‘Phillies @ Nationals (May 16, 2009) – 31’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’

In my life I’ve left a baseball game early less than ten times. Today was one. The Nationals’ home opener today was an absolute disgrace on a number of fronts, but primarily on the field. The Nats put out a good first inning, with strong defense and small-ball offense putting them ahead 1-0 after 2 innings, but it was short lived. In the fourth, the Phils found John Lannan’s weaknesses and exploited them thoroughly. Ryan Howard struck with a two-run shot, followed by a string of walks and hits that just took the air out of the Nationals. Placido Polanco would strike in the top of the 7th with a grand slam to finish the deed, which ended 11-1

Thanks to the aggressive courting of traveling Phillies fans, the park was majority Phils phans, making Nationals Park into Citizens Bank Park South, in a most embarrassing show for the Nationals. I do hope that the Lerners recognize that this contributed to today’s loss and to the enjoyment of the fans. Most of the Nationals fans left Section 109 early in the game when it became clear that all we’d get to deal with was rowdy Phils fans who wanted to taunt, misbehave, and otherwise abuse our fair city’s dignity.

While the Nationals have much work to do, today’s treatment at the hands of the Phils should remind us that we need to take more pride in our teams, especially those that are the weakest. Get out and go to a game, if for no other reason than to deprive some feckless Philly thug a spot.

‘Willie Parker’
courtesy of ‘Jessa B.C.’

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Redskins today signed a one-year $3.1M maximum value deal to with Running Back Willie Parker, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parker, 29, had three 1,000+ yard seasons in 2005-2007 with Pittsburgh before production dropped off over the last two seasons, in part due to Parker’s broken leg at the end of the 2007 season. Parker will be competing with Clinton Portis and newly-signed Larry Johnson for the starting spot. This should make Skins camp fairly interesting this summer.

‘Washington Post’
courtesy of ‘DC Public Library Commons’

Look, it’s an open secret that Post wants to be a national newspaper only. Their downsizing of the Metro section, elimination of the Business section, and move to online-only for any good coverage of the locality. But really, I thought Sports was one area where the concept of local reigned supreme. Today’s Dave Sheinin piece on the front page of the Sports section is the paean usually reserved for local teams of note, but instead…we get a mash note to the Phillies?

I know things don’t look great for the Nationals, but I would’ve much rather read a hard-hitting analysis of the faults of the bullpen, or even the nighttime proclivities of Ron Villone’s mustache, than a love note to the team who has the worst fans in Baseball. Couldn’t you write about the Orioles, even?

‘DC Court of Appeals and Lincoln’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Reports are in: Gilbert Arenas was today sentenced to 2 years probation for his felony firearms conviction. Judge Robert Morin weighed the decision carefully, relying on the sentencing recommendation from the prosecutor’s office, and the 221-page document from Arenas’ attorneys with multiple character references, and Arenas’ own apology.

Arenas will also be forced to 400 hours of public service, and donate $5,000 to a victims of violence charity (Seriously? He made that much while you were just looking at him funny. That’s an insult to Justice right there.), and spend 30 days in a halfway house.

Arenas’ future with the Wizards is in question. Currently, he is serving a season-long suspension due to the incident which involved firearms in a December locker-room altercation at the Verizon Center. The Wizards have the option to seek to terminate Arenas’ contract, due to the felony conviction, and given Arenas’ large salary, and the horrific performance of the team (lost 13 straight) it would be understandable if the team might terminate his contract. 4 years and $80M is a big pill for the team to swallow when trading Arenas might be impossible.

Were I the owner of the Wizards, I’d terminate Arenas’ 4 years and offer him a 1-year, $1M chance to prove himself worthy of further investment while the Wizards rebuild from their horrific season. You want to be in DC, Gilbert? Give up the money and job security and show us you mean business.

‘It’s been awhile’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

The sticking point in Ted Leonsis’ negotiations with the Pollin family for the purchase of their stake in the Wizards and the Verizon Center has been price, for some time now. Finally, there’s been a breakthrough, according to a local newspaper, who report that the valuation has been agreed upon at $550M for the team and the Verizon Center. My guess is the Verizon Center is the lion’s share of that, at the moment, given how piss poor the Wizards are playing these days. From here, they’ll continue negotiations on other subjects including how the facility will be run, and whether or not the majority of the league owners will approve Leonsis’ full purchase.

‘take me out to the ballgame…’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

The Nationals today sent prospects Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg to the minor leagues, and to the camp of AA Harrisburg. This is actually a huge relief for Nationals fans everywhere, because it means that despite their strong Spring, they’re going to give these guys some time in the minors before bringing them up to the Show.

Thank God.

My biggest fear was that these guys would do so well in the major league camp that they’d have no choice but to bring them up from Viera to Washington for Opening Day and that would have been a huge mistake. Instead the Nats are going to give them a few months of confidence-building starts in AA Harrisburg and AAA Syracuse to build their pitching acumen and get used to the concept of professional baseball.

Look for them both to join the Nationals after the All Star Break, when they’ve decimated everyone they’ve faced in AA and AAA.

‘Check’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

As I feared, Alex Ovechkin picked up a two game suspension for his (perfectly acceptable) hit on Brian Campbell. The Caps GM George McPhee said this afternoon: “We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check. Unfortunately, an injury resulted. We are disappointed with the suspension but do not want to comment further.” While we wish Brian Campbell a speedy recovery, this should not have resulted in a suspension. You want a hit that should’ve been a suspension? Check out Cooke vs Savard. Hell, that didn’t even draw a penalty!

Ovi will forfeit $232,000 or so in salary, or approximately an Aston Martin DB9. Hell, any time that the head of NBC Hockey, a noted lover of Sidney Crosby, stands up for you against the call, that’s a sign that the refs made a bad call.

Maryland fans storm the court from Wash Post Sports on Vimeo.

This video comes to us from the great Dan Steinberg, from the floor of the Comcast Center in College Park as Duke (4) is vanquished by the Terps. Maryland (22) is now tied for first in the ACC with 12 wins, and could win the ACC were Duke to lose on Saturday. There are some great shots at the DC Sports Bog, which include some of the fires set by students at University of Maryland last night, and the large police presence on campus after the game.

Congrats to Maryland for beating the Dookies, but did ya’ll really need to light things on fire?