Nationals Continue the Absurdity

by gondeee on Feb 19, 2008 11:32 PM EST in News Comment 33 comments

I mean you really can't make this stuff up. The Washington Nationals have added yet another former Braves player to their spring training camp. Left-hander Odalis Perez signed a minor league deal with the Natspos today. At this point they can just about field an entire team of former Braves. Here is the latest rundown:

Rob Bell, RHP
Ray King, LHP
Pete Orr, INF
Johnny Estrada, C
Willie Harris, OF
Ryan Langerhans, OF
Bret Boone, INF
Odalis Perez, LHP

They now have 34 non-roster invitees in camp to go along with the 40 players already on their 40-man roster. Has Bowden forgotten that he still has a 40 player limit. Pete Orr's gotta be pissed at this point - he has zero chance or breaking through with that much competition around (for some reason, $5 says he makes the club).

Beyond their 25-man major league roster, they couldn't fit the rest of their 40-man roster plus all their NRI's between triple-A and double-A. And how are they going to possibly work 74 players into nine innings of baseball each day this spring. Around mid-March, Nationals camp is going to turn into a slaughterhouse as player after player gets cut from the roster. And some of those players are only going to have a handful of at-bats to try and prove themselves.

For comparison sake, the Braves only have 12 non-roster invitees (only a third as many as the Nats). I know I keep harping on this, but it's hilarious! I also find the Nationals' slogan this year quite amusing. Their slogan is "Pledge Your Allegiance." How cheesy is that!

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Natspos

Isn't it obvious what they're trying to do? They're building an army of juiced up, beaten down, superhumans to try and make a run at the white house. I mean come on, if you saw 74 men with bats and fist sized projectiles storming the rose garden you'd be freaked out too. I just want W to declare the Natspos a terrorist organization and bomb the snot out of RFK.

Burning Brave

by torchy on Feb 20, 2008 7:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

OF depth

I'd like to see them add a few more OFs.

by TradeAndruw on Feb 20, 2008 9:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

STFU already

Why are you so obsessed with what the Nationals are doing? Every day is something new. You can shit on the Nats all you want, but remember two things: 1) You didn't make the playoffs either last season and 2) even if you had, keep in mind that people care even less about the Braves than the Nationals. This is a team whose fans can't even bother to sell out Turner Field when the Braves are in the postseason!!!

Oh, and "Pledge Your Allegiance" is better than the Braves slogan-"Come for the Game, Stay for the Overrated Franchise."

by DeezNats on Feb 20, 2008 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Old Meme...

..and you can take it else where. What's the problem with keeping tabs on former Braves.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by RainDelay on Feb 20, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha.

I live in the DC Metro area...and I can attest to the fact that the Nats fanbase is lukewarm at best.

This guy's a loser.

by Smoltzs Beard on Feb 21, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chill out DeezNats

Even you have to admit that 74 players is a lot for a professional baseball camp. And trust me, I doubt any Braves fans have any ill regards toward the Nationals. Until they finish above 4th place, they're not in our sights. We hate the Mets first, followed closely by the Phillies.

And I always find it funny how people try to ridicule the Braves and their fans by throwing out the ol' stands half empty during the playoffs line. It's nothing that the Braves organization nor the true fans from around the country can do anything about. I'd rather have a half empty stadium during the playoffs than a completely empy one...much like the Olympic Stadium and RFK have been lately.

by Bobby Cocks on Feb 20, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No Big Deal

While your ability to recognize players who once donned a Braves uniform is duly noted, of the players you mention, only two will likely make the team (King and Estrada).

Many of the NRIs are youngsters the team is inviting to the accelerated camp. They already have spots on minor league teams, so the Nationals don't have to make room for them. As far as getting playing time in Spring Training, the accelerated camp doesn't participate in the same exhibition games, so there's no issue there.

Other NRIs - guys like like Mike Bacsik - will probably just be cut loose. It's really not going to be as much of a bottleneck as you imagine.

When the Nats and Braves take the field on Opening Day, Washington will have as many former Devil Rays (Colome and Dukes) and Mets (Lo Duca and Millege) as they do former Braves.

And really, if you want to harp on Washington sports slogans, I'd think "The Cool Alternative" used by the Capitals is where you should start. (I usually see it as "The Cool Alternative" to making the playoffs, but hey, I'm a cynic.)

by John in Mpls on Feb 20, 2008 1:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to offend!

"Pledge Your Allegiance," to be sure, lacks the self-serving cachet of "America's Team." We've got the slogan gnomes working on it right now, though.

Oh, re 74 players, that reminds me... we've neglected to thank you and the other 28 MLB teams for reducing our team and farm system to tatters during the syndicate ownership years.

