MLB Nixes Nats Tribute

So the Washington Nationals wanted to play a game wearing hats representing the different branches of the United States' military. It was going to be a tribute to the helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed 30 Americans, from three different branches (Navy, Air Force, and Army). But Major League Baseball said no.

The Nats were allowed to don the caps in batting practice, but were not permitted to do so in an actual game. When asked for an explanation, an MLB spokesman stated:

"We reserve hats for national tributes, where every club is wearing them on the same day. But we're happy to work with clubs on alternatives."

That cryptic, vague, almost Belichickian response really pisses me off, as does this whole story. The Nats wanted to do a nice tribute to all the men and women who commit themselves to serving our country. Think about how cool it would be to be a Marine, or a sailor, or a soldier, or an airman, and see a pro ballplayer wearing a Marine hat, or an Air Force hat.

It was just a minor little tribute, but Major League Baseball are being major league dinks for no good reason.

-The Commodore

Strasburg On His Way Back

Stephen Strasburg made his return to the mound in game action, throwing 31 pitches and surrendering one run on three hits, including a home run, over 1 2/3 innings for the Nationals' Class A affiliate Hagerstown Suns. This was his first start since having Tommy John surgery. Scouts from the game say he was hitting 97 MPH, and although letting up a HR and 3 hits isn't special in just an inning and 2/3 that stuff really doesn't matter. He said after the game he felt great, which is great news not just for the Nationals but for baseball in general. There was so much buzz when this kid came up and I really hope that he comes through next year and tears it up. Between him and Bryce Harper the Nationals could be a really fun team to watch next year.

Matt Stairs Retires

I read a story today that Matt Stairs had retired. My first reaction was shock, not at the fact that he retired, but at the fact he is still playing baseball. Stairs broke into the league with the Montreal Expos during the 1992-93 season (I was 8 years old). Of course we all all remember him. Not just because he looks nothing like a baseball player, but rather a guy you'd meet as some shitty biker bar in Western Mass. Rather it's probably because he played for your hometown team at some point. Matt Stairs played for 13 MLB teams (MLB) during his long career. Here is a quick list of the teams...

Montreal Expos
Boston Red Sox
Oakland Athletics
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
Kansas City Royals
Texas Rangers
Detroit Tigers
Toronto Blue Jays
Philadelphia Phillies
San Diego Padres
Washington Nationals


Stairs won a World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, and will be known as maybe the best pinch hitter of all time hitting 23 pinch hit HRs in his career. We usually wouldn't give such a "role player" love on this site, but Matt Stairs deserves it.

My Brethren Livan Hernandez May Be Fucked

Federal justice officials will meet with Major League Baseball representatives after Washington Nationals pitcher Livan Hernandez’s name surfaced in the trial of a convicted drug dealer in San Juan, P.R. Prosecutors presented evidence that the drug dealer, Angel Ayala Vazquez, had a Porsche, a Lamborghini and a warehouse containing a recording studio, a barber shop and a car repair shop registered in Hernandez’s name. NYTIME

It's a shame if all of this is true because Livan Hernandez has always been one of my favorite pitchers in baseball. He's Cuban, throws junk, was on the 97 Marlins, is a work horse and has hung around forever. He's even doing alright this year for the Nationals in which he holds a 3.77 era. But this would certainly hurt his recovering reputation (remember he hit an old man with a golf club) if he is found guilty with this. I mean, this would probably result in big jail time if he was helping out a major drug dealer.

All athletes are really dumb to take these risks.

How Bad Is The Red Sox Catcher Situation?

I think even the most biased Red Sox fans knew there was going to be problems behind the plate. Yet, I don't know if we knew it was going to be this bad. Tek is what he is, he calls a good game, but that's about it. At this point in his career he can't throw anyone out, or hit (let alone play everyday). Salty was supposed to be the future, but his defense looks worse the Teks. On top of that I don't know if these pitchers trust him, or like the way he calls games. I am not putting the pitchers problems just on his shoulders, but when everyone and their mother and stealing bases on him it adds a lot of pressure.

On top of Salty's struggles behind the plate he also isn't doing anything in the batters box either. Right now he is hitting .194, and although he has been hitting better of late he is not someone I trust to be consistent at all. My biggest concern is his relationship with the pitchers, and his ability to control base stealing, because this lineup (on paper) is good enough to take a shitty hitting catcher.

ESPN throws out the rumor that the Sox could make a move and get Ivan Rodriguez, who is getting less playing time with the Nationals. For once I agree with DP and I am all for it. He doesn't hit much anymore, but he throws out about 35% of the runners that steal on him and when you compare that to Salty (usually around 24%), and Tek (20%).

The Sox have so many problem right now (Crawford, bullpen, starting pitching, clutch hitting) that this isn't my main concern, but out of all their problems it's the one I don't see improving.