"We are very happy with the decision [except for getting stuck with the bill for Jim Bowden's Segway] because it saves the sports commission $4.2 million dollars in furniture, fixture and equipment costs that the Nationals claimed we owed, and it further ensures that the new ballpark will remain within the cost cap established by the D.C. Council."
(Bill Hall/D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, via WTOP, 2/27/2008)
Nats lose arbitration battle, but the District still has to pay Nats $1.4 million for plumbing, air conditioning and a special bird net (whatever that is).
What's so special about this bird net, anyway?
According to sources with no knowledge of the situation, the District also must pay for Jim Bowden's Segway, despite the GM's claims that he paid for it out of his own pocket. Stan Kasten unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile...
- Yup, Chico struggled to throw strikes last night...
- Parking nightmare! But visitor passes may open up a new market for residents. Don't drive. Take Metro.
- As you probably know, we've got a soft spot for misleading headlines; love this one in today's Daily News (NY): LASTINGS MILLEDGE RIPS METS AGAIN. The story? A quote from Milledge on SI.com where he says, simply: "I can't go through anything worse than I went through in New York. It only gets better from here. A lot of veterans (on the Mets) didn't like the way I play the game. They thought I didn't respect it." I guess that constitutes ripping?
- Deadspin's Nats season preview (from Tuesday).