Ben Sheets primer
Ben Sheets primer
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It obviously would be another great get for the Nats to sign free agent four-time All-Star right-hander Ben Sheets. He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers and had a very impressive 13-9, 3.09 ERA in 31 starts back in 2008. He had 5 complete games that season and 3 shutouts, which was a career high. Sheets won a Gold Medal for the U.S.A. in 2000 Summer Olympics in which he pitched 22 innings, struck out 11 batters, walked one, and gave up 11 hits during the...
Bergmann ready for the Nats to win
Bergmann ready for the Nats to win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nats veteran relief pitcher Jason Bergmann was one of four players to resign with the team yesterday. Bergmann received a one-year deal worth a reported $750,000. I spoke with Jason about his new contract and the future of the Nats as spring training draws closer in Viera. Jason and his family live in Viera where he has been training and getting ready for 2010. He told me he was driving by Space Coast Stadium as we spoke about his new deal. Congratulations on your new deal with the Nats. ...
Stammen wants to start for the Nats
Stammen wants to start for the Nats
Byron Kerr
Nationals
I checked in with Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen in Dayton, Ohio as he watched his Dayton Flyers play the George Washington Colonials in college basketball Wednesday night (Flyers won 66-51). Stammen took me on a tour of his alma mater, showing me the campus, the student housing known affectionately as "the Ghetto" and the Flyers' baseball stadium. He also joined me at halftime to talk Nats baseball as he prepares for Viera. Thank you to Federal News Radio and the Nationals flagship for...
NatsFest and Winter Caravan this week (updated)
NatsFest and Winter Caravan this week (updated)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals Fanfest and Winter Caravan is upon us with festivities kicking off Wednesday. The Caravan culminates Sunday with the NatsFest at Nationals Park. I spoke with Nats pitcher Craig Stammen last week and I mentioned seeing the Cincinnati Reds' winter caravan on the local news in Dayton. Stammen says it was Jim Bowden's idea to do the same thing with the Nationals when he arrived and the NatsFest and Winter caravan was implemented in D.C. A couple of notes about Sunday's NatsFest...
Balester feels like a "totally different pitcher"
Balester feels like a "totally different pitcher"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nats pitcher Collin Balester had a nice throwing session with a pair of minor leaguers today, and tomorrow he'll pitch with new teammate Matt Capps for the first time. In crucial news, Collin has really worked on his moustache in the offseason. It's getting to Rollie Fingers proportions. Collin told me, "I like to twist the sides with some moustache wax. When someone looks at your face and they have trouble recognizing you with the crazy moustache that is where it is going to be...
Nats Caravan: Drew Storen
Nats Caravan: Drew Storen
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Winter Caravan kicked off Wednesday as the Nats greeted fans in Virginia. Nats Top 10 pick pitcher Drew Storen signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans at Hard Times café in Arlington, alongside pitcher Ryan Speier, shortstop Danny Espinosa and manager Jim Riggleman. I sat down with Storen and he talked about his upcoming first spring training with the Nats, the rookie education program he attended as the Nats representative, and what he's done since...
Nats Caravan: Danny Espinosa
Nats Caravan: Danny Espinosa
Byron Kerr
Nationals
I got the chance to speak with Nationals prospect shortstop Danny Espinosa as the Nats Winter Caravan rolled through Virginia. Espinosa is working hard preparing for spring training and had a very busy summer, logging 160 games between the minors and the Arizona Fall League. Danny sat down with me during the Nats stop at Hard Times Cafe in Arlington, Virginia (love the Cincinnati Chili 3-way with some fresh diced tomatoes, but I digress). Espinosa talked to me about his 160-game effort...
Bryce Harper has good debut in Nevada
Bryce Harper has good debut in Nevada
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The 17-year old catching phenom Bryce Harper made his collegiate debut Friday night in Henderson, Nevada as the College of Southern Nevada beat Arizona Western 11-4. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, five members of the Nationals scouting department were on hand including Bob Boone, Roy Clark and scouting director Kris Kline. The Review-Journal reported there were 40 scouts at the game and 100 at the practice Thursday. Harper started at third base and went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and...
Nats Caravan: Brian Bruney
Nats Caravan: Brian Bruney
Byron Kerr
Nationals
At Sunday's NatsFest I had a chance to talk with one of the newest Nationals, pitcher Brian Bruney, who came over from the New York Yankees. Bruney was 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 games with the Yankees last season. Bruney went in-depth as to why he likes the Nats and what he wants to change in the way he approaches the game. He also talked about being a part of NatsFest and meeting the Nationals fans and teammates, his impression of Pudge Rodriguez and what he thinks of his new...
On Bryce Harper's Weekend
On Bryce Harper's Weekend
Byron Kerr
Orioles
Here is a quick update on Bryce Harper's weekend from Todd Dewey of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, who got to see Bryce in person for his debut Friday night. What did you think from what you saw of Bryce? "I thought Harper looked good in his debut, considering he skipped his final two years of high school. There was definitely excitement and anticipation in the air as he stepped to the plate for the first time." What stood out about Bryce's first at-bat? "I was impressed with his...