The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

Exaggerated Defensive Shifts date back to Ted Williams. Game 2 1946 World Series, Oct. 7 Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis.

(Last of a two-part series)

Any business proprietor will tell you that facing continual challenges is a central element of operation.  Baseball is hardly immune.  The current hurdles staring at the corporate Major League Baseball afterguard are not insurmountable by any stretch.  But, they won’t vanish of their own volition.  The industry has to make some moves if it wants to avoid the dreaded fate of being “Overtaken by Events.”   Last week we addressed the central issue of the current baseball product; the pace and amount of action has decreased.  Seemingly every sportswriter has taken multiple stabs at solving the issue.  Few have applied systematic problem-solving.  The result is a wall with lots of splotches and stains, but little pasta has actually stuck.  Let’s approach this from a different perspective. Continue reading →

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) mandated that there would be a $197 million tax cap for the competitive balance tax (CBT) during the 2018 season, and when the dust settled for the Washington Nationals, they did not get below the CBT limit after trading Brandon Kintzler, the DFA of Shawn Kelley, and the waiver-claims and trades of Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Madson and the waiver claim of Matt Adams. In the end, according to our sources the team’s final payroll was $204,953,657 which was $7,953,657 dollars above the CBT limit which resulted in a 30% tax penalty ($2,386,097) that the Nationals had to pay according to the Associated Press via ESPN.  The penalty payment is due on January 21, 2019. Also per the AP, the Nationals had the second highest payroll in 2018 only trailing the Boston Red Sox. Continue reading →

Modern weddings are a mix of tradition and personal touches that allow couples to showcase who they are as individuals and who they are together. When one local lifelong Nationals fan wed her husband, she knew her special day would not be complete without incorporating her favorite baseball team — the Washington Nationals. From the bachelorette party to pre-wedding time with her bridesmaids, the Nats were front and center as she prepared to start her life with her husband. Continue reading →

Jack Chesbro threw 48 complete games in 1904 which is 6 more than all of MLB in 2018

(First of a two-part series)

Changes in baseball may happen at a glacial pace, but over time they produce dramatic effects.  Much like any business, baseball as an industry faces constant challenges. Many of them are of their own making.  Today the game sits on an odd spot of roadway.  The industry as a whole makes more money than ever.  Most of it comes from local and regional network television deals.  Attendance is on a worrisome downward trend, however.  The age demographics of the sport’s consumers is skewed heavily towards the upper range.  Generalities are that “Millennials” and “Gen Z” are noted for shorter attention spans; demanding action while loathing dead time.  Precisely on cue, baseball is providing less motion while the time between balls put into play has grown to an all-time high.  A major reason is that the game has evolved into one of “Ultimate Outcomes.” Continue reading →