By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Regardless of how long he plays, or how many ballparks he does it in, Dodger Stadium will always have a special designation for the Nationals outfielder. "Absolutely," he said. "It was my first park."
Most agree that a long future at this level awaits Rendon, who was summoned from Double-A on April 20 when Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the DL with a hamstring strain. After his first taste those opinions haven't changed a lick.
The last pitch Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw in Atlanta on Monday night touched 98 miles per hour. But that wasn't enough -- oh, not even close -- to quell the wave of near-panic over his pitching arm's health.
Strasburg played catch Tuesday and went through his usual routine on the day after he pitches, a welcome sight after manager Davey Johnson said Monday night that the right-hander was dealing with forearm tightness.
Late Tuesday night, Zimmerman said that he was frustrated with the fact that he'd made four throwing errors in the Nationals' previous five games. His surgically repaired shoulder felt great, he said, and he could not pinpoint the reason why some of his throws were not precisely hitting the target Adam LaRoche was giving him at first base.
Friday evening, as the clock ticks just past 7 p.m. at Nationals Park and the Washington Nationals meet the Atlanta Braves for the first of 19 times this season, Denard Span and B.J. Upton will patrol the same outfield.
According to one source with knowledge of the discussion, the Nationals have already indicated they will exercise the 2014 option on Rizzo's contract, securing him through at least next season. But their focus remains on a longer-term commitment.
Not much has changed for Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond when it comes to a possible contract extension. The team is still open to discussing one with Desmond, and Desmond is still open to considering it.
The grease boards, as he calls them, are stored in Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo's office. The markers he uses on them have been worn out, replaced, and worn out again.
The sun beat down on the field at Space Coast Stadium one day this spring as Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson approached his second baseman. Danny Espinosa was busy doing infield work during batting practice, fielding ground balls and practicing his footwork.
White cinder block walls lead the way. Past the security guard in need of a cup of coffee just after 8 a.m. on a cool March morning. Through the makeshift clubhouse kitchen at Space Coast Stadium where three plug-in griddles serve up pancakes and eggs with toppings stored in plastic containers.
From the first day he checked in at spring training, the return to form of catcher Wilson Ramos has been one of the Washington Nationals' most uplifting stories.
Chris Young readily admits he doesn't know how the next few days of his career will play out. The day he can activate the out clause in his minor league deal with the Washington Nationals is Sunday. His next start is scheduled for Monday.
Two years ago, Span was an on-the-rise member of the Minnesota Twins. He gave a lot of thought to his body and taking care of it. He never gave much thought to his head. His life changed on June 3, 2011.
It was about a year ago that Micah Owings decided to ask the question. The thought had been in his mind for some time. It'd crop up, perhaps, with every well-struck line drive, or double, or home run -- of which there were nine — he'd hit as a starting pitcher in the major leagues.
"He could always hit," said general manager Mike Rizzo, the scouting director in Arizona when the franchise selected Owings out of Tulane University. "He can rake. He's a big, strong guy with power. He was a legitimate force when he'd be in the batter's box in the big leagues. It's not a real stretch to say that he could be a good major leaguer."
We have obviously incredible talent and there was a couple parts that [general manager Mike Rizzo] wanted and we said, 'Do what you need to do,' and that's basically how it happened.
Mark Lerner Q&A: Nationals owner talks payroll, spring training site and more →
