By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Space Coast Stadium is a baseball stadium that was completed prior to the 1994 season as part of a plan to bring spring training for the (then new) Florida Marlins to Viera, Florida. - Source: Wikipedia
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.
How quickly we forget the spring training sensation is just 22 years old with 133 professional at-bats to his credit, thanks to last season's serious ankle injury.
Spring training statistics don't matter. Really, they don't. That's why Jordan Zimmermann stood in the Washington Nationals' cramped clubhouse Friday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium without a hint of concern on his face.
Extra work, even a few pitches Tuesday against the Houston Astros, means more to Haren this spring with twice-daily visits to the training room and a routine designed to avoid repeating his injury-riddled 2012 campaign.
Soriano's first outing progressed with the same efficiency that prompted the Nationals to hand him a two-year, $28 million contract to bolster the back end of an already-strong bullpen.
Monday morning, while the rest of his Washington teammates enjoy their first off-day of the spring, Detwiler will board a plane for Phoenix and begin his transition from Nationals camp to Team USA.
As the rain pounded on the field at Space Coast Stadium Sunday afternoon, Rendon looked around the dugout. His eyes followed Davey Johnson as the Nationals' 70-year-old manager told starter after starter their day was done, shortened by the delay. Rendon quietly hoped he wouldn't get to him.
After that October night, though, after a few days of unwinding and perspective, Storen did what he always does. He sat, and he watched, and he began the healing process. In his mind, at least, he began making himself better for the next time he stands on that mound.
Davey Johnson says he's going to retire when the Washington Nationals' 2013 season comes to an end. As Johnson met the media for the first time this spring training, it was clear he's in no rush to change a thing.
The Washington Nationals will report to Viera, Fla., in four weeks, filling the clubhouse inside Space Coast Stadium and the surrounding complex with life as they shed their winter doldrums and start on a path that they hope will take them deep into October.
Ten days ago, as the Washington Nationals were making their final stop of the spring, they pulled up their buses outside of JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla., and looked around. Principal owner Mark Lerner and Alan Gottlieb, the COO of Lerner Sports, toured the park and came away impressed.
Last spring, Adam LaRoche knew his left shoulder wasn't right.
As the beating sun that drenched Space Coast Stadium for much of the day began to recede Friday evening, Ross Detwiler emerged to begin his stretching. Routine is important to Detwiler. Not having one is perhaps the biggest hurdle he'll have to jump in order to transition to being a full-time reliever.
A batting cage is set up in the backyard of Jayson Werth's Northern Virginia manse, a cage much like one in his own yard during his Springfield, Ill., youth. If Werth's two sons, ages 10 and 7, feel so inclined, they can duck inside the netting and take some hacks - and maybe become the fourth generation in the family to play in the major leagues.
