Warm your hands at the Hot Stove
It's only appropriate that during the week the Nationals take a major step toward their future with the hiring of Jim Riggleman, the future becomes clearer with personal accolades for Ryan Zimmerman.
First, the manager: Jim is a knowledgeable, classy, solid baseball man and the right one to be at the helm at this point in time.
His second half performance, along with his players' success, was hiring-worthy and the Nats showed they are after substance before style. There were "sexier" picks for manager out there, like Bobby Valentine and Don Mattingly; but baseball lends itself to a steady hand at the controls every day of the six-month season, and Riggleman fits that definition to a T.
He told me at spring training last year that he was ecstatic to be working close to home in DC, especially after the way he'd been treated in Seattle.
Jim was told when he took over for Mike Hargrove that wins didn't matter during the second half of a lost season, that it was more important to the Mariners to see what they had in some of their younger players. Then, when it came time to hire a manager, Jim didn't get the nod "because he didn't win enough." He was told one thing, then the organization did the opposite.
It's important for us as fans, and broadcasters, to realize that this is an often harsh and cold business to go along with the game, and that every franchise not named Washington has its shortcomings, too. Seattle's loss is our gain; now let's get behind Jim and give him all the support he deserves!
Now to the third baseman: Ryan is the best at his position in the National League, maybe in all of baseball, and he deserved the Gold Glove.
I was concerned that others with fewer errors, like Kevin Kouzmanoff in San Diego, might get the nod, but the voters got it right, and this should be the first of several for Zim.
Then you pile the Silver Slugger on top of that, plus his All-Star appointment, and it adds up to a storybook season for our young star.
His professional, non-assuming nature endears him to us who are around him every day. I think of the great players I got to know personally in St. Louis, like Ozzie Smith and Albert Pujols, and I don't blink in telling you that Ryan shares their talent, character and commitment to team.
He will be even better than he was this past year and should be in a Nationals uniform his entire career. That kind of player is a dying breed, and we need to treasure them while we have them, like they did with Cal up in Baltimore.
Not a bad week, eh? The Hot Stove League is cooking. Now, how about some solid veteran arms to warm our hearts and get us all ready for 2010!
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Categories (click for archive)Bob Carpenter | MASNblogs |
Bob - I hope that we die-hards can look forward to your steady voice at the play-by-play mike next year! Listening to your call of Josh Willingham's back to back grand slams on the MLB network really fired the blood! One of the best moments of the season was when Dibs thanked you for all that you had taught him last season. May we have many more wins this year, announced by you, the Voice of the Franchise!
Bob- Hot-Stove time is almost as exciting as the season itself. I think Stan and the gang are serious about the 2010 season. But one spot that needs a close look would be the second base position. From a fans view (take it for what it's worth!LOL!) I only see Orr, Gonzalez and Guzman as band-aides for another important link to the success of the Nationals.
Not that it is my money to spend, but I hope Mr. Kasten would take a look at adding Orlando Hudson to his wish list. The Dodger free agent could easly fit into the position both on and off the field. Combine him with the yound Ian Desmond and we should be locked in for the amount of time it takes for Danny Espinosa to gain the experience needed. I understand that Guzman has a $8 million dollar price tag that we need to get something out of but not at the expense of our continual plans for sucess.
Another good point that I see with our growing team is that every position has a youngster just waiting. No need to rush any one of them.
OF= JP Ramirez
Roger Bernadina
Justin Maxwell
Micheal Burgess
IF= Mike Morse
Ian Desmond
Danny Espinosa
Chris Marrero
Catcher= Derick Norris
Pitcher= All of the young arms from last season plus
Drew Storen
AJ Morris
Ain't life grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Nats!!! RR- Upstate South Carolina
Hey guys, first, thanks for writing in ...
Flynnie: I appreciate your kind words, and it was a fun season for Rob and I in the booth. His straightforward and unique style was something I feel I was really able to play off of, and I hope we're in the booth for many years to come. He was a breath of fresh air, he wants this team to be play good baseball, and we both care about the game.
Josh's night in Milwaukee was very memorable, like the night in LA I called 2 grand slams in the same inning by Fernando Tatis. Baseball is like that; memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. BTW, imagine me teaching Rob Dibble something! I'll have to remind him of that one.
RR: The 2B question seems fairly simple to me with Guzman moving over, IF Desmond does the job at SS. You have to wonder how Cristian will handle it mentally (remember when he was asked to bat 6th?), so I hope he's a pro about it and does his very best. Turning the DP could be tricky. I, for one, look forward to seeing what Desmond can do every day with the bat and glove, and with Zim over there not many balls will get through the hole. Guzman's range to his left will have to be better with Dunn next to him, so that could be a concern.
But I like this lineup: Morgan-Guzman-Zim-Dunn-Willingham-Dukes-Flores (when he's back)-Desmond. Orr can be great off the bench and I really like Morse. This team will score some runs; now we need some veteran arms to take the pressure off Lannan-Detwiler-Stammen and Strasburg when he makes it to DC.
Good stuff, guys ... throw a few more coals into that hot stove!
BC
BTW, "my bad" for writing Jim Riggleman followed Mike Hargrove when it was John McLaren who was before Jim. I've known John for many years and he will be a great addition to our coaching staff.
And now we have Davey Johnson! This thing is moving in the right direction!
BC
I second Flynnie and hope that we'll be seeing the Carpenter-Dibble team for years to come. I enjoyed watching you two interact last season.
IMO, it's exciting to see all the FO moves this year. Maybe we'll see some FA moves as well before the hot stove winds down. ;-)
Great to hear that you will be back in 2010 to lead us through another exciting (winning) season.
Happy Holidays-
Go Nats !!! RR- Upstate South Carolina
Looks like we got our wish (per a piece on the team site). Will look forward to seeing you and Dibble return next season!