Nats Mailbag

Q: Is it my imagination, or does Frank Robinson not like Ryan Church. It seems he uses any (or none at all) excuse to play someone else with far less potential. Church’s age, numbers and athletic ability should dictate that he plays full-time. What is going on? — Kimon George

A: Well, Church does figure to play full-time the rest of the way now that Alex Escobar dislocated his right shoulder. I don’t know that I’d go so far to say Robinson doesn’t like him, though.

Robinson, like just about everyone in the organization, believes Church has the potential to be an impact player, and they’ve seen flashes of it in the last two years. But until Church proves he can sustain a high level of play, and until he proves he has the mental toughness to be a major leaguer, it’s going to be tough for any manager to give him an everyday job.

Q: Loved your story about running in the Presidents Race at RFK. So how come Teddy Roosevelt has never won? Do the Nats plan to stick with the same four guys from here on out, or is there a chance of some new competitors next year? — Steven Koren

A: Running in — and winning — the Presidents Race a couple weeks ago has to qualify as the highlight of my athletic career. Of course, it was easier to win when Teddy inexplicably slowed down halfway through the race to wave to the crowd. Until he wipes that goofy grin off his face and gets serious about this thing, I have a feeling he’s going to keep coming up short.

As for the inclusion of other presidents in the future, rumor has it the Nationals are considering some changes for next year, perhaps even letting fans help “vote” in a new participant. Anyone else for Richard Nixon? Sounds to me like a logical choice for next season’s hard-luck loser.

Q: What are the chances of Bernie Castro or Felipe Lopez taking over the leadoff spot from Alfonso Soriano this season or next? Both would seem to be more prototypical leadoff men. And with Soriano’s power, he would make a better No. 3 hitter. That way, he wouldn’t have so many solo homers. — Eric Stuart

A: Don’t count on anyone but Soriano leading off for the rest of this season. No sense tinkering around now, especially when the Nationals are trying to keep the soon-to-be free agent happy — and he’s happiest when he bats first.

That said, can the Nationals justify spending $15 million a year on a leadoff man? Perhaps if they are able to convince Soriano to stay, they can also convince him to hit third or fourth to better maximize his value to the club. We’ll see.

Either way, Washington could be looking for a new leadoff hitter in 2007. Lopez certainly seems like a logical candidate, though his massive strikeout total (105) is a concern. Castro definitely has the speed to do it, but I don’t believe he has much chance of winning an everyday job with this team next year. If he sticks, it’ll be as a bench player.

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