While I was out...
Sorry for dropping out of sight for the past 24 hours, which didn't seem like such a long time until I noticed that the Washington Nationals have a new manager since the last time I posted and Brian Matusz was named Eastern League Player of the Week for his eight-inning, one-hit performance on Tuesday. I was out searching for my lost right Achillies tendon and I'm happy to report both ends of it have been located and will soon be reunited.
Can't help but feel bad for Manny Acta, who was dealt a pretty tough hand when he took the job, but it's also fair to point out that a guy of his experience probably would not have gotten that job if the team had been a potential contender.
Club president Stan Kasten said during today's news conference that he feels the team has underachieved, which isn't hard to conclude when your team has a major league-worst 26-61 record, but Acta certainly wasn't playing with anything close to a full deck, and I'm not referring to his mental state.
That said, Jim Riggleman is a veteran guy who knows what he's doing, so if there was something Acta wasn't getting done, it should become apparent in the second half. My guess, however, is that the Nationals are still headed for about 50 victories this year.
What else is there to say about Matusz. They might want to just make that Player of the Week award a perpetual trophy.
Quick plug I will be doing my show on WBAL (1090 AM) tonight at six, so feel free to stop by or call in. If you're out of signal range, go to WBAL.com and click on the "Listen Live" icon.
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Comments
Pete-
I'm getting ready to head out to Purdue Stadium to see the Shorebirds v Legends (Astros- A). I remembered that presently the Shorebirds are holding an online auction where proceeds go to support the Shorebirds Community Fund, which supports youth sports on the Eastern Shore.
The items up for the current auction are Luke Scott's memorabilia from his brief rehab stint with Delmarva. The items include an autographed SAL Baseball, autographed Black Alt. Jersey, and an autographed white home jersey. The profits go to a great cause, and the current bids are fairly low.
And don't bid on the autographed alt. jersey......Its going to be mine!
http://shorebirds.milbauctions.com/gallery.cfm
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Pete's reply: That's great. That jersey would be a conversation piece.
Posted by: James Salisbury,MD | July 13, 2009 5:42 PM
Pete,
Had my right Achilles tendon cut and re-attached about 5 years ago (when I was in my mid-sixties.) My best advice is to take it real slow with your recovery. Also, make sure you keep a urine container close to the bed. It's a lot easier to empty it twice a day then try to hobble to the bathroom numerous times.
Hutch
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Pete's reply: Thanks for the tip, which sounds pretty logical. I'll be watching a lot of TV for the next couple of weeks.
Posted by: Hutch | July 13, 2009 10:28 PM
Surprised no one reported on Tillman and Matusz results at the Futures game. Been wondering about it the last few days finally googled it since I couldn't find it on ESPN or the MLB site, they gave the recap of the game but not the boxscore. Anyway guess I know why now neither of them had a good line
Tillman 1.0IP 2H 2R 2ER 1BB Matusz 1.0IP 1H 1R 1R 1BB
Posted by: Matt | July 13, 2009 11:06 PM
Does this post actually qualify as news? Glad to see you're still eager to keep the discussion going Pete, but now seems like a good time to rest up and heal while you've got the chance.
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Pete's reply: DJ, this blog isn't meant to be the Associated Press. It's a running commentary and that's what I wanted to comment on at that moment. Some people wonder when the thing goes dormant for 24 hours.
Posted by: djph | July 14, 2009 3:54 AM
Pete,
This is not an attempt to use your blog for a discussion of health policy. But can you imagine the financial situation you'd be facing if you had been one of the reporters the Sun has jettisoned recently? I wonder how much health insurance they took with them.
Rest up and get ready for the Orioles' dramatic, second-half pursuit of fourth place!
Posted by: rockvillejake | July 14, 2009 8:33 AM
Pete:
Did the tendon injury emanate from your courageous attempt to save the turtle in Spring Training?
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Pete's reply: I doubt it. I believe turtle pee is considered an elixir in some remote regions.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2009 9:25 AM