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Baseball analysis from a self-proclaimed "cleat-chaser" ranging from actual statistical analysis to opinions on topics concerning the Nationals to how hot certain players may or may not be. You never know what you are going to get. Written by Sandra (@NatsGirl19)
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Hello and welcome to what appears to be a new weekly segment, written completely from a cleat-chaser's vantage point. You may or may not remember me from last week's fan post. I'm Sandra, the self-proclaimed 'ultimate cleat chaser'. Well, I'm back, and the head honchos want me writing a post every week. I'm not even getting paid! (cough, cough) Kidding, kidding...
Today I decided to write about a few of the headlines I've seen from the past week or so...
First headline - Matt Kemp deciding not to choose Bryce Harper for the Home Run Derby.
According to the MLB website, Kemp said, "It's not because he's a rookie. It's just that there are other guys out there that are capable." Bull s***. I think Kemp might be somewhat intimidated by Bryce because Harper is, first of all, the youngest player in the MLB's history (as far as I know, I haven't heard of any 18 year olds yet). Secondly, Bryce has been a home run machine this year and one of the best at the plate that I've seen. Also, isn't Matt Kemp injured? If this is so, why is he captaining the National League side of the HR Derby anyway? Shouldn't he be in rehab?
Second headline - Rick Eckstein
I know that it's subsided now, mainly because Davey Johnson stuck up for his hitting coach, but my question is WHY would you place the blame on him? It definitely isn't the coach's fault if someone doesn't do a good job in a particular area. Ultimately, the player is the only one who can make it happen at the plate, not the hitting coach. You could have the #1 hitting coach in the entire league and still have a player batting at .200. To quote Ray Knight, "As soon as you step in the box, you forget pretty much everything your hitting coach told you that day."
Third headline - The All Star Game
The All Star game and the Home Run Derby are both two of my favorite things about the baseball season. Even if we didn't have any Nationals in the All Star Game, it would still be a lot of fun to watch other players showcase their talents.
The same goes for the Home Run Derby. Even though Harper isn't in there, I'll still watch (I'll just have to do without eye candy, I guess...), because I'm a fan of the game, not just a fan of the Nationals.
A baseball-loving friend of mine asked me a few days ago who I'd have as my starting nine for the All Star Game. Rather unfairly, she tacked on the rule that I could only have three Nationals. So, I don't care what MLB, the coaches, and the fans say. Here is MY All Star starting nine:
- Pitching - R.A. Dickey (Mets)
- Catching - Jesus Flores (Nationals)
- First Base - Gaby Sanchez (Marlins)
- Second Base - Dan Uggla (Braves)
- Shortstop - Ian Desmond (Nationals) (Duh.)
- Third Base - Chipper Jones (Braves)
- Outfield - Bryce Harper (Nationals) (Naturally!)
- Outfield - Logan Morrison (Marlins)
- Outfield - Jay Bruce (Reds)
If you have any comments or questions for Sandra, send her a tweet at @NatsGirl19. She even will entertain topics that you would like her to cover...
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