tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100852982011-11-27T18:43:30.993-05:00Capitol DugoutRich Tandler's Nationals blog.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/fb_pwrd.gifThis is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site.tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-54362625757405033022008-05-19T17:14:00.001-05:002008-05-19T17:14:53.756-05:002008-05-19T17:14:53.756-05:00Zimmerman starting to hitIt was looking for a while that my prediction that Ryan Zimmerman would not have a breakout season this year was going to be all too true.While he never was flirting with the Mendoza line as were some of the other supposedly big bats in the lineup were, Zimmerman still struggled. He was swinging at bad pitches and leaving runners in scoring position in key situations. He came into May batting Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/05/zimmerman-starting-to-hit.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-22712717999775036972008-04-07T16:48:00.004-05:002008-04-07T21:44:38.392-05:002008-04-07T21:44:38.392-05:00Live Blog Nationals vs. MarlinsOK, here we go. The Cover It Live interface here is pretty easy to figure out, you can scroll up if you want to read earlier content. You can hit the button to leave a comment as you desire.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/04/live-blog-nationals-vs-marlins.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-82157626206092964222008-04-04T19:03:00.002-05:002008-04-04T19:08:59.585-05:002008-04-04T19:08:59.585-05:00Live blog coming MondayI'm going to be doing a running live blog commentary during Monday's game vs. the Marlins. I won't be at the ballpark, I'll be sending along my observations as I watch the High Def broadcast on MASN.The live blogging interface has the capacity to take comments, so I look forward to hearing from you if you're going to be hanging around.If you don't want to forget, just enter your email below and Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/04/live-blog-coming-monday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-24486744138700619772008-04-03T07:08:00.004-05:002008-04-03T07:54:24.815-05:002008-04-03T07:54:24.815-05:00Football at the ballpark?I hadn't heard much about this before, but apparently a football game could be played at Nationals Park later this year.According to HometownAnnapolis.com, the Congressional Bowl is slated to kick off on December 20, 2008. The participants would be an ACC team and one of the service academies. Navy has signed to play in the inaugural event, which will be televised by ESPN.The game will be played Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com2http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/04/football-at-ballpark.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-37406931323189688492008-04-02T21:23:00.005-05:002008-04-03T20:19:29.698-05:002008-04-03T20:19:29.698-05:00W’s reception at Nationals ParkOne of the few controversies to emerge from the Nationals' opener on Sunday was the greeting given to President George W. Bush when he threw out the first pitch. As I mentioned in my live blog, there were folks posted outside of the Metro station urging everyone getting out of the Navy Yard station to boo Bush, just in case we didn't have minds of our own.At the park, I definitely heard a strong Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/04/ws-reception-at-nationals-park.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-85676923684817829922008-03-31T08:39:00.001-05:002008-03-31T08:39:30.045-05:002008-03-31T08:39:30.045-05:00 Bloggers are supposed to voice a different take on events, to look at events from different angles and reward their readers with a different point of viewSometimes, however, this is impossible. There is no other way to discuss Ryan Zimmerman's game-winning home run against the Braves than the take given by the Post, the Times, the AP, Bill Ladson, Nationals Inquisition, or anyplace Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/bloggers-are-supposed-to-voice.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-48392065818069912522008-03-30T21:31:00.001-05:002008-03-30T21:31:30.021-05:002008-03-30T21:31:30.021-05:00Red PorchNot bad deal here. Food, beer, and a nice outfield seay. You just walk in get your stuff and pick a seat. Don't know how long this will last as I think that comparable seats go for about $35.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/red-porch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-16367339045600356142008-03-30T21:10:00.000-05:002008-03-30T21:11:02.399-05:002008-03-30T21:11:02.399-05:00The neighborhood does need workRich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/neighborhood-does-need-work.