Spring Report

SEEN AND HEARD

VIERA, Fla. — To put it bluntly, Jim Bowden loves being the center of attention. The Nationals’ interim general manager has done TV work in the past and would like to again some day. He currently is writing a weekly column for the local paper.

He also has an interesting sense of style. Few days have passed this spring in which Bowden doesn’t stroll around the practice fields in a track suit, greeting people with phrases like “What up, dog?” Nothing has quite come close to the powder blue “Sean Jean” outfit he broke out at the winter meetings in December, but Nationals players are taking notice of Bowden’s unique way.

And what nickname have they come up with for their happenin’ GM? Eminem, that other noted master of style. …

How close are some of the players? Maybe a little too close, considering the epidemic of pneumonia and bronchitis that has spread through the clubhouse in the last week. Joey Eischen has missed several days of workouts, while others have played through it.

The bug isn’t limited to players. A reporter for The Washington Times became ill and spent Wednesday night curled up in a ball on his hotel bed in agony. However, he hasn’t missed a day of work.

THE BUZZ

Down ” Day 8 of workouts

There’s still five to go until the games start.

Up ” Tony Armas Jr.

Livan gets Opening Day start, but Tony gets the nod for spring opener.

Down ” Bad weather

Snow in D.C., rain coming to Viera all weekend.

Sideways ” Radio team hired

Nice to have them, but it’s too late to broadcast the first exhibition game.

BY THE NUMBERS

32

Pages devoted to the Nationals yesterday in Florida Today’s spring training preview section.

8,100

Seats at Space Coast Stadium, which is expected to be sold out for Wednesday’s game against the Mets.

OVERHEARD

“Believe me, this club does not like cold weather ” probably more than any other club I’ve been with. You’d think they were playing at the North Pole.”

— manager Frank Robinson

Nationals’ schedule

TODAY: Full-squad workout, 9 a.m.

TOMORROW: Full-squad workout, 9 a.m.

SUNDAY: Full-squad workout, 9 a.m.

MONDAY: Full-squad workout, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY: Full-squad workout, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: vs. Mets in Viera, 1 p.m.

THURSDAY: vs. Bethune-Cookman in Viera, 1 p.m.

How to get to Space Coast Stadium

From Orlando/North: Take Rte. 528 East (Bee Line Expressway) 25 miles to I-95 South. Exit I-95 South at Fiske Blvd. (Exit 195). Proceed south on Fiske Blvd./Stadium Parkway to the stadium. Approx. time: 45 minutes.

From Melbourne/South: Take I-95 North to Wickham Rd. (Exit 191) and turn left. Turn right on Lake Andrew Dr. and follow to the stadium. Approx. time: 20 minutes.

Today’s weather

Washington: Mostly cloudy, 38 degrees

Viera: Rain, 74 degrees.

” Mark Zuckerman and Ken Wright