Washington Nationals Tribute

Well the Washington Nationals baseball season is over and I didn't post one thing about the team this entire season. Maybe it is because the team just never jelled this year or "made a run" like last year's team did. The team strated bad anf finished bad. There were some outstanding stretches of games along the way and some great player stories. I would be remiss, if I did not acknowledge the great year Alfonso Soriano had. The guy came here as an All-Star second baseman but was "forced" to play left field against his wish.

So what did he do? He became a good left fielder and an All-Star at that position, also. He had 22 outfield assists which were the most in the entire Major League. He also became only the fourth player in the history of Major League baseball to hit at least 40 home runs(he actually had 46) and have at least 40 stolen bases(41). Soriano also became the first player to ever have more than 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 40 doubles in a single season. Since Soriano is a free agent this may have been his only year with Washington - but what a year it was!!! I just hope we can find the money to sign him for next year.

The other player that had a remarkable season was "rookie of the year candidate" Ryan Zimmerman. All he did was hit .286, hit 20 home runs, and drive in 110 runs. This is a great seson for anyone, but for a 20 year "rookie" it was amazing. He had several "walk-off" game winning hits, and he led the Major Leagues in total game winning hits. Zimmerman was also an outstanding third baseman, and he made some unbeleivable plays during the season, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who many consider the best ever to play thrid base.

And last, it would not be right if I didn't give a big "hat off" to manager Frank Robinson. At 70, Frank still had "fire in his eyes" and got the best out of this team. The team was picked to finish last, as it did, but the team never gave up and played good and exciting baseball most of the two seasons he managed the Washington Nationals. He never had a "level playing field" to play on, and it is a shame he won't get a chance to manage the team next year when the team will have a full year with "real" ownership and a "real" budget. I hope the team keeps him in some capacity next year. Good luck Frank Robinson and thanks!!!