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-60221451088741873962008-03-30T20:48:00.001-05:002008-03-30T20:48:19.676-05:002008-03-30T20:48:19.676-05:00Not a bad seat. . . For $20. I'm looking straight down at the pitcher and I can survey the whole field while barely turning my head. Of course seeing the whites of anyone's eyes is out of the question and even the cannon can't get a t-shirt up here, but still not bad.Prett good game, too. I'm assuming that everyone is watching on TV so the focus here is on the park. It's 2-1 Nats bottom six. Some nice glove Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/not-bad-seat.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1625006767634807332008-03-30T20:19:00.001-05:002008-03-30T20:19:55.488-05:002008-03-30T20:19:55.488-05:00LuckyThat's the theme of the between innings promos. This is the ESPN Zone lucky row. We also had the lottery and Pappa John's select lucky fans all in the lower deck, of course.BTW, I'm aware that many of the pictures here don't add much, but the way I have it set up I can't post without one. Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/lucky.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-26910001842606167072008-03-30T19:48:00.001-05:002008-03-30T19:48:13.435-05:002008-03-30T19:48:13.435-05:00Nick drives in first runNick Johnson leads off of second after driving in the first run. He scored moments later on Austin Kearns' hit.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/nick-drives-in-first-run.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-702477459388908772008-03-30T19:42:00.001-05:002008-03-30T19:42:54.933-05:002008-03-30T19:42:54.933-05:00The Nats take the fieldComplete with fireworks.A nice opera rendition of the national anthem. It was accompanied only by red rockets and bursting bombs at the appropriate moments.And, to my dismay, there was a smattering of those who emphasized the "O" at that moment. Just knock it off people.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com1http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/nats-take-field.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-56434953380331019642008-03-30T19:02:00.001-05:002008-03-30T19:02:08.075-05:002008-03-30T19:02:08.075-05:00IntroductionsThis pic needs no introduction.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/introductions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-25539797373995529132008-03-30T18:47:00.001-05:002008-03-30T18:47:49.294-05:002008-03-30T18:47:49.294-05:00Easy inIt couldn't be much easier to get here from Metro (that's after two changes of trains, of course). You take an escalator up exit the station and in two minutes you're there.Had to get past some protesters urging everyone to boo President Bush. At this point most of us may not get inside in time to have that option.Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/easy-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-55903427632215490852008-03-30T18:35:00.001-05:002008-03-30T18:35:51.882-05:002008-03-30T18:35:51.882-05:00The first glimpseRich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-glimpse.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-8884391199280513192008-03-30T17:59:00.001-05:002008-03-30T17:59:24.474-05:002008-03-30T17:59:24.474-05:00Season predictionsWhile on the Metro, here are a few predictions before things get started.--Elijah Dukes will not act up, but he won't light it up, either. He may even do a stint in Columbus.--A pitcher now in AA or lower will be the staff bell cow by the end of August.--Assuming that Nationals Park is at least moderately hitter friendly, two Nats will hit 30 homers and neither will be Ryan Zimmerman.--Zimmerman Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/season-predictions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-26079883414662116102008-03-30T15:25:00.001-05:002008-03-30T15:25:27.136-05:002008-03-30T15:25:27.136-05:00I 95 UghMy hopes of being there when they open gates for the first time are fading. I 95 traffic is awful. Already 45 minutes lost and not out of Richmond yet. Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-95-ugh.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-49970750898671626072008-03-30T11:53:00.001-05:002008-03-30T11:53:14.466-05:002008-03-30T11:53:14.466-05:00Capitol Dugout is back!On the spur of the moment, I made two decisions. One was to attend the Nats' season opener so I went on Ebay and got a $20 ticket for thirty bucks (no shipping, ticket was emailed to me).Then I decided to revive this Blog after about two years of inactivity. I'm going to live blog the opening game from Nationals Park on my BlackBerry. That's assuming that I'll be able to operate the keyboard withRich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2008/03/capitol-dugout-is-back.