Nats Game Momentarily Delayed Due To Missing Umpires (VIDEO)
By Jamie Mottram | May 16, 2012
I heard about this on Twitter but am seeing it just now via Deadspin:
That unfortunate moment followed a first-inning rain delay, and the next pitch resulted in a two-run basehit, all while Strasburg was dealing with a Hot Stuff situation. Tough day, weird day.
Topics: Absurd Video, Nationals, Stephen Strasburg | No Comments »
DMV: Stephen Strasburg Gets Hot Stuff In ‘Uncomfortable’ Place
By Jamie Mottram | May 16, 2012
Nats lose despite Strasburg on the bump and Harper’s second HR. [WaPo]
Davey Johnson: Strasburg had Hot Stuff on his private parts. [Nats Journal]
Rob Dibble’s reaction to Strasburg’s Hot Stuff is so dumb. [Nats Enquirer]
Boz on these Nats losing ~500 games to injuries. [Thomas Boswell]
Topics: DMV, Nationals, Stephen Strasburg | 2 Comments »
Five Capitals That Suffer From Dale Hunter’s Departure
By Jamie Mottram | May 15, 2012
Here’s Caps correspondent Brad Parker with the companion piece to his earlier post, Five Caps Players That Benefit From Dale Hunter’s Departure.
1. John Carlson
Yes, Carlson struggled during the regular season. For the first time fans in Washington were questioning him. But the whole time he had a friend behind the bench. Carlson played for Hunter in London and Hunter is nothing if not loyal. Not that another coach would have sent Carlson to Hershey or anything, but I don’t think he ever thought his playing time was in jeopardy. Sure, he was separated from Karl Alzner for a while, but by season end Carlzner was back and his old coach was running the show. Of course, Carlson also played for Bruce Boudreau in the minors. Next season there’s the very real chance that for the first time in his NHL career Carlson won’t be playing for a coach he knows very well.
2. Dennis Wideman
Topics: Capitals, Dale Hunter | No Comments »
Five Caps Players That Benefit From Dale Hunter’s Departure
By Jamie Mottram | May 15, 2012
Caps correspondent Brad Parker returns to look at the post-Dale Caps.
Dale Hunter told us he was heading home on Monday. Our former captain is now also our former coach. His time in D.C. (well, this time) was short, but he made a major impact. Here’s a look at which Caps will benefit now that Hunter’s heard London calling.
(Ed. note: Brad will be back later today with five that will suffer.)
1. Alex Ovechkin
Hunter’s system was not developed to highlight Mr. Ovechkin’s talents. Despite that fact, what Ovi did in the playoffs had his biggest detractors looking at him in a new light. Even Mike Milbury was praising his leadership and defense. But seriously, is that what we want out of the most talented offensive player on the planet?
It’s great that he’s blocking shots and leading by example, we want that effort to stay, but the Caps would be much better served by him making opponents adjust to his talent. Who knows who the new coach will be, and what sort of system he’ll employ, but I’d wager that it gives Ovi a little more freedom to create oh-fense.
2. Mike Green
Topics: Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals, Dale Hunter, Guest Posts, Mike Green | No Comments »
DMV: Bryce Harper Hits His First HR, Trots Really Fast (VIDEO)
By Jamie Mottram | May 15, 2012
Harper’s first HR featured a near-league-best trot and a curtain call. [BLS]
Nats beat San Diego to retake first despite H-Rod’s best efforts. [WaPo]
New Nats catcher Sandy Leon hurt before we knew him. [Nats Journal]
Chien-Ming Wang goes nine, is almost done rehabbing. [Nats Journal]
O’s lose opener to Yankees, are now tied with Rays for first. [The Sun]
Dylan Bundy pitches five more scoreless, is up to 25 now. [Steve Melewski]
Topics: Bryce Harper, DMV, Nationals | 2 Comments »
Dale Hunter Quits As Caps Coach
By Chris Mottram | May 14, 2012
Dale Hunter is stepping down as coach of the Caps because of “family reasons.” More to come…
Update No. 1: Hunter is returning to coach the London Knights, the OHL team he managed before coming to Washington.
Update No. 2: George McPhee on the timing for a new hire: “I don’t know whether it will be by the draft or sometime in August, like New Jersey did.”
Update No. 3: Puck Daddy weighs in, tossing out Paul Maurice and Ron Wilson as possible replacements.
