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December 19 Merry Christmas Fellow Nats FansHere's wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers and fellow Nationals fans! Contrary to the looks of things, and the occassional tumbleweed you might have seen blowing through, I am still here keeping the torch burning during the off season. Even though the care of my son had indeed monopolized all of my time starting at the mid-season of last year, I never for a minute stopped following my beloved teams in Washington and Woodbridge. I even managed to get myself out to Pfitzner Stadium the night the P-Nats won the Carolina League Championship and hoisted the coveted Mills Cup on September 13th. I can't wait to enjoy another season at the Pfitz.
 On the other hand, The Washington Nationals really broke my heart. Through and through, I found myself both depressed and angry at Nationals Park last year. Depressed because of so much disappointment from a club that was supposed to highlight a team's coming of age at the league's newest venue. Angry because I felt that the owners showed no passion for wanting to improve things once they went south.
To add insult to injury, I started reading the stories about how the ownership was apparently ruling with an iron fist to keep things inexpensive. I read the disgust of many employees about how things were apparently going throughout the organization from top to bottom. How everyone "wanted out" because they felt they were being subjected to "a hostile work environment". Heck, there was even stories that team president Stan Kasten wanted to leave because he was being prevented by the money hoarders from doing what he wanted.
I suppose these kind of stories are typical when a team implodes like the Nats did in 08, and I really try to take it with a grain of salt...but I must say the rumors at the end of a dismal season demoralized me as a Washington baseball fan. A fan that spent all his life hoping to have a major league club here only to find us in a state of misery. I tried to take solace in the fact that the Potomac Nationals won the Carolina League Championship, which showed me that there may still yet be a bright future ahead if the players there stay within the Nationals system.
 But then a couple of weeks ago I read about how the Nationals put in a serious bid for free agent Mark Teixeira. And not just a token bid, but a real $160 million deal over eight years. Now look, I'm of no delusion that he will probably sign with a more competitive team, or he might sign with Baltimore because of his Annapolis roots...but this has done wonders to my morale as a fan. It shows a before unseen willingness by ownership to try and improve the team with the checkbook if opportunities present themselves.
Before this, I like many of my friends thought we might have a cheapskate owner on our hands...and nothing would spell disaster for a baseball team in Washington more than that (read my historical blog for examples). But the Teixeira offer dispels that idea and brings respect from the entire league that the Nationals are not content with the current state of affairs and are indeed serious about improving things. A light flickers at the end of the tunnel.
The Washington Nationals have announced that they will resume holding their annual winter caravan this year starting January 22nd through the 24th...with stops in Annapolis, MD, Martinsburg, WV and Richmond, VA. A first ever "NatsFest" will be held at Nationals Park on the 25th with a $10 admission for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. The Potomac Nationals will hold their annual banquet and silent auction on Sunday, January 18th at 5:30pm. Admission is $35 for adults and $18 per child and must be reserved in advance by contacting Doug McConnell at (703) 590-2311 X215. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend any of the winter events because I will be out of the country between Jan 15 through the first week of March. Look for my next entry around Spring Training. In the meantime, happy holidays everyone!
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