Closer role still a work in progress
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB,
In the last few decades, the role of the closer has grown exponentially from guys who had to mop up games that a starter couldn’t finish to pitchers with defined jobs that earn them save stats all their own as well as paychecks with a significant number of zeros. However, despite the prestige the role gets when successful, it’s still very much a work in progress. On average, teams only convert 68 percent of their save opportunities.
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Jim Riggleman’s reasons continue to intrigue
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, Front Office, MLB, Rumors,
A managerial change in professional sports usually grabs headlines for a day or so before things return to normal, especially in-season. But the situation developing with former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman walking out on his team after they won a game on Thursday night has continued to pique interests nationwide. Riggleman cites a lack of respect as baseball’s lowest-paid manager as one reason why he chose to relieve himself as the skipper and leave.
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Chad Cordero working towards MLB return
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, Injuries, MLB,
A lot has been made of the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer situation this offseason, from losing Kevin Gregg, potential ninth-inning man Scott Downs and one-time 30-save guy Jeremy Accardo to reaching a deal with Toronto main-stay Jason Frasor to the acquisitions of Frank Francisco, Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch. That’s a lot of star power both leaving and entering Toronto’s bullpen. But what few have been talking about is another pick up in former Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero.
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Derek Lowe gets Opening Day call for third-straight season
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB,
The Atlanta Braves announced that for the third consecutive season, they’ll give the ball to Derek Lowe on Opening Day. The Braves will travel from sunny Florida up to Washington to take on the Nationals in one of this year’s untraditional March 31 kickoff games. Even at the ripe age of 37, Lowe still has enough gas left in his tank for a 15th season as a major league pitcher. At least that’s what the Braves organization is hoping for.
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Matt Stairs sets sights on another MLB record
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB,
Matt Stairs, baseball’s best-known bench player, is working on another record. Already his is the record for most pinch hit home runs, with 23 of his career 263 bombs coming off the bench. What he’s also known for is his long resume. He’s held jobs with 12 major league baseball teams since he began in 1992, tying the record held by Mike Morgan, Ron Villone and even Deacon McGuire, who played in the 19th century.
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Converting Bryce Harper makes sense for Washington Nationals
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB, Rumors,
Should the Nationals even consider keeping first-overall pick Bryce Harper in the catcher’s position? At the 2010 MLB Entry Draft, Washington selected Harper as an outfielder, but indicated that they may use him in his primary college position behind the plate. However, that decision may slow down Harper’s ascension to the majors and even shorten the length of his career due to the high physical demands that the catcher position puts on the human body.
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Stephen Strasburg to be an all star?
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB,
A quick look through the blogosphere shows that just about every fan of baseball wants to see Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg in this year’s All-Star Game. A quick flip through various baseball telecasts shows that just about every commentator doesn’t. They say that Strasburg hasn’t earned his spot, having been in the big leagues for under a month. The All-Star Game has meaning; it has history. Strasburg is just a pitcher who has done phenomenal things in a very short time.
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Latest draft picks to be shelved for next few years
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, Drafts, MLB,
Bryce Harper, a 17-year-old college outfielder was taken as the first-overall pick by the Washington Nationals. The last overall pick belonged to the New York Yankees, who took college junior catcher James Rice. After three days, 50 rounds, and 1,525 picks, the 2010 MLB Draft is finally complete. Despite the fact that there are only as many as 750 players on major league rosters at a time (1,200 when teams expand in Sept.), drafting over 1,500 players every year is far from overkill for this sport.
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Phenom Strasburg makes phenomenal debut
Posted by Adrien Griffin Categories: Athletes, MLB,
So it’s one win down, 299 to go before Stephen Strasburg guarantees his spot in the Hall of Fame. However, if you’ve seen any of the media attention that’s been given the one-day old big leaguer, his ticket is already punched. The day after the Washington Nationals picked Bryce Harper as the No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, the 2009 No. 1 pick stepped up the mound and made sure everybody in attendance knew what the hype was about.
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The Washington Nationals choose Bryce Harper with the first pick of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, MLB,
As many thought would happen, the Washington Nationals selected baseball phenom Bryce Harper with the first pick of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft. Harper has been highly-touted since last year thanks to his prodigious power and lightning-quick bat speed. He played mostly catcher in his baseball career, as well as pitched, but the Nats will use Harper as an outfielder in right field, in order to utilize his athleticism and strong arm. The 17-year-old, 6-foot-3, 205 pound also known as “Baseball’s Chosen One” according to a Sports Illustrated cover last year is represented by Scott Boras who also repped last year’s first overall pick, Stephen Strasburg, with the very same Nats team. The Nats faithful are hoping both players will lead the charge in turning things around for the organization and if they can live up to both their hype and upside, that time will come.
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Gallery: The Washington Nationals choose Bryce Harper with the first pick of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft
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