We're planning to get back into your sights real soon. Enjoy the respite while you may.

by Hendo on Feb 20, 2008 1:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

that your gNat gnomes are asking your fans to "pledge your allegiance". Maybe they believe they're still "Canada's Team".

Instead of worrying about what one obsessed blogger is writing about your team, maybe you can spend some time thinking of a NEW name for your franchise.

P.S. -- Changing it from Nationals to Nationals doesn't count.

by kray1000 on Feb 20, 2008 8:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dear BurningBrave and Other Stinkin' Braves fans

After reading your comments on the Nationals and your attempt to belittle us, please do the following:

Suck our collective National dicks.

See you on March 30th fudgepackers.

by RyanDylan on Feb 20, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How mature of you..

..and again enjoy the cellar of the NL East.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by RainDelay on Feb 20, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Fudge

apparently doesn't realize that his challenge isn't much of a challenge...

by kray1000 on Feb 20, 2008 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cellar?

Please see Marlins comma Florida. Dumbass.

by RyanDylan on Feb 20, 2008 3:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Naw...

..I can figure out how to use the 'reply to this' button. I'm not talking about last year..this year. Nats are the doormat of the NL East. At least the Marlins have shown more potential to be more than last place.

But to make you happy. Enjoy the two team race for the bottom of the NL East.

Ok, I'm done feeding the trolls.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by RainDelay on Feb 20, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Are these two different Nat fans? I expect the occasional Mets troll, but the Nats?! Nobody was even badmouthing them, mostly because nobody cares.

Here's a Nats blog if you don't care for the Braves, the discussion about maybe finishing .500 is scintillating.

http://www.federalbaseball.com/

by TradeAndruw on Feb 20, 2008 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"nobody was even badmouthing them"

Really? Let me help you out, since you can't seem to read.

gondeee wrote: "I know I keep harping on this, but it's hilarious! I also find the Nationals' slogan this year quite amusing. Their slogan is "Pledge Your Allegiance." How cheesy is that!"

gondeee also wrote this: "Do they want a whole team of players who can barely hit above the Mendoza line?"

raindelay posted: "enjoy the cellar of the NL East."

So, there was some badmouthing. What irks me the most, though, is how the intelligent Nationals fan's comments (john in mpls, and hendo) get glazed over. Only to have the more....vocal ones addressed. Just goes to show that this forum is only good at replying with the same low brow names that are thrown at them, instead of trying to belly up to the bar with the older folks.

by Section 138 on Feb 20, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RyanDylan

"The Cellar? Please see Marlins comma Florida. Dumbass."

Please see PECOTA:

New York 96-66
Atlanta 86-76
Philadelphia 84-78
Florida 76-86
Washington 72-90

by TradeAndruw on Feb 20, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Of course!

Yes, because PECOTA is REAL! It's a look into the future! Except, it's not.
Last years PECOTA projection for the Nats: 66-96. Wow, they were only off by 7 (or, roughly 10%)! GENIUSES I TELLS YA!

by Section 138 on Feb 20, 2008 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nats Fans

Are total sheep. I was at a game at RFK last and was baffled by the amount of ignorance by the locals. Phillies fans outnumbered them, which was something. Dmitri Young got a huge ovation for some ungodly reason.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure they were using PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE last year too. ORIGINALITY RULES~!

by bigjoe on Feb 20, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So got to a Nats blog

The three pitchers we end up sending down to Richmond would probably be the Nats 2-3-4 starters, I guess I feel better about our depth.

Not to mention you have the Wu Tang clan for an outfield. Classy bunch.

by TradeAndruw on Feb 20, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Careful, Braves fans

I want to send out a word of warning to fellow Braves fans. The Nationals will be a force to be reckoned with sooner rather than later, so be careful with the taunts. They've got a great coaching staff, good scouting, a good front office, and are spending more and more on the drafts, both amateur and international. They might not be .500 this year, but in 2-3 years, they'll be in the fight for the playoffs in the NL East.

by drdonkeypunch on Feb 20, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Amen.

The Expos were six games ahead of us at the time of the work stoppage in 1994, so the length strike is really the only reason why our streak stood for as long as it did.

The Nats have built up a great deal of talent in their farm system and I fully expect them to contend in the East by the turn of the decade. No one is laughing at the Rays now and anyone who bothers to pay attention respects what the Rangers represent, but the Nats have been moving on up just the same.

Bottomline is this: Washington fans might need to learn how to take a joke, but we have no real reason to belittle them.

Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!

by ejruiz on Feb 21, 2008 2:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be so sure....

Lotta Braves on the Nationals? And your point is? Plus you forgot to mention Josh Smoker, the top draft pick you wanted and we got. We're still building, but make no mistake, you'll be paying much closer attention to the Nationals very soon my friends.

