While names like Mike Piazza and Barry Bonds highlight the list of players on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot to be announced on Jan 9, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians legend Julio Franco is among them. Franco began his career in 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies with 3 rbi’s in 29 AB’s. Franco finished his career in 2007 with the Atlanta Braves at age 49. Franco finished with a career line of 2,586 hits, 173 homeruns, 1,194 rbi’s, and 281 stolen bases in 23 big league seasons that spanned 7 MLB clubs. Franco is best remembered for playing until the age of 49. Franco was also the oldest player in MLB history to post a homerun, a grand slam, a pinch-hit homer, two homers in one game and two stolen bases in one game.

Tonight could be Chipper Jones’ last game as a Major League Baseball player. We’ve known for some time that he’ll retire at the end of this season.

I’m torn about this upcoming NL wild card one-game playoff. I threw myself into Cardinal nation last year after the Rays were eliminated but Chipper, well, his name has been known around my house for a loooonnng time. I can thank Grandma Tyson for that. Grandma’s been a Braves fan for at least my 24 years of life and probably came around to them when the Braves came to Atlanta back in 1966.

So back to Chipper. While I’m not the biggest fan of his current facial hair, he may have been my very first baseball crush. For that, and for the career that the 40 year old has had (all 19 season with the Braves!), I present this week’s Designated Hotter: Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones, Jr.

[All photos are from Keith Allison.]

» Continue reading “Designated Hotter: Chipper Jones”

Standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

The Nats have clinched a playoff berth and the club is sitting atop the NL East with a magic number of 6, and a near-unbelievable-yet-so-believable record of 92-60.

Lefty sensation Gio Gonzalez recorded his 20th win of the season on Saturday against the Brewers when his offense was certainly not feeling shy. The Nats trumped the Brew Crew with a final score of 10-4, and Gio held ‘em scoreless through five. Gio is the first National to reach a 20-game season, and is needless to say a contender for the Cy Young Award.

Meanwhile, rookie phenom Bryce Harper continues to astound and could be in a race for a title of his own: the NL Rookie of the Year Award, that is.

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: Rounding Third…”

National League East Standings. Image via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

Despite losing the series to the Marlins, not to mention with the rubber match culminating in an [embarrassing] 8-0 loss, the Nats continue to prove that it is still possible to move up from the top. Right now their record is 86-54.

Manager Davey Johnson announced that ace Stephen Strasburg won’t be back on the mound this season, due to inning limits in place from his Tommy John surgery in 2010. Of course, the news also came after one of Stras’s worst starts of the season- he allowed seven runs through only five innings. Lefty John Lannan should pitch against the Mets at Citi field this Wednesday in Stephen’s stead.

Meanwhile, on the mound Monday against the Mets, Gio Gonzalez will toss to try to be the first to reach 19 wins this season. Cy Young-speak continues to stir around the Washington southpaw.

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: We’re Going Streaking!”

NL East standings as of 8/25. Graphic via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

The Nats are high above all other teams in the majors with a picturesque win percentage at .611, and even a small losing streak really ain’t no thang but a blip on the radar.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki had a broken-hand scare Wednesday, but returned to the lineup Friday after negative X-ray results came through. Shortstop Ian Desmond should be out through Monday to play it safe with his hamstring strain. Likewise, Michael Morse took Sunday off to rest his hand, which remained painful after being hit by a pitch on Friday’s game against the Phillies.

… Just ask Jayson Werth, (or check his email in/outbox), those two teams just can’t seem to get along. Somehow injury is always added to insult in such rivalries.

Stephen Strasburg is set to miss his final two or three starts of the season by order of his Tommy John recovery schedule. In his absence, the Nationals could switch to a four-man rotation come October.

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: Dark Horse Play On Horizon?”

NL East Standings as of 8/12. via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

Jayson Werth rejoined the Nationals on Thursday (over a week ago) and the Nats have been winning with him since. Werth was moved up to the leadoff spot, and is hitting an insane .400 with a .500 on-base percentage.

Meanwhile, shortstop Ian Desmond took his first live swings during his rehab assignment, and manager Davey Johnson is antsy to have Desmond back in action.

Unfortunately, Chien-Ming Wang exited his Minor League rehab start with hip soreness on Tuesday night. His return to the Nats, which could have been as early as this past Saturday, is of course pushed back until he can make another rehab start.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy 

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab…”

Standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

It might be a bit premature to break out the champagne, but Washington has already won more games so far this season than their totals of either the 2008 or 2009 seasons. So, hooray.

But on the flipside, Nats first baseman Adam LaRoche left the game Sunday against the Brewers for back tightness, and he is listed as day to day.
Outfielder Xavier Nady was released on Sunday and the Nationals recalled John Lannan. Additionally, the Nats signed free-agent Mike MacDougal to a Minor League contract in Triple-A.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: Record-Breakers & Re-Runs”

NL East Standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals
Is it just me, or is Bryce Harper quite saucy? Apparently he had some beef with the Notorious Ozzie Guillen of the Marlins regarding pine tar, which just goes to show you, maybe sometimes it takes two to tango.

Ian Desmond sat out of the Nats lineup on Sunday due to an oblique injury that has been plaguing the All-Star-nominated shortstop for months. In fact, Desomnd opted-out of his All-Star nomination for healing time.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: In Repair?”

National League East standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

It’s not much of a surprise that D.C.’s aces Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez were voted to the 2012 All Star Game, along with Ian Desmond. And what’s more, wonder-kid Bryce Harper is eligible for a final vote All Star nomination. The Nats have never had more than two representatives elected as All Stars, which continues to prove that this season’s club is a whole different breed than the Nats you used to know.

In heat: Many cities in America endured a heat wave this week, and when the Nats played in Atlanta the temperature climbed to over 100 degrees, which limited Strasburg’s performance to only three innings, probably due to dehydration. But the club didn’t melt completely. Washington managed to stay cool and best the Braves for the series, and finished off a month of star-worthy success.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: All Star Edition”

National League East standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals
For interleague play this week, the Nats faced off with the New York Yankees, who swept Washington under the rug without a second thought. The Nats had a different kind of luck when they faced, and similarly swept, the AL East ranked-fourth Toronto Blue Jays in a prior interleague match-up. Of course, never forget our new favourite hashtag that sprang from the series, when young’n Bryce Harper was asked in an interview if he would drink beer in Toronto because he is of legal age in Canada… to which he responded: “That’s a #ClownQuestionBro” Brilliant.

Floundering Nats reliever Brad Lidge who went down with the ship in both Friday and Saturday’s losses to the Yanks, was designated for assignment on Sunday, and Ryan Mattheus was activated to take his place.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: Clowning Around With Interleague Play”