That Time Matt Williams Almost Killed Bill Murray Was Hillarious

During the Nats broadcast the other day, Nationals announcer FP Santangelo was bringing up some old baseball memories and talked about the time that Matt Williams hit Bill Murray with a baseball during a homerun derby back in 1990 at Wrigley Field. All for the purpose of comedy, Murray takes an actual pop fly directly to the chest. Well of course the footage was uploaded to YouTube, and what do you know, we found it. Check out this hilarious clip of comedian Bill Murray being Bill Murray. Wow that looks like it hurt.

Booing At A Homerun Derby?

Home Run Derby Drama

If you watched the Homerun Derby last night you were treated to a great performance from the likes of Trumbo, Batista, and the champion Prince Fielder.  There were some monster shots and plenty of fountain balls all night long.  However, the "signature" moment of the night was, with out a doubt, the booing and mock cheers of the KC fans as Robinson Cano swung his way to 0 homeruns.

For those who may not know the whole story, the KC faithful were upset at Cano, the AL team captain, for not choosing Billy Butler of the Kansas City Royals to participate in the derby.  Therefore they booed the whole time he hit, and cheered every time he made an out.

There have been a ton of comments supporting and vilifying the KC fan base.  So I figured I'd throw my two cents in.  Full disclaimer, as an long term fan of the Orioles, I have no love for the Yankees...

Game Preview: Home Run Derby!

Homerun Derby

8:00 PM Kauffman Stadium

ESPN

Participants:

• Jose Bautista: 26 HR
• Robinson Cano: 20 HR (defending champion)
• Prince Fielder: 12 HR (former champion)
• Mark Trumbo: 20 HR
• Carlos Beltran: 20 HR
• Carlos Gonzalez: 20 HR
• Matt Kemp: 12 HR
• Andrew McCutchen: 16 HR

Stadium Stats:

• Kauffman Stadium is 330 down the both lines, 375 in left and right field, and 400 dead center.
• Right Handed Batter homeruns up 10% and Left Handed Batter Homeruns down 10% in last 3 seasons.
• More Park Stats

Pick em:

1. Smart Money: Carlos Gonzalez.
2. Gut Feeling: Mark Trumbo.
3. Dark Horse: Andrew McCutchen.

Personally I'd love to see either Trumbo or McCutchen win this thing.  I'm a little disappointed Giancarlo won't be in the derby, was really looking forward to watching that guy crush the ball.  Guess Kemp does the worst...since he is injury and all.

Confession Of A Cleat-Chaser Weekly Topics

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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)

Now that is how a cleat-chaser puts together a lineup!  Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

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...

Matt Kemp Ruins The Homerun Derby, MLB's Move

Apparently there is such a thing as a "captain" of the home run derby, and the National League captain Matt Kemp has said that he will NOT be selecting Bryce Harper as a participant in the MLB Home Run Derby during All-Star Weekend in Kansas City. (According to USA Today)

You may remember Matt Kemp from earlier this season when he started the year off with triple crown numbers.  Well Kemp got hurt and he hasn't played in a game since the end of May.  That didn't stop the MLB from naming Kemp the captain of the National League Home-Run Derby "team?" a few weeks ago.  (Robinson Cano is the AL captain).

Kemp did an amazing job in last year's derby, hitting 2 homers in the first round and finishing in dead last in an embarrassing display of non-power.  But even after that performance, Major League baseball has decided that despite being injured, he should captain the squad.

Clearly Major League Baseball chose Kemp because of his star power.  He plays on the team in Los Angeles, he PWNs Rhianna (along with 20 other dudes), and he goes on talk shows like Conan to claim he can beat Magic Johnson one on one.

But that is the exact reason the MLB should have a word with Kemp, and make him reconsider.

Having an intriguing rookie, who is right now MORE popular in the baseball world than Matt Kemp, would bring in viewers.  All the hype behind Harper, and some of his performance this season will get even non-baseball fans interested in watching the kid try to compete with the big boys.   Chris Berman would have a field day...

Kemp says that Harper will have his day in the future, but A 23 year old Harper in a homerun derby will NOT have the same feel and excitement as a 19 year old rookie Harper.  Could Matt Kemp be jealous...


This event has no rich tradition.  It is not about who has better stats.  It is a SIDESHOW and sideshows need ATTRACTIONS to attract onlookers.  Bryce Harper is that attraction.

So I have a message for Major League Baseball.  Get up, go to the phone, and call Matt Kemp.  Tell him that making him a captain was just a publicity stunt, and that Bryce Harper will be participating in the Home Run Derby.   If you don't you are missing out on a boatload of viewers and making a joke of something that already is one.