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1115561506937225002005-05-08T08:47:00.000-05:002005-05-08T23:07:47.366-05:002005-05-08T23:07:47.366-05:00For Real or Smoke and Mirrors?The Washington Nationals, for those of you who haven't noticed, are 17-13 going into Sunday's game in San Francisco and are sporting the third-best winning percentage among the NL's non-division leaders and fith-best overall. Not bad for a team picked almost unanimously to finish dead last in the NL East.Can they keep it up and contend for a playoff spot this year, about, oh, 10 years before Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com30http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/05/for-real-or-smoke-and-mirrors.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1115392074383892082005-05-06T09:50:00.000-05:002005-05-06T10:07:54.420-05:002005-05-06T10:07:54.420-05:00Do 10 Rights Make a Wrong?When Joey Eischen went on the disabled list, the Nationals called up an outfielder to replace him on the roster. That left the team with 10 righthanded pitchers and no southpaws on the staff. This flies in the face of baseball convention, which dictates that 11 pitchers be on the roster and that a least one, preferably more, by lefties.The first part, the one about the numbers, can be answered inRich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/05/do-10-rights-make-wrong.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1112576721885790122005-04-03T19:30:00.000-05:002005-04-03T20:32:59.990-05:002005-04-03T20:32:59.990-05:00Why Not the Nats?With the advent of the new season, it's time for the pundits in print, on radio and TV and on the Web to do their season predictions. As you look around, there is no more consistent pick across the board than the Nationals finishing last in the NL East.Every year, however, a team or two surprises. One that is supposed to finish last sneaks up on the pack, makes some playoff noise and finishes Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/04/why-not-nats.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1112016192878190242005-03-28T08:16:00.000-05:002005-03-28T08:23:12.896-05:002005-03-28T08:23:12.896-05:00TV Deal is in Angelos' courtIt's time for Peter Angelos to fish or cut bait. The following information comes to us from Jim Williams, columnist for The Examiner: Four owners of Major League Baseball teams told me that if this thing is not put to bed by mid week they are going to tell Angelos to walk and sue them. Calls to owners and other members of baseball community are mad at Angelos for his not accepting a once inRich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com3http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/03/tv-deal-is-in-angelos-court.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1110752801088772692005-03-13T17:26:00.000-05:002005-03-13T17:26:41.096-05:002005-03-13T17:26:41.096-05:00Nats TV--This is the week! Will DC fans see Schneider and Co on local TV? Nats TV--This is the Week! By Jim Williams Courtesey The Washington ExaminerDate: Mar 13, 2005 Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner, a noted radio and TV industry insider, was kind enough to give Capitol Dugout a sneak peek at his upcoming Examiner column about the status of the one piece of the puzzle that has to get into place for the Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/03/nats-tv-this-is-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1110635605045054832005-03-12T08:49:00.000-05:002005-03-12T08:53:25.050-05:002005-03-12T08:53:25.050-05:00Who Are These Guys? Christian GuzmanChristian Guzman Cristian Guzman’s Vitals27 year old shortstop, 6-0, 195, switch hitter, throws right. Career BA .266, OBP .303, SLG .382, 39 HR, 289 RBI in six seasons.Quick TakeA slap-hitting shortstop who is solid defensively but needs to show more patience at the plate to be effective offensively.Guzman rundownAt the All-Star break in 2001, Cristian Guzman was one of the game’s rising stars Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/03/who-are-these-guys-christian-guzman.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10085298.post-1110596449750621422005-03-11T21:59:00.000-05:002005-03-11T22:00:49.750-05:002005-03-11T22:00:49.750-05:00Source: Nats TV Deal CloseI hate to use the proverbial unnamed source, but let's just say that I got this from a guy in the know. If you examine the DC press on a daily basis, you'll know who told me this:Many owners have voiced their displeasure to MLB reps working with Angelos. They want this thing tied up and this is a very important week. Meanwhile the Nats radio network is moving fast to add stations and we could Rich Tandlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00217363186948078873noreply@blogger.com0http://capitoldugout.blogspot.com/2005/03/source-nats-tv-deal-close.html