Back by popular demand, The Nationals Enquirer answers the Nationals dot com mailbag. The correct answers were posted earlier today at Nationals dot com; now we'll give it a shot. Full disclosure: not really feeling it tonight, so we'll just mail this thing in and be done with it.
Cristian Guzman had a tough year last season. What are the chances of the Nationals trading or releasing him? -- M. M., Alexandria, Va.
We appreciate your sense of humor.
In parts of 15 seasons as a Major League manager, Frank Robinson has never managed a team into the postseason and he has a career winning percentage under .500. Why is Robinson still managing a Major League team? -- A. O., Montreal
You know, I asked a guy from Montreal last week whatever happened to Youppi, but he didn't get back to me on that. And while we're on the topic, did you hear about the Nats' new mascot?
If Nick Johnson has a big year, do you think the Nationals will shell out the money to sign him to a multiyear deal? -- Nick J., Richmond, Va.
Hey, look at that - Nick J asking about Nick J. Anyway, the answer to your question is:
Probably not, not with Mr. Broadway waiting in the wings.
I remember after the first three months of the 2005 season, there was talk about Ryan Church being in the hunt for the Rookie of the Year Award. Why do the Nationals keep signing all these outfielders when they have a very special one right under their noses? -- M. O., Springfield, Va.
The answer is quite simple: Anosmia. Which explains a lot, actually.
How do you explain the roster moves that general manager Jim Bowden made during the 2005 season, like letting go Sun-Woo Kim and trading Zach Day and Tomo Ohka? -- S. D., Bergen Co., N.J.
Hey, S.D., I've got cousins from Bergen. So, let's see. Zach Day is terrible, ok? And trading him and JJ Davis away for Preston Wilson last season was a good move - regardless of the fact that Wilson turned out to be a tremendous bust in Washington. I have a hard time faulting Bowden on that one, seeing as how it came at a time when the Nats were still in first place but were struggling badly offensively. At least it made sense at the time. The Tomo Ohka move, on the other hand, made no sense. The Nats had no need for Junior Spivey, but shipped out Ohka simply because he showed up Old Frank. And finally, no explanation for letting Sunny Kim go. Bad move blah waivers blah blah etc. etc. I'm tired.
Following the final day of the 2004 season, the franchise had helmets, jerseys, bags, jackets and many other items that carried the distinctive Expos logo and name. Whatever happened to all those things? -- F. R., Pocatello, Idaho
They buried them in Pocatello, Idaho.
Last year, the Nationals had one of the lowest-ranking teams in stolen bases. Seeing the size of the park, should they concentrate on having a team with speed and defense, rather than putting in the names like Sammy Sosa? -- M. B, Epsom N.H.
Yes, hence the signing of Matt LeCroy.
Has there been any discussion about moving the fences in at RFK Stadium?
-- J.D., Alexandria, Va.
We're having it right now.
(all questions taken from The Washington Nationals Official Website)
Comments