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"I think he has a very good chance of being a good manager. He's well-rounded, he's managed in the minor leagues, he's managed in winter ball, he's won, he's a very good communicator. It's just a matter of giving him an opportunity."
(Omar Minaya on Manny Acta, via Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10/21/2006)
Nats get in line with Rangers, Giants, set to interview Mets third base coach Manny Acta.
(Photo by Charles Krupa, AP)
NL Champion Cards 3, Mets 1.
Omar Minaya on the phone with Soriano as we speak...
(Photo of Preston Wilson by Frank Franklin II, AP -- Photo of Mets fans by Winslow Townson, AP)
"We tried with Endy. I don't think I can help Endy. I hope Philadelphia can, but I couldn't do it."
(Jim Bowden, via Washington Post, 5/15/2005)
Hey, at least we've got Nook Logan!?
(Photo by Winslow Townson, AP)
As the search for a new skipper continues, we're still trying to figure out why everybody wants Girardi.
The List grows: Girardi, Acta, Manuel (not Charlie), Oquendo, Lasorda, Washington, Baker, Pendleton...
(Photo by AP)
"Randy St. Claire has done a fantastic job with our pitching staff."
(Jim Bowden, via Washington Post, 10/17/2006)
You'd think the new manager might want to have a say in picking his pitching coach, but these are the Nationals and this is Jim Bowden, so there you have it. (Unless, of course, Davey Johnson gave Bowden the ok to rehire St. Claire -- and then it all adds up.)
"You know, they've got a team that's going to be building for the future. That's a situation that's really not for a guy like me. I think they're going to go for a young manager -- and rightfully so."
(Lou Pinella, via Washington Post, 10/10/2996)
Pinella a no-go (surprise, surprise). Girardi, Baker, Pendleton, Cooper, Cora, Peña, & Lasorda remain.
The only surprise is that Pinella isn't bound for The Big Apple (Torre's staying put). Looks like it'll be San Fran or the Cubbies.
(Photo via Getty Images)
"Uh...Jim...can I have a word with you for a second?"
"Yeah, sure, Davey, come on in. What's on your mind?"
"It's just that...I don't know..."
"What? What's bothering you?"
"Come on!? Girardi? Pinella? Dusty Baker? Buck Effing Schowalter? Come on, man, can't I get my name in the paper too? Everybody knows Girardi's going to the Cubs! And Pinella...puhhlease! Could there be a worse fit for this team? Who's next, Tommy Lasorda?"
"Listen Davey, it's like I told you, it's all a part of an elaborate ruse. We're floating all these names out there to create a diversion. It's like smoke and mirrors, man..."
"Well...couldn't you maybe just float my name out there too, maybe just whisper it to Bill Ladson or Barry Sferlukas or whatever his name is...just so I can, you know, get my name in the paper too?"
"Davey, Davey! It's like I told you when I hired you as my Super Special Consultant to the GM back in June: hang in there...when the smoke clears, you're my man. We've just got to let a little time pass so it's not so obvious to everybody that we would have gotten rid of Frank sooner, we just couldn't afford the PR hit. Just ask Stan!"
"Yup. You're our guy, Davey. Just be patient. Smoke and mirrors..."
"We'll have some discussions, and see what happens."
(Steve Mandell, Joe Girardi's agent, via Washington Post, 10/4/2006)
Girardi? Johnson? Baker? Fergosi? Pinella? Let the speculation begin!
(Photo by Nick Wass/AP)
Today's pointless meeting between Alfonso Soriano, his agent Diego Bentz, and Nationals officials will probably go something like this:
Soriano: "I love it here."
Diego: "Alfonso loves it here."
Kasten: "How much do you love it here?"
Diego: "$15 million. 5 years."
Soriano: "I love it here."
Kasten: "..."
Diego: "Oh yeah, did I mention the no-trade clause?"
Kasten: "Do you need directions to the airport?"
Fonzi, we hardly knew ya.
(Note: playing the role of Diego Bentz, Diego Maradona)
"Pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching..." (Jim Bowden, via Washington Post, 7/26/06)
Six Packed: Nats Axe Six Sucky and/or Sore-Armed Pitchers
Farewell Pedro Astacio, Zach Day, Ryan Drese, Brian Lawrence, Joey Eischen and Felix Rodriguez.
"It's been a good ride."
(Frank Robinson, via Washington Post, 10/1/2006)
The Davey Johnson Era Begins.
(Photo by Kevin Wolf/AP)
It's a cruel (cruel)
Cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel (it's a cruel)
Cruel summer
Now you've gone
(Bananarama, via "Cruel summer", 1981)
Fittingly, Nats done in by sucky pitching, end season with 6-2 dud.
Soriano goes 0-2 in final game as a Nat. Don't worry, we'll get to see a lot of Fonzi as a Met at RFK over the next 4-5 years. (yeah, yeah, yeah, he "loves it here" and we know he and Diego are meeting with Nationals' brass on Wednesday, but there isn't a chance in hell he'll be back next year. Unless he signs with the O's.)
Nats finish season from hell 71-91. Hey, at least they're not the O's (70-92).
Editor's note: In case you're wondering what happened to us the last few weeks, we lost our shit the night Dr. Phil threw out the first pitch and couldn't bear to write another word until the season was over. Dr. Phil threw us over the edge. But we're recovering just fine now, thank you very much.
Check back on Saturday for our 2006 season recap!
(Photo by Kevin Wolf/AP)