Topics: Capitals, Dale Hunter | 2 Comments »
DMV: Evan Longoria’s Message To You, Rude O’s Fans
By Jamie Mottram | May 14, 2012
Evan Longoria tweets an obnoxious, excessive message for O’s fans. [BSR]
O’s take two of three from the Rays, remain in first place. [Camden Chat]
The O’s are hitting home runs at an incredible pace. [Steve Melewski]
Henry Rodriguez blows it in Cincy as Nats fall out of first place. [WaPo]
Wilson Ramos is out with a torn ACL, which is unbelievable. [Nats Journal]
Minor league catcher Sandy Leon gets the callup as a result. [Nats Journal]
George McPhee’s reaction to Caps’ failure is a mirror. [Russian Machine]
So did the Caps’ Dale Hunter experiment work or not? [Puck Daddy]
Big questions for the Caps’ offseason. [Russian Machine, WaPo, OFB]
Versatile RB Tim Hightower is returning to the Redskins. [The Insider]
Dave McKenna on legendary Elgin vs. Wilt D.C. pickup games. [Grantland]
Topics: DMV, Orioles, Web 2.0 Is Not for Dorks | 8 Comments »
Bryce Harper Cuts His Hair And Bloodies His Eye (PHOTOS)
By Jamie Mottram | May 12, 2012
I’m not sure what you call Bryce Harper’s famed haircut — the skullet, the muskrat, the brohawk — but he took a razor to the back, leaving him rattail-less for the first time as a big leaguer:
Approve. Elsewhere in Harper mythology, the wunderkind had a rough night at the dish, going 0-for-5 in his worst game since joining the Nats two weeks ago. It was so bad that after grounding out in the seventh he took his bat to the tunnel wall between the dugout and the clubhouse. Unfortunately for him, the bat ricocheted off the wall and onto his forehead/eyebrow area, leaving him bloodied and in need of 10 stitches. Good look, though:
Topics: Bryce Harper, Great Hair, Nationals | 4 Comments »
DMV: Braden Holtby Has A Baby And Karl Alzner Has A Neckbeard
By Jamie Mottram | May 11, 2012
Karl Alzner’s playoff beard ranked as a top-five playoff beard. [Puck Daddy]
Note: Here’s where Alzner’s beard is headed should the Caps win Game 7.
Braden Holtby’s fiance has a baby boy, Benjamin Hunter. [Caps Insider]
Here’s the best Photoshop imaginable of lil’ Benjamin Hunter. [RMNB]
Caps “have a very special young goaltender in Holtby.” [Russian Machine]
Matt Hendricks is having a hell of a playoff run. [Caps Insider]
Looking at the recent history of underdogs in Game 7. [Caps Insider]
Art Monk is joining a concussion lawsuit against the NFL. [The Insider]
Gambling lines for the Redskins 2012 regular season. [Hogs Haven]
This painting of RGIII has some weird stuff going on. [Burgundy Blog]
Nats snap three-game skid behind Strasburg’s 13-K game. [WaPo]
Thomas Boswell on Bryce Harper. Read this shit. [Thomas Boswell]
Wilson Ramos isn’t so good on defense this season. [Nats Journal]
MLB Network compares Bryce Harper to Mickey Mantle. [Bog]
Nats and O’s have four of the five worst hitters in baseball. [Krem's Sports]
O’s split doubleheader with Texas, hit five HR in one game. [The Sun]
Topics: Braden Holtby, Capitals, DMV, Facial Hair, Karl Alzner | 2 Comments »
Redskins Reveal Florida State-y, Leatherheaded 80th Anniversary Uniforms (PHOTOS)
By Jamie Mottram | May 10, 2012
The Redskins’ new alternate uniforms are throwbacks to the Sammy Baugh era, and the Skins plan to wear them twice during this, their 80th season. Some will say these are totally badass, while others will be reminded of Seminoles football, or maybe that awful movie with George Clooney and Jim from The Office. I will like them so long as the Redskins are winning.
(Photos taken with love from @Redskins, @dcsportsbog, @RichTandler, @Rich_Campbell and @SkyKerstein, and thanks to Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan and the Nike mannequin-type guy for modeling.)
Topics: Brian Orakpo, High Fashion, Redskins, Ryan Kerrigan | 9 Comments »