to figure this out longhand...no calculators!!! LMAO)

     At any rate, this is the last MLBlog for awhile from me. I'll check in every so often if news warrants it. Meantime, here's to whoever wins the World Series...

     There's a promo that runs on MASN called "Defining Moments" where Nationals (and Orioles) fans describe their favorite moment(s).

     Last night, I saw my "Defining Moment". Here's how I'd describe it for MASN:

"OK, it's the last home game of the season. Nats trailing the Mets 4-3, bases loaded, 2 away, bottom of the 9th. And who's up, but Justin Maxwell...whose 1st homer in the majors was a grand slam. Facing Francisco Rodriguez, to close it out for the Mets. Work the count to 3 and 2, and...BAM!!! Head for the exits, it's a walk-off GRAND SLAM!!! Fireworks go BANG, ZOOM!!! K-Rod, meet J-Max!!!"

     Anyway, that's how I'd describe it...lol

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     Note to Julia: yes, hockey's ON tonight!! Her Bruins, my Caps, tonight on Versus.

     So, uh, you might get used to seeing this face...

     ...hoisting the Stanley Cup come June. Need another reminder??

     Glad to oblige...LMAO

ROCK THE RED!!!

GO CAPS!!!

THIS IS OUR YEAR, NHL!!!

     I don't think I'm overstating the obvious. Am I??

     Enjoy this particular blog entry. This'll have to hold you for awhile.

     The Nationals game with the Mets just started. 1-0 Mets, bases loaded, 2 out. Yet another fun-filled night in Nats Town.

     Quite honestly, my attention is now on the Redskins...and how they're ruining my sports viewing even more than the Nats. (Find out how and why by checking out my blog and group post for CBSSports.com. They're @ http://nastynats4life.blogs.cbssports.com and http://radio-free-ashburn.groups.cbssports.com, BTW.) Which reminds me: some of you here were sent an invite from me to join the group. I'm just saying...lol

     Anyway, back to the point of this blog. I'll file a entry from time to time, but this is the last one for some time. I'll do a post-mortem on the Nats' season later; when I don't know.

     Unanswered question #2: since I'm not in the final for my fantasy league, exactly what prize do I win?? (Look under "Nasty Nats '09", MLB.com, if you want to know which league.) I was so looking forward to the $10,000...so what's the consolation prize(s)??

     3-0, Mets, top of the 2nd...I told you, fun night. LMAO

     Take a good look at this picture, ladies and gentlemen. Now I ask you...

     Does this look like a Gold Glove winner??? Damn right it does!!! LMAO

     Anyway, at least it gives me something to write about...while I wait to see if the Nationals lose game #100 tonight to the Dodgers. It's tied @ 3 apiece, bottom of the 8th.

     Oh, did I neglect to mention just who's responsible for tying the game up??

     Yeah...him. And now Zim's up at bat with 2 men on base, and no one out...alas, a popup in foul ground. Rats!!!

     Anyway, I promised myself I wasn't going to write again here until the 100th loss happens. Guess what, folks?? It's now 4-3 Nats, because Cristian Guzman played it smart and ran home on a botched double-play ball.

     The best laid plans...LMAO

     I start off writing one type of blog, and wind up changing in mid-stream. Kind of like the Nats' season, when you think about it. At any rate, Mike MacDougal...who came on in the 8th to hold off a (potential) Dodger rally...just might wind up being the winning pitcher. Go figure.

     (And meanwhile, back at the game...lol)

     The Dodgers have runners at the corners, and no one out. I think the universe is back to normal--our bullpen (yet again) starting to betray us late in the game. Why does no one hire me to write professionally?? I mean, I shouldn't be giving this work away for free...lol

     Bases loaded, nobody out...and who steps up to the plate, but Ronnie Belliard. Want poetic justice?? A sure force-out to home...and can the Nats execute this right?? In a word...or to quote Whitney Houston..."hell to the NO!!!" We're tied at 4.

     And still nobody out. And Sean Burnett pitching. An out?? I don't believe it. Now you see the light get an out?? After effing up a force play??

     See what I mean about the universe?? I'm disgusted enough to stop right here, and watch the rest of the game...

     It seems such a change over what's gone on lately with the Nationals. Leading 6-2 over the Mets, as the 9th inning begins.

     Because of this man...

     ...who I guarantee you does not quit on his teammates. Unlike others, who've simply mailed it in these last few weeks of the season. I won't name them; any Nats fan can see for themselves who's quit and who hasn't.

     Who hasn't, is my boy Ian Desmond. (Remember?? I saw him @ Harrisburg last year.) Only problem I have is that he's playing 2B a lot instead of SS, but at least he's getting in games now. If I understood correctly, I believe he's gonna go off to the Dominican Winter League and work on getting better for spring training next year.

     Anyway, nice to see the Nats are addressing the catcher problem by trading last night for one from Seattle. (I forgot the name. They gave it during the telecast, but I forgot. See, this is what happens when you get to middle age. LMAO)

     Wouldn't you know it?? The Mets have the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, 1 away...and David Wright knocks in a run to cut it to 6-3, Nats. Why us, Lord?? (Carlos Beltran makes it 6-4, Nats with 2 down.) Yes, ladies and gentlemen, our bullpen is betraying us yet again. Now Ian Desmond makes a throwing error to 1B, and it's 6-5.

     And suddenly, Mike MacDougal knocks down a sure walk-off hit from Jeff Francoeur to save the game. Un-fricking-real. If I wasn't already losing my hair, this Nats bullpen would make me look like bleeping Kojak. But, a win is a win.

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     If you'll check my page, you'll see there are additions to my links. Not just my Twitter/YouTube pages, but one to my CBSSports.com blog. (There's a group link, which'll show up soon as I finish writing this.) Anyway, here they are:

http://nastynats4life.blogs.cbssports.com

http://radio-free-ashburn.groups.cbssports.com

     Just my little public service to the sports blog world...lol

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     Note to Shelley (aka Diamond Diva): Anything wrong?? We haven't seen you around here lately. I start to worry when I'm the only Nats fan writing MLBlogs these days...lol

     I knew the first time I saw Ian Desmond at Harrisburg (in April of last year), that it was only a matter of time before he would showcase his ability in a Nationals uniform.

     Tonight, I watched our future SS showcase that ability...and man, the fact it happened against the Phillies makes it doubly sweet!!!

     First at-bat, a flyout. But his second at-bat, a double and 2 RBIs, was just a warmup for his third--a 3-run jack!!! (And his fourth at-bat just missed being another 3-run jack; instead, a flyout to left.)

     So let's see: 2-4, HR, 5 RBI...not bad for your major league debut. (And it's 8-2 Nats, in the bottom of the 8th right now.) And if we're to believe the front office, SS is where Ian Desmond will start the 2010 season...in Washington...with Cristian Guzman moving over to 2B.

     More nights like this, and the bigger question will be how soon Guzman gets shipped out of Washington. Hey, don't laugh. With this team, anything's possible...