NatsNut

by NatsNut on Feb 20, 2008 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agree

gNatsNut makes a couple of good points. 1) So what's the point about ex-Braves attending their camp? Do we really miss Pete Orr or Wankerhans? And C) I think the gNats have the potential to act as spoiler for the rest of the East (remember late last year Mutts fans?) if not stay in contention for a while. They have a decent OF if Milledge lives up to his potential, they'll have Johnson back (at least until his next injury) plus they'll have Patterson returning to a young, but promising pitching staff. They should have no trouble beating out the Fish for fourth place and could give the Mutts and Phrillies a run for 2nd or 3rd.

That gNatsNut has a keen baseball mind!

Gib

by Gib in Seoul on Feb 21, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hahahaha!

knock knock...

(who's there?)

The Nationals!

BRAVES

by RehabReject on Feb 21, 2008 3:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

...these 4 Nats fans (possibly the same person) have certainly done a terrific job of acting like complete douche bags. Well done, way to represent your team!

by Smoltzs Beard on Feb 21, 2008 12:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

classless

i'm from dc, and support the nationals. i'm even planning on taking a seven hour flight in may to support the nationals and visit the city of san diego. but they weren't around when i lived there, so i had no home team (never liked, supported, or had anything to do with maryland, so i never supported the orioles.)

i am a braves fan now, and when one-on-one comes around, i will always pull for the braves over the nationals. most folks here will seldom see me take shots at the nationals, and it's not my blog, so i won't scoff at those who do.

but the recent onslaught of irate nationals fans expressing their disgust in less than juvenile fashion is kind of sad to me; i expect that from phillies fans, and some mets fans, the marlins don't have enough fans, but to get it from the nationals fans is kind of surprising to me. i may call nationals fans fair-weathered and similar to lots of atlanta-area folks, but the dedicated ones were pretty classy and intelligent. but instead, indicative of the choice of user names, we're getting the ones that wear the t-shirts that say "suck on deez nats," and all sorts of other slogans that belittle the orioles. it's kind of like seeing yankees and red sox fans, but only kind of more pathetic. i commend those who defend their team with some degree of intellect, but really; nobody cares.

i guess all i have left to really say is that to the one jerk who said "see you march 30th," is that sure, see me - i'll be there at new nationals' park, with my braves hat and jersey on, along with all the other transplanted braves fans, and dc-area r-braves fans.

by royhobbs on Feb 21, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Where are you sitting?

My uncle and his friends have their season tickets 3 rows behind the visitor's dugout...however, being the 1st game of the new stadium, I am not invited. I'll be stuck somewhere in the outfield seats.

by Smoltzs Beard on Feb 26, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Points

Mr. Seoul, you are a very wise and intelligent man. You are (and were) also absolutely right about Langerhans. Can't figure out why Nats are still holding on to him. Nice guy, though.
Nats fans posting here are emphatically NOT the same guy. In fact, I'm pretty sure I speak for all Nats fans when I say we don't claim the troll-sounding one at all. He's on his own. We really are a classy bunch.
Santana and the Mutts worry me a little. Phillies are looking good. But Marlins and Braves? Yawn.
That said, I hope we trade Cordero before he has to face you guys too often. Dude gives us heart attacks anyway, but Braves totally have his number.

NatsNut

by NatsNut on Feb 21, 2008 11:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yawn?

How's that? We scored more runs than the Mets last year, and look to have an improved pitching rotation. Care to elaborite any more on that "yawn"? Or are you just going to throw us in the heap with a team that won 71 games last year?

by Smoltzs Beard on Feb 26, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Spellcheck

ELABORATE.

I need to not hit post so quickly, sometimes.

by Smoltzs Beard on Feb 26, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Another Point

To NatsNut, George Orwell said that people who hate violence sleep well at night because rough men stand guard and are ready to do violence on their behalf. That being said I took it upon myself to defend our team ( The Nationals ) in an off color, irreverant and forceful manner. I don't care what you or others write about me, especially you RoyHobbs. I'll be there opening day too, March 30th, Section 137 Row DD, Seats 11 and 12, if you would like to 'discuss' things in a more personal manner. I'll be wearing my red Curly W hat and an old Livan Hernandez 61 shirt.

Back to NatsNut, while you try to be cute and make friends and concede issues with these stinkin' Braves fans, I refuse. Braves fans are spoiled front runners who forget what it is like to support a struggling franchise. I have owned Nats ST since we got the team in '05.

Generally, I like to read these forums as opposed to contributing to them so don't expect me to bicker any furthur with you and your milquetoast ilk.

Finally, to the Braves fans who may still be reading this: Go Nats!

by RyanDylan on Feb 22, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs