Marlins 6, Nationals 4: It wasn't a question of if, but when. The good news is, Daniel Cabrera waited until the fifth inning for his meltdown, and saved the bullpen a few innings.
Can we please have our Bonifacio back now, pretty please?
According to Nationals dot com's Bill Ladson, Lastings Milledge missed Manny Acta's rousing "You have to believe" Team pep talk on Sunday. But rather than send a clear message to Milledge (and maybe more importantly, to the team) by flexing his managerial muscles and benching Milledge's ass, Manny chose a more touchy-feely approach and fined him "an undisclosed amount of money." On an unrelated note, look up the expression, 'players' manager', and you're likely to find a picture of Manny Acta. Via All Nats All the Time (Bill Ladson):
In other news, center fielder Lastings Milledge was fined an undisclosed amount of money for missing Acta's pep talk to the team on Sunday afternoon, according to three sources. Milledge, who participated in practice that day, was in the starting lineup in Monday's season opener against the Marlins.
Milledge, of course, responded with a banner day leading off (0-4) and in the field (though, to be fair, for once he had a good reason to be playing so shallow with Bonifacio at the plate; and even without the ill-fated dive there's little chance he would've prevented Lil' Emilio from his first career HR - inside the park, no less). Booooooooooo!
Seems like Lastings Milledge probably could've used that pep-talk. And, finally, can someone remind us why it makes sense for Milledge to be leading off, please? Thought we had it a few weeks ago, but now it's gone.
So that's what a leadoff man looks like! It's the Emilio Bonifacio show: 4-5, 4 R, 3 SB, HR (inside the park, with help from Lastings Milledge), 2 RBI. Where can you find a leadoff hitter like that these days?
Lannan, Nats, stink it up in Miami. Tomorrow, Scott Olsen has an opportunity to make Nats' fans forget the name Emilio Bonifacio; and forget that Josh Willingham has a nice view from the bench.
Lloyd: What are my chances? Mary: Not good. Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred? Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million. [pause] Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance. (via Dumb and Dumber, 12/16/2004)
At last, Opening Day 2009.
In the spirit of Lloyd Christmas: There's a chance for the Nationals. At least for one day.
Time to bury the 2008 disaster, put the Winter of the Nationals' Discontent behind us, and hope like hell that 2009 will mark a turning point for an organization that's sorely in need of proving that it is headed in the right direction. Our gut tells us that in the end, this won't be a historically bad team, just a run-of-the-mill sub-.500 one -- with a lot of interesting young pieces to keep tabs on. And because this is the Nationals, lots of big, burning questions.
One question on our minds this morning: does a bad start (and with a brutal April schedule against the NL East on tap, it's a possibility) cost Manny Acta his job? But enough negativity! Let's think positive thoughts!
Without further ado, here are the Official Nationals Enquirer 2009 predictions.
Nationals final record: 76-86, good for 4th place in the NL East. Here's how the East shakes out in '09:
"You know what? I'd rather have two or three guys that are unhappy on the bench that are talented and I know I can go to them and help me win, than to have three guys who are happy but who aren't talented." (Manny Acta, via Nationals dot com, 4/3/2009)
Meanwhile, there's something oddly fitting about the AP Photo above, taken last July 5th - there's Austin Kearns standing around watching Elijah Dukes being carted off the field in obvious pain.
A big, big thank you to MASN for replaying the 2006 Father's Day Classic tonight: Ryan Zimmerman's walkoff HR to beat the Yankees. One of those endings that will be forever in the minds (and hearts) of Nationals fans. See link above for a little trip down memory lane to 2006 and The Nationals Enquirer's take the morning after.
Anyway, bring on 2009! Monday can't come soon enough!
(Photo of Ryan Zimmerman on TV by The Nationals Enquirer Staff)
Bottles: Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Bell's Oberon American Wheat Ale, Harpoon Summer Ale.
Draft:Peroni, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, Southampton Triple Abby Style Ale, Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen, Williamsburg Tavern Brown Ale, Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager.
Much to the chagrin of The Nationals Enquirer staff - and despite the endorsement of Mark Lerner (who, according to unnamed sources with no knowledge of the situation may or may not indulge in a 40 oz. of "The Beast" before shagging balls during BP from time-to-time) - Milwaukee's Best Ice will not be available at Nationals Park in 2009.
